At home in the lush forest
AR62 MILLION development with views of a forest that is home to abundant birdlife, including birds of prey, is attracting nature lovers to Cowies Hill.
Fifteen on Bedford is a residential complex next to a wooded area offering a tranquil outlook on to nature from each of its 31 units.
Gabriel Projects project manager Earl Gabriel said the development provided muchneeded stock for buyers seeking value-for-money, safe homes.
Construction of three units was complete and a further eight would be ready by the end of the month.
Prices started from R1 990 000 and no transfer duty was payable.
Fifteen on Bedford is the latest development that Gabriel has been involved in after completing complexes in Ballito, including 41 homes in The Moors, 31 houses in The Highlands and 27 houses in The Glen with a total value of around R300m.
He also project managed the development of 22 apartments at Sugar Beach in Umdloti with a value of R60 million.
Gabriel said buyers had shown strong interest in the latest development and four units had been sold. “Estate agencies are also involved and negotiating with quite a few clients. The phases have been carefully planned so as not to impact too much on existing occupants, with the three main phases planned on three different driveways,” Gabriel said.
Final completion is expected in 2018 but Gabriel said this could be accelerated to next year depending on demand.
Apart from the views, buyers were attracted because the units were secure and spacious, he said. “With 174m2 of sectional title area plus exclusive use areas, the simplex units are unusually large and airy,” Gabriel said.
Lower ground level units have access to the complex’s garden areas, while upper ground units are conveniently situated at ground-level on a paved driveway with no steps. The complex has an electric fence and is gated with a 24-hour security guard.
Gabriel said units comprised an open-plan kitchen flowing into a reception room, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private timber patio and a double lock-up garage with motorised doors. Finishes included granite kitchen tops, Balau timber outdoor patios, A-grade tiles and professionally fitted cupboards.
Gabriel added that the wooded area would never be developed because the city had granted planning approval for the project subject to this condition.
First time buyer Indira Puran, 40, said she had been looking for a development in Westville and when an estate agent took her there she fell in love with it.
“It has everything I was looking for in a home. It is just a beautiful place and so peaceful.”
Another early bird buyer, Sherwin Pillay, said the complex had ticked all the boxes. “It’s away from the hustle but it’s convenient and upmarket. It’s peaceful and you get to see eagles flying over the reserve.”