The northern Johannesburg suburb of Douglasdale, wedged between the suburbs of Fourways and Bryanston, offers an attractive array of property - from sectional title units to freestanding clusters and standalone homes - available off-plan, for purchase or to let.
The Douglasgate development in Dougladale offers residents access to a clubhouse, tennis court and pool. Apartments are on the market from R740 000 to R1.165 million - click here to view.This is according to Chris Renecle, MD at Renprop, who says built upon the Douglasdale farm, which was first established in 1905 by Scotsman Thomas Douglas and his wife Janet Alexander, Douglasdale has developed over the years from a rural dairy farm into a popular residential node.
“Douglasdale is an incredibly popular suburb, especially among up-and-coming executives and young families. It offers excellent value-for-money property, and it is well placed for those who work in the Fourways, Bryanston, Rivonia and Sandton business districts, close to major road networks,” says Renecle.
“The access to a range of amenities from shops, gyms and restaurants to schools and medical facilities has also contributed to the high demand for property in this area.”
Renecle says the Village Shopping Centre has just been revamped, and together with other shopping centres, provides the community with major food retail outlets, a number of dining and fast food options as well as a number of other shops and services.
“Douglasdale residents also benefit from the Future City Fourways initiative, which is empowered by resident and business sponsorships to create safer, cleaner and better maintained high-traffic routes, based on South Africa’s City Improvement District (CID) model,” says Renecle.
“Furthermore, the massive development being undertaken in the general Fourways precinct, including road infrastructure upgrades along Witkoppen, will contribute to the continued increase in property values, especially once it’s complete.”
This four bedroom, two bathroom home in Douglasdale has an open-plan lounge leading out to a covered patio with built-in braai overlooking the pool and garden area. It is on the market for R3.8 million - click here to view.As a relatively safe area, Renecle says various community initiatives such as neighbourhood watch programmes and community crime forums help to deter crime.
He says there is a range of property available for purchase or rent in the Douglasdale area.
Off-plan options
Comprising 232 units in total over approximately 25 blocks of three stories each, Douglasgate is a traditional sectional title townhouse development.
Designed for modern living with low-maintenance features and open-plan living, buyers have a choice of one bedroom, one bathroom, and two bedroom and one bathroom, and two bedroom, two bathroom units ranging in size from 50sqm to 120sqm.
All units have either a balcony or small garden as well as covered and open parking bays. Provision has also been made for visitors parking. Communal facilities at Douglasgate include a swimming pool, clubhouse and tennis court, which are already built and in operation.
“Douglasgate offers the best-priced off-plan units in the area and surrounding suburbs, with one bedroom units available from R799 000, and two bedroom units selling from R999 000,” says Russel Peach, Divisional Manager of Renprop Residential Projects.
“After the development of close to 1 000 sectional title units in the Douglasdale precinct, this final phase of Douglasgate will be Renprop’s last sectional title development in the area.”
Property sales
In the property sales arena, Debbie Justus-Ferns, Divisional Manager of Renprop Residential Sales, says Douglasdale properties also offer value for money compared to the surrounding suburbs.
She says Douglasdale offers a variety of sectional title and full title properties in gated communities and boomed areas. Property prices range from R800 000 for sectional title units and from R2.5 million for cluster homes. Freestanding houses are typically selling from R3 million upwards.
“The most active price range is for sectional title properties that fall under the R1.5 million mark at the moment, and freestanding clusters priced between R1.5 million and R2.2 million are popular,” says Justus-Ferns.
“Buyers willing to spend R3 million-plus on a freestanding family home will get great value with four bedrooms and two lounges and spacious rooms, situated on stands measuring around 1 200sqm.”
Property rentals
Renecle says there has been a strong demand for rental properties in Douglasdale in recent years, and the rental market remains buoyant. Tenants are spoiled for choice with a wide range of properties, from entry-level sectional title units to upmarket cluster homes, with rentals ranging from between R6 000 to R30 000 per month.
He says Douglasdale is a good community, with lots of nursery schools ideal for the young family, while executives find it a trendy suburb in which to live.
“Whether you are looking to buy a home, invest off-plan or rent a sectional title unit, Douglasdale has what you are looking for,” says Renecle.
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