BEACHFRONT BEAUTIES

New apartment blocks have seamlessly joined the ranks of older homes to give Strand’s beach area a modern facelift, and the recently built retention wall has had a positive effect on prices

ing for residents.

The main beach is known to be safe for swimming and water sports, including surfing, sailing, power boating, paddle skiing and board sailing.

Many newer apartment blocks have been styled in an ultra-contemporary fashion, seamlessly joining the ranks of the older 1970s-style beachfront homes to give the beachfront a modern facelift, says Doreen Mynhardt, Just Property franchisee for Helderberg.

“With the completion of phase one of the retention wall on

Beach Road promenade, there is a renewed energy in demand for beachfront properties which has positively influenced property prices.”

On this stretch the 22-storey Hibernian Towers, for instance, ranges in price from R1.2 million for a bachelor apartment up to R3.8m for four bedrooms.

On the commercial side, the CBD offers banks, numerous shopping malls, restaurants, and supermarkets. Strand has its own industrial area, Gants Centre.

There are places such as Rosby’s New and Used Motor Spares, in

Mills Street, that sees people visit from across the Peninsula to choose from a large selection of spares for the more popular passenger and bakkie vehicles (021 854 5556).

Resident Natasha Vermaak says: “The new sea wall and promenade has offered us an opportunity to ride our bicycles as a family, next to

Strand is just a 40- minute drive from Cape Town’s city centre. It remains a popular holiday destination for visitors, and offers year- round seaside living to residents. PICTURES: NATASHA VERMAAK PHOTOGRAPHY