People want secure, green gated living

But this doesn’t mean water-guzzling golf courses which are expensive to maintain

THE popularity of golf estates in their current form is reportedly on its way out in South Africa as local trends follow international movements away from these resource-guzzling developments in favour of more environmentally friendly estate living.

Soon security will also no longer be the only demand of estate residents who are already expecting so much more from their exclusive estate lifestyles.

Trails and tracks for cycling, jogging and walking, as well as convenience outlets, crèches and gyms are already some of the offerings that new estates are factoring into their development plans.

But the biggest shift in estate trends is away from traditional golfing estates, say developers and property experts.

The 2016 World Green Building Trends identified South Africa as a growth engine in green building – with the highest percentage of green building projects currently under way. Pam Golding Property Group chief executive Dr Andrew Golding says the green building concept, which has been concentrated in the commercial property sector, is now transitioning into the residential market.

“In the US, golfing estates are losing their appeal. In contrast the new trend is agri-hoods – housing estates with homes built around community farms. Back home, New World Wealth notes a move away from traditional golf estates and a rise in demand for retirement and eco-estates.

“We anticipate that over the next decade we will see a steady increase in demand for properties which protect and promote our natural environment, incorporate green features, reduce operating costs and secure the provision of water and electricity supplies.”

This demand will drive price premiums for these properties.

“While secure estates with golf courses remain popular, there is a shift towards estates offering additional amenities and facilities such as cycling and jogging tracks, play areas, equestrian facilities, outdoor gymnasiums and even creches and schools.”

Much of this is echoed by Rabie

Property Group director John Chapman.

“Golf is expensive and time-consuming and has lost ground against the likes of mountain biking, cyc-

ling, trail walking and running. With climatic changes effecting rainfall patterns, maintaining golf courses is going to become harder and more expensive.”

Chapman says there is “little doubt” that estates of the future will seek to become more self-sufficient in terms of energy and water.

“With changing climate affecting rainfall patterns and the failure of the State to deliver a reliable energy resource, estates will need to look at getting themselves off the grid with the help of boreholes, recycled water and alternative energy sources such as turbines and/or solar.”

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in life, and estates too will need to keep abreast of these changes – such as the advent of driverless cars – to future-proof themselves.

“As a result, the estates of the future will need to include, among other things, some battery charging facilities.”

Rabie agrees that estates either with or near schools, crèches, convenience retailing and gyms are huge attractions.

“Within the estate itself, the most important requirement is security. Other than that, the basic minimum requirements are pocket parks, jogging/walking trails and fibre to the home.

“There is no doubt that having a clubhouse with meeting or function venues, a boutique gym and braai and pool facilities where the community can meet outside individual properties are added attractions to purchasers.”

Some estate residents even seek facilities in which to pray, says Andrew Thompson, development and sales director at eLan Property Group.

This is in addition to facilities that encompass the live, work, study and play lifestyle.

“People are looking for that sense of community that extends outside their immediate family.”

Although trying to fulfil a “shopping list” of specialised features is not always possible, Thompson says some developers try solve the issue by creating distinctive developments on the estate for equestrian, golf or beach-centred lifestyles. Residents are buying into the particular way of life that each development offers and choosing them based on their offerings, for example, whether they want to keep horses or live in lockup-and-go apartments.

Play areas, jogging and cycling tracks are definitely on estate residents’ list of priorities, agrees Byron Caloyannis, project director at Dimension Property Group.

There is also a demand for a nature and security offering in estates.

“People are looking for a sense of freedom which includes a holistic offering of nature, security and lifestyle. People are also looking for eco-friendly features plus up-to-date communications including fibre and security systems.”

Caloyannis adds: “Golfing estates are not as attractive as they were 10 years ago. People are looking for lifestyle and security.

“Levies in golf estate are high as the running costs and upkeep of a golf course don’t come cheap.”

What has not changed though, is the main principle estates are built on, which is a combination of security design and lifestyle.

“What has evolved is security technology and architectural styles.”

But it is not just facilities that buyers are looking for – it is the whole lifestyle and how this interface with those facilities that is evolving, Thompson says. Security, peace of mind and convenience are desirable. Echoing Chapman, he says technology needs to be integrated into everyday living in estates.

“The days of thirsty golf courses sourcing their water off the estate are over,” Thompson adds.

“Golf courses are a convenient way of creating functional green spaces, but they’re resource-intense to maintain, so you have to take that into account in the planning.”

Self-sufficient golf courses could be the answer though. Although eLan, and the country, has not ventured into agri-hoods territory yet, Thompson says there is a definite move towards green living.

“A move further on the environmentally friendly spectrum is where communities aim to have a positive, rather than neutral impact on the environment. This starts right with the planning – around reducing usage of water and energy and alternative sources of these.”

Waste management and use of alternate water and energy sources – which also give rise to off-the-grid living – are integral aspects to factor in, Thompson says.