Property Area Focus: Robberg Beachfront 2019
Property Area Focus: Robberg Beachfront
Robberg Beachfront is one of the highest property value locations in Africa. The front of Beachy Head Drive has traditionally been the destination of choice in Plettenberg Bay, but newer areas further up the beach appear to have caught up. There are about 111 properties that are directly on the beachfront, and very limited opportunity to increase this amount. There have been six sales between R32million and R36million since 2015, most of which were land value with large exclusive homes being built thereafter. Purchasers clearly see value when they are willing to invest R50million plus here. On the back side of Beachy Head where there is only the road in front of the properties, which is similar to the beachfront, the highest price to date is a home for R24million.
In 1630 a Portuguese carrack, the São Gonçalo, tragically shipwrecked in Bahia Formosa (Beautiful Bay), currently known as Plettenberg Bay. The few survivors found themselves stranded in a paradise teeming with game, fish, shellfish, fowl, honey, forests, fertile soil, rivers, and fresh-water springs. Good relations were established with the local Khoisan nation and a bartering system emerged. After a year they left the 5 km stretch of pristine beach in two small cobbled-together boats with their remaining treasure, risking life and limb to make their way home. Little did they realize, but they were leaving the greatest treasure of all behind. The sands of time covered the tragic wreck of the São Gonçalo.
Now, five centuries later, you have the opportunity to purchase part of the treasure that was left behind: a magnificent piece of land on the world-renowned Robberg Beach in a brand-new eco-estate that will rival the world’s best: Duin en See. With 14 sites of ±1,000 m², various views, prices to suit different budgets, a few beachfront opportunities, a 4.28-hectare estate with 184 meters of coastline, this is an opportunity not to be missed.
Most of the estate is private nature reserve and the number of sites has deliberately been limited to protect the stunning natural environment. The architectural ethos is to “touch the earth as lightly as possible” with two pivotal principles of contextual appropriateness and sustainability. The architectural guidelines for buildings ensure harmony with design and aesthetics, and the environmental management plan ensures harmony with the pristine indigenous fauna and flora. This is a truly ecologically sensitive estate. The architectural aesthetic is essentially a contemporary interpretation of the beach bungalow.
The estate has municipal water and sewerage but is off-the-grid in terms of electricity which will be generated through solar power. The roads are constructed with eco pavers which give the estate a relaxed and rural feeling. Maximum size of dwellings is restricted to 720m² per site.
The estate is at the end of quiet cul de sac and yet is within 5 minutes’ drive to all amenities. There are incredible views of the bay, beach, and ocean on all the sea-facing stands and scenic views of the vlei on the back properties. This estate is fenced, access controlled with the gatehouse currently under construction and has direct beach access at multiple points. Rules are pet-friendly to responsible owners.
Considering other beachfront sales, these sites are great value for money and offer, in my opinion, a better lifestyle. Last year, just a few plots were released and two sold; one for R9,2million and a back site for R3,335million. Five of the 14 sites are spoken for. Of the remaining nine, there are currently six beachfront erven available from R11,5million to R27,6million including VAT (i.e. no transfer duty). Watch this space as the cheaper back plots will be released in future.
These newly released sites are a bargain and will be an excellent investment. They should sell quickly. I believe in this estate so much so that I have personally invested in a plot on which my wife and I plan to build our dream home. My predictions are that this estate will become one of the most sought after beachfront estates in Plett due to the low density of the estate and the natural beauty of the site. It has a wonderful atmosphere. The easy access to town will also be a plus point compared to estates further along Robberg beach.
By Hein Pretorius, owner-broker at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty Plettenberg Bay and beachfront area specialist: hein.sir@plettenbergbay.com or 083 701 3159.
Click below for more details on an example of a Duin en See property:
Simply the best of the best.
Asking price: R27,600,000 (including VAT; no transfer duty)