In the area surrounded by the Helderberg and Hottentots Holland Mountains, and the False Bay coastline on the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula, lies the Helderberg region, which is comprised of three towns: Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay. All three are popular tourist and holiday destinations due to their location, as well as their big city convenience and small town vibe. The Helderberg basin has access to great beaches such as Strand and Gordon’s Bay, which are ideal for fishing, sailing or swimming. There is awe-inspiring scenery in the area’s popular nature reserves, such as the Radloff and Helderberg Nature Reserves, which offer hiking or mountain biking. “Many other outdoor activities are also available,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division, “including golf at Erinvale. The area is, nevertheless, close enough to Cape Town to be a perfect base from which to explore all that the city has to offer.”
The Helderberg region is also in close proximity to Stellenbosch, Firgrove, Macassar and Grabouw. The N2 highway gives ready access to Cape Town, which is about 40 minutes away. It takes around 15 minutes to get to Stellenbosch University via the R44, which provides easy access to the university town and its wine route, although one is spoilt for choice with many wine farms within an easy five minutes’ drive from the Helderberg towns. Cape Town International Airport lies about 25 minutes from Somerset West, and Helderberg is thus considered a most desirable and conveniently situated location, besides being a rapidly growing residential and commercial area.
Commercial demographics
“The area has a strong representation in the light to medium industrial sector as well as an increasing availability of all other commercial properties,” says Breytenbach. “There are also blue chip commercial investment opportunities on offer,which should yield excellent returns for the discerning investor.”
While Strand and Gordon’s Bay consist chiefly of retail and some small service enterprises, Somerset West, being the largest town in the area, offers the greatest amount of industrial and office space. There is, however, a strong retail presence in Somerset West, too, as evidenced by the extensive Somerset Mall. Recently, the still expanding business parks near Somerset Mall have attracted a number of large factory shops, which continue to be a great draw-card to consumers.
“The offices in the area are mainly A to C grade,” says Breytenbach. “The retail businesses situated around central Somerset West are predominantly small to medium entrepreneurial companies in various small shopping centres, though large chain stores and franchises are also well represented.”
Major businesses to be found in Somerset West are, amongst others, engineering firms, brokers, legal and medical practitioners as well as a rapidly growing number of construction firms. Restaurants, coffee shops and bed and breakfast facilities are also multiplying as the town is growing at a rapid pace. There is a good choice of primary and secondary schools, as well as top medical facilities such as Vergelegen Medi-Clinic and MEDSAC Frail Care.
Some facts and figures
“There has been a steady increase in the number of both residential and commercial property transactions in the past year,” says Breytenbach. “This has given rise to competition for the various premises offered,” he says, “with 3,335 residential and commercial property transfers taking place in Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay in the last 12 months, with an average sale price of R1,458,342.”
Property rentals range between R60 to R120 per square metre for office space, while retail space is available at between R50 to R120 per square metre, depending on the location. Industrial and warehouse premises can be rented from R40 to R80 per square metre. The best ones are snapped up quickly, proving that the Helderberg region is alive and well and progressing at a healthy pace.
