Designer Illovo apartments for sale

A unique designer development that promises to be “exciting by day and dazzling by night” has just been launched in Johannesburg’s exclusive Illovo-Hyde Park area to buyers with discerning taste and a yen for something different.

Le Cirque apartments, which Lew Geffen, chairman of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty describes as offering buyers “a most prestigious address, extraordinary open-terrace lifestyle and extremely competitive pricing value”, are being offered to potential owners off-plan.

The artist’s renditions of Le Cirque show an extraordinary circular building with 9 levels of apartments, blending indoor-and outdoor terrace living, space specially designed to take advantage of the legendary Highveld weather.

At night from inside the stylish development which has been designed with clean, contemporary lines, the twinkling lights of the city below are the vista that will entice potential buyers.

Geffen says, “Illovo is a prestigious suburb extremely close to Sandton that borders Hyde Park, Sandhurst and Craighall Park. It has fantastic schools, incredible shopping and superb sporting facilities on the doorstep; everything a resident could possibly want.”

Speaking of the attraction of owning property in the area, Geffen says, “Illovo rentals are very much sought after so many sectional titles in the area are bought as investment properties. They’re also extremely attractive for those who live outside of Johannesburg but conduct a lot of business here and need a convenient city pad.

“Illovo property is certainly attractive in that it offers a centrally located suburb bordering on Atholl and Inanda; suburbs that match Illovo in convenience of location, beauty and their general standard of real estate.”

As for the development itself, the moment you step into the lobby of Le Cirque you’d be struck by the sophisticated design equivalent to a luxury hotel. Among the property’s highlights are easy access to the Sandton or Rosebank Gautrain stations as well as the main highway systems. Geffen adds: ”Illovo's close proximity to the M1 as well as to Sandton and Rosebank CBDs make it an ideal location for business people.”

Le Cirque boasts a spectacular “high point” location with uninterrupted views and a lock-up-and-go lifestyle as well as semi-private lifts to each apartment and lock-up storage facilities.

Then there are the beautiful North facing 2, 3 and 4 bedroom en suite units, plus spectacular double volume penthouses.

The two bedroom units measure 175-185m² and include large 45sqm terraces. They boast spacious open plan kitchens, dining and living areas which blend into the super-sized terraces and are priced from R4.3million.

Next are the magnificent lower three or four bedroom en suite penthouses measuring 516m² with covered terraces of 100m². These units boast spacious open plan kitchens, dining and living areas with a study, gym and optional cinema room plus a 300m² roof garden and are priced at R19.4million.

Le Cirque also offers communal amenities such as a gym, pools, restaurant, cocktail bar, business centre, cafe, convenience store, wellness and beauty salon as well as concierge services, personal chauffeurs, laundry facilities, room service, and apartment servicing facilities.

Geffen explains the further attractions of Illovo saying, “The beauty of Illovo property is in the fact that you can be in the middle of all the action at one moment, and then surrounded by blissful quiet the next. The areas encompassing Le Cirque are vast and varied and lend to lean towards the eclectic tastes of residents. Close proximity to Blu Bird, Atholl Square, Melrose Arch and Sandton City are all added benefits for those looking to buy in the area.”

For the security-conscious Geffen adds: “Security is of prime importance for owners of Illovo property, but with the Sandton South Residents Association there is no need to worry. The association facilitates a controlled security that is networked across the suburb and can be accessed throughout. There are numerous security guards who regularly patrol the suburb and CCTV cameras that are constantly monitored by armed response services.”

Le Cirque will also have its own on-site security.

Illovo is home to a large number of sporting enthusiasts. When visiting Illovo you will find yourself being torn between watching Ernie Els burn up the golf course and walking across to the cricket stadium to see the cricketers in full cry, because Illovo is home to the famous Wanderers Country Club and Cricket Stadium, which is home to the Highveld Strikers, The Wanderers Golf Course offers a spectacular par 72 18 holes.

After a day of sporting adventure, one can dine in any one of a range of superb restaurants offering world class cuisine, as Illovo is also home to some of the finest and beautifully designed restaurants in Joburg. Or you can simply retire to your private terrace at Le Cirque and drink in your entirely private, extraordinary views.

• Property24 6 January 2015

• Also published in The Weekend Argus on 25 Jan 2015 (Designer development selling off plan)