Suburbs with a view and good growth too

Yearning for a house with a view? Seeff rounds up suburbs with some of the best views and price growth which has in some instances more than doubled over the last ten years (2010-2020).

While South Africa is not short of spectacular landscapes, from hills and valleys to vineyards and ocean views, living in a suburb with good views will likely cost you a premium of upwards of 30%, depending on the area.

On Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, you would pay upwards of 50% to as much as 100% for a luxury home high up in Nettleton Road in Clifton, says Ross Levin, MD for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl. That said, prices in elevated areas are usually also influenced by the additional design and construction costs due to the slope of the land.

For the same reason, penthouses are priced well above other apartments and you could pay as much as R60 million to R200 million for a penthouse in a high-end location.

If you are looking for the best views in the country, you would generally need to look at some of the most exclusive suburbs where prices range in the upper millions, such as:

Cape Town’s neighbourhoods with views for days
Top of the list is Clifton with a median price at R36m, up by 144% since 2010. Its advantage is that it lies on the slope of Lion’s head with spectacular views of the four beautiful beaches down below and over the ocean as far as the eye can see. Over 100 homes are valued above R20 million, but prices range to about R450 million at the top end in Nettleton Road. Apartments below Victoria Road sell for around R20 million to R100 million.

SA’s top tourist suburb, Camps Bay offers a spectacular setting between Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles and the most beautiful Blue-Flag beach and palm-tree lined promenade with street cafés, restaurants, a hotel and more which attracts holiday makers and celebrities from all over the world. Its median price stands at R16.2 million (up by 149%). The suburb is home to over 180 properties valued upwards of R20 million to about R100 million.

Constantia Upper on the slopes of Constantiaberg overlooks the oldest wine valley with prestigious wine farms such as Groot Constantia and Buitenverwachting as your neighbours. It boasts a median price of R12 million (up by 85%) and is characterised by large estates of 4 000sqm to 8 000sqm and grand homes of distinction. About 90 homes are valued above R20 million. Prices range from about R12 million to R100 million.

Two top suburbs to view the shimmering lights of the City of Gold (Johannesburg)
Westcliff is a top ten suburb with a median price of R10 million (up by 122%), views as far as the Magaliesberg Mountains and luxury estates of 4 000sqm to 8 000sqm with grand mansions including a choice of Sir Herbert Baker homes. Some 40 homes are valued above R20 million, but prices range from R8 million to R80 million.

Northcliff boasts a median price of R2.9m (up by 53%) with a choice of more modern mansions built on the steep incline of the Northcliff Hill with stunning views. Prices range from R3 million to R18 million.

Pretoria’s eastern side has all the views and country living
Mooikloof, with a median price of R6.4m (up by 78%) is a hilly suburb which offers a rural lifestyle and stunning views with many luxury estates such as Mooikloof Heights, Mooikloof Equestrian Estate, Mooikloof Country Residences and The Hills Game Reserve Lifestyle Estate regarded as among the best addresses in the country. Prices range from R7 million to R27 million.

Waterkloof Ridge is one of the top suburbs in the country and boasts a median price of R3.36 million (up by 60%) and stunning views of the Union Buildings and city below. It is part of the ambassadorial belt and home to many of the country’s super-rich. Prices range from around R3 million to R40 million.

KwaZulu Natal North Coast is the “new north” for luxury buyers
Umhlanga offers incredible sea views and a desired location. It boasts a median price R6.6m (up by 97%). Landmarks include the red lighthouse, 5-star Oyster Box hotel and Gateway Shopping Centre. Estates such as Mount Edgecombe and Hawaan Forest Estate is home to some of the most expensive properties in the country. The area is home to 120 homes valued above R20m and is popular for second homes. Prices range from R3 million to R50 million.

Ballito with a median price of R3.4m (up by 122%) offers a choice of properties including luxury estates such as Umhlali Country Club and Simbithi Eco Estate. Prices range from R2 million to R20 million.

Zimbali boasts a median price of R13.2 million (up by 140%) and is one of the most desired estates in the country, offering a tropical resort-styled setting with a hotel and golf club and plantation-styled architecture. Its proximity to the King Shaka International Airport makes it an ideal second home for wealthy buyers from upcountry. Prices range from around R4 million to R70 million.

Can you protect your view?
While SA law does not recognise an inherent right to an existing view which is an incidental advantage of property ownership and not an actionable right, there are mechanisms that you could use, says Mr Levin.

These include registering a servitude, restrictive title conditions or through a contract between parties. You could also make use of the provisions of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 103 of 1977 to object against building plans where a building would obstruct the views of your property.

Sources - price data from Lightstone and Propstats, wealth data from New World Wealth.

Photograph/s enclosed:
Clifton – R30 million for a luxury 3-bed apartment with uninterrupted sea views throughout. Price includes VAT, so no transfer duty payable
https://www.seeff.com/results/residential/for-sale/cape-town/clifton/flat/69562/

Pretoria East, Mooikloof Heights – R7.8m for a spectacular 4-bed home with stunning contemporary finishes on a 9864sqm plot and spectacular views
https://www.seeff.com/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/mooikloof-heights/house/62692/

Pretoria East, Waterkloof Ridge – R7.99 million for a grand homestead with spectacular views, a floating library hovers above the double volume family room, large wine cellar, pool, Sauna and more
https://www.seeff.com/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/waterkloof-ridge/house/4309/

Umhlanga, Hawaan Forest Estate – R26m for a spectacular 5-bed home, a wine tasting cellar, pool and Jacuzzi, staff accommodation, garaging for 8 cars and more
https://www.seeff.com/results/residential/for-sale/umhlanga/umhlanga-rocks/house/1615/

Ballito, Simbithi Eco Estate – R8.995m for a spectacular 500sqm home complete with a wine cellar and theatre
https://www.seeff.com/results/residential/for-sale/ballito/simbithi-eco-estate/house/65810/