Tucked behind Table Mountain, in the cool shade of Cape Town’s most famous landmark, lies one of the city’s best-known southern suburbs – Newlands. Home to the world-renowned Kirstenbosch Gardens as well as the Newlands Cricket Ground and Rugby Stadium, this lush green neighbourhood has the unusual ability to be tranquil, trendy, and vibrant at the same time.
According to Edwards, around half of Newlands residents are long-term owners (over 11 years), and 70% of them are aged 50 and up, often having raised their children in the area. “It’s definitely a family-friendly suburb,” he explains. “Its popularity is heavily education-influenced, and some of the best schools in Cape Town are located either in the area, or very nearby.” This factor may well be the driving force behind younger residents moving in, and 50% of recent buyers have been in the under 49 age category.
“Another major benefit of living in Newlands is its central location,” Edwards points out. “It’s close to all major access roads, and bypasses a lot of the traffic that other Southern Suburbs face in rush hours. Driving to the CBD can take less than ten minutes when the roads are clear, which makes it ideal for professionals working in the city who want to live in a greener, quieter part of Cape Town.”
With an average household income of R65k to R75k, Newlands homes might not come cheap, but there are a variety of price points across the suburb’s neighbourhoods.
The most affordable homes can be found in Newlands Village, with erven ranging from 200m2 to 500m2 and prices of R4 million to 10 million. “The village is the most densely populated part of Newlands,” says Edwards, “and it’s the only place with any significant number of apartments on offer. The vibe is young and trendy, with plenty of restaurants and cafes spilling out onto the sidewalks. It’s especially lively when there is rugby or cricket on at the nearby stadia.”
Hiddingh, on the other hand, is a quieter, more family-centric part of Newlands, with only two access roads making it a particularly tranquil and secure place to live. “Hiddingh is a very high-demand area,” says Edwards. “Plots are bigger than in the village – around 700m2 – and there are some lovely parks and river walks that are a favourite for kids and pets.” Prices in Hiddingh range from R5.5 million to R8 million.
Closer to Kirstenbosch Gardens is Fernwood – a neighbourhood divided into two parts: Upper and Lower Fernwood.
“Lower Fernwood, below Kirstenbosch Gardens, has the highest ceiling price in the area,” says Edwards. “It’s a truly beautiful part ofNewlands, with its own greenbelt offering lush, forested walks.” Erven in the area range from 500m2 all the way up to 2000m2 on occasion, and prices have hit the R20 million mark for more luxurious properties. “There are still homes selling for around R6 million, though,” Edwards points out.
A little higher up, lies Upper Fernwood, a neighbourhood with some of the best views in Newlands, overlooking the peninsula from the shoulder of Table Mountain’s towering slopes. “Upper Fernwood erven tend to be around 500m2,” says Edwards, “and most are on some sort of slope, varying in degree. The houses here are generally quite contemporary, although there are still a few older options around.” Prices range from R5 million to R12 million.
Edwards warns that prospective buyers in Newlands may have some competition, as stock is limited at present, especially in the popular under R6 million price range. “You need to be prepared to make a quick decision,” he says. “We see people miss out all the time because they viewed a home a day or two too late, or lingered just a little longer than necessary over their decision.”
As for sellers, Edwards also advises moving quickly if possible. “We have noticed considerable appreciation since 2013,” he reveals, “but growth has started to slow now and will continue to level off over the next while. Waiting too long to sell will result in missing the peak of this market.”
For more information on property in Newlands, visit Gareth Edwards at the Rawson Property Group’s Constantia franchise, or call him on 021 761 1055.
