Cape Winelands the indisputable front-runner in the competitive residential estate sector

For more than two decades the Cape Winelands has been South Africa's residential estate trailblazer; home to a number of sought-after developments including the country's first super estate which has remained a trend leader in this competitive market. 

Val de Vie in Paarl has been consistently ranked by New World Wealth as the top residential estate in South Africa and, on 6 November, the estate won two categories in the International Property Awards for 2020/2021 - Best Leisure Development (Val de Vie Evergreen) and Best Residential Development in South Africa.

Chris Cilliers, CEO and Co-Principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty in the Winelands, believes that the inimitable lifestyle in the region coupled with pioneering innovation have been the winning recipe for the area's success in this sector.

"Although golf courses are still a popular feature on estates, there has been a move away from traditional golf estates towards lifestyle and retirement properties, so a large secure, multigenerational development such as Val de Vie ticks all the boxes.

"The estate is attracting entire families, where grandparents living at Val de Vie Evergreen Retirement Village can be involved on a daily basis with their children and grandchildren and offer support much as happened in the traditional family units of days gone by."

Cilliers adds that estates in the area attract considerable interest as there are estates which cater to specific needs in addition to offering a secure tranquil lifestyle.

"Professionals who work remotely are attracted to those estates which have onsite clubhouses which can double as informal office areas where residents have access to wifi - and coffee on tap.

"Val de Vie has catered specifically for this growing trend by building office blocks on the estate which residents can rent and, for those who need a less formal space, they also have a shared office facility."

Another niche sector that is catered for in the Winelands is the equestrian market, says Cilliers: "Horse owners generally want to live close enough to their horses to be able to ride regularly and with minimum fuss. 

"However, due to ongoing urbanisation and densification, they are often faced with lengthy commutes in increasingly congested traffic to reach rural stabling areas as well as the high cost of these stabling facilities. 

"Equestrian people have a unique set of requirements. Not only do they want secure and carefree living for themselves but they also want a secure and healthy living environment for their horses with plenty of space and exercise facilities as well as safe areas for outriding. 

"Most equestrian estates also offer larger plot sizes which appeals to people who prefer a more rural lifestyle."

According to Cilliers, overall, the growing estate sector has remained very consistent over the years, even at the top end of the market with investors are still yielding returns despite the current economic climate and the impact of Covid-19.

"Residential estate living remains on the rise, especially among the more affluent with New World Wealth estimating that more than 40% of South African high net worth individuals (HNWIs)already live in or own homes on residential estates.

"Paarl's very first golf estate, Boschenmeer, has been an extremely good investment and has been in high demand recently and De Zalze Winelands Golf Estate in Stellenbosch remains highly sought after due to its easy access to major travel routes and the Cape Town International Airport." 

Cilliers says that buyers are predominantly from Gauteng (especially Pretoria), KwaZulu Natal and Cape Town, with families moving in search of more peaceful estate living in the scenic Winelands. 

"They are attracted by the many good schools in the area, combined with easy access to the CBD and the Cape Town International Airport. 

"Convenience and on-site amenities are also a growing priority. The better lifestyle estates offer excellent sports and fitness facilities, cycling and hiking trails, gyms, clubhouses and even schools."

She adds that the area is also very popular with retirees and those looking to downscale from large suburban freehold properties with large gardens and high maintenance needs.