Area Profiles

Bergvliet, neighbour to Constantia, is overlooked by the Constantiaberg Mountains in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, and was originally a large farm owned by Simon Van der Stel. The original farmhouse, of Cape Dutch design, still stands and is today surrounded by majestic trees and is a haven of calm surrounded by the bustle of a modern suburb. Bergvliet was originally developed in 1947 for servicemen returning from war, providing simple, affordable housing to middle class residents. The farm was subdivided into smaller properties and the dam and the surrounding area was designated as a bird sanctuary. Die Oog is a natural spring, or ‘eye,’ built 250...

Bishopscourt nestles against the slopes of Table Mountain. The suburb derives its name from the residence of the Bishop of the Church of England of South Africa, which was built in the 1850s by Robert and Sophy Gray, the first Bishop of Cape Town. The property was established on the farm known as Boscheuwel, laid out in 1658, part of the farm Wijnberg, originally owned by Jan van Riebeek. Highly valued real estate Coveted by many, but lived in only by an elite few, Bishopscourt comprises some of the most valuable real estate, not only in South Africa, but possibly on the African continent too. It’s one of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs and was originally...

The city centre has become increasingly attractive as a hip residential area offering a world-class inner-city lifestyle unique in South Africa. Cradled between Table Mountain on one side and Table Bay on the other, Cape Town's city centre is home to a growing selection of luxury apartments , lofts and penthouses. Available to buy or rent, furnished or unfurnished, many of these are located in buildings which boast pools and gyms and have excellent 24-hour security. Many who live in the city centre choose to work there as well - either from their homes or in the vicinity, enjoying a safe, modern and stimulating urban environment and lifestyle free...

Claremont is known as the “family suburb” thanks to the plethora of sprawling residential properties with family-sized bedrooms that are found in the area. When looking for Claremont property, a search on any real estate website will bring up gorgeous photographs of large, spacious houses, complemented by widespread lawns and a swimming pool or tennis court. Generally, these properties have a minimum of three bedrooms, but homes with six bedrooms or more are also common. These homes are perfect for families who are looking for the ideal family-friendly place to raise their children. Furthermore, you have the peace of mind knowing that your home is an asset...

The suburb of Constantia is well known for its qualities that make it irresistible to the prospective home buyer. The area itself is immaculate, with high quality amenities surrounded by leafy vegetation and protected by the Cape’s famed mountains. Properties in Constantia are well sought after, thanks to their stunning architecture both on the exterior and interiors of the homes. When it comes to Constantia property, the majority of the properties are found on large, spread out plots, allowing this suburb to be number one of the list for those looking to invest in a family home that comes with a peaceful, comfortable lifestyle. While there are many large, free...

Tucked away amongst Plumstead and Heathfield, the Southern Suburbs railway line, and The Vines, lies the little suburb of Diep River. The suburb is named after the river that runs through it, and eventually finds its way to the Rietvlei Reserve. Much of the thatching grass used in the 17th Century by the Dutch East India Company came from this area. The Southern Railway Line was extended from Wynberg to Muizenberg in 1882 and formed Diep River as a stop between. Diep River was popular with travellers who broke their journey at Rathfelders, a coaching Inn which stood on the property where the Eaton Convalescent Home now stands. With the railway line, came post offices and...

The verdant Fish Hoek valley is a coastal suburb found in the False Bay area of the Cape Peninsula. It is highly sought after by avid fishermen, retirees and those who want to escape the modern pressures of city living. Fish Hoek property is ideal for those who crave a holiday home for their families to spend quality time together and relish in the tranquillity of coastal living. In addition, purchasing a holiday home or second home in this region presents a lucrative investment. The property can be let or rented to tourists who have travelled from their land-locked countries in order to experience the magnificence of the South African coastline. All year long, there...

In the late 1800s, Cape Town was such a popular city to live in that soon it became crowded. At this time, an affluent class of people emerged who were searching for new villages to escape from the crowded city. The blissfully quiet suburbs of Wynberg Hill, Rondebosch and Claremont were established to the south of the city and attracted the elite. Soon, the construction of austere homes with beautiful, impressive gardens increased. Kenilworth, however, wasn’t part of the new development. In fact, it was originally a subdivision of the most famous property in the area, Stellenberg, which extended to most of where Kenilworth and Claremont exist today. Dutch...

Situated on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Cape Peninsula, Kommetjie is a primarily residential coastal suburb. In addition, the village is at the end of a magnificent long, sandy beach that stretches southwards from its neighbours, Noordhoek and Chapman’s Peak Drive.  History The name of the village derives from the Afrikaans term, “kom,” which means “small basin,” as Kommetjie is located around a small natural cove that resembles a basin. It’s believed that early inhabitants used this basin as a fish trap. The shallow waters and dense kelp forests are an ideal breeding ground for Cape Crayfish, which attracts many...

The Nieuwland estate was laid out by Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700 and the Newlands House was built by the Governor, Ryk Tulbagh, in 1751. In her book The Story of a House, historian, first female mayor of Cape Town and one-time resident of Newlands House, Joyce Newton- Thompson, explains that the estate lay a short distance beyond [the? Rondebosch estate] Rustenburg on the slopes of Devil's Peak with Kirstenbosch as the other boundary.' The property encompassed a formal garden and oak trees. It remained the property of the government until 1826 where after the village of Newlands developed. This land was given to the first nine 'citizens' or Free...