The Ben Bernhard Estate, a recently developed multi-purpose development area on the R101 just south of Paarl has already attracted several companies and there are, says Lizette Joubert, franchisee for the Rawson Property Group in Paarl, now clear signs that it will become increasingly popular in the future.
“Ben Bernhard Estate is an ideal place to establish a new business because land prices here are still very reasonable. What is more, the precinct has quick, easy access to the major Cape freeways and to rail transport as well as a certain innate prestige due to it being close to famous vineyards and wineries such as Simonsig.”
Particularly appealing to some buyers, said Joubert, is that many of the properties enjoy a high public profile as a result of being clearly visible from the N1 freeway, this section of it being particularly busy.
Andries Krige, an agent at the Rawson Property Group’s Paarl franchise, who is one of the few resident estate agents also handling commercial properties, said that businesses which are expanding, diversifying or relocating should take a good look at the latest property to be put up for sale at Ben Bernhard — a 2,2 ha estate. This is available either as a whole at R21 million or as three plots. The subdivision is already in the process of gaining approval.
If the plots are sold separately, the first, with 6,921 m2, will be priced at R8 million. This plot has a 650 m2 five-bedroom home on it and was built by the illustrious Boland property developer, JJ Dempers. Next to this is a 7,743 m2 plot, which has stables for 13 horses, a manager’s cottage and two small apartments, as well as 500 m2 of storerooms and fenced paddocks.
These two plots are already provided with services. The third plot, a long oblong section of 8653 m2, is grassed and fenced, and has no building or services on it as yet.
“Obviously”, said Krige, “with the Ben Bernhard Estate expanding now, no one is likely to buy the homestead to live in for the long term because in time it will be part of a significant commercial and industrial project. This building could, however, prove ideal as offices for a medium sized business looking for high quality interiors.”
On the other two plots there is potential for offices, light industrial buildings or warehouses – including, quite possibly, the 200 m2 mini-factories which are today proving so popular throughout the Boland.
Krige said that the initial interest has already brought in enquires, and it is now evident that more and more people are aware of how strategically sited Ben Bernhard Estate is – and this property, he said, is undoubtedly one of the jewels in its crown.
