Thousands of cyclists may have begun their annual pilgrimage to the Cape, but in the country’s fairest province, the real race is for real estate.
This four bedroom, three bathroom home in Constantia Upper is located on over two acres of exceptional landscaped garden. It is on the market for R20.5 million - click here to view.According to Chas Everitt International agents, come March and the Western Cape is transformed into a veritable biking bonanza as cyclists from around the country - and indeed the world - descend in droves for a month of on- and off-road racing.
The events kick off with two days of mountain-biking action through 55km of the Greater Simonsberg Conservancy, followed by the five-stage Bestmed Tour of Good Hope, which covers 490km of the Paarl-Franschhoek valley and finishes on Friday the 10 March.
Die-hard cyclists, meanwhile, gear up for the gruelling Absa Cape Epic, which starts, this year, in Hermanus on 19 March and takes riders through an undulating 691km of the Western Cape countryside before finishing a week later at Val de Vie Estate in Paarl.
But the agents say it’s for the world’s largest individually timed cycle race on Sunday, 12 March, that the vast majority of cyclists - some 40 000 in total - flood the province. The famous Cape Town Cycle Tour takes in 109km of the Peninsula’s most spectacular Southern Suburbs, all of which, going by the price of property, are themselves in the midst of a record winning streak.
From the race’s start on the city’s Foreshore, it takes just 14km of persistent pedalling to reach leafy Constantia, a firm favourite for families who want to be close to the quality schools and university in neighbouring Wynberg, Claremont and Rondebosch.
This three bedroom, two bathroom home in Fish Hoek is situated close to schools and amenities. It is selling for R2.89 million - click here to view.“The influx of buyers from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has certainly driven up the demand for smaller, low-maintenance homes in secure lifestyle complexes, but the rambling estates for which the area is famous are still to be found,” says Sally Gracie, Chas Everitt International’s area specialist in Constantia Upper.
Constantia provides easy access to the M3 expressway, which cyclists will follow for a further 6km before heading seawards, through the quaint False Bay suburbs of Muizenburg, St James and Kalk Bay.
The latter, in particular, has seen phenomenal growth over the past three years, says Chas Everitt International area specialist John Silva.
“Most homes here are positioned in the R7 million to R12 million price bracket. Although we’ve come close to it, we’ve yet to top the R15 million mark, but even a 500sqm stand - of which there remain very few - will sell now for between R6 million and R8.5 million,” says Silva.
Skirting the water’s edge, the easy 4km from Kalk Bay to Fish Hoek follows the tracks of the train that takes commuters all the way into the city. Surrounded by rugged mountains and boasting a family-friendly Blue Flag beach, Fish Hoek is fast shedding its retirement-village image and has seen solid year-on-year house-price growth, says Charlene Faint, Chas Everitt International’s specialist in the suburb.
This two bedroom, two bathroom cottage in Hout Bay has double-volume living areas with a fireplace. It is on the market for R2.895 million - click here to view.“The homes here tend to be older, and quite often in need of renovation, but this seems to appeal to younger and upcountry buyers who purchase them at a good price and then completely update them for contemporary times,” she says.
From Fish Hoek, it’s on through the charming naval town of Simon’s Town, followed by a desolate stretch of leg-numbing pedalling around Cape Point, where the warm Indian Ocean meets the mighty Atlantic. After passing through the eerily enshrouded hamlet of Misty Cliffs and the neighbouring Scarborough conservancy, the route veers briefly inland before reaching Noordhoek - and the last and toughest 34km of the race.
This rural suburb, where horses are a common sight on the expanse of sandy white beach that stretches all the way to Kommetjie, is popular with those seeking a life of “country by the sea”, says Chas Everitt International area specialist Giselle Donaldson-Cross.
“The property market here is consistently strong, particularly in the R5 million to R6 million price range,” says Donaldson-Cross.
“Homes on 1000sqm properties in Belvedere, just above Silvermine Road, enjoy a greater elevation with panoramic sea views, and go for at least R6.5 million, while the larger 10 000sqm equestrian estates in Crofters Valley, which stretches from Dassenberg Road to the bottom of Ou Kaapse Weg, will fetch around R13 million.”
This four bedroom, four bathroom villa is situated on the Camps Bay beachfront. It has a swimming pool and is selling for R42 million - click here to view.She says the suburb is a firm favourite with families thanks to its relative proximity to a number of good schools, including Reddam House Constantia and Sweet Valley in Bergvliet.
Leaving Noordhoek, the infamous Chapman’s Peak Drive awaits. Widely regarded as one of the most scenic drives in the world, this 9km winding road - a feat of civil engineering - is the make or break of cyclists, many of whom succumb to the so-called “walk of shame”. Although scenically spectacular, the road’s 114 curves require all eyes on the road, at least until the well-deserved free wheel down into Hout Bay.
Just 20km from the centre of the city, the “Republic of Hout Bay”, as it’s affectionately known to locals, offers some of the most coveted property in the Cape.
“In the past three years, we’ve seen house prices increase by 60% and apartments by 70%. The average price for a two bedroom home in the suburbs now tops nearly R3 million,” says Greg Walton, co-principal of Chas Everitt International in Hout Bay.
He says buyers are a mixed bag.
“Young professionals are drawn to Hout Bay for its proximity to the CBD - just 25 minutes in traffic. With a sheltered beach, mountains and even vineyards, the area is also seen as a prime tourist destination and both upcountry buyers and foreigners are scrambling for a piece of the local property pie,” says Walton.
The dreaded Suikerbossie is the final climb of the Cycle Tour and has certainly seen its share of pain and perspiration. The challenge is won as cyclists reach the summit and are rewarded by the sweep of Llandudno and the last easy 14km of the race. Now it’s time to settle into a comfortable cadence as they spin past the wreck of the Antipolis and on through Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay, some of the most desirable (and highly-priced) property in the country.
Of the blue-chip suburbs on the Atlantic Seaboard, Camps Bay has proven to be the most dynamic, recording an average price growth of 50% in the past five years, says Rory O’Hagan, CEO of the Luxury Portfolio division of Chas Everitt International, a South African affiliate of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World© that is currently marketing the cream of the country’s homes to millions of high-net-worth individuals around the world.
“The suburb is attractive to families, who are drawn to its larger homes set on good-sized stands. Over 60% of Camps Bay’s residents are stable owners between the ages of 35 and 65, and 46% of recent buyers are under the age of 50, many of them Gauteng semigrants who will stay on at least for the duration of their children’s schooling,” says O’Hagan.
“At an average price of R12 million for a three bedroom house, Camps Bay also offers great value compared to its neighbours. In Clifton, you’ll struggle to find a two bedroom apartment for that price.”
From Camps Bay there remains less than 10km of the race. The home stretch along the Sea Point Promenade is flat and fast, and once through the finish line at Green Point Stadium, a hard-earned medal and a reviving glass of something cold await cyclists.
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