Very few coastal areas in South Africa have, in the last five or six decades, witnessed such a rapid on-going upgrade and transformation – from rural fishing villages to chic 21st century apartment precincts – as has Bloubergstrand and Bloubergrant. This was said recently by Mike Abrahamse, the franchise principal for the Rawson Property Group’s Blaauwberg franchise which he has now owned for 17 years.
One of the last of the Bloubergrant, sea-fronting family homes was demolished to make way for a new multi-storey complex. The home was co-owned by Rosie Sjostem. In 2007 she negotiated a deal with the well-known local developer in terms of which he was allowed to demolish her home and, in its place, erect a four level, six apartment complex where the top two apartments occupy a full floor each, the top most unit qualifying for a luxury penthouse label in every way.
“This unit is, in my view, one of the very best on the whole beachfront precinct,” said Abrahamse recently, “and the reason is that Ms Sjostem, who acquired it as her part of the deal with the developer, was meticulous in her choice of finishes and fittings and in arranging the floor layout to her liking. Ms Sjostem has excellent taste and no expense was spared to ensure that the penthouse was finished to truly international standards that would satisfy the most discerning sensitivities.”
As it now stands, the penthouse has a 20 m2 glass enclosed patio on its sea-facing side which links to the magnificent 120 m2 open-plan living and dining area and opens out to views of the whole of Table Bay, Robben Island and Table Mountain. The patio and living areas are bordered by wraparound balconies — with stainless steel balustrades — which are ideal for alfresco drinks and dining.
The living area is tiled in large porcelain tiles and is lit by subtle ceiling mounted down-lighting. Most of the walls have been given a restful, pale grey treatment which reflects the light from the skylights fitted in both the patio and the living area and penetrating the entire apartment through full length windows. One of the walls in the living area is covered in thin slabs of pale quartz rock laid horizontally and this very attractive decorative feature is also found elsewhere in the apartment, for example, flanking the entrance door, which, incidentally was designed by Ms Sjostem - the long brass handles being particularly striking. All doors in the apartment are of solid wood.
Leading off the living/dining area is an open-plan kitchen and it is here, in particular, that it is quite obvious that no expense has been spared to create a state-of-the-art facility: most of the equipment carries the Miele label and the kitchen has a double refrigerator/freezer, a microwave, an electric oven, a steamer, a warmer, a dishwasher, a gas stove, an extractor fan as well as a coffee percolator of the very highest standard. All of this equipment will remain in the apartment on transfer.
The cabinetry here, and indeed elsewhere, is mostly of solid imported walnut wood, it is stained dark in the kitchen area but in other areas it has been left in its natural tone.
Walking back from the living area, one finds a guest toilet and a study, which, facing north is sun-filled for most of the day. Then comes three bedrooms, all leading off the central corridor and fitted with stainless steel racking and sliding glass doors in their built-in cupboards. All three bedrooms and the living room area have an LCD television and each bedroom has its own bathroom, all of these fitted with heated towel rails. The bathrooms are linked to a state-of-the-art laundry, also equipped with glass and stainless steel racking.
The whole apartment is wired with a Yamaha sound transmission system and all the floors, except the corridors, have under floor heating.
The penthouse has three secure basement parkings as well as two large store rooms, one of 18 m2 and one of 10 m². These together add 80 m2 to the apartment area of 245 m2.
The owner now selling says that the security of the building has been excellent from the very first day. CCTV cameras link to screens and TV sets in all of the units and access to the building is only given when the caller has been identified on a screen by a resident. Residents can gain access by finger print recognition and the lift leading to the penthouse is similarly controlled - it will not open on the penthouse floor until the occupant gives the signal.
The Rawson Property Group agent handling the sale of this penthouse is Tracey Mizen. She has testified that in six years of property selling she has never had a home of quite such quality before.
The list price of the penthouse is R11,995,000, which, said Abrahamse, genuinely reflects the uniqueness and quality of this fine beachfront property.
“What I can testify to,” he said, “is that Beach Boulevard properties have always been much in demand, not only from South Africans but also from overseas buyers, particularly if, as here, they command views of Table Mountain and Table Bay. In my experience they hold their value exceptionally well, even in the toughest of times. This apartment has to be seen to be appreciated. It is indeed in the top five percent of all Atlantic and Western Seaboard properties that I have seen in my 27 years in the industry.”
