Neighbourhood 30 SEPTEMBER 2018
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
A good mix
The established suburb of Essenwood is where old and modern resides and develops together, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: ESSENWOOD
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PROPERTY NEWS
30 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Essenwood Here’s what’s happening in property in the area
WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: STEPHEN PILBROUGH & GOOGLE MAPS *Map not to scale
I’ve lived in Essenwood for decades, and even though my family wants me to move closer to them in Kloof, I’m not leaving here – it’s convenient to everything, and it’s home CLAIRE CROSS, RESIDENT
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ssenwood is one of Durban’s older, most established suburbs. Many of the old sepia photographs in the archives show clapboard homes – others shipped out from England in kit form – and dirt roads like Gladys Mazibuko, as part of those pioneering days of Durban and the bay. Views from here gave a good idea of the to-ing and froing of ships around the port. Today, it’s a very different landscape, with the English architecture nudging more multicultural design and affluent property clustering around the top private schools for which this area is well known. Essenwood’s well-established trees clearly demarcate the seasons, with carpets of yellow on the ground, followed by huge pools of purple. Essenwood is fortunate to be fringed by superb green parks – from the Botanic Gardens to Mitchell Park and Jamieson Park, all within walking distance.
Property Essenwood is the heart of the so-called Berea, a large, attractive and green suburb which cascades down the hill towards Greyville Racecourse and Royal Durban Golf Club, the slope giving many homes sensational views and sea breezes. Essenwood is a grid of the primary parallel, contour roads which traverse the entire Berea area, right from the N3 to the northern side of this “ridge” around Florida and Montpelier roads. In layers from the top, Peter Mokaba (Ridge), Stephen Dlamini (Essenwood), and Musgrave Road, dominate, with a wide range of properties, ranging from the glorious old PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town
Durban Victorian and Edwardian homes, to some of the largest, most extravagant, modern properties in the region. In between these freestanding homes, are numerous small and medium-sized upmarket townhouse developments and apartment blocks. A significant number of old Essenwood properties have been demolished or entirely reworked, to create highly contemporary, glass and chrome mansions and massive high-gloss apartments, one per floor. But even though there are high-end properties in Essenwood, equally, closer to town, there are smaller, lesser-priced, affordable properties, from freestanding to apartments, and townhouses. From Linden Road and all along Problem Mhkize and beyond, professional and commercial rights are common, and many Durban vintage homes have been saved by commerce affecting magnificent renovations.
Schooling Essenwood and immediate surrounds are home to some of Durban’s finest girls’ private schools – Durban Girls’ College and Maris Stella. Clifton School for boys is in the neighbouring suburb of Morningside. The co-ed Curro Embury College in nearby Windermere offers facilities from three years up to high school. The government schools on the entire Berea are excellent, too, from Gordon Road Girls’ School and Morningside Primary School, to Durban Preparatory High School for boys. The area’s preschools of Tree Tops, Joyce Broadhead, Montpelier and Wonderland all have excellent reputations. Livingstone School, too, is renowned
for its superb remedial work with junior school children. Resident Naz Moola says, “Our three children are at private schools in the area – four minutes from home! It makes it so much easier for sport and evening activities, and by day, they walk to and from school.”
Explore From homes in Essenwood, there’s a wonderful mix of sounds which fill the night air, whether it’s the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer, or night horse racing at Greyville. The top races may be seasonal, but what isn’t seasonal, is the ever-popular 18-hole golf course of the legendary Royal Durban Golf Club, a large green belt which sits pretty in the middle of the race track. The goldcircle race track and the golf course are sliced through the middle by DLI Avenue (Durban Light Infantry), and the track runs on bridges over the road. With the Durban beachfront a mere five-minute drive – or cycle – away and the various parks equally close, stretching one’s legs in and around Essenwood is easy. It’s a suburb closely surrounded by so many others, that accessibility to your beauty therapist or game of tennis, is as easy as walking your dog in Jamieson Park, or attending lectures at the Botanical Gardens. “I opened my two Wowhaus selfcatering units on my property four years ago, and it’s worked brilliantly for ICC conferences (five minutes into town), and other Durban highlights. Wowhaus is walking distance to top restaurants, the racecourse and retail,” adds resident Stephanie Woodhouse.
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30 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
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Jamieson Park Mitchell Park Durban Botanic Gardens Killie Campbell Museum Royal Durban Golf Club Greyville Race Course Musgrave Centre Windermere Centre Overport City
• Charlie’s Bistro & Cafe, Windemere: bistro and cafe-style restaurant • Market Restaurant, Greyville: simple, seasonal cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients • Ninth Avenue Bistro, Morningside: small, personal restaurant • Mama Luciano’s, Morningside: traditional Italian cuisine • The Little India Restaurant, Musgrave: traditional Indian meals with a modern twist • Palki Indian Restaurant, Musgrave: exclusive authentic Indian cuisine • Country Bake: all things breakfast
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EAT:
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PROPERTY NEWS
SEE:
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HOSPITALS: • Netcare Parklands • Life Entabeni • Netcare St Augustines
For sale
For rent
Median asking price:
Median asking price:
R4,495m
R6,000
Monthly bond repayments
For a typical property (four-bedroom house)
For a typical property in this area
R2,1m
R1,15m
R3,5m
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
You’ll pay
R43,378
For a typical property (one-bedroom apartment)
R12,000
R7,225
R15,000
In a complex
For an apartment
For a house
per month
Property type:
44% house
40%
apartment
16% complex
Property type: Based on
26% house
R4,495m median asking price
13% complex
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
61%
apartment
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PROPERTY NEWS
30 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
My business neighbourhood F
lower backgrounds or arches are the latest trends for weddings or events. The wall covers any obtrusive spaces and creates the final touch of finesse to any occasion. Nadine Pillay recognised the desire for these statement pieces and established the Pretty in Pink brand, offering clients beautiful floral wall backdrops. Q: How did your business start? A: T wo years ago, when I was planning my own wedding, I had hoped to come across floral backdrops that were not only costeffective, but still provided the beauty of real flowers. I realised then that these were not easy to find in KwaZulu-Natal and there was a real desire for them. I then formulated a concept to cater to the public and Pretty in Pink was formed. Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop? A: I operate from my home in Umhlanga, and the area has an influx of young individuals and couples who look for the latest in event decor. There are also plenty of venues in this area where these walls are in great demand.
Nadine Pillay adds something unique and beautiful to weddings and events with her company Pretty in Pink WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY IMAGES: SUPPLIED
Q: How did you find your premises? A: I spent months searching for a property until I was advised by my parents and husband to keep my overheads low by operating from my own home, which made business sense. Q: Why are they ideally suited to your business? A: Umhlanga is a central location between the north and south of Durban. The charismatic environment is well suited to the fast-paced residents. There is always a thirst for something new and innovative within the community. Q: Who are your neighbours? A: My neighbours include the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, The Crescent and Umhlanga Village. Q: What is the rental/sales prices like in this area? A: I am fortunate to save on rental costs, but generally in this area price is sacrificed for location. It is an absolute treat to be in the hub of one of the most cosmopolitan locations in Durban. Q: How many people go through your store each day? A: I receive many telephonic and online
queries daily and hope to see my customer base increase as the business grows. Q: Do you have expansion plans? A: I hope to expand the business towards Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands in the future. Q: Do you operate online as well? A: I predominantly operate online and have great interaction with customers via my social media pages. I have a website coming soon. Q: What’s your most popular item? A: T he signature pink flower wall is most popular. It adds the perfect touch to any occasion with accents of blush, cream and peach.
SEE FOR YOURSELF: Pretty in Pink 083 411 7867 bit.ly/2OCWgCE
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PROPERTY NEWS
30 SEPTEMBER 2018
Rosebank Link to be completed soon
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he 15-storey steel-and-glass Rosebank Link at 173 Oxford Road in Joburg is on track for project completion by end October. This is one of the last remaining ongoing projects in the R7bn facelift of the Rosebank precinct. Recent projects have included Rosebank Towers and the Rosebank Firestation, and additional work at the Rosebank Galleria and The Mews. Paragon’s scope of work at Rosebank Link focused on the design and documentation of all five stages of the project. The building has a total rentable area of 18,744m2 of office area and 1,553m2 of ground floor retail space. There are two basement parking levels, a ground floor public and retail level, five parkade levels, and nine
storeys of offices from the podium level. “As a building standing foremost in the centre of a developing cosmopolitan area, it was important to have a unique design that served the needs of the client and its neighbours, as well as the public, in new, exciting, and smart ways,” Paragon senior project architectural technologist Warren Wesson comments. At the heart of the building is a multistorey enclosed, north-facing atrium, fashioned to capture the sunlight filtering down into a unique fluid underbelly of the ground-floor thoroughfare. This creates a conduit for a combination of green walls and indigenous planting brought to life in executive roof gardens, podium-level gardens, and parkade-wall gardens that result in a tranquil oasis within the bustling Rosebank precinct.
Neighbourhood
Declutter your home and your head The thought of decluttering is often overwhelming. It’s not simply about throwing out… it’s about associations with those items. WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
There has been no indication that expropriation will affect ordinary residential property. President Cyril Ramaphosa is on record as stating that the intention is to unlock the economic potential by looking at unused land, derelict buildings, purely speculative land holdings, or circumstances where occupiers have strong historical rights and title holders do not occupy or use their land, such as labour tenancy, informal settlements and abandoned inner-city buildings. STUART MANNING, CEO, SEEFF GROUP
Umgeni welcomes new commercial space
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hase A of the construction of the R1,4bn Umgeni Lifestyle and Deco Park in Durban, is expected to be completed as soon as October this year with the grand opening on 1 November. Conceptualised by Eris Property Group, in partnership with Prasa and Intersite Asset Investments, this commercial concept is a first of its kind for this region. “When you drive along the Springfield and Umgeni industrial areas, there’s a significant amount of clutter with haphazard businesses competing against each other. The Umgeni Lifestyle and Deco Park is a unique concept that aims to formalise the vibrant node, offering high-spec infrastructure, management association, a ‘green’ environment, and a comprehensive framework of complementary services which allows it to stand out from the crowd. We are proud to bring this
exceptional opportunity to KwaZuluNatal and pioneer a commercial property offering of international standards,” shares Stephen Lawson, developer manager, Eris Property Group. “With the first phase of infrastructure nearing completion, we are looking forward to handing over the first site to Zebbies Lighting in November, followed by CTM early next year. Businesses that offer anything from home improvement products and appliances, building supplies, furniture, flooring and blinds, to outdoor lifestyle products, call centres, offices and motor vehicle dealerships, will find this space beneficial. This park will allow businesses to lease a facility designed in accordance with their specifications and will provide them with the much-needed space to house their showroom, office and distribution within one site,” Lawson further explains.
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ape Town based James Smal, creator and owner, Sorted, says, “Clutter is anything unfinished, unused, unresolved or disorganised. When you clear your clutter, you create space for new things, and your energy and creativity will increase.” Hard to argue. Heidi Meyer, CEO, Cloud 9 organised, adds that you shouldn’t have anything in your life you don’t need or love. “If any items evoke feelings of sadness, regret or pain – remind you of times you’d rather forget – let them go. Do you want more space? Are there things which hold you back? If you don’t know why you are doing it, your decluttering efforts won’t last.” She adds, “By thinning your belongings, you will actually use a greater variety of your things.”
Micro-living comes to CT
James says, “We all carry too much stuff with us, whether mental or physical. We only need what we touch, love, use and the things that spark joy! The more you declutter, the lighter you feel and the more space there is for new opportunities in your life.”
onstruction of Cape Town’s first micro-living apartments has begun at 1 Albert Road in Woodstock. Once completed, the apartments, which were designed by architects Louis Karol and the interiors designed by Grant Gillis, will range in size from entry-level 21m2 studios, at a cost of R1,095m, to 75m2 two-bedroom units, at a cost of up to R2,65m. All the apartments will contain features such as Smeg appliances, flat screen smart TVs and uncapped, unshaped, 100megs-per-second fibre internet.
James has five tips:
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a food court, laundromat, heated swimming pool and more – all part of a new conceptual design in living known as integrated living solutions.
The development will also feature communal recreational spaces, shops,
Rob Stefanutto, group managing director, Dogon Group Properties, explains that micro-living units have been popular internationally for several years and Cape Town is now embracing this trend in. “Cape Town is following the trend seen in cities such as Berlin, London, New York, Barcelona and Paris with the development of these state-ofthe-art, micro-living apartments – the first of its kind in the city.” 1 On Albert is expected to be completed by April 2020.
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Dedicate time to declutter
Set aside a day, put your cellphone and laptop away, and outsource the children so you can focus. Starting feels like a mountain, but when you focus, you’ll get a lot done and it’ll be much easier than you thought.
2Where to start?
Establish where you spend most of your time and begin there. Make this a tranquil, safe space to be in. Don’t be overwhelmed. End that first day knowing you can go into a relaxed space, rested, for the next day’s decluttering.
the ‘Not for 3 Create this room’ box
This box is vital. If you find something that doesn’t belong in the space, box it. Don’t leave that space to put it away elsewhere – you’ll become distracted by something in the other room and lose focus. That’s guaranteed to bring back the feeling of that big mountain on your shoulders.
Make categories 4and start with a blank canvas
Before you begin to unpack, write down categories: donate, recycle, gift, sell, trash, to fix or do, and to keep. Have a box or recycling bag ready for each category, so when full, close it and remove it from the room, ready for the next empty box or bag. Pack your items into the categories. Group similar items together within the “to keep” pile, for example, glassware. Remove everything from the cupboard so when you repack and organise, you have a blank canvas to create the picture you want to see at the end.
Items we touch, 5love, use and stuff that sparks joy!
When you unpack an item you want to keep, pause, ask yourself: “Do I regularly touch or use this item?” For sentimental items: “Do I absolutely love this item and does it spark lots of joy when I look at it?” If it’s a no, it must go. When you are left with stuff you touch, love, and use, paint your picture by packing back the items in such a way that they’re visible and user-friendly.
30 SEPTEMBER 2018
Neighbourhood
New urban development west of Durban WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA
IMAGE: SUPPLIED
PROPERTY NEWS
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With construction commencing in 2019, Ntshongweni Urban Development promises big things for KZN
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arly 2019 will see the start of construction on the highly anticipated Ntshongweni Urban Development west of Hillcrest. Tongaat Hulett is responsible for the overall development vision and concept framework plan that aligns with public sector policy, plans and objectives for the area. The 2,000ha site is situated south of Assagay and west of Hillcrest. On completion it will provide critical spatial, social and economic linkages to the existing surrounding communities as the next logical urban precinct expected to unlock significant economic activity for this largely underserviced subregion. Tongaat Hulett Development managing director Michael Deighton says, “The N3 corridor is currently the country’s busiest transport route and will be upgraded in line with the aim of improving the country’s logistics and transport links. Linking into this important strategic corridor, the people-centred Ntshongweni Urban Development will create a benchmark for the way in which new, integrated, inclusive South African urban precincts are developed. From urban planning through to the residential, retail, commercial, recreational, logistics and light industrial activities, the mixed uses of this area are vast.” The first phase of the multiple-phased development, the retail and urban core, will anchor the Ntshongweni Urban Development as a mixed-use, urban
precinct centred around a new regional retail offering. This will be followed by a variety of other uses including residential, logistics, recreational, warehousing and leisure components. The pioneering design will make substantial provision for the site’s ecological wellbeing, as well as responding to the needs of the people who use it with approximately 1,000ha of open space being allocated for passive and active recreational use. Deighton says, “All development rights for the retail and urban core are in place and we officially have the go-ahead to break ground in the first quarter of 2019.” The first step will be upgrades to Kassier Road followed by the first phase of construction in the retail and urban core precinct. “We have confidence in Ntshongweni’s immense potential to bring more people closer to essential employment opportunities, urban services and amenities while creating a favourable investment climate for investors and developers,” says Deighton.
NTSHONGWENI IS ULTIMATELY EXPECTED TO GENERATE: • 400,000 temporary construction jobs • 35,000 permanent jobs • R700m in annual rates for the eThekwini Municipality • R5,1bn in annual tax revenue
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PROPERTY NEWS
10 JUNE 2018
Neighbourhood