Panoramic views over the city, nature trails, duck ponds and leafy green streets make Plattekloof an attractive spot for families to settle.
If you want to live on the outskirts of the city, so that you can escape into nature at a moment’s notice and yet still be within easy reach of the CBD and all Cape Town’s attractions, Plattekloof ticks all the boxes. Hugging the skirts of the Tygerberg Hills, with leafy tree-lined streets and glorious views over the city and Table Mountain, it has easy access to both the N1 and the N7, or you can head out to the wine estates of Durbanville Hills or to the Tygerberg Nature Reserve.
After residents have raved about the views, the first thing they mention about the area is its convenience: “I love how central it is,” says Michelle Whitelaw, who has lived here for three years. “It’s 15 minutes to town and 30 minutes from the winelands. A stone’s throw from the beach and five minutes from Canal Walk.” Locally the Plattekloof Village Shopping Centre has all the everyday shopping you need, and for medical care the excellent Panorama Mediclinic and all its associated doctors’ rooms is just over the road.
For outdoors types there is hiking and trail running on the doorstep in the Tygerberg Nature Reserve where the last remnants of critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld vegetation are preserved. The reserve is home to the Cape fox, the honey badger and a variety of endemic birds. Keen mountain bikers have a huge network of trails starting from the Majik Forest, with members of the Tygerberg mountain bike club having privileged access to a green corridor winding across several of the Durbanville Hills wine estates to connect with Contermanskloof and Meerendal. And closer to home there are lots of open green spaces to stroll and picnic. “One of our favourite things to do with our little one is to go to the duck pond,” continues Michelle. “Plus there are so many parks and places to walk and hike it is fun for the whole family.”
Adjoining the Plattekloof area, on the other side of the vineyards and open fields of De Grendel wine estate, Burgundy Estate shares the same advantages of convenient access to the city and fabulous views, backing onto the fynbos and farmland of the western slopes of Tygerberg Hill. One of its best-kept secrets is the nine-hole mashie golf course edged by indigenous fynbos with a fantastic view of Table Mountain and the large canoeing lake surrounded by green open space further along the hillside favoured by picnickers, dog walkers and kids feeding ducks.
“There are lots of walking and running trails within the estate between flowers and landscaped areas,” says Janine Meyer, resident for three years. “I love being able to walk with my dogs and have the opportunity to let them run around freely in some areas. And the security is really good too, so you feel safe when you’re out walking.” It’s a slowly growing community with a number of individual gated developments and open spaces of land that has not yet been developed. In the almost 10 years since it began, it has formed its own identity. “There’s a good sense of community in Burgundy,” says Janine, “with lots of sports clubs, golf, tennis, soccer, cricket, running, and you’re sure to meet neighbours out walking, at our monthly market, and at events like the Carols by Candlelight.” For local shopping, there’s Burgundy Square with a Checkers, hair salon, cafes and various small businesses. The Burgundy Estate Clubhouse is the social hub. It has a newly opened tapas and Mediterranean restaurant, España, which is the place to meet after work.
But the latest news delighting residents is that Rabie, the property company responsible for the huge success of Century City, has just taken on the investment of developing the rest of the residential and commercial land in the Burgundy Estate, continuing the plan of green corridors, open spaces and pocket parks, which currently makes Burgundy a popular place for young families.
The grandstand views over the city, Table Mountain and Table Bay towards Robben Island, really do give the whole Plattekloof area its unique aspect, looking out over the Mother City and being able to dip into it at will, before returning home to peaceful seclusion on the green slopes of the Tygerberg Hills is a treat.
Eat like a local
- Simply Asia – sushi and Thai food in Plattekloof Village
- Greens – Italian coffee, wood-fired pizzas and breakfasts in Plattekloof Village
- De Grendel – excellent wine estate fine dining with fabulous views over Cape Town
- España – tapas and Spanish food at the Burgundy Clubhouse
- Love Cake Cafe – cake and coffee on Burgundy Square
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
