Milnerton is the oldest suburb along the northern stretch of Table Bay. It is also one of Cape Town’s most central, offering a seaside lifestyle.
Picture panoramic views of the ocean and Table Mountain, and an endless white beach where you can walk, cycle or run for 10km without ever encountering a road. Add in the glorious sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean and you can see why buyers are flocking to Milnerton.
Watersports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in the suburb, with the sweeping shoreline a favourite for wind- and kitesurfers alike. Famous for its lighthouse and its vintage goods and antiques market, Milnerton is also within 15 minutes of the CBD and Century City. The Milnerton golf course is well-known as a challenging venue — its 18-hole course is bordered by the ocean and the lagoon, with seven lush water holes.
Top performer
The Sunset Links Golf Estate is one of only two golf estates on the Western Seaboard. Leapfrog Milnerton principal Steven van Rooyen says growing demand for a secure, outdoor lifestyle within easy reach of the CBD has resulted in Sunset Links prices nearly doubling over the past five to seven years.
“Milnerton is excellent value for money and undervalued at present,” says Wouter Pentz of Seeff Properties in Milnerton. “Properties are cheaper around the Koeberg Road area and become pricier closer to the sea. The infrastructure is top-notch, with access to the MyCiti bus route, good schools, Canal Walk, and business and industrial areas such as Paardeneiland and Montagu Gardens.
“There is a wide variety of property options, from small, older apartments to larger apartments, townhouses, clusters and spacious, older freehold homes on bigger plots. Two-bedroom flats are priced from a highly affordable R400 000, two-bedroom townhouses from less than R500 000 and three-bedroom houses from about R800 000 and upwards. Larger homes near the sea can cost up to about R4-million or more if located on the ocean side of Marine Drive,’ he says.
Value for money
Buyers are certainly taking note of Milnerton. According to Dave Zieve, from the Rawson Property Group’s Milnerton franchise, demand in Milnerton now exceeds supply. He believes prices can only rise; the biggest challenge for estate agents is sourcing new stock. Compared to the Atlantic Seaboard, Milnerton offers “incredible value for money. The precinct’s atmosphere and ambience have improved drastically in the last year or so, and it is now very much the place to be,’ he says.
Apart from its older homes, Milnerton has several new developments, like Sunset Beach. Think Hollywood mansions with ten bedrooms and eight bathrooms, featuring pools and palm trees, uninterrupted views and glorious sunsets. “Sunset Beach is a gem for upper-income buyers and offers luxury villas on sizeable plots. Prices range from R3-million to R13,5-million,” says Pentz. ‘The area is very safe and secure thanks to an active homeowners’ association. There are still a few vacant plots, priced from R1,85- million for just more than 1 000 m² to about R3-million for a plot near the beach.
Appealing lifestyle
While Milnerton property may be sought-after for its family homes, Lagoon Beach and Woodbridge Island are dominated by sectional- title properties, according to Pam Golding Properties’ area principal for the Western Seaboard Emarie Campbell. ‘These areas have a particularly appealing lifestyle thanks to their proximity to the lagoon and its unique ecosystem,’ says Campbell.
A one-bedroom 45 m² apartment at Neptune Isle in Lagoon Beach can be purchased for about R1-million, and up to R1,5- million for a two-bedroom apartment. Although seldom available, a top-end 200 m² unit at Spinnakers might sell for about R3,5-million. On Woodbridge Island, prices range from about R2,7-million for a three-bedroom 131 m² unit, while a sea-facing duplex might fetch well over R3-million.
“Residents can come home from work and go for an evening paddle-board or kayak, while enjoying the abundant bird and aquatic life. Both areas enjoy notable ocean sunsets due to their west-facing aspects — best enjoyed from a beachfront restaurant,” she concludes.
Price comparison
Affordable : R400 000 for a two-bedroom flat to R800 000 for a three-bedroom house
Mid-range : R750 000 for a two-bedroom apartment to R2-million for a fourbedroom house
Luxury: R5-million for a four-bedroom villa to R10,9-million for a five-bedroom mansion
Schools in Milnerton
Preschools:
Capriccio Arts-powered Pre-school, United Herzlia Pre-primary, Rainbow Kids
Primary schools:
Milnerton Primary, Seamount Primary, Bloekombos Primary
High schools:
Milnerton High, Buren High, De Grendel, Ysterplaat High, Sinenjongo High, Abbotts College
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