The Hermanus property market was semi-dormant for much of December 2012 – but it experienced an “almost incredible” upturn from the 1st of January this year, says Peter Greyling, the Rawson Property Group’s residential franchisee for the area.
“It was extraordinary how, as January dawned, the number of sales enquiries suddenly skyrocketed,” said Greyling. “We have the impression that many visitors spent a substantial proportion of their leisure time checking Hermanus’ residential opportunities on the internet and in the local free magazines, and then, as their holidays neared an end, began taking action.”
By mid-February, he said, he expects to have notched up five or six sales.
Attracting particular interest at the moment, says Greyling, is a relatively new six bedroom (all en suite) opulent home at Eastcliff, one of Hermanus’ most exclusive and expensive suburbs. The home has uninterrupted views of Walker Bay – enjoying the whale activity which draws so many people to the area. From its 1424 m² erf, it has direct access to the famous cliff path leading to such well known beaches as Voëlklip. The home is also within a short five minute drive from the town.
The owners, says Greyling, have described the home as reflecting “Asian” influences. Emphasis is on open-plan layouts and large entertainment areas that maximise natural light in the interiors and offer easy flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The home is entered by crossing a slate tiled water pond and this leads through a suspended all-glass door to a magnificent double volume foyer which links with a dramatic free standing Kiaat staircase.
The mezzanine lounge has white Italian marble floors which have been given a polished stucco finish. To the east of the impressive foyer is a wing with a large open-plan, highly sophisticated kitchen its own TV, pantry and scullery.
Leading off the kitchen is a large formal dining area with a 12 seat table and, to one side of this, a gazebo with facilities for less formal dining and conversation. This area has its own braai and gas fireplace.
The west wing provides a larger and more formal entertainment space with its own lounge and bar which the owners claim, rivals the best that London and New York have to offer. It has a curved couch that is able to seat 20 people. To one side of this space is a Jacuzzi which can take 40 people, as well as an informal lounge with a fireplace which has traditionally been used for business meetings.
The upper floor is also divided into two wings and houses all six bedrooms. As mentioned, each bedroom has its own bathroom and the architects have opened up the dramatic views in the bay, not only from the sleeping areas, but also from some of the bathrooms. The other bathrooms look onto the Hermanus mountains.
The sale price of R21 million plus VAT, says Greyling, is “spot on” for today’s market where buyers are fairly thick on the ground but in almost every case determined to drive a very hard bargain.
“When a home of such international quality becomes available on such a perfect site, it attracts interest worldwide,” said Greyling. “There can be few better investments in the entire Overberg/Hermanus region at the moment.”
