Over 40% of SA’s rich live or have homes on residential estates, according to a survey

A new report into the High-Net-Worth Individual (HNWI) segment in South Africa found that residential estate living is on the rise among the country’s wealthy.

“We estimate that over 40% of South African HNWIs live or have homes on residential estates,” according to real estate advisor Basil Weinrich.

Weinrich helped  the global research group New World Wealth compile a report rating top-end residential estates across the country. The research team spent the past year visiting these estates, which included looking at lifestyle, wildlife, golf, equestrian and parkland estates.

Criteria for the ratings included: communal gardens and parks; design and space; location, views and scenery; security features and facilities/activities available on the estate.

Here are their top 10 SA estates for 2019 (in alphabetical order):

Arabella

Located on the Bot River Lagoon, about 40 kilometres west of Hermanus, Arabella is one of the most scenic estates in the country. It has a spa and a highly rated golf course. House prices range from R3 million to R15 million.

Atlantic Beach 

Atlantic Beach is located between Blouberg and Melkbostrand in Cape Town and has great views and scenery. House prices range from R2 million to R20 million.

Fancourt

Fancourt is located in George on the Garden Route. It has three highly rated courses on one estate. There are several different residential areas on the estate including: Colonial Lodges, Cape Dutch Homes, Oakland Residences, Links Avenue Properties, Links Ridge Properties and Montagu Ridge Properties. House prices range from R3 million to R50 million.

Pezula

Pezula is located in Knysna on the Garden Route. Pezula includes two sub-estates: Pezula Golf Estate and Pezula Private Estate. The private estate is slightly more exclusive, with larger stands. House prices there range from R5 million to R50 million.

Simbithi

Simbithi is a golf estate in Ballito. It also operates as a wildlife sanctuary, with several wild animals such as antelope living on the property. House/apartment prices there range from R2 million to R40 million.

Steenberg

Steenberg is one of the pioneer estates in the country. Originally a vineyard, Steenberg was redeveloped by JCI in 1990 to include a golf course, hotel, spa and housing estate. There are relatively few houses at Steenberg. House prices range from R10 million to R40 million.

Steyn City

Steyn City is located near Broadacres in Johannesburg. It is probably the best designed estate in South Africa, with large amounts of parkland between the various distinct residential neighbourhoods. It offers a nice mix of houses, townhouses and apartments. House/apartment prices range from R2 million to R40 million.

Val de Vie

Val de Vie is located in the Cape Winelands between Paarl and Franschhoek. It contains a number of district and unique neighbourhoods, including: Pearl Valley, the Polo Village, the Gentleman’s Estate, the River Club, the Reserve, the Vines, the Acres and several others. It is also home to a new retirement village (Evergreen Val de Vie). House/apartment prices range from R3 million to R50 million.

Whalerock Ridge

Whalerock Ridge is located in Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. The 100 hectare estate offers residents impressive views over the bay. House prices on the estate range from R3 million to R35 million.

Zimbali

Zimbali is located next to Ballito and about 24 kilometres north of Umhlanga. The forest and bird life on the estate is very impressive – it is home to several types of kingfishers, louries, bee-eaters and even the rare Crowned Eagle is a resident. The estate is right on the beach. House prices range from R5 million to R75 million.

Compiled by Estrelita Moses.