Focus on family living

Ashton Park is a new residential development at Century City, comprising 138 apartments and seven villas, writes Michelle Funke

FURTHER new development was prompted in Century City precinct following strong residential sales in the 15 months up to the end of November last year, which exceeded expectations.

Miguel Rodriques of the Rabie Property Group said more than 90% of the 57 water-fronting apartments and six double storey townhouses at their Quayside development had been snapped up seven months ahead of completion. The remaining apartments, which are available for purchase in Quayside, are two-bedroom units ranging from 84m2 to 111m2 and priced from R1.56m.

“Sales at the adjoining Quaynorth development have also been strong with 18 of the 28 units sold before construction started late last year. This development is due for handover early next year.”

The remaining two- and threebedroom units, which are priced from R1.52m to R2.45m are on average larger than most other developments in the precinct. They will have both north and south-facing windows and balconies providing both optimal natural lighting as well as wind-free outdoor living options.

Rodriques said that total residential sales — both development and resales — undertaken by Property World, the official on-site agency at Century City, had exceeded R390m in the 15 months up to the end of November last year. “If sales continue at this rate we will run out of stock which is why we are working to accelerate further new development.

“This has also resulted in resale values increasing as demand outstrips supply and those investors that have held on for the last few years are now enjoying good capital appreciation.”

He said planning for a new residential development, Ashton Park, which will comprise about 145 apartments and a few standalone villas, was well advanced.

To be developed at a cost of R220m, Ashton Park is to be built on a site bordering the new Curro School which opened this month and will have direct access to it.

“The school has definitely been a catalyst for the increase in residential sales and we expect it to continue to be so in the future.”

Made up of four sectional title blocks and the villas, the development is to be built in phases with construction of the first phase, Waterberry, to start early this year with transfer scheduled for April next year.

Waterberry, which will be the only block in Ashton Park to be water fronting, will comprise 43 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as two threebedroom duplex penthouses. The four-storey building will offer basement parking and a lift.

Unit sizes are generous and vary from 87m2 including balcony for one-bedroom apartments up to 170m2 including balcony for the three-bedroom duplex penthouses. Prices range from R1.195m to R2.685m including VAT.

Rodriques said the apartments were bigger than usual as they anticipated a number of owner occupiers including families due to the proximity to the school.

He said that the Century City Property Owners’ Association, the non-profit company responsible for the day-to-day operations of Century City, recently conducted its biannual customer satisfaction survey and the results of this survey have been used to inform the design brief of Ashton Park.

“People who had bought into earlier developments at Century City were asked what they most liked about where they lived and what they would change if they could,” says Rodriques.

“From their responses we have consequently included a number of parks — one inside and one externally — as well as a swimming pool with changing rooms and recreational facilities in the overall development plan, all things respondents felt would have improved their properties.”

Ashton Park is designed with the aid of ground-breaking energy efficiency software which models the buildings according to the recently promulgated SANS 10400-XA regulations to ensure maximum operating efficiency. Contact: Property World 021 555 0105