Vacant plots, plot and plan units and now also office suites are being snapped up in sought after Val de Vie Estate in the picturesque Paarl-Franschhoek Valley in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Since September 2014 to date, a total of 350 sales transactions at a total value of close to R1.141 billion were concluded in Val de Vie Estate, which has just been rated by New World Wealth as the top residential estate in South Africa for 2016. This ranking is based on criteria which among others include security, activities, facilities, quality and design of houses, space, views, resale and price growth potential and appeal to affluent buyers. Within the New World Wealth report Zimbali Estate on the KZN North Coast was ranked second, Fancourt on the Garden Route third and Steyn City in Gauteng fourth.
A recent sale by Pam Golding Properties in Val de Vie saw a phase one stand of 2 500sqm situated on the polo fields fetch a high of R9 million, representing R3 600 square metre, a top price for the estate. The previous highest price per square metres was R3 545 for a stand in The Vines.
Says Surina Du Toit, Pam Golding Properties area manager in Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington: “As has been evident from the outset, we find that the bulk of buyers acquire homes here for permanent residence, with a few being purchased for leisure use.
“Some of our buyers are tenants or existing homeowners on the estate wishing to upgrade and build a brand new contemporary home according to their changing needs, which further underscores the high desirability of Val de Vie. Others are relocating from various regions such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, with the balance being investors making lucrative buy to let acquisitions.”
Says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group: “Following the acquisition of Pearl Valley by Val de Vie Estate, the combination of these two major developments into one ‘super estate’ further adds to the appeal for buyers, as residents in Val de Vie will have access to all the facilities in Pearl Valley, including the Jack Nicklaus golf course and clubhouse, directly via golf cart”.
“Val de Vie is also seen as the place to be among the trendy set, regularly hosting major polo events such as the recent Veuve Cliquot Masters Polo Cape Town presented by Mantis Collection. This world class event saw the lucky draw and handover of a Ferrari and is one of the few prestigious Veuve Cliquot events held globally. Val de Vie is considered one of the most spectacular polo estates around the world, attracting top international polo players, VIPs and celebrities.”
Val de Vie estate also recently hosted the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup which saw Prince Harry’s Sentebale team pitted against the Royal Salute team, an annual event to raise funds for the charity which Prince Harry created in honour of the late Princess Diana. While his team was not victorious, Prince Harry endeared himself to the crowds at this sixth Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, which is the largest one-day charity polo event in the world and the first ever on African soil.
In a joint message in the official match programme with Sentebale co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry said support of the charity was vital and that the success of its previous five polo events has helped Sentebale make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children in Lesotho.
Polo Pads sold out
Due for completion in September 2016 and designed by award-winning architect Stefan Antoni the 60 Polo Pads, each with its own private balcony and with views of the Drakenstein and Simonsberg Mountains, rolling vineyards and the Polo Pavilion, rapidly sold out following the launch, priced from R1.8 million for one and two bedroom units of 68, 92 and 112sqm.
Says Du Toit: “Also recently sold out are all 13 Gentleman’s Estates, where plots between 2.9ha and 3.13ha fetched prices ranging from R10 million to R12 million. All four River Reserves have also sold out, consisting of plots from 2.56ha to 5.83ha which have achieved prices between R8.995 million and R12 million.”
Boutique office suites snapped up
An interesting new development in Val de Vie is an exclusive new office development conveniently positioned adjacent to Polo Village, eliminating the need to commute to work beyond the estate gates or ideal as a buy to let investment due to the high demand for office accommodation in this prime location. All eight boutique office suites, each 445sqm in size and priced at R12.54 million have been snapped up by buyers as owner-occupiers or landlords seeking a monthly rental income stream – enabling them to provide convenient space options to cater for businesses of varying sizes.
These compact, double-storey buildings face north-south in order to reduce the design loads on mechanical cooling and heating, while other energy saving and ‘green’ features include glazed openings facing east and west screened with large pergolas, roofs oriented to accommodate solar panels in optimum position and available as an option to buyers – with the design and feasibility conducted by a solar company for installation of equipment to go ‘off grid’, and water saving features. The office suites include parking bays for owners as well as ample visitors’ parking.
Designed by Boogertman & Partners and true to Val de Vie’s elegant style, the offices will feature luxurious interior fixtures and finishes and state-of-the-art technology, including the option of high-speed fibre optic connectivity, while expansive windows provide panoramic views of Val de Vie’s very own L’Huguenot Wine Farm, Simonsberg and Paarl Rock.
Plot and plan homes selling in The Oaks
A further recently launched residential development, The Oaks, sees 20 plots of 675-746sqm in size available for purchase with a selection of four tastefully designed floor plans for four bedrooms and five bathrooms to enable buyers to customize their new homes. Priced from just over R5.661million for a 320sqm four bedroom, five bathroom home with double garage on a 675sqm plot, features and fittings in The Oaks include hansgrohe taps, gas hob and electric oven, high speed connectivity, heat pump geyser, fully automated irrigation system and automated garage doors.
In The Vines, which consists of 142 plot and plan homes set on 12ha of prime land with views of the Paarl Mountains and four scenic lakes, only 10 units are currently available for purchase priced from R3.7 million for three bedroom, two bathrooms with single or double garage. With infrastructure in phase one completed, phase two is currently under construction as well as a show house.
Due to the huge success of The Vines, the developers have decided to develop similar units at The Vines@ Le Domaine, which will be launched soon, with 72 plot and plan units priced from R3.7 million.
Says Du Toit: “Over and above this, in La Vue a new tranche of erven has been released, selling from R1.75 million for 954sqm and with currently only 18 of the total of 29 plots still available for purchase. Spacious in size, the plots in La Vue overlook the 37ha fynbos reserve with spectacular views of Paarl Rock, Simonsberg and the Franschhoek mountains”.
“Situated across from the prestigious Gentleman’s Estates with sweeping views of the Simonsberg Mountains and tree-lined avenues, the new plots in The Vines@Le Domaine and La Vue are close to the iconic Polo Pavilion and new sports centre, The Yard, which includes a multi-purpose gym, additional tennis courts, 50m outdoor pool, soccer court and youth recreational area.”
The first transfers in Le Domaine commenced in May this year (2016) while transfers in La Vue take place in November (2016).
