Neighbourhood PTA - 11 October 2015

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

RSA

Neighbourhood

Copperleaf EstateDon’t miss the food and wine fair, page 05

Nationally, the largest property marketplace in South Africa

+What’s ON SHOW in Pretoria this weekend?Get the full list atyourneighbourhood.co.za

03 LIFE GRAND CAFE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT: CPT CITY BOWL06FLOORING05

11 OCTOBER 2015

MALL OF AFRICA12

WORDS: LISA DEWBERRY IMAGES: AAND KLAS

Pretoria still has trendy party spots where students can enjoy a great night out

W ith some places shutting down in Hatfield Square in the past year to make way

for a potential residential development, students may be left wondering what hot spots are left in Pretoria where they can enjoy a great night out. Rest assured there are still a couple of spots where they can take off a load.

Rock outVisit Aandklas on the corner of Hilda and Prospect streets in Hatfield to enjoy the best in South African rock and alternative music in a chilled atmosphere. The bar opened in June 2006 and is situated in a 70-year-old house, a heritage building created by Norman Eaton, a prominent Pretoria architect. With four bars, eight big screens, foosball and pool tables, Aandklas is perfect for a great night out for rock music fans and is super-friendly on the student budget. This

Student nights

EXPERIENCE IT YOURSELF:

Aandklas012 362 3712facebook.com/AandklasPta

Trademarx012 344 5000trademarx.co.za

bar has offered great live music from performers such as aKing, Jack Parow and Bittereinder over the years and is home to one of the longest-running quiz nights, in Pretoria on Wednesday evenings. Its annual Spring Day and Halloween parties and its biannual Potjiekos Party are a hit among partygoers. For great live tunes and a buzzing crowd, visit Aandklas.

Sports thrillCelebrate and cheer on your favourite sports team at Trademarx, situated off Kirkness Road at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, where you can watch the latest matches on one of the 50 or so LCD screens or two big-screen TVs. This sports bar, which opened in June 2007, has interesting sports memorabilia, including top Springbok jerseys from Francois Hougaard and Jesse Kriel, decorating its walls. With a view of the fields at Loftus Versfeld, check out the

players live as they train while you enjoy a tasty lunch. Try a Passion Wagon jam jar, a double Richelieu and Coke, or a 1 L carafe of Merlot with the Trademarx platter of beef samosas, vegetarian spring rolls, boerewors and cheese grillers. Exciting events hosted by this restaurant include the University of Pretoria’s official Spring Day party, the Pre-Spring Day party and various hostel socials. Trademarx provides friends and family with fun-filled sports viewing.

Neighbourhood2 NEWS & LIFESTYLE

THE CREATIVE GROUP CEO: Shaun Minnie [email protected]

11 OCTOBER 2015

PUBLISHED BY THE CREATIVE GROUP

Unit G04, Old Castle Brewery Bldg6 Beach Road, WoodstockCape Town, 087 828 0423

Bowled over

Editor’s ExclusiveCLAIRE BARNARDO

This week’s national spotlight is on Cape Town’s City Bowl. For me, one of the most impressive things

about the city centre is the continual development taking place there. I chatted to Rob Kane, chairman of the Cape Town Central City Improvement District, who told me that there are even more reasons to celebrate the building going on in the Mother City:

• Portside, which was launched last year between Buitengracht and Bree streets, has been rated the most sustainable tall building in South Africa, earning a 5-star Green Star As Built rating. It is also the tallest building in the Cape Town CBD.

• The expansion of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), will double the building’s exhibition capacity.

• The new Netcare Christiaan Barnard Hospital on Cape Town’s Foreshore is under development alongside the

WHAT IS THE CCID?

The Cape Town Central City

Improvement District (CCID) was

established in 2000 and is the

first of its kind in South Africa.

The CCID is funded by property

owners to provide complementary

urban management services to a

specific geographic area. These

services include supporting and

augmenting the City of Cape

Town’s safety and cleaning efforts

in the central city; ensuring that

the environment is well managed;

ensuring that social development

issues are addressed; and ensuring

that the central city is promoted

as a leading business destination.

CTICC, bringing more world-class health care to Cape Town.

• The iconic Triangle House in Riebeek Street is being transformed into a Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence and will offer at least eight floors of residential units.

• The redevelopments of Touchstone House in Bree Street and the Twinell Building between Long and Loop streets are sterling examples of preserving Cape Town’s unique architectural heritage while moving buildings into the 21st century through the introduction of innovative green technologies.

• The Iziko South African Museum in the historic Company’s Garden is being expanded and renovated.

EDITORIAL TEAM

Group Editor: Claire Barnardo [email protected] Editor: Charis Le Riche Creative Director: Mark Peddle

Art Director: Leah de JagerDesigners: Craig D’Oliveira, Megan CooperChief Copy Editor: Yaron BlecherProofreader: Marana BrandEditorial Intern: Lauren AlbertynOnline Editor: Lauren Joubert

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423

Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones [email protected] Manager: Dylan Rothschild [email protected] (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen [email protected]

Neighbourhood 3NEWS & LIFESTYLE

WORDS: LISA DEWBERRY IMAGES: SUPPLIED

About 100 guests enjoyed haute cuisine with top Peruvian chefs at Life Grand Cafe

Guests enjoyed haute cuisine created by top chefs Emilio Macías and Andre Patsias at

a 10-course Peruvian-themed tasting at Life Grand Cafe in Waterkloof recently. Guests from embassies, including Columbia’s, Mexico’s, Ecuador’s and Portugal’s, began their journey of fl avour with a Pisco Sour cocktail, a signature Peruvian drink.

Maira Koutsoudakis, co-owner and designer of Life Grand Cafe, says they then moved on to the fi rst course: oysters with rose Leche de Tigre (a Peruvian citrus-based marinade) and roasted fl owers, butternut squash with co� ee, and watercress and asparagus complemented by crispy pork skin, crème fraîche and pansy fl owers. She says chefs Macías and Patsias love working with di� erent colours and textures and making use of unusual ingredients to complement their dishes.

“A delicious springbok tartare with cornichons, ramson capers and sorrel was followed by a herbal ceviche made with smoked sea bass, granita accompanied by burnt fl owers, and leaves. The duo combined white, black and red quinoa with seared mushrooms, semi-dried scallops and a coral broth,” says Maira.

The fi nal course consisted of braised beef tongue with green peas, tejete oil and pea shoots. Dessert was a mouth-watering pairing of caramelised goat’s milk served with wild berries, yoghurt and nasturtiums.

Maira says Latin American cuisine is taking the world by storm with its interesting ingredients and incredible fl avours. She says the fusion of Native European, Asian and African fl avours paired with the creativity of a new generation of chefs growing in Peru has been recognised by San Pellegrino in its 50 best restaurants in the world.

Chefs Macías and Patsias have refi ned their art at a number of highly respected restaurants on San Pellegrino’s top 50 list of best restaurants, including Noma in Denmark, Astrid y Gastón in Lima and Quique Dacosta in Spain. With their expertise and passion for Peruvian ingredients and fl avours, the chefs aimed to create an out-of-this-world experience for the guests.

Maira says, “We were so impressed by the dishes created by chefs Macías and Patsias that gourmands wanting to taste traditional Peruvian cuisine are now able to enjoy a number of new favourite Peruvian items on the menu. It’s this zest for life that makes Life Grand Cafe the ideal venue for exploring Peruvian cuisine.”

10-course indulgence

TASTE IT YOURSELF:

Life Grand Cafe012 346 1031lifegrandcafe.com

ADVERTISING SALES: Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za or call 087 828 0423

Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones [email protected] Manager: Dylan Rothschild [email protected] (Editorial Section Advertising): Lucea Goosen [email protected] (Property Advertising): Cheryl Leaner [email protected]

11 OCTOBER 2015

Medium Only

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Terms and Conditions apply. E&OE. O�er valid from 18 September 2015 to 31 October 2015. O�er not valid at Mimmos Halaal stores. Alcohol not for sale as take away. Go to www.mimmos.co.za. Sharecall: 0860 MIMMOS (646667).

Chicken and Avo Pizza including a Castle Lite Lime or Flying Fish flavoured beer!GREEN & GOLD SUPPORTERS PIZZA!

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Neighbourhood4 NEWS & LIFESTYLE 11 OCTOBER 2015

Rolling lawns, cloudless skies, good food and drink, ’60s and ’70s tunes wafting through

the air… It’s all about relaxing and reminiscing at the fourth Retrofest, to be held at Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle on 31 October.

The concert will feature a selection of South African acoustic musicians interpreting artists such as Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell.

“Retrofest is an ode to an era of music that changed the world. It’s a celebration of the great songs of the ’60s and ’70s, when songs precipitated a new consciousness, and ideas of peace, love and unity were sung,” says co-organiser Lloyd-Anthony Smith.

The featured artists on the day – Josie Field, Donovan Borne, Bye Beneco, Nic Dinnie, Justin Serrao, the Urban Village and Runaway Train Cult, among others – each have their own unique style and story to tell. “For example,” says Lloyd, “the Urban Village is a band of young self-taught experiential artists from Soweto whose indie folk sound is layered with funky acoustic melodies and a blend of traditional infl uences.”

The Runaway Train Cult, on the other hand, is a fully acoustic band, featuring violin, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, sax, double bass

and drums. “Their genre is a mix of Appalachian country, bluegrass, gypsy and contemporary folk,” he says.

Although you can’t bring food and drink into Nirox, you won’t starve, because an impressive array of food will be on o� er, courtesy of the Epicurean Emporium, which curate some of Joburg’s fi nest food vendors, including Che Argentine Grill, Soul Souvlaki, Li Kitchen (dim sum), Pappou’s Prego and others. There will also be a fully stocked bar serving bubbly, craft beers and artisanal cocktails.

“We’re also adding a few surprise retro elements, such as stalls selling vinyl and retro sunglasses, and an outdoor fi lm screening after the sun goes down,” Lloyd adds.

Retrofest forms part of the Acoustics Now series of concerts, including Valentine’s Blues, Guitar Giants and, come April 2016, a new classical concert, all of which aim to foster the live art of music.

To get the most out of the day, arrive early and take a tour of the sculpture park before settling on a blanket in the gardens to enjoy the start of the Joburg summer.

Buy your tickets online at acousticsnow.org or at the gate. Children under 12 pay half price and infants under two enter free. Keep in mind that no food, drinks or pets will be allowed. Gates open at 10am.

Retrofest is an ode to an

era of music that changed the worldLLOYD-ANTHONY SMITH,

CO-ORGANISER, RETROFEST

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF:

Retrofest082 875 2865acousticsnow.org

WORDS: CATHERINE BLACK IMAGES: HENRY ENGELBRECHT

Enjoy good food and retro tunes on the lawn at Nirox

Retrofest at Nirox

Neighbourhood 5NEWS & LIFESTYLE11 OCTOBER 2015

LOCAL LOWDOWN

Kollege Frat Party of the Century On 17 October Kollege and Arcade Empire are bringing beer pong, keg stands and live music to the capital city. Dance along with Desmond & the Tutus, Sutherland, We Are Charlie and our very own December Streets. Tickets are available online, or at the door from 4pm. No under-18s. ID required. Book via Ticibox.

EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF:

Kollege Frat Party of the Century

goo.gl/IjFJWC

Suzelle DIY: The Book

goo.gl/KjwtPz

Copperleaf Food & Wine Fair

goo.gl/OhKU8x

1

Suzelle DIY: The Book Suzelle’s in town! With more than 50,000 subscribers on YouTube, and a new book, Suzelle is a constant source of entertainment and inspiration. Grab the opportunity to meet Suzelle and Marianne in person at Atterbury Theatre on 17 October at the launch of Suzelle DIY: The Book. Get beauty tips and recipes, view never-before-seen videos, and learn about interesting DIY projects. Because everybody can! Discussion at 10am followed by a book signing at 11am. Book via Computicket.

Celebrate October

Get intothe mood

WORDS: RITA HELLO IMAGES: SUPPLIED

3

Copperleaf Food & Wine FairEnjoy the tranquil, beautiful scenery of the Copperleaf estate with your pick of craft beer or a glass of wine. The Stall and Copperleaf are hosting a food and wine fair between 10am and 3pm on 17 October, in honour of Ernie Els’s Birthday. You’ll be able to eat and drink to your heart’s content at more than 10 wine farms, fi ve craft beer breweries and curated food stalls.

2Rita-Mari Ludike is a freelance art director, photographer and

the blogger behind Rita Hello: ritahello.com

The minimalist industrial look in fl ooring is being softened with more

traditional materials that are in turn being given a modern, technical treatment .

Surfaces such as concrete screed have been the fl ooring of choice for a few years now.

While there’s no denying their practicality and minimalistic appeal, there’s a rising trend in interiors to eschew the industrial and focus on soft fl oor treatments instead.

This doesn’t mean wall-to-wall carpeting is the answer, but that natural (and sometimes very old-

The smart home is, for many, the next major evolution in the way we liveWORDS: CHRIS REID IMAGE: KASTHALL

SEE FOR YOURSELF:

Amorim Cork South Africa

021 881 3022

amorimcork.co.za

Kasthall

kasthall.com

Under foot

school) materials are back in focus. The swing back to natural, softer fl ooring ties in with broader social trends towards people seeking to create living spaces that feel more grounded and connected. The sentiment is that the trend towards minimal spaces has left us with homes that are often aesthetically appealing but alienating and cold.

In response, we’ve seen more and more designers increasingly using materials like wood, cork and leather in product design for a few seasons.

Now, however, this is going beyond individual decor pieces to become part of the space itself, bringing a new element of tactility into

homes. Importantly for designers, these materials o� er functional benefi ts such as sound insulation and warmth too, making the spaces both appealing and liveable.

The biggest obstacle designers have to overcome with these fl ooring choices is their association with retro interiors. So, at construction stage, we’re seeing a more technical, experimental take on old-school options, particularly cork and carpeting, with 3-D texturing adding depth and graphic appeal to surfaces.

This updated view on the materials gives them a contemporary twist and broadens their appeal for a new generation of homeowners.

Neighbourhood

With cafe society, cultural happenings and the mountain on your doorstep, Cape Town’s City Bowl offers an enviable lifestyle

the City BowlWORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK IMAGES: PRIVATE PROPERTY, CLAIRE GUNN, ANTON SCHOLTZ, CHANTELLE HORN - CRAVE & ISTOCK

the City BowlSpotlight on

NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Shining a light on SA’s featured neighbourhood

RSA

6 SPOTLIGHT 11 OCTOBER 2015

Neighbourhood

Bacon on Bree, Bocca, Charango and Birds, to name a few of my favourites,” adds Reese. “Also it has great places for drinks like Door 221 and Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar.”

When you need to escape the bustle and breathe deeply, there’s plenty of green space to relax in. De Waal Park in Upper Orange Street is ideal for dog walkers, families and picnics, with a Victorian bandstand that hosts free summer concerts and a weekend co� ee shop. Or carry on up the hill to the Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF) in Heritage Park and volunteer to weed lettuces, make compost and learn about organic vegetable growing. The hip Saturday morning organic market that it supplies is now held down at Granger Bay and is a regular shopping date for urban foodies. And, of course, the historic Company’s Garden is a personal back garden for many locals, fl anked by the South African National Gallery and Iziko South Africa Museum.

While there is a tendency for young families to move out to the ’burbs when the kids grow to school age, whether for a greater choice of schools or for larger properties with gardens, those who stay put have schools such as Herzlia, St Cyprian’s, Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck, the German International School Cape Town (DSK) and the French School of Cape Town to choose from.

If you love to feel the hum of urban living, be part of the city’s cultural activities, soak up its creative energy, walk to work and see the mountain on your horizon every day, then City Bowl living is the answer.

At the heart

of happening Cape Town, the

cosmopolitan City Bowl and its suburbs have

soared in popularity in recent years as young professionals

have joined those savvy longtime residents who have been enjoying

its amazing views and proximity to the centre of town for years.

“It feels like living in a European city rather than in suburbia,” says Mel Hagen, who has lived in Oranjezicht for 34 years. “We’re really close to everything, within walking distance from the CBD, down Government Avenue, which is a delight through the changing seasons.”

Gallery owner Penny Dobbie is another longtime resident, who was way ahead of the curve: “When we selected Tamboerskloof 43 years ago it was singularly unfashionable, and all our friends in Constantia, Bishopscourt and so forth thought we had seriously lost the plot. We were attracted to the area because we wanted to be in a more vibey, cosmopolitan area and, of course, we have a view that is absolutely world-class.”

Those gorgeous views over the city to Table Mountain or towards Lion’s Head and Signal Hill are a big attraction, as is the easy access to the mountain itself. The trails take you deep into

nature within minutes of leaving the streets of Vredehoek, Oranjezicht

or Tamboerskloof, allowing residents to combine inner-

city living with energetic walks, runs or bike rides,

even before work.

More a� ordable than the

restored

Victorian houses and larger homes on the upper

slopes, the apartments and cottages of Vredehoek and Gardens are home to young professionals drawn by the vibrant hum of the city centre, now revitalised and full of creativity. “There is an electricity to town, especially in the evenings – it comes alive with beautiful and interesting people,” comments Reese, who has been living in Gardens for the past six years. “There is always something happening, whether it is a new restaurant opening, live music or a gallery exhibition.”

At First Thursday events, when art galleries and workshops stay open late on the fi rst Thursday of the month, visitors are encouraged to walk between cultural happenings. Moonlight Mass is a regular cycle ride through streets on the night of the full moon. Infecting the City brings interactive art to the public spaces in March. And the Zombie Walk on Halloween has become a fun yearly fi xture for charity. And that’s only the start of the list of events on the doorstep of City Bowl residents.

Every day there’s the buzz of cafe society to dip into at will. Favourite neighbourhood gems include The Blue Cafe in Tamboerskloof, The Sidewalk Cafe in Vredehoek and Societi Bistro in Orange Street. Or stroll down Kloof Street, Gardens, for an embarrassment of riches.

Bree Street in the CBD has claimed its place as foodie central.

“You can’t go wrong with Bree Street.

You’ve got

I love sitting in the Company’s

Garden, reading and doing some people-watching, going to a pub to watch a game, catching an awesome local band performing, or checking out a new exhibitionREESE, RESIDENT, GARDENS

7SPOTLIGHT11 OCTOBER 2015

WATCH THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD COME TO LIFE AT

privateproperty.co.za/city-bowl

Neighbourhood

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

• Bocca,forgreatpizzasandpasta

andalivelyvibe

• SocietiBistro,fortastybistro

fareandalovelycourtyardfor

sundowners

• TheBlueCafe,fortastybreakfasts

witharelaxedneighbourhoodcafe

vibe

• BlackSheep,foratrendycrowdand

seasonalmoderncuisine

• BacononBree,forthebest

artisanalbaconsandwiches

• TheCompany’sGardenRestaurant,

forrelaxedlunchesinanoutdoor

setting

8 SPOTLIGHT

BOCCA

THEBLUECAFE BACONONBREE

MOTHER’SRUINGINBARDOOR221

SOCIETIBISTRO

11 OCTOBER 2015

There is an electricity to town, especially in the evenings – it comes

alive with beautiful and interesting people REESE, RESIDENT, GARDENS

You can’t go wrong with Bree

Street. You’ve got Bacon on Bree, Bocca, Charango and Birds, to name a few of my favourites. Also it has great places for drinks like Door 221 and Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar REESE, RESIDENT, GARDENS

Neighbourhood 9SPOTLIGHT

Those gorgeous views over the

city to Table Mountain or towards Lion’s Head and Signal Hill are a big attraction, as is the easy access to the mountain itself. The trails take you deep into nature within minutes of leaving the streets of Vredehoek, Oranjezicht or Tamboerskloof, allowing residents to combine inner-city living with energetic walks, runs or bike rides, even before work

And, of course, the historic

Company’s Garden is a personal back garden for many locals, flanked by the South African National Gallery and Iziko South Africa Museum

COMPANY’S GARDEN

LABIA MOVIE THEATRE

MOUNT NELSON HOTEL

11 OCTOBER 2015

MORE THINGS TO DO

• Watch awesome indie and

mainstream movies at the Labia

Movie Theatre on Orange Street.

• Work out at the Virgin Active health

club in trendy Wembley Square.

• Shop at City Bowl Market on Hope

Street on Thursday and Friday

evenings.

• Indulge in afternoon tea at the

(Belmond) Mount Nelson Hotel.

• Join aquarobics classes at

Swimmable in Gardens Centre.

• Take a free cable car ride up Table

Mountain on your birthday.

Neighbourhood10 SPOTLIGHT 11 OCTOBER 2015

At the heart of happening Cape Town, the

cosmopolitan City Bowl and its suburbs have soared in popularity in recent years as young professionals have joined those savvy longtime residents who have been enjoying its amazing views and proximity to the centre of town for years

Properties listed for rent in the

Cape Town City Bowl comprise

approximately 14% of the total rental

listings in the Cape Town region.

14%

Approximately 17% of the

interest (views) in properties for

rent in the Cape Town region is

attributable to properties listed for

rent in the Cape Town City Bowl.

17%

Approximately 9% of the interest (views)

in properties for sale in the Cape Town

region is attributable to properties listed

for sale in the Cape Town City Bowl.

9%

Properties listed for sale in the

Cape Town City Bowl comprise

approximately 7% of the total sale

listings in the Cape Town region.

7%Property demand in the Cape Town City Bowl

Neighbourhood 11SPOTLIGHT

A home for everyonewww.privateproperty.co.za

Not ready to buy? Find a rental now.

2 bed, 1 bath AVAILABLE NOW.

11 OCTOBER 2015

Median asking prices for City Bowl properties for sale

A typical property (two-bedroom apartment) A property in a complex A house A fl at/apartment

R3,18m R5,33m R5,14m R2,85m

Median monthly asking prices for City Bowl rentals

A typical rental property

(two-bedroom apartment)

in a complex for a house for a fl at

R18,800 R22,200 R21,000 R16,100

Property typesfor sale

Property typesfor rent

Complex

Flat/Apartment

House

8%

73%

19%

Complex

Flat/Apartment

House

3%

67%

30% ComplexComplexComplexComplex

NeighbourhoodNEWS & LIFESTYLE12 11 OCTOBER 2015

WORDS: LISA DEWBERRY IMAGES: SUPPLIED

The Mall of Africa in Midrand will include at least 261 retail tenants

Mall of Africa rapidly nearing completion

Located in Midrand, the R3,5bn Mall of Africa seems to be on track for completion at the

end of April next year. The largest retail development to be constructed in a single phase in Africa, it is also the catalyst for the construction of a new city, the Waterfall CBD. The development is being financed by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance.

Tia Kanakakis, architect from MDS Architecture, the firm responsible for the mall, says some of the initial 12 cranes at the development have started to come down in recent months, confirming that the structural components, the roof and the facade are well advanced.

“Although there’s still scaffolding visible from the exterior, the interior

of the mall is also progressing well, with various finishes and landlord tenant installations being completed.

The leasable area will be 131,000m², with 261 tenants setting up shop in this new luxury development.

“The inception of the design took place in 2012 and the inspiration for the mall and courts was drawn from the natural and geological beauty of the African continent,” she says. The major tenants are Edgars, Woolworths, Truworths, Checkers, Ster-Kinekor and Game.According to Kanakakis, the centre

has high shopfronts, wide malls and an abundance of natural light, and is designed in an aesthetic palette with unique elements, such as parts of the structure opening up to the outdoors.This includes the north piazza of the

mall tying into the commercial zone of the Waterfall CBD, and the south side of the mall opening up to the southern Town Square, a restaurant node with magnificent views.

Gerhard Saayman, an engineer at Aurecon, which is providing design and construction supervision teams for the project, says the sheer size of the mall, with its building area of 485,000m² (the equivalent of 65 rugby pitches), makes it a rewarding project to work on. According to him, there will be four courts depicting different climate zones on the continent within the mall.

These include the Oleum court depicting oil-rich West Africa, the Great Lakes court depicting East Africa, the Crystal court depicting the mineral wealth of South Africa and the Sand court depicting the deserts of North Africa.

“The main construction period for this massive development is only 32 months, making it a challenge for the main contractor, who requires a huge amount of design and construction documentation to be produced by design consultants in a short period of time.

“A unified team with a deep understanding of timelines and construction sequences of retail developments has been needed to fast-track the construction of such a large project,” says Saayman.

The inspiration for the mall was

drawn from the natural beauty of Africa TIA KANAKAKIS, ARCHITECT,

MDS ARCHITECTURE

1311 OCTOBER 2015 PROPERTY NEWSNeighbourhood

There’s a very short supply of properties available and the

market is highly competitive

There’s nothing more exciting than moving into a new neighbourhood. Here’s what Lucia Knight loves about her new home in the Cape Town City Bowl

New to the Neighbourhood: Cape Town City Bowl

WORDS: ANDREA KIRK IMAGES: SUPPLIED

NATIONAL NEWS STORY

Opening the door to different neighbourhoods in SA

RSA

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Visit Private Property atprivateproperty.co.za.

A fter months of searching, Lucia Knight and her husband, Thom Pierce, have found “the one”:

a three-bedroom cottage near vibey Kloof Street in Gardens, Cape Town. We fi nd out what they love about city living at the foot of Table Mountain.

Q: How did you fi nd your property? A: It took fi ve months of dedicated

searching. We scoured the internet and eventually found what we were looking for through Chas Everitt International Property Group.

Q: What do you wish you’d known before you started looking?

A: How tough the market really is in the City Bowl. There’s a very short supply of properties available and the market is highly competitive. When you see something you like, you need to act very quickly or risk losing the opportunity to buy it. We had to decide whether it was a “yes” or a “no” after just one look at the house, because we didn’t want to risk it getting snapped up by someone else.

Q: What do you love about your new property?

A: There are so many things to love about the house and the area, but what really sold it to us was the spectacular view of Table Mountain from the upstairs areas.

Q: Did you know exactly which area you wanted to be in?

A: We knew we wanted to be in the City Bowl, but we were fl exible about exactly which area we’d buy in. Anything from Vredehoek to Green Point would have worked for us.

Q: What’s your favourite thing about the area?

A: It’s so close to all the action. We used to drive here in the evenings and on weekends to go out for dinner or meet up with friends. Eventually, we realised we wanted to live where the fun happens. Now we’re within walking distance of all the great co� ee shops and restaurants on Kloof Street, which we love! It’s a freelancer’s paradise because there are so many cool spots to set up o� ce for the day.

Q: What’s your favourite local coffee spot?

A: Anywhere on Kloof Street.

Analyse itPATRICK CAIRNS

A $20bn lesson

Last month news broke of what is certainly the ugliest corporate scandal of the year.

Vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen admitted that it had been cheating on US emissions tests for its diesel vehicles for more than six years.

The fallout was swift and brutal. Volkswagen’s share price dropped nearly 30% in a week, the CEO resigned, angry customers and investors began fi ling dozens of lawsuits against the company, and authorities announced investigations all over the world.

Given the huge number of vehicles involved, Volkswagen faces a potential fi ne of $18bn (about R250bn) from the US Environmental Protection Agency alone. Bloomberg estimates that the total cost of settling class action lawsuits and paying other fi nes around the world could take the company’s total liability to more than $20bn. That is double its total net profi t for 2014.

Given the potential scale of the impact, one can’t help asking what Volkswagen gained from doing something so unethical and potentially criminal. This is particularly vexing because it isn’t even the fi rst car manufacturer to be caught out. A number of other companies, including General Motors, Ford, Caterpillar and Volvo Trucks, have all been found guilty of cheating in their emissions tests, although on a much smaller scale.

It is a rather depressing list of corporates that believed that whatever short-term profi t benefi t they were getting was worth the long-term risk to their credibility. They also showed that they were prepared to disregard the needs of their customers to serve their own interests.

It may be asking too much, but the enormity of what Volkswagen faces will hopefully lead to some introspection in boardrooms around the globe. The world is changing, and businesses can no longer ask to be judged only on how much money they are able to make.

As new technologies and services that put the customer fi rst and ensure sustainability change the way in which business is done, companies that sacrifi ce the environment and their own customers’ wellbeing for the sake of profi t are going to be pushed aside. Analysts are already talking about the likelihood of Volkswagen’s blunder speeding up the adoption of electric vehicles from competitors such as Tesla Motors.

If that happens, it is market share that Volkswagen will never regain. And there is a lesson in that not only for Volkswagen, but many other businesses too.

If that happens, it is market share that Volkswagen will never regain. And there is a lesson in that not only for Volkswagen, but many other businesses too

These include the Oleum court depicting oil-rich West Africa, the Great Lakes court depicting East Africa, the Crystal court depicting the mineral wealth of South Africa and the Sand court depicting the deserts of North Africa.

“The main construction period for this massive development is only 32 months, making it a challenge for the main contractor, who requires a huge amount of design and construction documentation to be produced by design consultants in a short period of time.

“A unifi ed team with a deep understanding of timelines and construction sequences of retail developments has been needed to fast-track the construction of such a large project,” says Saayman.

NeighbourhoodPROPERTY NEWS14

Choosing an offerWORDS: LEANDI CAMERON IMAGE: ISTOCK

There are more buyers than well-priced

homes in sought-after areas, and stock levels are

under pressure. The point is the same in the more affordable markets.

In any town or suburb where the demand from prospective buyers exceeds the number of homes for sale, it is usually only a matter of time before property sellers start to receive

competing offers to purchase and have to decide which of them to accept or reject, says Ian Olivier, principal franchisee at Pam Golding Properties.

“Most people would be tempted to accept the highest offer and would accordingly make plans to accommodate the buyer. However, the seller should get everything in writing by way of an offer to purchase. Sellers should at least establish a link to the moving date with the date on which all conditions are met, and preferably on registration of transfer. The golden rule is to make sure that the buyer is willing and able,” he adds.

11 OCTOBER 2015

The seller should get

everything in writing by way of an offer to purchase IAN OLIVIER, PRINCIPAL FRANCHISEE, PAM

GOLDING PROPERTIESThen again, you might choose

to accept a lower offer from a prospective buyer who has already

been preapproved for bond finance, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO, BetterLife

Home Loans. “What if you received an offer for considerably more than your asking price, for example, provided you were prepared to move out and give the buyer occupation by the end of the month? You might not be willing – or able – to accept it,” he explains.

Olivier adds that any decision to accept an offer lies with the seller. The job of the professional agent is to present all offers. They should highlight the positives and point out the potential pitfalls. They should look after the best interests of their client (the seller), with due regard for the interests of all other parties involved. If you do end up in the middle of a bidding war for your home, you should look for the offers with the fewest contingencies.”

It’s not always the highest offer that’s the most worthwhile

Neighbourhood 1511 OCTOBER 2015 PROPERTY NEWS

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Then again, you might choose to accept a lower offer from a prospective buyer who has already

been preapproved for bond finance, says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO, BetterLife

Home Loans. “What if you received an offer for considerably more than your asking price, for example, provided you were prepared to move out and give the buyer occupation by the end of the month? You might not be willing – or able – to accept it,” he explains.

Olivier adds that any decision to accept an offer lies with the seller. The job of the professional agent is to present all offers. They should highlight the positives and point out the potential pitfalls. They should look after the best interests of their client (the seller), with due regard for the interests of all other parties involved. If you do end up in the middle of a bidding war for your home, you should look for the offers with the fewest contingencies.”

A number of leading estate agents are cautioning the sellers of high-end homes against scammers who are putting in offers without having any intention of actually buying the property

Property scams?

WORDS: GEORGINA GUEDES IMAGE: ISTOCK

In some cases, they ask to be allowed to occupy the home urgently, and if this is

allowed, the seller is then faced with extensive and costly eviction processes

the same “foundation”, asking to put in an offer on another R60m house in the same suburb. “And I had to go through the whole process with her again,” says Sipman. “As an agent, I have to broker any deal. I can’t say no because I think someone’s scamming us, and you can’t ask people for their bank statements up front.”

The modus operandi is always the same: the scamsters ask to be shown high-value houses, seem set on one, make an offer that’s close to the asking price and then come up with excuses for why they can’t come up with the money. Sipman has seen some of these fake buyers sign transfer documents and even forge bank guarantees to keep the game alive.

In some cases, they ask to be allowed to occupy the home urgently, and if this is allowed, the seller is then faced with extensive and costly eviction processes. “It’s almost like they’re on some sort of a joyride or thrill-seeking expedition,” says Sipman.

This may seem like an isolated incident, but is in fact part of a growing trend that high-end estate agents are seeing. Sipman herself has had four such experiences this year, and there are reports of similar stories from agencies such as Pam Golding Properties and Homes of Distinction.

Sipman says it’s important for high-end estate agents and sellers to be aware of this type of scam and to make sure that all documentation is legitimate and to not give in to any requests until the money is on the table.

In April this year, Donna Sipman, a property consultant at RE/MAX Masters who handles property

sales in the Blair Atholl Estate and Bryanston area, was approached by a professional woman who asked to view houses in Blair Atholl.

The woman claimed to have an architectural background and “fell in love” with a house built in a particular architectural style. She put in an offer for close to the asking price of R26m and explained that she was waiting for a R400m payment into her foundation for projects that she was initiating in Africa, namely building schools and hospitals.

She met with the seller and requested that certain renovations be made before she moved in. Sipman checked the woman’s credentials with another agent she had mentioned knowing, and it seemed that she was legitimate even though she had never before made an offer.

Seven days before the 12-day waiting period expired, she phoned to say that there was a delay in the transfer of the R400m and offered to take the sellers and Sipman out to lunch to make up for the inconvenience.

Over the next few weeks, her excuses became increasingly unbelievable, and despite reassurances, she eventually stopped taking calls. Sipman and the seller issued her a notice of breach, giving her seven days to come up with the money, and then sent a formal cancellation of the sales agreement. Shortly afterwards, Sipman was contacted by another “colleague” from

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16 11 OCTOBER 2015SHOW DEVELOPMENT

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PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

NeighbourhoodYour property guide and show house listings in the Sunday Times.*

yourneighbourhood.co.za/developments

Situated near the Westlake wetland and its diverse bird- and animal life, Westlake Eco-Estate offers the practicality of urban living at the edge of nature

Beautiful living at Westlake Eco-Estate

Neighbourhood18 11 OCTOBER 2015SHOW DEVELOPMENT

BALWIN PROPERTIES

Balwin Properties has been developing spectacular townhouses since 1996. The company started off developing property in the south of Johannesburg and has grown to the north and east of the city. Inspired by four brilliant directors, Balwin Properties is turning over a new leaf and is continually evolving to produce eco-friendly products and facilities within each of its new and exciting developments, in order to reduce the carbon footprint of its developments. Every new development produced by Balwin Properties is tailor-made to meet its customers’ needs and improve their standard of living and lifestyle.

Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learnt that making a living is not the same thing as making

a life.” But it can be di� cult to fi nd time for both – doing what we have to do and doing what we want to do.

Balwin Properties’ latest development, Westlake Eco-Estate, in Modderfontein, enables this balance: it is not only the perfect environment for beautiful living, but is also conveniently located for easy access to business centres, schools, shopping centres and healthcare facilities, and it o� ers residents access to a wide range of world-class on-site leisure, sporting and entertainment facilities.

For those who need to get their heart rate up, Westlake o� ers a squash court, fi tness track and a Discovery Vitality gym.

For residents who wish to unwind, Westlake has an on-site spa, green walkways and picnic pockets.

Enjoying quality time with friends and family is easy in the Westlake Lifestyle Centre, with its restaurant, entertainment centre, braai area, children’s play area and swimming pool – all in the safety of the 24-hour physical and electronic security of the estate.

The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are stylish, spacious, beautifully fi nished and Wi-Fi-ready, come standard with eco-friendly appliances and are fi tted with smart meters, for practical, convenient green living.

Work on this 790-unit development has begun, and the show unit is expected to be ready in October this year. Already proving popular with homebuyers and investors, Westlake Eco-Estate o� ers young men and women, single professionals, couples and small families the perfect opportunity to make a life for themselves – a beautiful life!

estlakeeco-estatem o d d e r f o n t e i n

ON SHOW

The show unit at Westlake Eco-Estate is available for viewing on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 2pm to 6pm.

CONTACT

For more information:

Slade Brookes, 083 612 2515 [email protected]

Westlake Eco-Estate

offers young men and women, single

professionals, couples and families the

perfect opportunity to make a beautiful life for themselves

Neighbourhood 1911 OCTOBER 2015 SHOW DEVELOPMENT

A: Alphen Park 26

Amandasig 46

Amberfield 35

Arcadia 45

B: Baileys Muckleneuk 26

Blue Valley GolF Estate 24

Boardwalk Meader 26, 40, 42

Brooklyn 40

Brummeria 26

Buffelsdrift 42

C:Centurion Golf Estate 24, 44

Clearwater Estate 42

Clubview 44

Cornwall Hill 44

Country View Estate 45

D: Die Hoewes 24, 42

Die Wilgers 36, 45, 46

Doringkloof 24

E: Eldoraigne 35, 40, 46

Equestria 26, 31, 36, 42

Erasmuskloof 34, 40, 42

F: Faerie Glen 40,42

G: Garsfontein 26, 42

H: Hatfield 42

Hennopspark 24

Highveld 24, 44, 46

I:

Irene 24, 44

Irene Proper 44

K:

Kameeldrift East 46

Kloofsig 24

Knoppieslaagte 24

Kyalami AH 46

L:

La Montagne 42

Laezonia 25

Lombardy Estate 26

Lynnrodene 26

Lynnwood 42

Lynnwood Glen 38, 40

Lynnwood Manor 26

Lyttelton 35

M:Magalieskruin 46

Menlo Park 26, 27, 40, 45

Meyerspark 26, 27, 36

Midfield Estate 25

Midrand 37

Midstream Estate 44

Midstream Ridge 44Mnandi 46Monavoni 40Monument Park 26, 27, 42Mooikloof Eq Estate 26, 27Mooikloof Gardens 26, 27Moreleta Park 26, 27, 41, 43, 45Murrayfield 26, 27, 43

N: Newlands 45

Newmark Estate 43

O: Olympus 34

P: Paarl 23

Pierre van Ryneveld 33

Pretoria Central 45

Pretorius Park 38, 43

R: Raslow 46Rietfontein 32, 46Rietvalleirand 33, 41, 43Rietvlei Height Country Estate 34Rooihuiskraal 25

Rooihuiskraal North 25

S: Silver Lakes Estate 26, 27

Silver Lakes Golf Estate 41

Silverton Ridge 41

Soshanguve 45

Soutdowns 44

Soutdowns Estate 44

Stone Ridge Country Estate 41

Summerfield Estate 25

T: Thatchfield Estate 44

The Meadows 45

The Orchards 32

The Reeds 25, 35, 44

The Wilds 45

V: Val de Grace 26, 27Val De Vie 23

W: Wapadrand 43

Waterkloof 26, 27, 41

Waterkloof Glen 43

Waterkloof Heights 28

Waterkloof Park 28

Waterkloof Ridge 28, 33, 34, 43

Wierdapark 25

Willow Acres 43

Willow Acres Estate 28, 41

Wonderboom 46

Woodhill 41

Woodhill Estate 28

Z: Zwartkop 25

Zwavelpoort 28

MARKETPLACEArea Guide

Agency Guide

Adrienne Hersch Properties 46Aida 42 - 43Leapfrog 44 - 45Pam Golding Properties 22Pandora 48Rawson Properties 30 - 39Seeff Properties 24 - 28Sotheby's International Realty 40 - 41Val De Vie 23

Neighbourhood

2111 OCTOBER 2015 MARKETPLACE

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yourneighbourhood.co.za | 11 OCTOBER 2015 25











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Neighbourhood PTA - 11 October 2015