Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Garden Route farmland site comes with plan for enviro-friendly residence
ON OCTOBER 27, Rawson Auctions Western Cape will present buyers with an opportunity to acquire a large tract of ocean-view, dune forest land, largely covered in fynbos, on the Garden Route.
A plan for a proposed residence on the plot has already been drawn up by a leading architect, says Tanya Jovanovski, franchisee of Rawson Auctions Western Cape.
The 7.5195ha property - Portion 60, of Portion 205 of Farm Ruygter Valley, District Knysna, Western Cape - is situated close to Sedgefield on the temperate South Cape coast, an area that includes several biomes, among them the indigenous forests of Knysna, the Outeniqua mountains and the nearby Indian Ocean.
The farm is positioned less than a kilometre away from the beach at Lake Pleasant, one of the Western Cape’s most beautiful, and has “panoramic views” of the ocean, she says.
“The rocks along the coast provide excellent fishing spots, and the land is rich with wildlife, including bushbuck; caracals, which are frequently spotted; duiker and otters.”
Jovanovski says the architect has created a “touch-the-earthlightly” design for the development of an environmentally-friendly residence on the plot. “The proposed property matches all the regulatory requirements of the area and promises to provide owners with an extraordinary lifestyle.
“The extended linear plan shows the home as set at the top of the highest part of the site on a north-west/south-east axis, on the contour to take advantage of the spectacular view towards the sea. It is designed also to get north light through clerestory windows on the inland side.”
The main body of the double-storey house will have a ramp leading to the upper ground floor level and there will be another entrance from the outside on the lower floor, she adds. “The upper ground level will have a suspended concrete floor, and load-bearing columns will support the wings on both sides of the house, which will have a total area of 110m².
Jovanovski says that aesthetically the aims are to have an uncluttered building which is shaped to reflect the contours of the attractive sloping site, and to use a palette of muted colours that will harmonise with the indigenous vegetation.
“The walls and roof will be heavily insulated to keep the building at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, without incurring high power costs,” she says. “Septic tanks will be positioned under the bedroom and kitchen wings, as will water supply tanks which will be raised above the ground. In general, the architect has aimed to disturb the surface of the site as little as possible.”
Jovanovski points out that Knysna is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations on the renowned Garden Route. “Tourists and locals are attracted to the town’s charming cafés, restaurants, craft shops and flea-markets, and the warm hospitality of the residents. In addition, the town has breathtaking natural scenery, including beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers that all provide opportunities for sporty outdoor adventure.”
The property on offer will be auctioned at noon on 27 October at the Rawson Property Group’s head office: 222 Main Road, Rondebosch. The guide price is R2.75 million, but all offers will be reviewed. The seller is not registered for VAT, and transfer fees will therefore be payable.
No registration fee is required to bid with Rawson Auctions. However, the buyer will be expected to pay a deposit of five percent of the purchase price, and also 10 percent commission plus VAT over and above the purchase price, to Rawson Auctions on the seller’s acceptance of the bid. Bidders are required to be registered and must have with them certified copies of their identity documents and proof of residence.
Offers must be submitted on Rawson Auctions’ Offer to Purchase form, with its standard terms and conditions, a copy of which can be obtained by contacting the Rawson Auctions Western Cape office at info@rawsonauctions.com or 021 837 1700. For more information or an appointment to view the property, call Hans Buys on 082 964 6852.