Santa's Xmas wish list - luxury homes

It is that time of the year when Father Christmas rewards those who have been good and who knows, your wish for a luxury home could come true.

This Canterbury Drive mansion has a price tag of R98 million. For those who have dreamed of living in one of these, send Santa your wish list, anything is possible when we believe it, so we have been told.

In Cape Town, Bishopscourt holds a jewel described as one of the most expensive residences in the country and a grand neo-classical mansion.

Located against the back slopes of Table Mountain, this property has to-die-for views across the city and is surrounded by some of the most valuable real estate on the continent says Seeff Properties Southern Suburbs.

Built in 2008, the 3 000 square metre multi-levelled Canterbury Drive home features grand design proportions, superior finishes and magnificent views that encapsulate the property.

The residence offers one of the best addresses in the country, has six luxurious and spacious bedroom suites and a multitude of large living rooms.

The entrance court with portico covered entrance leads into a double-volume large entrance hall with an imposing dual staircase that connects the living spaces and shows off priceless art.

Special features of the living areas include a Gentleman’s Club type cigar lounge on the basement level with a climate controlled wine cellar stacked with a connoisseur’s wine collection and complete with a tasting room.

There is also a large office with an adjoining lounge/library with a gas fireplace and separate access for guests and dignitaries.

The exterior entertainment areas are suited to grand banquets, says the agent. Here, a large covered terrace with glass stacking doors with a built-in barbeque and pizza oven leads into the landscaped garden with a swimming pool, floodlit tennis and pavilion. 

There is also an estate manager’s home on the property that includes two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, living areas and garage.

Bishopscourt is central to some of Cape Town's finest natural attractions including The Table Mountain National Park and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which all offer lush green scenery, walking and hiking trails and respite from the city.

This Canterbury Drive mansion has a price tag of R98 million. For those who have dreamed of living in one of these, send Santa your wish list - anything is possible when we believe it, so we have been told.

Seeff Southern Suburbs managing director Andy Todd says Bishopscourt is primarily known for its large, stately residences that are situated on substantive treed plots.

As an example, a four bedroom, three bathrooms home is selling for R1.790 million in Durban North

Properties are priced between R15 million and R49 million and upwards to this Canterbury Drive home which is one of the best properties on offer in the suburb. 

Bishopscourt ranks as one of the country's and continent’s top suburbs and is home to world-renowned politicians, embassies, captains of industry, artists and writers who enjoy its graciousness and splendour, he says.

Seeff says this property is well priced considering that a 14 820 square metres tract of land recently sold for R54 million (R3 600 per square metre).

A nearby home, situated in Claassen Road, set on 4 000 square metres sold for R40 million and the purchaser has subsequently made improvements to the value of R15 million.

In Durban North, family buyers are reportedly snapping up well located properties with strong demand along the north coast.

According to Grant Gavin, broker/owner of RE/MAX Panache, whose two offices service La Lucia, Durban North and surrounding areas along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, apart from location and good schools in these areas, buyers are attracted to the centrality to both Durban CBD and the Umhlanga Ridge business district as well as Gateway.

“The Umhlanga Ridge business precinct has continued to grow and has opened up more employment opportunity and brought more people to the area”

Property buyers will often purchase homes that are close to their place of work, especially if their business is relocated, he says.

Gavin explains that family buyers look for homes that feature large, level stands approximately 1 000 square metres with three or four bedrooms and have staff accommodation on the premises.

He says that the average price that buyers are paying for these family homes across all suburbs in Durban North, Umhlanga and La Lucia is around the R2.2 million.

“There are some really good value-for-money homes in the region that will be perfect for a family to live in and they will be a good investment over the long term.”

As an example, he says a four bedroom, three bathroom home is selling for R1.790 million. 

This family home has a study which could be used as a fifth bedroom, an entertainment area with a swimming pool and a separate large self-contained flatlet on the property.

Lanice Steward, managing director of Anne Porter Knight Frank says Hout Bay has several special areas in which the residents see themselves as especially privileged and fortunate.

A premier home in the Oakhurst Estate, No 1 Harold Close in Hout Bay is on the market for R5.45 million. Two years ago, the price could have been R1.5 million higher, says the agency.

Bokkemanskloof, Berg-en-Dal, the area behind the Hout Bay Manor Hotel, Ruyteplaats, Mount Rhodes and the Hanging Meadows are all in the special precincts.

A premier home in the Oakhurst Estate, No 1 Harold Close in Hout Bay is on the market for R5.45 million.

Two years ago, the price could have been R1.5 million higher, says the agency.

It is designed in an authentic Cape style, with clean, simple gables, a U-shaped configuration (enclosing a long swimming pool) and a grey tiled roof.

The 450 square metre home has three double bedrooms, all en suite, four spacious reception areas with extra courtyards on the western and eastern side, as well as two garages and domestic staff quarters. 

Pam Golding properties (PGP) reports that against the backdrop of the Karoo’s renowned Camdeboo National Park, Graaff-Reinet’s rising profile continues to attract buyers drawn by the town’s historic homes, scenic farms and wide open spaces.

The progress made by the Gem of the Karoo was recognised in 2010 when Graaff-Reinet was voted South Africa’s Town of the Year in recognition of its huge popularity,” says Wayne Rubidge, PGP area manager in the Karoo.

The fourth oldest town in the country and a commercial centre for the region, Graaff-Reinet is situated on a main route to the coast in the western section of the Eastern Cape, approximately two-and-a-half hours from Port Elizabeth and three hours from George.

“Growing investor confidence in the area is increasingly evident with local businessman and farmers very active in the property market,” he says.

This is further boosted by increased interest among domestic visitors, and foreigners drawn by the beauty of the picturesque setting, abundance of historical homes and magnificent farms of various categories.

He explains that the majority of buyers or investors in Graaff-Reinet take the view that they or a family member will be relocating here at some point in the future and as a result, there is a good demand for rental property in this economic hub, which also services smaller towns in the area such as Nieu Bethesda, Murraysburg, Pearston and Aberdeen.

Priced at R2.3 million this fully restored historical home in Graaff-Reinet has scenic views of the mountains of the Camdeboo national Park. The property includes outbuildings typical of these grand period homes.

Popular price ranges for homes are between R750 000 and R950 000 for a classical Graaff-Reinet or Karoo period home with either two or three bedrooms, situated in the area bounded by the Sundays River and Ncwebe Dam – known as the ‘horseshoe’ .

PGP in Graaff-Reinet is selling a fully restored historical home on a large erf with fruit trees and scenic views of the mountains and Camdeboo National Park for R2.3 million.

It has many outbuildings typical of these grand period properties and the three bedroom house has wooden floors, ceilings and shutters throughout and a large well designed garden providing privacy.

He says another property on the market is a historical double storey Victorian Karoo home, with six bedrooms with original features such as wooden floors and the original fireplace.

Within walking distance of all tourist attractions and restaurants this prestigious property lends itself to an exclusive boutique hotel. It is selling for R2.5 million.

Rubidge says the attractions of the Karoo and its two flagship towns of Graaff-Reinet and Prince Albert offer sound opportunities for those seeking premium houses.

“Demand for rental properties remains high and is also attracting investors who plan to move to the country at some time in the future.”- Denise Mhlanga

Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.