One of the largest and most active development nodes in the Western Cape is in the Helderberg basin, around 5 km from Somerset West. The latest project taking form there is Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate, which occupies a site of 18 ha next to the extensive Sitari Country Estate and is being developed by Multi Spectrum Property (MSP).
Unlike other estates nearby Acorn Creek offers a true village feel, with village design layout and architecture by the award-winning Dennis Moss Partnership. Two large oak trees flank the entrance, and a river – the Moddergatspruit – runs the entire length of Acorn Creek. Says Riaan Roos, CEO of the multiple award-winning MSP group of companies: “Acorn Creek offers a pocket of exclusivity, security and energy-efficient living”.
While the look and layout of Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate have been very carefully considered – so has the use of environmentally friendly building principles to develop homes that are sustainable for the future. David Britz, Operational Director at MSP, explains: “Our developments already include solar geysers and indigenous landscaping as standard features to contain the impact on the environment, but at Acorn Creek we have taken our environmental consciousness a step further. Apart from the standard green features such as LED lighting and solar geysers, each home will have its own solar-powered electrical back-up system and a grey water collection and distribution system”.
“When the energy crisis hit South Africans hard a few years ago and load shedding became a part of daily life, people became more aware of solar energy and how it can be harnessed to keep a household running despite power interruptions. The Power-up battery packs installed at the houses in Acorn Creek are charged through solar panels. These batteries can supply between 60% and 70% of a household’s energy needs. Many people are moving towards becoming less dependent on the national energy provider and harnessing the power of the sun”.
“The severe drought has resulted in consumers also waking up to the fact that we need to reduce our water consumption and conserve this valuable resource,” adds David. “Grey water systems such as those which will be a standard feature in Acorn Creek’s homes provide an easy answer to reducing water consumption and reusing water that has already been circulated through the household.”
The 37 homes in phase 1 of Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate have all been sold, and selling is well under way on phase 2 which includes 38 homes. Activity is busy on the civils on site, and building of the first homes in phase 1 is set to commence in April 2017. It is expected that the first homes will be completed around October 2017. There will be eight phases in all: phases 1 to 6 include 320 homes, and phases 7 and 8 will offer 195 village apartments.
The properties are designed in a Cape vernacular style ensuring a true country feel, and Grohe taps, granite kitchen tops, a gas hob with electric oven, cooker hood and built-in braais are standard. Some home designs include a fireplace where the buyer can select between a gas and wood option. Acorn Creek also offers fibre-optic internet.
The development features a 1.4 km walking or jogging trail along the river. Landscaped ponds with berms and walkways add to the park-like surroundings, as do the children’s play equipment in the parks and outdoor gym. The communal areas at Acorn Creek are served by an integrated water management system and retention dams, which use storm and roof water, borehole water and Municipal grey water. They are set to include indigenous and fynbos plants and more than 850 trees, including fruit trees. The landscaping was planned to include the natural stream or creek that meanders through the entire estate.
Combined with this modern country village lifestyle is top-end access control including thermal imaging cameras, biometric identification, professional guards and state of the art perimeter securing by Fang, an industry leader.
Acorn Creek is ideally located approximately a 30-minute drive from Cape Town, 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport and just 5 km from Somerset West. World-renowned wine estates and the University of Stellenbosch are just a 10-minute journey away, as are nearby beaches, golf courses, weekend markets and various mountain bike trails. There is easy access to educational and commercial amenities in the immediate surroundings, as Acorn Creek is situated adjacent to the new Curro Sitari private school and close to the planned new 12 500 m2 flagship Shoprite Checkers shopping centre. Access to public transport and major traffic arterials is extremely convenient.
Adds Roos: “Prices start from R2 249 900 for a spacious three-bedroom home with 2 bathrooms and a single garage, and buyers only need to pay their bond costs. This development is supported by all four major financial institutions, and up to 100% bonds are available for approved buyers. A fully refundable R25 000 deposit secures your dream home, and this will be used towards the purchase price. Acorn Creek, being a turnkey product, is ideal for young professionals, couples, small families and those looking to scale down into retirement.”
