The Ridge Estate, first luxury estate for Cape Town City Bowl and surrounds

Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl ranks as the most desired real estate in the country, and while offering a diverse choice of property, there has been no luxury housing estate until now, says Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl.

The Ridge Estate is a first of its kind in many respects. It brings a spectacular development to this high-demand area in an unrivalled location, he says. It is situated on the upper slopes of Lions Head, offering sweeping 360-degree views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Table Bay and the opportunity

It combines tranquil suburban living with easy access to cosmopolitan life and nature. Aside from the unspoilt views, the estate also offers direct access to the wonders of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain with spectacular hiking trails, tranquil walks, and opportunities for endless exploring.

It consists of 25 plots in all, with a choice of two unique estates, being “The Ridge Estate Villas” with 7 plots and “The Ridge Estate Residences” with 18 plots. A 23-unit apartment block is also planned for the future. Plot prices start from just R8,6 million, excluding VAT.

Buyers can select from a range of spectacular architectural concept homes and engage directly with the architect and builder or alternatively design their own. Security will be state of the art including strict access control, guard houses, monitored and manned 24/7 security, electrified perimeter fencing, and CCTV.

The estate is designed with the guidance of top SA architects, SAOTA as a place for those looking to create their dream home in a harmonious environment which offers privacy of elevation, an exclusive entrance, state of the art security and intelligent design.

The natural heritage, mountain, city and sea inspired the design philosophy and architectural and landscaping guidelines which echo the natural sense of calm and privacy offered by the estate. Each plot and the landscape are designed in such a way that it feels anchored and settled in its natural surroundings.

The unique site is part of originally endangered Peninsula Shale Renosterveld. This special natural heritage is honoured in the expansive gardens, shared areas and private homes, inviting you to enhance your relationship with the outdoors, says Levin.

The landscaping philosophy is inspired by the fynbos heritage of Table Mountain Range and balances that delicately with rare veld so that the estate will feature entirely indigenous vegetation, not just for the seasonal colour and scent, but minimal impact on water use which is a precious resource.

To ensure privacy for property owners and green space, a three-metre planting corridor is provided between the plots. Individual house views are protected with a height limit imposed on each stand.

A fibre optic data network has been provided to each stand and to the guard houses.

The estate offers easy access to the CBD, Waterfront and Atlantic Seaboard. Here, says Levin, you have the rare opportunity to enjoy the healthy, natural environment, yet with immediate access to a cosmopolitan lifestyle. Education, healthcare and recreational needs are well catered for with excellent primary and high schools as well as doctors and medical centres in the immediate area.

Levin says further that the City Bowl is often chosen as a family-friendly alternative to the Atlantic Seaboard for its bigger gardens. It is home to some of the fastest growing luxury suburbs in the country including Higgovale, Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof where the estate will be located.

Property values grew at a year-on-year rate of around 20%-plus in the ten year period up to 2017 and values continue to hold firmly. The number of properties sold above the R10 million has also risen considerably over the last few years, lifting the price ceiling with luxury homes now easily breaching the R15 million to R20 million price range.

Despite the pandemic, seven homes have sold since the start of 2020 above the R20 million price mark. A highest price of R85 million was paid by a Gauteng buyer in late 2019. The City Bowl remains among those attracting some of the highest prices in the country and popular with buyers from within the metro, as well as upcountry semigration buyers and foreign investors.