The 192-hectare Sitari Country Estate just outside Somerset West is becoming a landmark on the Helderberg basin landscape, and is now around 30 months into its journey to full maturity. Since launching in September 2014 the capital growth of its properties has been strong: calculated over the 30-month period plots have seen capital appreciation of 69%, apartments of 34% and homes of 26%.
John Coetzee, Executive Director of Uvest Property Group, developers of Sitari Country Estate, says that 2017 is set to be a big year for construction in Sitari. He provides an update on how things are progressing on this R4 billion mega-project.
“Since the beginning 2017 to date we have sold over R90 million in terms of land transactions and properties in Sitari, a good indication of what is to be expected for the rest of the year. We currently have 12 accredited developers working on site along with us, and we foresee an estimated 700 properties being under construction in Sitari Country Estate during 2017. This will include Sectional Title Apartments, and Village and Country Homes spread across the phases”.
“The Site Development Plan for the Estate’s Communal Country Clubhouse is currently with Council for approval; I expect the clubhouse platform and roads to be completed this year and full construction to start by February 2018. The Wetland Design has been approved by the Local Authority and the Departments of Water and Environmental Affairs, and we will start shaping the 22-hectare wetland (recreated Klein Zeekoevlei) towards the middle of the year”.
“The full Stormwater Management Plan will be implemented this year, which includes the north and south water channels originating from the Moddergatspruit, which flows within and around the wetland and also serves to complement the irrigation of the estate. Excess stormwater (if any) will flow to our new dam, which holds 240 500 megalitres. In the interim we have restricted planting on site as we wait for winter rains; thereafter Life Landscapes will continue to enhance the landscaping by planting more mature trees and ground cover.”
Coetzee says that while last year much of the construction at Sitari took place along the R102 side of the estate, in 2017 much of the activity will take place along the N2. This will include the Silo Park which includes a silo with water feature, pergolas and leiwaters, as well as the icons at each traffic circle, creating an inviting view from the N2.
Construction on the 12 500 m2 Shoprite Checkers shopping centre is set to start in June 2018, while the next phase of expansion at Curro Sitari private school starts in May 2017.
The road infrastructure at the second Sitari gatehouse will be added this year, and construction on the second gatehouse will commence in 2018.
In terms of sales, apart from the 22 Signature Collection premium plots facing onto the 40m wide central landscaped spine that leads down to the clubhouse, currently on offer at R1.45m to R1.8m, Sitari Country Estate will be launching a host of products during 2017. These include turnkey freestanding Village and Country Homes, phase 4 Country Plots and no less than six sectional title apartment schemes.
Adds Coetzee: “Forty two families are currently residing in Sitari, and at the end of April the Grand Olive with 69 apartments will be completed, which means we will keep gaining residents. By the end of the year we should have 150-200 families becoming resident in Sitari Country Estate. We have appointed a security manager and a building inspectorate on site to exercise strict controls over their respective domains and uphold the high standards associated with Sitari Country Estate, and are in the process of appointing an estate manager”.
“You could really live out your entire life at Sitari. Young people in their twenties could buy their first upmarket apartment here for less than R1m. Then you can buy an upmarket starter family home, and later a larger, premium family home. We will also be announcing roll-out plans for a retirement village at Sitari later this year.”