Neighbourhood 4 AUGUST 2019
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
Farm-like serenity The surroundings, the vibe, and the abundance of fresh air in Irene, all bring back memories of country living in its purest form, page 2
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SUBURB FOCUS: IRENE
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PROPERTY NEWS
4 AUGUST 2019
Neighbourhood
Suburb focus
Irene
The suburb of Irene in Centurion South is sprawling by the day. According to residents it’s the fresh air and farm-like look and feel and the peacefulness that attract them. WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE *Map not to scale
IMAGES: RENE WALKER & GOOGLE MAPS
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roperty in the quaint little village of Irene has always been sought-after. In recent decades the demand for housing in this serene, well-located and scenic part of Centurion soared even higher. Developers jumped in and several impressive estate developments, independent schools and modern shopping centres have since seen the light in Irene. Today Irene comprises the older central part (now gated) and many affluent estates like Irene Farm Villages, Cornwall Hill Estate, Southdowns Irene Country Farm Estate, Irene Glen Private Estate, and Irene View Estate. These are nestled alongside the R21 to OR Tambo International Airport and Ekurhuleni while the N1 highway between Pretoria and Joburg is accessible within a few minutes’ drive. Even though much of the countryside ambiance and peace and quiet had been preserved and there still is a working dairy farm in the middle of the neighbourhood, residents also have the advantage of being close to top amenities such as comprehensive shopping malls, top schools, hospitals, several churches and every modern amenity one can think of.
Property The real estate market in Irene caters to residents on the higher end of the market. Property does not come cheap, but one gets a lot for you money, as well as fresh air. The older, central part of Irene offers lovely family homes on large wooded stands under charming tall trees. This is also where one could get away with a slightly more economical buy. Young first-time buyers and individuals who want to live in the area, can have a look at the Hereford apartment block development across the road from Irene Farm Villages. A few of the newer developments also offer stylish modern apartment and townhouse living for established buyers. Prestigious affluent estates like Cornwall Hill and Southdowns are high-income security estates and property prices can reach many millions. Vacant stands are often available in the area and commercial and industrial property is currently readily on the market.
Schools
Being established during the Anglo Boer War to serve children who were detained at the Irene Concentration Camp, Irene Primary School boasts a fascinating historical background. The school has since its modest beginnings in 1901 grown into a highly esteemed public school. Along the same lines, Irene Middle School, which opened its doors in 1913 to provide education to children of farmworkers in the area, is still functional as a public primary school for learners from a much bigger demographic area. Many children residing in Irene, attend Laerskool Doringkloof Primary, a public, dual-medium school in the neighbouring suburb of Doringkloof. In recent years the sought-after Cornwall Hill College, an independent school catering to learners from Grade 000 up to Grade 12, was EDITORIAL TEAM:
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established next to Cornwall Hill Estate in Irene. Likewise, the prestigious Southdowns College opened its doors next to Southdowns Farm Estate. This independent school also caters to learners from the prepreparatory phase up to Grade 12. Parents can also opt to enroll their high school children at Hoërskool Centurion or Lyttelton Manor High School. Both these are public schools of good standing.
Explore
Irene and surrounds have a myriad interesting places to be explored and enjoyed. Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve offers a relaxing escape into nature less than 5km from Irene Village Mall. Rietvlei Coffee Shop is accommodated in an old farmstead in the reserve with lots of character and stories to tell. The nearby Willow Feather Farm Garden Centre is just as lovely a venue to visit with the kids. They’ll love getting acquainted with animals like sheep, potbelly pigs, ponies, turkeys, rabbits and feathered friends like chickens, ducks and geese. The tea garden serves delicious eats and treats while picnic baskets can be ordered and enjoyed in the picturesque gardens. Ouma Isie’s Tea Garden is set in a tranquil forest under shady trees at the Jan Smuts House Museum in Irene. The tea garden is famous for cooking up lip-smacking traditional boerekos dishes. The venue boasts some old forest trails and live entertainment events are also presented. Another entertainment venue hosting regular music performances is Railways Café. The old station building in the village was transformed into a restaurant cum bar with a magical bohemian feel, where guests will feel comfortable to kick off their shoes and enjoy the moment. And the Irene Village Market is a must-visit. It's held at The Big Red Barn every first and last Saturday of the month.
ADVERTISING SALES: Call us for advertising opportunities on 087 828 0423 Production: Lucea Goosen pretoria@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com
4 AUGUST 2019
Neighbourhood
PROPERTY NEWS
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CLAY CAFE AT THE RED BARN
STAY
My parents lived here, I live here, and my children plan to stay in the neighbourhood where they grew up – we got used to the open landscape and birds singing. It’s quite a safe area and conveniently located close to the highways. BETTINA ALBRIGHT, RESIDENT
• Twin Rivers Bed and Breakfast: highly commended, tranquil setting • African Pride Irene Country Lodge: five-star hotel in the heart of Irene • Irene Bed and Breakfast: homeaway-from-home hospitality • Saint George Hotel: 20 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport • River Meadow Manor: elegant guesthouse and beautiful surroundings
• • • • •
MEDICAL FACILITIES NEARBY
IRENE COUNTRY CLUB
Centurion Eye Hospital Intercare Irene Sub-acute Hospital Lyttelton Clinic Mediclinic Midstream Netcare Unitas Hospital
EAT
For a typical property in this area You’ll pay
R36,574 per month
5%
R3,79m
For a typical property (four-bedroom house)
R1,89m In a complex
Median asking price
COMPLEX
Median asking price
25%
R24,500 APARTMENT
Monthly bond repayments
For rent For a typical property (four-bedroom house)
25%
R12,500 In a complex
APARTMENT
For sale
COMPLEX
• Doppio Zero Southdowns: renowned for its Mediterranean cuisine • Meadow Green Restaurant: fine dining at African Pride Irene Country Lodge • Mythos Irene Village Mall: as Greek as it gets • Whisk Wine Bar, Cornwall Hill: laidback atmosphere and tasty food • Wild Hawk Spur Steak Ranch: family-friendly chain diner
27%
Based on
70%
For an apartment
R3,695m For a house
R9,800
48%
For an apartment
R23,250 For a house
HOUSE
over a period of 20 years at 10% prime
R1,219m HOUSE
R3,79m median asking price
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PROPERTY NEWS
4 AUGUST 2019
Neighbourhood
How does your garden grow? You don’t have to live in a large space to have a garden all of your own WORDS: VICKI SLEET
IMAGES: MICKY HOYLE, WARREN HEATH & LAR LESLIE/BUREAUX
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on’t let a small thing like the lack of space deter you from channelling your inner gardener and letting your green fingers fly. You’d be surprised just how easy it is to incorporate plants into your home.
Hanging out
If you’re stuck for space or not sure what to do with an empty wall, a hanging garden could be your green solution. It works well with succulents and hardy grasses that need little care and water. Choose a cylindrical container that sits comfortably against the wall and plant a selection of species with interesting shapes and colourways. Alternatively, choose plants with scented flowers and allow the fragrance to waft through your home. Hanging gardens planted with herbs and vegetables are increasingly being seen in urban environments. Keep in mind that they require plenty of sunlight.
Climb the walls
Create a mini garden using pallet wood nailed together into a neat grid and criss-crossed with fishing gut,
and deck it out with epiphytes, or air plants, which can grow without soil. Bromeliads are popular at-home epiphyte choices, as are some species of orchids. Watering is best done by removing the installation, submerging it and the plants in water for up to 20 minutes, then draining it well.
a modern, minimalist space. Some of the species that do well inside are the Natal fig, tiger bark fig, Japanese maple and Chinese maple.
Upcycle
On display
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a series of containers for a potted garden or green indoor installation. Use what’s around you – things like discarded copper lighting components and PVC pipes could work. Use coir (fibre from coconut husks), which retains water very well, to create a sense of cohesion between the different containers. Whatever you use, you’ll need to ensure you have proper drainage. Drill or punch holes in the bottom of your container to allow excess water to seep out.
Living artworks
Bonsai can be used as decor objects to make a style statement in your home. These miniature ornamental trees command attention and look great in
A terrarium garden is easy to install and maintain. You’ll need a glass container with an opening that’s big enough to fit your hand through. Start with a base layer of pebbles followed by some horticultural charcoal – to absorb fumes due to decomposing plant material in the closed environment – and on top of that goes a thick layer of potting soil. Adding moss in-between plants will help to retain moisture in the soil. Plants that are suitable for terrariums enjoy high humidity and low to moderate light levels and will remain relatively small. These include ferns, miniature orchids, African violets, cyclamens, air plants and peace-in-the-home.
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Local interest in US citizenship on the rise A
Inner-city living on a whole new level L ocated at 5 Heerengracht Street, Cape Town, The Duke is a new residential development commanding the prime corner of the Foreshore, overlooking the Adderley Street fountain below, and Table Mountain above.
with air conditioning, luxurious finishes, fixtures and fittings.
The Duke is perfect for buyers and investors looking for apartment living for long- and short-term residents and the buy-to-let market.
“The Duke takes its cue from international trends,” says Chris Marsay, marketing manager, Mosaic. “Nowadays, astute investors are looking for unique opportunities and not just a ‘vanilla’ apartment investment, hence the incorporation of the hospitality element – like a full-serviced concierge service.”
According to the development team at Mosaic, The Duke will look and feel more like a contemporary, boutique hotel with facilities and services that cater to both long- and short-term residential needs. The 81 apartments range from studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments – each
He continues, “The Mosaic Group doesn’t believe in funding developments on the back of presales. We wanted to take our time to develop apartments to levels of excellence, not readily available in this market.” The project is set to launch in early September.
n imminent, dramatic increase in the investment threshold for foreigners to access a US Green Card via the EB-5 programme is prompting a flurry of interest among South Africans. Says Chris Immelman, who heads up Pam Golding International, “Within a month this amount increased from $500,000 (R7,1m) to $1,35m (R19,2m), which, taking the exchange rate into account, is a significant hike for South Africans wishing to acquire USA citizenship via this method.”
The EB-5, which was created as a means of stimulating the US economy through job creation and capital investment by foreigners, is at present the quickest route to obtaining a Green Card which
is valid for 10 years and provides the opportunity to acquire citizenship. Pam Golding International recently teamed up with American Dream, which is represented in major centres in South Africa, in providing a turnkey service to help locals gain lawful permanent residence in the USA. Says Stuart Ferguson, CEO, American Dream, “The EB-5 investment visa programme guarantees that a family will get Green Cards, leading to citizenship after five years. The benefits are many – the American economy is booming, it’s easy to start a business there, and Green Card holders have access to all the advantages of education and business opportunities, plus, the investment capital returns to the investor after a period of five years.
Schooling in the US is advanced, largely due to large US corporations making contributions to enhance facilities for schooling and education. Furthermore, being an English-speaking country, it’s easy for South Africans to adapt.” Explaining why the EB-5 investment threshold is about to more than double, Ferguson says this hasn’t been overhauled since the programme has been in existence and the US authorities have elected to link it to their annual Consumer Price Index (CPI), which has increased to an all-time high of 255.16 index points in May this year. The EB-5 programme was launched by the US government in 1990, when the CPI averaged at around 130.
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Neighbourhood
stneighbourhood.co.za | 4 AUGUST 2019
Your Home, Our Core Business
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FAERIE GLEN
R1 400 000
FAERIE GLEN
R980 000 R
THE HILLS - GAME RESERVE ESTATE
R3 895 000
NEWLANDS SOLE MANDATE
R1 190 000
AFFORDABLE RETIREMENT - GROUND FLOOR!
3 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE WITH VERANDA
SUPERB ARCHITECT DESIGNED PROPERTY
EXCELLENT LOCATION! EXCELLENT BUY!
Frailcare & meals available. 1 level, ground floor, corner unit with 2 bedrs & 2 bathrs. Open-plan kitchen, study, lounge/dining room area & deck patio overlooks the garden. 1 garage & 2 store rooms.
Lovely Faerie view unit! Boasting 3 bedrs & 2 bathrs with a veranda & a double carport parking right next to the unit. Close to all amenities. Complex offers a communal pool & entertainment area.
Beautiful house of 400m2 with 4 bedrs, 3 bathrs, study, playroom & large open-plan living & kitchen areas. Staff quarters, spacious stand. Top of the range finishes. Perfectly maintained & fairly new.
Sunny & bright apartment. This units offers 2 bedrs 1 bathr, openplan kitchen & lounge. Situated in the upmarket retirement village of Kingswood. 24 hr home care with 10 meals included in levy.
WEB REF: AP 13659 LOUISE PEARSON - 083 306 6875
NEWLANDS
R1 500 000
NOT TO BE MISSED! North-facing 2 bedr, 1 bathr apartment in an upmarket Retirement Village. Spacious living room, open-plan kitchen, enclosed balcony, 24 hr security & excellent facilities such as a gym, hair salon etc.
WEB REF: AP 13592 WERNER FERREIRA - 079 497 5022
NEWLANDS SOLE MANDATE
WEB REF: AP 13210
MAGDA - 084 505 7840 & MARISA - 072 204 2822
R2 050 000
NEWLANDS
FROM R725 000
WEB REF: AP 13263 PETRO - 082 551 7990 & ANDRE - 082 930 7386
OLYMPUS PIERRE VAN RYNEVELD
R1 R 730 000
EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY - TOWNHOUSE!
NEW DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY!
RETIRE IN STYLE - 2 BEDROOM BLISS!
Townhouse with private garden. North views overlooking the valley! This exclusive retirement village has a lot to offer. 2 bedrs, 1 bathr, 1 garage, 1 carport & a pet friendly garden! Call now for more info!
Kingswood Village upmarket Retirement Village in an established environment. Only 12 - 1 bedr & 2 bedr units. Kingswood has a fantastic reputation. 10 meals inclusive in the levies. Lots of extras!
2 bedr retirement unit in a modern complex in Olympus. 2 bathrs, beautiful kitchen with space for 3 appliances. Offers clinic, 24 hr security, Lunch meals available ,communal dining areas.
WEB REF: AP 12798 WEB REF: AP 13270 WEB REF: APD45 WEB REF: AP 12980 PETRO - 082 551 7990 & ANDRE - 082 930 7386 PETRO - 082 551 7990 & ANDRE - 082 930 7386 PETRO - 082 551 7990 & ANDRE - 082 930 7386 WERNER FERREIRA - 079 497 5022
WATERKLOOF SOLE MANDATE
FROM R1 175 000
THATCHFIELD ESTATE
R2 450 000
THATCHFIELD ESTATE
R3 050 000
HIGHVELD
R2 750 000
BRAND NEW DEVELOPMENT!
4 BEDROOM DUET - BRAND NEW HOUSES!
4 BEDROOM DUET - DREAM HOME!
GREAT VALUE - PRICED TO SELL!
Top of the range 2 bedr, 2 bathr apartments! Development consists of 5 blocks, with 4 floors in each block & 2 apartments per floor. Each unit is 82.42 sqm & ground floor units are pet-friendly.
Beautiful architect designed houses. Direct form developer - from plan. Cost included except bond fees. Beautiful & practical 4 bedr, 3 bathr. Large living areas flow out to covered braai area & garden.
Buy from plan. Occupation +- Oct 2019. 4 bedr, 4 en suite bathr home with a pj lounge, 5 balconies. Study, staff quarters & a double garage. Choose your own finishes!
Family home in 100% secure estate. 4 bedrs & 5th bedr/study, 2 full bathrs - MES. Open-plan kitchen, staff room, 2 reception rooms, covered patio with built-in braai, pool, jacuzzi & big garden!
WEB REF: AP 11857
JEANNE - 082 499 5897 & VIVIENNE - 082 301 6767
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WEB REF: AP 13559 BRAAM KRUGER - 082 366 2544
WEB REF: AP 13381 BRAAM KRUGER - 082 366 2544
MENLO PARK
FIFTH ON BROOKLYN
WEB REF: AP 10979 MAGDE MEYER - 083 387 3437
SOLE MANDATE
FROM R1 499 000
30 UPMARKET APARTMENTS Modern & ideally located is part of what makes this a fantastic investment. 3 different unit plans to cater to your property needs from 66.2sq m to 80.78sq m. All units have private, north facing balconies with open plan dining room & living areas. Ideal lock-up & go!
WEB REF: APD55 ANDRE - 082 930 7386 & PETRO - 082 551 7990
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Another good reason why you should use an estate agent
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