Many of those who "know the Cape property scene" - however you interpret that phrase - will tell you that "Blaauwberg Village", the historic section of Blaauwbergstrand, has become a much sought after area. A Cape Town architect who himself lives in the more modern Fresnaye precinct, said recently that it is the most attractive and the most authentic of all the built environments on the Cape Province's West Coast.
Not surprisingly, therefore, prices here have gone through the roof and there have been several instances of 1920s to 1960s homes being bought simply to be knocked down and replaced with more modern and usually more attractive designs.
Obviously any beachfront property in this area will be eminently desirable '“ but, although purchasers have been prepared to pay the earth for such properties, few have come up for sale. Furthermore, on the older homes local bylaws ensure that the external fa§ades and West Coast village appearance have to be maintained.
One such is a thatched roof, straight-line gabled, white plastered home built in the 1930s. For some 35 years this has belonged to the well-known local family, the Steyns.
Chris Steyn has upgraded and modernised it (without in any way altering the fa§ades) so that it now has two two bedroom townhouses from which it is possible to enjoy the iconic views of Table Mountain and Robben Island, which on a calm day appears to be almost a stones throw away.
Steyn has also added to the old home two additional buildings in exactly the same style. These have two duplex three bedroom townhouses.
The Rawson Properties Blaauwbergstrand franchise has been granted the sole marketing rights for the four townhouses, now ready for occupation and inspection by buyers.
Mike Abrahamse, Rawson franchise principal for Blaauwberg and the consultants involved with the sale, Patti Knill and Sarah Joseph, the franchise manager, have independently testified that the care lavished on the fittings and features has exceeded anything in their previous experience - and has been completely in keeping with the 19th Century strandhuis building, although the finishes are in an upmarket 'Euro' style.
'The doors,' said Knill, 'are the original stinkwood, studded with iron bolts and hinges. The floors and staircases are German oak (one of the most beautiful and durable of all woods), the rough-hewn exposed beams supporting the thatch are of the traditional poplar wood and the stand-alone fireplaces are Morso cast iron. The wind-free patios, which have small indigenous gardens, are partially pergola covered and are paved with grey slate and are lit by subtle floor level lighting. The kitchens have Caesarstone countertops, Smeg stainless steel stoves and glass splashbacks'
Abrahamse said that the townhouses have ample floor areas, with totally private areas, varying in size from 216m2 to 315m2. In the smaller units (i.e. those in the original house) the upper floor is 'in' the thatched roof and is really a loft with views of the sea through dormer windows and from balconies. A welcome 'extra' is that the underground parking and entrance are carefully controlled electronically.
Prices vary from R5,5 million to R7,5 million. Sarah Joseph has predicted that these units will rise in value by at least 20% in two years and that even the smallest units could attract summer holiday rentals of R3 000 per day.
'It was,' said Abrahamse, 'very clever of Chris Steyn to complete these units before marketing them. Now any prospective buyer can see for himself the perfect position and the outstanding quality of every one of these units'
For further information contact Patti Knill and Sarah Joseph on 021 554 5514 or email blaauwberg@rawsonproperties.com.
