KNOW YOUR ’HOOD
Each week we take a closer look at a South African suburb. This week our spotlight falls on the upmarket area of Mount Edgecombe, known for its ideal location, high security and well-maintained properties
NITTY-GRITTY
• Mount Edgecombe’s history is a tale of triumph over tragedy. The Mount Edgecombe Country Club’s residential Estate I was originally the Huletts Country Club and traces its history back to 1924. In 1987, the club was damaged by floods and in 1988 a fire destroyed the clubhouse. From the ruins the acclaimed Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate was born, with the clubhouse being rebuilt in 1989 and sites for houses on sale by 1991.
By 1995, 300 homes on Estate I had been built and, in 1994, plans were drawn up for a second estate, which would accommodate almost 900 houses, town houses and apartments around a second championship golf course. • “Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estates I and II are mature estates with well-established grounds,” says Myles Wakefield, Wakefields Real Estate CEO.
“It was established by Tongaat Hulett Development and has a well-run homeowners association. The lifestyle and exceptional security are what the country’s affluent are looking for.” • Situated about 3km inland, adjacent to Umhlanga, Mount Edgecombe is well positioned for access to King Shaka airport, the CBD and the business parks of Umhlanga and La Lucia, as well as Ballito. There are restaurants, office parks and two shopping centres in the suburb itself.
“There are several other residential security complexes such as Palm Springs Village, Tregenna Estate, Palm Villas and Cornubia Gardens, to name a few, plus we have a beautiful security retirement village, Ridgewood, with its own frail care centre and community for the elderly,” says Farrah Williamson, co-owner of Pam Golding Mount Edgecombe.
PRICE POINTS
“Prices in the Mount Edgecombe area range from R1-million to R3-million, whereas properties on the estates range from R2-million to R45-million,” says Williamson. Wakefield says the estates offer freehold homes as well as a range of sectional-title properties that offer a mix of freestanding duplexes and simplexes and semidetached homes.
IN THE MARKET
“The estates, which have about 1 200 homes, cater for a range of residents from professionals to families and retirees. The residents are people who value security, location, living on a well-run estate and lifestyle,” says Wakefield.
“Currently, any property under R5-million is in demand.”
Williamson finds that different buyers are looking for different things from a home in this area. “There are certain areas and complexes on the estate that are more popular than others, mainly because of the position, views, or the layout of the units or houses,” she says.