Schonenberg Estate
Monday, 01 November 2010 00:00
The cosmopolitan Boland town of Franschhoek is preparing for a busy summer season, with the typically tranquil valley town set to come alive with its usual annual influx of visitors. Pam Golding Properties reports that the first signs of heightened activity are already being seen in the town’s property market. The company has taken occupation of newly-renovated offices on the main thoroughfare of Huguenot Street, with effect from 8 November 2010.
PGP’s area manager for Franschhoek, Surina du Toit, says there has been a definite pick-up in interest levels in recent weeks, particularly from buyers seeking properties in the R6 million to R8 million price range. “Already we are seeing the seasonal ‘swallows’ returning to Franschhoek with the close of the European winter,” she says, “and once the school holidays begin in a few weeks’ time, we anticipate a large influx of up-country visitors.
Holidaymakers tend to fall in love with Franschhoek, so there is always curiosity about homes for sale at this time of year, especially from Gautengers contemplating a move to the Cape. With its low crime levels, small-town charm and stunning natural beauty, Franschhoek is a natural magnet for such buyers.
Spending their holiday here allows them to develop a new appreciation for the lifestyle on offer, from the outstanding, award-winning restaurants and wine farms, to the strong sense of community and the convenient location, just one hour’s drive from Cape Town. When they realise that the valley also boasts its own excellent private school, it is an easy step for them to give serious thought to settling their families here.”
The beauty of the Franschhoek market, says PGP’s MD for the Boland and Overberg region, Annien Borg, is that there is such a wide variety of homes on offer, despite the small size of the town. “One can purchase small apartments from around R1 million, or acquire a two- or three-bedroomed cottage from around R2.3 million,” she says. “There are also plenty of larger homes ideal for young families, which are priced anywhere from R4 million upwards. And for buyers in the luxury market, one can obtain magnificent homes within secure estates from R5.5 million upwards – many of them located within walking distance of the town centre.”
Among the most magnificent examples currently on the market is a Cape Dutch manor house set on 2.25ha, in a prime position close to the Huguenot Memorial. The main house offers four bedroom suites and extensive entertainment areas, while the property also includes a two-bedroomed cottage, manager’s home, gym with sauna and bar, two swimming pools and a tennis court. 1.9ha is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, producing around 900 cases per annum under the property’s own wine label. The property is for sale exclusively through PGP, priced at R28.5 million.
PGP is also marketing a double-storey executive home in the prestigious Fransche Hoek secure estate, at R7.8 million. The newly-built home offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with spacious open-plan living areas flowing out onto a patio offering views over the entire valley.
A fifth bedroom or studio has its own separate entrance. The 865sqm property also has its own wine cellar and a solar-heated pool, and is equipped with both air-conditioning and under-floor heating.
For those seeking a more modest home, PGP has the exclusive mandate to market a beautiful three-bedroomed cottage located in a quiet street, with a very private garden and swimming pool. Open plan kitchen and dining areas lead into a large lounge with a fireplace. There is also a small loft studio area, and a home office with its own bathroom. The 933sqm property is for sale at R3.2 million.
Borg adds that Franschhoek also offers a number of choices for those seeking lifestyle farms or small-holdings. “The fertile soil and good water supply almost always ensure a fruitful crop in this valley, whether the land is planted to vineyards, orchards or olive groves.
One can obtain a smallholding from R11.5 million and an 11ha lifestyle farm from around R18 million, while a working farm can cost anything from R39 million upwards. There are some magnificent historic properties for sale, as well as more modern ventures which are well-positioned for those wanting to develop small-scale farming and hospitality businesses.”
For more information on properties for sale in Franschhoek, contact the PGP office on 021 876 2100 or
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, or call agents Dionne Gurr (072 460 2586), Doug Gurr (072 610 7208) and Shelly Schoeman (083 301 8833).
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