The view from the garden of a property in Bakoven currently on the market through Knight Frank Residential SA at a price of R30 million.
Those who know the Bakoven area also know how zealously the residents protect the beach and surrounds of this cove and strive to maintain its quiet, village-like feel, says Lesley Doukas of Knight Frank Residential SA, who is marketing a four bedroom bungalow here.
Bakoven has structures that date back to the mid-1800s, where it was a predominantly a fishing, diving and surfing area and this area is protected by the Heritage Resources Act. The Bungalow Owners Association is in place to ensure that all property owners stick to the strict guidelines set out for those who want to renovate or build here. They have the building guidelines listed on their website (bungalows.co.za), which includes such items as scale and heights of houses, roofscapes, chimneys, window and door types, exterior materials, etc., to assist those undertaking renovations or building projects.
The three beaches, while being predominantly stone and rock beaches, are some of the few protected inlets on this coastline, where the wind and bad weather often “misses” them because of their orientation, said Doukas.
Properties here don’t often come onto the market as buyers tend to hold onto their homes for a long time (with some families owning homes for over 90 years) and often pass it down the family line instead of selling. When a home does come onto the market in Bakoven, it should be seriously considered because this protected cove is “truly special”, she said.
The property Doukas has on her books is right on the beachfront, has a level garden and leads directly onto the rocks and crashing waves below. It is listed at a price of R30 million.
The bungalow is on two levels, has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, lounge, dining room, garage and a store room. The plot is 431m² and the 239m² bungalow has been set back on it so as to provide a garden from which to enjoy the picturesque cove.
“This bungalow exudes olde world charm and the buyer here has a blank canvas to turn it into their dream beach house,” she said.
“Bakoven is only ten minutes from the V&A Waterfront, the City Bowl, and other bustling retail nodes and beaches, yet if you live on the beach side of Victoria Road (where this property is), you’d easily forget that you’re that close to the city.”