Since the connection was made that super yachts and luxury homes fit together seamlessly, property developers world wide are facilitating lifestyles for the wealthy to enjoy their favourite recreational past time while living in sophisticated splendor.
When it comes to choosing waterside properties, South Africa’s offerings are fast developing into sophisticated choices for wealthy property owners who wish to live within close proximity of their yachts, their favourite restaurants and retail facilities, while lapping up every luxury.
While many golf estates in SA have suffered the woes of economic gloom and doom, marina addresses such as Cape Town’s Granger Bay and Victoria and Albert Waterfront are holding out phenomenally. Sectional scheme properties at the V&A Waterfront received second place national and municipal ratings by Lightstone last year with average prices of R7.7 million, beaten only by Clifton in first place and Constantia in third. Penthouses and waterside apartments at Cape Town’s Waterfront are in demand by both seasonal ‘swallows’ who prefer lock-up-and-go facilities as well as those commuting for business purposes, seeking central locations and convenience.
Marina addresses are increasing in popularity abroad in areas such as in Bahamas, Cyprus, Kenya and Montenegro, where shortages of births for larger yachts have driven demand as a result of developers linking this rarer asset to residential homes. The V & A Waterfront’s prestigious worldclass Water Club and a number of other exclusive addresses in and around the vicinity boast super wealthy property and boat owners fit to enjoy this lifestyle. Some of the luxuries of living at Water Club include top class apartments facing the waterways within easy access to the yacht basin and local entertainment facilities.
Popular waterside addresses can also be found in Gordon’s Bay along the False Bay coastline with two yacht clubs including a private marina estate where owners moor yachts and enjoy the freedom offered by having access to every luxury within walking distance from their boats and homes. Property professionals in Gordon’s Bay say the development of Harbour Island Estate, the first development of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, came as a result of demand for this lifestyle and the shortage of vacant land elsewhere in Gordon’s Bay. This unique concept in exclusive waterfront living features canals, a hotel, sea side shops and restaurants and has presented the perfect solution to those unable to obtain properties above Bikini Beach Harbour.
Marina addresses elsewhere in the Cape take on different purposes, such as the Eastern Cape’s Port St Francis located at the start of the Garden Route near Port Elizabeth. This waterside development comprises residential properties located in and around a commercial and fishing harbour, featuring a number of retail facilities and restaurants.
Another popular in demand marina lifestyle is found at Cape St Francis Bay on the canal systems, that offers easy access to the sea via the Kromme River mouth. Here property owners and visitors have the luxury of launching their boats, jetskis and canoes with ease, or simply fish from their decks. Similar to many other luxury marina lifestyles locally and abroad, other offerings generally include local golf courses, in this case a choice of two golf courses, one Jack Niclaus design links course plus an 18 hole course in the village.
