The town of Alberton has in recent years enjoyed a surge in both housing demand and housing development – mostly because of its convenient location just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Johannesburg and also within easy reach of OR Tambo International Airport and all the leisure destinations around the Vaal Dam.
“Situated to the south-east of Johannesburg, Alberton enjoys a well-deserved reputation for good quality infrastructure and services, excellent public schools and top-class shopping centres as well as a family-friendly ambience,” says the Rawson Property Group Alberton and Glenvista franchisee Johan Van Tonder.
“And the undisputed jewel in the crown of its bustling property market is the suburb of Meyersdal, which offers a range of homes to suit all budgets but is increasingly sought-after for its upmarket security estates – and the Meyersdal Eco-Estate in particular.”
Launched in 2006, this landmark estate was an instant hit with buyers, with almost 300 stands being sold out within minutes. “And since then, it has gone from strength to strength, with stands being resold at ever-increasing prices and both new and resale homes on sale at prices from around R7 million all the way up to R35 million – which will buy you the six bedroom, eight bathroom mansion with two designer kitchens, four baronial living rooms, a home theatre, six garages and its own clubhouse that we currently have listed for sale on the estate.”
Van Tonder says the average price of stands sold in the estate during the past 12 months is around R2,5 million, while the current average price for a four-bedroom freehold home on the estate is around R10 million.
“And we in fact have two properties listed for just below this price (R9,5 million) at the moment, the first of which is a 990sqm home set on a 2600sqm stand bordering the nature reserve. It offers four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study, a gym with steam room, a Provençal-style kitchen with a walk-in pantry and staff quarters as well as a separate flat and four garages.”
The second home priced at R9,5 million, he says, is an easy-living house with a wrap-around verandah that overlooks one of the dams on the estate. It also has four en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen/living/dining area, a rimflow pool, a beautiful indigenous garden and three garages.
Set within a 1100ha nature area, Meyersdal Eco-Estate is about 450ha in extent, and only 15% of this has been planned for residential development. The remaining portion of the estate is reserved for natural vegetation, wildlife and 14 species of free-roaming game. The three dams on the estate have been stocked with indigenous fish species and to date almost 100 bird species have been recorded.
“The large stands averaging 2000sqm are definitely a feature of this estate,” says Van Tonder, “as they enable residents to enjoy a high degree of privacy as well as the views of the surrounding hills. Meanwhile, the excellent security provisions – including a state-of-the-art control room, perimeter fence cameras, controlled access and regular patrols – provide peace of mind about personal safety.”
Other communal facilities on the estate include a clubhouse with a pub/lounge and a large function hall with a terrace; 16km of mountain bike track; a 7km hiking trail; squash and tennis courts; a campsite and two game-viewing decks.
“The estate is also very well located,” he says, “and offers easy access to the N12 and the freeway network via the R59, as well as the commercial and industrial businesses in Alrode.”
“A new office park has also recently been developed in Meyersdal itself, and the suburb also has a very popular action sports arena with facilities for indoor cricket, netball and soccer.”
“The shopping centres closest to the Meyersdal Eco-Estate are Meyersdal Square and De Marionette, but the Comaro View, Alberton City and The Glen centres are all also within easy reach, which means that estate residents also have quick access to a wide range of restaurants, movie theatres and other entertainment options. They will shortly also find themselves close to the new Mall of the South regional shopping centre, which promises 65 000sqm of pure shopping pleasure.”
There are also several primary schools close to the estate including Mulbarton Primary and Glenanda Primary, while the closest high schools include Marais Viljoen High and Marian College (Marist Brothers Linmeyer).