The Hoteliers home

4 min read

As one of South Africa’s most famous hoteliers, Sol Kerzner – and the formidable Kerzner brand – has over the years been synonymous with luxury, prestige and sheer class in the hospitality industry.

Far from hanging up his hotel boots just yet, the 81-year-old Sun City founder and hotel and resort magnate has now unveiled his latest project, The Kerzner Estate – an exclusive residential housing estate on the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town.

The estate is a result of a partnership with Kerzner’s daughter, Andrea, and is situated high on the slopes of Leeukoppie, just off Victoria Road and halfway between Hout Bay and Llandudno. Conveniently located between Camps Bay and Constantia, the area is often described as paradise at the southern tip of Africa, boasting breathtaking views towards Chapman’s Peak, the bay, valley and mountains .

The land forms part of Kerzner’s private Cape Town residence, which he purchased in 1983, and although there is plenty of space between his current home and the new development, the estate is not just physically close to the family’s hearts – this is the first development ever to carry the Kerzner family name. For them, this very special estate is not the selling off of land but the acquiring of new neighbours.

 

 

There are 48 luxurious three-, four- and five-bedroom homes in total, sitting on plots of land that measure approximately 1 500 square metres and spread over 10ha. Prices start at just over R 20 million for a 374 square metre house on a 1 060 square metre plot and go up to R 30.5 million for a 738 square metre home on a 1 487 square metre property. All prices are inclusive of VAT, with no transfer duty payable.

His famous hotels in Dubai, Mexico, Australia, Mauritius and the Bahamas are designed to blow the customer away, and the estate is by no means different. In typical Kerzner style, all houses enjoy top-line fixtures and finishes such as EuroCasa kitchens and Miele appliances, air conditioning, fireplaces in the living areas and en-suite bathrooms to every bedroom.

 

 

As well as the world-class security, fitness centre and swimming pool, residents here can also enjoy a bouquet of unique, resort-style services such as horse-riding lessons, catering services, housekeeping options and airport transfers, which really help set this estate apart from the rest, in true Kerzner fashion.

Developed as an eco-estate, the luxury houses feature unique designs with greening elements such as provision for grey and rainwater harvesting and double-glazed windows, as well as the use of natural building materials such as wood and stone. All indigenous vegetation of the estate will be restored, with fynbos replacing the alien pine trees.

Interestingly, the duo chose six architectural firms to design the homes in the first phase of the release. These include Dennis Fabian from Fabian Architects, who has a long-standing history with Sol Kerzner, along with Stefan Antoni from ARRCC, Sean Mahoney from studioMAS, Jonathan Jacobs from Metropolis, Sally Tsiliyiannis from GAPP, and Ian Gray from Craft of Architecture.

The decision to choose six as opposed to one sole architectural firm has helped to create individualism while still retaining a community feel that does not falter on quality and integrity. Instead, each home is designed in such a manner that it cannot be picked up and placed on any other plot, because the architecture of each home is specifically tailored to the site, and the attention to detail and the high standards are excellent.

 

 

This is a one-of-a-kind estate and there is quite simply nothing like it anywhere in the country. The estate’s central and convenient location – just a 15-minute drive from the shops and restaurants of the Atlantic Seaboard, bordered by stunning Blue Flag beaches, and with some of the top private schools in the vicinity – make it a perfect fit for established families. The developers expect significant interest in the development to come from buyers in the Cape looking for a luxury security estate home as well as from upcountry areas such as Johannesburg and Pretoria. The estate will also appeal to international buyers looking for a second home in South Africa that offers all the spoils of a Mediterranean climate and lifestyle.

 

 

Spectacular and special in more ways than one, this estate has the Kerzners’ hospitality stamp all over it. Promising lavish comforts, sophisticated elegance and sustainable best practices, this is by far one of the most sought-after addresses in the country, if not the continent (especially when you consider who your neighbour is).