Beachfront mansion up for R75-million
One of the most expensive homes in the Garden Route, quite likely the most expensive, is on the market for a whopping R75-million.
The future buyer of this 1 250m2 house in The Dunes in Wilderness, will secure the very best of luxury living - right on the beach.
"It is one of the most expensive listings this area has ever seen," says Del-Monté Roberts of RE/MAX Knysna, who listed the property a month ago. Not that this seems to be a huge drawback, as there are already two interested parties.
But, each and every local resident that George Herald told about the R75m price tag, reacted with astonished disbelief. Most were under the impression that homes in South Africa fetching above R50m would be located in Cape Town's luxury beach resorts, in the Cape Winelands or on luxury game reserves.
Roberts says the Wilderness home is architecturally designed and epitomises modern elegance. "It has lavish finishes and there is meticulous attention to detail. The 10 en-suite bedrooms are impeccably furnished and several have balconies overlooking the sea. There are 11 bathrooms and four garages."
The current owner is a businessman who has lived there permanently with his family for the past four years. The house was renovated by the previous owner who ran it as a guesthouse, so it could be a lucrative business investment for the buyer. Roberts says the rooms could be rented out for anything between R5 000 per night for the smaller rooms and R12 000 for the larger suites.
"It is really a spectacular property. I think in the current local economic conditions that are not so favourable, a European buyer is most likely. That is where most of the investors in properties in this segment come from, but you never know."
Among the indulgent features the new owner can look forward to are expansive living areas, a heated swimming pool, spa bath, sauna, firepit, games room and a stylish cigar lounge.
It is also kitted out with 32 solar panels with a 10kVA Victron inverter and 27kVA battery to make the property load-shedding free.
Roberts says the Garden Route is one of the most iconic areas along the South African coastline. "It has gained popularity among homeowners ever since the pandemic has allowed for more flexible remote working options."
There is no shortage of high-end homes in the Garden Route.
Mossel Bay Advertiser last year reported on the sale of a beachfront property in Mossel Bay for R39m. A peek at the online luxury marketplace JamesEdition reveals another beachfront home in Wilderness that is currently listed for R50m and a house in Plettenberg Bay for R58m, as well as several other Plett residential properties that are on
The Wilderness home is architecturally designed and epitomises modern elegance. It has lavish finishes and there is meticulous attention to detail.
the market for around R29m.
Tim Kirby, an authority on the local property market and principal franchisee of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty George and Wilderness, comments that one of their colleagues from their Plettenberg Bay office has over the past two years sold several properties in excess of R40m.
Prices are still on the up at the top end of the market. "I cannot see prices in the Garden Route area not continuing to climb, however possibly at a more gradual rate, considering the pressures on the current economy, combined with current high interest rates. We anticipate interest rates to start a downward trend late in 2024, which should stabilise the market, however the high end is not so affected, especially in our area, where it remains most desirable to live. The current exchange rate between the Rand and Dollar/Euro/Pound is of course very positive for overseas buyers too.”