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decor, trends, luxury, design & real estate

WESTERN CAPE

Est. 2004, Issue 263

Winner of 10 publishing awardsMAY/JUNE 2012

Property

The Rule of Three: Adrienne Hersch’s recipe for success

NATIONAL

DIGITAL

EDITIONFOR iPAD

Get it from Zinio

AT PLAY AT WORK

Creative spaces

LIVING IN … DURBANVILLE

INDULGE IN FOOD, DECOR & SHOPPING

URBAN-HUBHOT COMMERCIAL SPACE

thepropertymag.co.za | 1

ON THE COVERThe Kitchen & Tasting Room

@ Maison. Turn to page 11

for the full story.

DECOR

12 HOT DECOR & DESIGNPoltrona Frau, exotic

fabrics, taps, chairs,

and a scatter of nature

TRENDS

9 HISTORY WITHA SIDE ORDEROF YUMVergelegen’s new wine-

tasting centre and bistro

10 HOT PLATEWinter foodie delights,

including ice cream and wine

pairings, a new superfood

menu, a touch of the Med in

Camps Bay and others

16 WHAT’S ONWhere to be this month

37 HELP DESKMeet the expert in

offi ce furniture

42 DURBANVILLE DELIGHTSFrom wagon wheels to

wine, we look at the history

that rolls amid the hills of

Durbanville and explore

the vibrant suburb it

has become

62 SOCIETYOut and about with Cape

Town’s jet set

64 TREND WATCHWe look at the coolest

accessories for your

offi ce space

LUXURY

14 HOT INDULGENCEIndulgences for your

jewellery box, your pets

and your wardrobe … Just

for starters

17 LADY OF THE LAKEBe tempted by a lakeside

home with mountain

views in Noordhoek

27 TRANSPARENT-SEAA new home by Arthur

Quinton Darryl Croome

Architects and friends

41 LUXURY WINWin a romantic getaway

for two at Hotel Izulu,

KZN, worth over R25 000

45 PURE BLISSWe dig into a generous

helping of positive

news at the Commercial

Property Dinner at

Hout Bay Manor’s

Pure restaurant

DESIGN

18 A HAPPENINGHUBThe Urban-Hub offi ce

space in the Bo-Kaap is

a hybrid of old and new

design aesthetics

24 URBAN SPACES AND FACESUrban Spaces builds

our stunning stand at

Decorex Cape Town 2012

31 CREATIVE CAPITALAdvertising agencies’

inspiring offi ce interiors

38 AXIS OF EXCELLENCEThe Creative Axis puts a

new spin on architecture

REAL ESTATE

49 THE RULE OF THREEAdrienne Hersch’s recipe

for success in real estate

50 WESTERN CAPE: RESIDENTIALEdgemead shows great

investment potential,

and construction begins

on a Stellenbosch

lifestyle development

51 WESTERN CAPE: COMMERCIALThe CTICC’s expansion,

a new commercial and

retail development in the

CBD, and Century City’s

plans for a new school

52 AFRICAPalais Namaskar

Marrakech’s decor feast

54 SOUTH AFRICAA rugged Karoo getaway

ON THE COVEROn Show, Waters Edge

Estate, Big Bay. See

page 27 for details.

ContentsDOWNLOAD

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EDITIONFOR iPAD

from Zinio

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31

14

ED’S LETTER

2 | May/June 2012

Nicky Haslam wears a number of colourful hats. Author, events planner, writer (you may remember his quirky words from The Telegraph and Hello Magazine). He has even tried his hand at music. But his ultimate passion lies with interior design, and this is where he makes the world of decor and design spin. Love his style or hate it … Kitsch or cool …? The jury is still out, but there is no denying that Nicky is a character and he has had an incredible in� uence on this industry. I met him at the St Leger and Viney Design Focus morning, and despite playing the diva and missing our mid-morning meeting, I later caught up with him and watched his lecture, which had me chuckling in the aisles.

Nicky has led a life that is certainly worthy of the autobiography, Redeeming Features, that he has already published. Born in the UK, he has lived in many places and followed many paths, always hanging with the jet set. Today he can boast as past clients Mick Jagger and Bob Geldof (who, he says, ‘have great taste’) and Bryan Ferry, all of whom he now calls friends. He once decorated a morning room for Rod Stewart. ‘He doesn’t have good taste; I gave it to him,’ he exclaims about the rocker.

From wearing riding chaps made from bear fur on his hunting farm to creating events for the royal family, Nicky courts controversy and inspiration and does it well. Between projects and homes he has decorated, Nicky reminisces on his friendships with photographer David Bailey and artist Andy Warhol, who, he says, ‘took me to Park Avenue and made me smart’. The unique pair actually made a movie together, called Kiss (‘Watch it if you are bored enough,’ Nicky laughs.) Fashion and design have always gone hand in hand and so it’s no surprise that Nicky dabbled in this world. He reveals that some of his fondest memories are of working for US Vogue when Diana Vreeland was at the

helm: ‘Those were the days of whisky � rst thing in the morning, 15 cigarettes in the o� ce, and looking at pretty clothes pictures.’

Nicky later took on the role of art director at a magazine called On Show, where he shot icons like the Beatles and Barbra Streisand on her one and only modelling shoot. He talks casually of his famous acquaintances, including the Duchess of Windsor, better known to us as Wallis Simpson, the woman who caused King Edward VIII to abdicate. According to Nicky, she decorated Buckingham Palace in pink and silver and liked to play poker with Churchill. ‘I am better for knowing her – she wasn’t shunned like everyone thought,’ he says.

When it comes to decor, Nicky believes rooms should be pretty and exude comfort: ‘Everyone should look good in their room.’

At the end of his talk he showed us a photo of his dream home: a giant yellow house with an elaborate shell on top: ‘Anything with shell is fabulous, and I worship caterpillar fringe. Don’t you?’

Some of us nodded and some of us vehemently shook our heads. His style is certainly not for everyone. However, the span of his career proves his ability to shape this world, and with Nicky declaring his love for gold gilding and walls made solely of tassels – kitsch or cool – there’s no denying this man has stayed true to his vision and is a decor powerhouse, fur chaps and all …

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE

ONLINE

VISIT thepropertymag.co.za for the

latest features.

FOLLOW US on Facebook

and Twitter:

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Nicky Manson, Editor

Pho

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Diffo

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Kitsch or cool?‘I have worked for Russians with moneyso new, even they don’tknow where it’s from …’

� is month I would love to indulge in …

The gorgeous Looking Glass collection of mirrors

from Sobeit Studios. With quirky names, such as

‘Alice’ and ‘Dian Fossey’, they come in a variety of

colours. The showroom is in Muizenberg, Cape Town,

but Sobeit delivers nationally and internationally.

+27 (0)21 788 9007, sobeitstudio.com

Vamp’s Yellow Nest of Tables. Vamp is in the

business of giving old furniture a new lease of

life. Simply inspirational. +27 (0)21 448 2755,

vampfurniture.blogspot.com

Eclipse’s new High-Gloss Chair collection. I love the

collection’s Spider Chair – an adjustable barstool,

in black and white. Available from Eclipse stores

nationwide. 0861 325 4773, eclipsegroup.co.za

SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2011: Winner – Best Property Publication Nedbank Property Association Awards 2010: Winner – Mover & Shaker Award (Tony Vaughan) PICA Awards 2009: Winner – Special Award, Overall Publishing Excellence PICA Awards 2008: Winner – Consumer Magazines, Largely Free Distribution, and Highly Commended: Editorial Excellence, Public Interest Writer of the Year (Ed Suter) 20th SAB Environmentalist of the Year & Environmental Journalists of the Year Awards 2008: Winner – Merit Award, Print & Internet SAPOA Property Journalism Awards 2008: Winner – Best Property Publication, and Special Mention – Property Feature Journalist (Ed Suter) PICA Awards 2007:B2B – Publishing Excellence, Leisure Mondi Magazine Awards 2005: Winner – Foresight SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: Winner – Philip Tyler Trophy for Innovation in Magazine Publishing Brandhouse Media Owners Challenge Awards 2005:Winner – Innovation in Publishing SAPPI PICA Awards 2005: B2B – Highly Commended Mondi Magazine Awards 2004: Industry – Finalist

Launch Edition: April 2004

WESTERN CAPE 3rd Floor, 33 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001.PO Box 50601, The Waterfront, Cape Town 8002.

Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101 Fax +27 (0)21 421 7891

GAUTENG 49 6th Street, Parkhurst, Johannesburg, 2193.Phone +27 (0)87 230 0101

NAMIBIA Phone +264 (0)61 248 161 Fax +264 (0)61 245 942

SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Email [email protected] Online magsathome.co.za Local Phone 0860 100 203 Fax 086 670 4101

International Phone +27 (0)21 530 3255 Fax +27 (0)21 531 7303SMS 41871 with reference ‘Property Magazine’ (R2/SMS) for subscription enquiries

EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES General [email protected] Society [email protected]

Hot Property [email protected]

Published monthly in three regional issues: Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-NatalCurrent ABC Audited Circulation (Q4 2011, October–December):

Western Cape – 23 175, Gauteng – 23 536, KwaZulu-Natal – 13 750, Total Nationally – 60 461Web Stats: Property Club Members – 24 884AMPS National Readership (2011A): 287 815

P. LE GRANGE & SEUNS/SONS

Disclaimer The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any

goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright Media Nova (Pty) Limited. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be

reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Media Nova (Pty) Limited.

The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.

EDITORIALEditorNicky Manson [email protected] Bureau ChiefAnne Schauffer [email protected] SubeditorYaron BlecherFeatures WritersGenevieve Fisher (Western Cape)André Fiore (KwaZulu-Natal)Writer and Online CoordinatorCatherine Riley

ARTArt Director Warren UytenbogaardtSenior DesignerKeverne MorlandJunior DesignerChané JoematSenior RetoucherTim Lake

CONTRIBUTORSCandace King, Tammy Sutherns

PHOTOGRAPHERSVal Adamson, Nic Baleta, Sally Chance, Michael Glenister, Tim Lake, Fiona Barclay-Smith, Roeland Smith

PRINTING Unity Press

ADVERTISING [email protected] & Marketing DirectorShanee SmartJohannesburg SalesMilos Kovacevic, Tracey-Lee SchusterJohannesburg Sales AssistantBianca van DeventerWestern Cape Regional Sales &Marketing ManagerMichèle Jones

Western Cape SalesTharien Nel, Susan ErweeKwaZulu-Natal Regional Sales &Marketing ManagerJenni McCallumKwaZulu-Natal Sales AssistantLiezel BarnardPretoria SalesLorna MacPhailDirectory SalesAmanda FaasMedia CoordinatorTamlyn PasqualieTraffi c AssistantPortia Mbele

PUBLISHED BY MEDIA NOVA (PTY) LTDManaging DirectorTony Vaughan [email protected] to Managing DirectorTaryn TownsendGeneral ManagerMark Pettipher [email protected] Publisher NamibiaMynard SlabbertAssociate Publisher PretoriaObed SealetsaFinancial ManagerLeanne Cox [email protected] AssistantEleanor ScipioCredit ControllerAnthea OdendaalIT CoordinatorAdrian PetroDriversThemba Gumede, Joseph Khoza, Willem September

ON THIS MONTH’S COVERSWestern Cape: On Show, Waters Edge Estate, Big Bay

Gauteng: Urban Hub, Bo-Kaap, Cape TownKwaZulu-Natal: On Show, Thai-style home, Zimbali Golf Estate

Pretoria: Menlyn Maine, PretoriaSouth Africa (National Digital Edition): Urban Hub, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

Property thepropertymag.co.za

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medianova.co.za

DISTRIBUTIONREGIONAL CIRCULATION ABC Audited National Circulation (Oct.–Dec. 2011)The Property Magazine – Western Cape 23 175The Property Magazine – Johannesburg (formerly Gauteng) 23 536The Property Magazine – KwaZulu-Natal 13 750The Property Magazine – Combined 60 461

medianova.co.za

THE PROPERTY MAGAZINE WESTERN CAPE DISTRIBUTION

NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION Retail:CNAExclusive Books (select stores)SparAirport-based retailers

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PRETORIA DISTRIBUTION10 000 copies, including 6 500Free-To-Home, 500 copies to luxury outlets and embassies and 3 000 copiesto select retailers

14 183 copies free-to-home in the following areas (including residential estates):Bakoven/OudekraalBantry BayBishopscourtCamps BayConstantiaDe WaterkantDurbanvilleFranschhoekFresnayeGreen PointHermanusHiggovaleKenilworthKirstenboschLlandudnoMouille PointNewlandsOranjezichtPaarlPlattekloofRondeboschSea PointSomerset WestStellenboschSunset BeachTamboerskloofWelgemoed/Doordekraal

7 899 copies to luxury outlets (includes Nambia):Cape Cadogan Boutique HotelCape Heritage HotelColona CastleConstantia UitsigConstantia Woods Estated’Ouwe Werf HotelErinvale Estate HotelHighlands HouseHippo Boutique HotelHout Bay ManorLeeuwenzee Guest HouseOne&Only Cape TownSteenberg EstateThe Cellars-HohenortThe Constantia The Grand Daddy HotelThe Lanzerac HotelThe Mount Nelson HotelThe Table Bay HotelTintswalo AtlanticTwelve Apostles Hotel

� e Property Magazine Pretoria! Now available free to select households, retailers and luxury outlets

National Readership287 815

AMPS (2011A)

Property thepropertymag.co.za

69148 The Prop Mag.indd 1 2012/04/02 12:31 PM

Property involves us all. What’s your view? Email [email protected].

You tell us

WIN WITH DAVID GREENRemaining true to his mission to create eyewear that resonates with

the environment, David Green has designed the Leaf Collection,

a range of sunglasses inspired by nature. Each piece is precision-

crafted to incorporate in its frame a fallen leaf – dried, dyed and

fashioned within a natural cotton-based acetate material. The

leaf design is available in a variety of colours and forms, each one

refl ecting a unique identity. David Green is giving away four pairs

of this unique eyewear to the total value of R6 000 to four lucky

readers of The Property Magazine. Write to us and stand a chance

of winning eyewear that is as unique as you are. Send your letters

to [email protected]. Include your full name and contact

details, and put ‘David Green’ in the subject line. (Not all letters will

be published.) 0861 114 852, greeneyewear.com

facebook.com/thepropertymagazine twitter.com/thepropertymag

CHURN OF THE CENTURY‘Randy with brandy’ is an odd title for a brief note on the Roundhouse Restaurant in Camps Bay! Please query the claim that this building served as Lord Charles Somerset’s hunting lodge in the 18th century – he only arrived at the Cape in 1814! With the exception of the last � ve years, the Dutch controlled the Cape for all of the 18th century. It’s most unlikely that they would have allowed an English nobleman to go hunting there!Alan Campbell, via email

You’re correct on the history front! The Roundhouse was built as a guardhouse by the VOC in 1786. The present-day proprietor’s website goes on to say: ‘Since then, the building has also functioned as a hotel, dance hall and, most famously, Lord Charles Somerset’s hunting lodge.’ As you point out, that would have been in the 19th century. As regards the title, the focus of the piece was the Roundhouse Restaurant’s brandy-pairing menu.

PIPING HOTWe appear to be locked into the use of natural and manufactured tiles for many of the high-tra� c surfaces in homes today. I’m somewhat surprised that recycled and synthetic options with a low carbon footprint have not yet come to the fore. A guilty party of note, we have homes with sandstone shipped in from India, manufactured � oor tiles from Italy and Brazil and granite from as far a� eld as China. With hot water solar heating in one home and LED and solar lighting in most, there must exist a brand-new application for low-carbon-footprint home surfaces. Up on the Pipe Track in Cecilia Forest above our Constantia home is a bench made from some kind of recycled plastic which shows no signs of weathering after years of Cape rain, wind and sun. Now that material is an option for a chopping board surface in any modern kitchen!Andrew Pollock, Newlands Village

LETTERof the Month

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Unit 64 Northlands Deco ParkCnr Witkoppen and New Market RoadsNorthriding, RandburgTel: +27 11 796 5098

Italcotto Centre Christiaan Barnard StreetCape TownTel: +27 21 425 4192

Pellet stoves (left) are extremely efficient, fully automated heating systems.

They use wood pellets, manufactured from compressed sawdust and wood

waste, as fuel.

Pellets are clean burning and have a low carbon footprint. They are made in

South Africa and are now available at Calore retail stores. By choosing

pellet stoves you can reduce electricity consumption by up to 53%. Pellets

create only a layer of fine fly-ash as a by-product of combustion.

Built-in fireboxes (below left) are a considerate choice to the environment as

well, due to their reduced carbon emissions and low wood consumption.

Calore pellet stoves and built-in firebox units use a unique system, Multifire,

which distributes heat evenly from floor to ceiling. The system draws hot air

from the ceiling level and distributes it via a fan on the floor level. Most

models can also circulate warmth to nearby rooms via air ducts.

To view Calore’s innovations in pellet stoves and built-in fireboxes visit us at

one of the stores listed below.

www.calore.co.za

LIVE WARM. LIVE GREEN.

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1Views of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains from the sunny Stables Bistro at Vergelegen Estate. 2The tempting Vergelegen Burger served with shoestring fries at Stables Bistro. 3The bar at

Vergelegen’s new wine tasting centre. 4A section of herb garden in front of Stables Bistro.

Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more

divine country outings

Set on the gorgeous 312-year-old

Vergelegen Estate in Somerset

West, the new wine-tasting centre

and the adjacent Stables bistro are

the perfect excuse for a day out.

Opening up onto a terrace overlooking

the landscaped herb garden, the wine- tasting

centre is sunny and bright and offers

flavoursome delights for all the senses.

At the entrance to the Stables bistro is a

horse-shaped sculpture that welcomes diners

to the space. The comfortable setting is aimed

at family dining and is open for breakfast, lunch

and dinner.

There is something for everyone here.

The contemporary menu was developed by

renowned chef, Garth Stroebel. The kitchen

is now overseen by the new executive chef,

Alicia Giliomee.

Also on offer is a tapas menu served

from late afternoon to early evening daily.

The wide selection of tasty finger foods

includes soy-and-honey glazed chicken wings

and to-die-for Asian-style fishcakes with

Parmesan mayonnaise.

Meals can be enjoyed with a glass or

bottle of any of Vergelegen’s vintages. The

generous wine selection consists of the estate’s

premium, reserve and flagship ranges to match

any meal to perfection.

With Vergelegen Estate offering all this and

more, we recommend you make a day of it.

+27 (0)21 847 2156, vergelegen.co.za

HOT pROpeRTY


1 2 3

4

yuMFor the perfect meal paired with delicious wine, a history lesson and

abundant scenery, look no further than Vergelegen Estate’s latest offerings

HistoryWith a Side order of

10 | May/June 2012

HOT PROPERTY

HOT PLATE

Having worked in Bordeaux, France,

and in the Napa Valley in California,

JUSTIN VAN WYK, winemaker at the boutique wine estate,

Constantia Glen, knows good wine

Q How do the Bordeaux and Napa Valley districts compare with each other? They are the complete extremes of

each other in all aspects: heritage,

architecture, culture, design, food, wine

and the winemaking techniques. In

Bordeaux, everything takes time and

meticulous attention, whilst Napa is

more rushed and vibrant. I enjoyed my

time in St Emilion. The wines of course,

but also the food and the fantastic

culture. On every day of harvest at

Château Bellefont-Belcier, everyone

would stop working for one and half

hours for lunch and sit around a table

covered with baguettes and indulge in

the fantastic food that the Château cook

had prepared. In Napa, each person took

a few minutes to munch a burrito in

between the rush of grapes arriving. So I

much prefer the French culture. In terms

of winemaking techniques, the approach

in Bordeaux was also more traditional,

with a lot of extended maceration, whilst

in Napa, shorter maceration was used, in

order to make more fruit-forward, New

World-style wines.

Q What’s your advice for aspiring winemakers?Keep things as natural as possible and

don’t overwork grapes or wine or try to

steer the product into a direction that it

is not suited to. Make styles of wines that

are suited to your terroir.

Q Your favourite food and wine pairing?Slow-braised beef short ribs served with

roasted parsnip purée enriched with

butter, cream and a touch of nutmeg –

with the Constantia Glen Five, of course.

+27 (0)21 715 6110, constantiaglen.com

A TASTE OF GREECEMezepoli Meze and Wine Bar is the newest addition to the Camps Bay

strip, bringing a touch of the Mediterranean to the southern coast of

Africa. The sister restaurant to the Joburg institution, Plaka in Melrose

Arch, Mezepoli offers diners a wide range of meze dishes to be shared and

savoured, just like they do in Greece. +27 (0)21 438 1915, mezepoli.co.za

Ice cream and wine pairings, a new superfood menu, a touch of the Med in Camps Bay, and more winter foodie delights

Arch, Mezepoli offers diners a wide range of meze dishes to be shared and

ICY BUT NICEClos Malverne, the family-run wine estate in the heart of the Devon Valley outside

Stellenbosch, has been pairing its wine and home-made ice cream for some time. Estate

chef, Nadia Louw Smith, and winemaker, Suzanne Coetzee, have now teamed up to create

four ideal autumn pairings of wine and ice cream. These include preserved lemon and basil

ice cream matched with the estate’s Sauvignon Blanc (one of SA’s top ten), and Le Café

banana and caramel pancake ice cream paired with Clos Malverne’s fl agship Cape Blend,

Auret. +27 (0)21 888 4900, simonsig.co.za


HOT PROPERTY

HOT PLATE

SHINY-HAPPY-PEOPLE FOODCape Town-based health-food chain, Osumo, has just launched its new superfood

menu. Keeping a close eye on international food trends, the team at Osumo realised

the benefi ts of superfoods and how vital they are to attaining and maintaining good

health. The new menu includes a variety of superfoods, such as walnuts, chia seeds,

goji berries, organic spirulina and quinoa, to name a few. Next time you’re at one of

Osumo’s branches in Cavendish Square, Sea Point or Canal Walk, why not give the

goji berry smoothie a try, or the pink or green quinoa salads? Your body and mind

will thank you. +27 (0)21 683 0353, osumo.co.za

MUSTY MUST-TRYThe traditional South African delicacy, moskonfyt, has been given a new lease of life, thanks to Kloovenburg, the wine and olive

farm in Riebeek Kasteel. Moskonfyt is derived from a process of pressing and fermenting grapes to produce grape must, which is

then reduced, without any additives. Similar in fl avour to balsamic vinegar, moskonfyt can be enjoyed with salads, fi gs and cheeses

as well as with ice cream and nuts. +27 (0)22 448 1635, kloovenburg.com

BEAT THE SUNDAY BLUESAt Nobu at One&Only Cape Town, Sunday evenings are about

good sushi and delicious cocktails, with the Nobu Saketini,

containing that great sushi accompaniment, sake, being the

favourite. Sushi Sundays at Nobu have been garnering huge

support, thanks to the expertly prepared sushi that has helped

put this global restaurant brand on the map. The sushi chefs are

world class, as is the quality of the fi sh and seafood. The best part,

however, is the affordability of this sushi experience: R150 gets you

six pieces of assorted nigiri sushi and eight pieces of sushi cut rolls.

+27 (0)21 431 4511, oneandonlycapetown.com

FROM THE WINTER GARDENChef Lucas Carstens of Simonsig’s signature Cuvée Restaurant has

created a winter menu of contemporary dishes made from local

produce and seasonal ingredients picked from the estate’s own

garden. Expect to fi nd classics, such as French onion soup, exotic

dishes, such as lamb rogan josh, and more inventive dishes, such as

Tarte Tatin with butterscotch and sour cream ripple ice cream. And

as good chefs are wont to do, Lucas has made sure that each dish

on his menu complements the estate’s renowned wines.

+27 (0)21 888 4900, simonsig.co.za

12 | May/June 2012

HOT PLATE Poltrona Frau, exotic fabrics, taps, chairs, and a scatter of nature

HOT PROPERTY

FRESHLY STACKEDThe Fresco Towel Shelf by Zack is a

functional solution to storing towels in your

bathroom. The design of this stainless steel

unit is great for stacked and folded towels

as it promotes air circulation to keep them

as dry as possible. 086 153 3837, zack.co.za

Wo

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Genevie

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isher

Italian luxury furniture brand, Poltrona

Frau, now in its 100th year, recently

opened its fi rst South African

showroom, in Green Point. We speak to

GEORGE GIORGIO, architect

and exclusive agent of the brand.

Q Why the decision to open up a Poltrona Frau store in Cape Town?Poltrona Frau’s move to Cape Town is

a signifi cant step in committing to the

South African market, which the brand

strongly believes in. Poltrona Frau has

carefully chosen a showroom space

in the heart of Cape Town’s design

community, in De Waterkant, which will

provide a central focus for architects and

designers working on projects within the

commercial and residential sectors. The

company has the know-how associated

with the contract sector and has local

offi ces in major cities, such as New York,

Paris, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Milan,

Hong Kong and Singapore.

Q What are some of the brand’s iconic pieces?Working with globally renowned

designers, such as Giò Ponti, FA Porsche,

P. Cerri, and many others, Poltrona

Frau offers furniture pieces that

aren’t only top quality but, from a

design perspective, are also genius

and exclusive. Our iconic pieces are

Antropovarius, Larus, Ouverture, Rex,

Vanity Fair, Chester, and many others.

Poltrona Frau has upholstered many of

the fi nest and largest audience halls of

some world-renowned halls and theatres,

and was commissioned to produce all

leather interiors for Bugatti, Ferrari,

Lancia, Maserati, Mini, Moto Guzzi,

Mercedes Benz’s Maybach & SLR, and

Pininfarina. When you sit on the chair

designed Jean Marie Massaud, you will

know why Poltrona got its reputation for

fi ne craftsmanship. It is one of the most

comfortable chairs I have ever sat on –

and I’ve sat in many designer chairs in a

number of showrooms!

+27 (0)21 418 0726, poltronafrau.com


HOT DECOR & DESIGN

SITTING PRETTY AND GLOSSYFurniture and hardware supplies wholesaler Eclipse is

now offering a new range of high-gloss chairs suited

to indoor or outdoor dining. Made from polycarbonate

and polypropylene-derived compounds, which together

create the high-gloss effect, these materials are also

strong, hardy and UV resistant. The result is light, easily

movable chairs that can withstand any conditions.

+27 (0)21 555 2282, eclipsegroup.co.za

NATURAL TOUCHPeace River Trading’s newest range of scatter cushions takes its cue

from nature. Made from cotton canvas, natural canvas, satin and

velvet, the printed designs feature birds, fl owers and orchids in green,

orange, white, black and teal. We love a bit of outdoor inspiration in

our interior spaces. +27 (0)21 421 1910, peaceriver.co.za

HOT PROPERTY

TIP-TOP TAPSNew to Womag’s range of designer kitchen and sanitaryware are Tocati

kitchen taps, designed and manufactured in Italy by Armando Vicario.

Manufactured from DZR brass, these ergonomically designed taps are

chrome plated. A number of the styles are available in dramatic black brass,

to enhance the look of any designer kitchen. Each tap comes standard with

aerators, ensuring economical water consumption. 086 119 6624,

womag.co.za

FABRIC FANTASTICLula Fabrics is celebrating its fi fth anniversary with the launch of a

new collection inspired by the East. The Silk Road collection takes

its cue from the handwoven textiles of ancient China and the cities

of Bukhara, Samarkand and Kashgar, which lie on the famous Silk

Road between China and Russia. +27 (0)21 461 0620,

lulafabrics.co.za

SITTING PRETTY AND GLOSSYFurniture and hardware supplies wholesaler Eclipse is

now offering a new range of high-gloss chairs suited

to indoor or outdoor dining. Made from polycarbonate

and polypropylene-derived compounds, which together

create the high-gloss effect, these materials are also

strong, hardy and UV resistant. The result is light, easily

movable chairs that can withstand any conditions.

+27 (0)21 555 2282, eclipsegroup.co.za

14 | May/June 2012

HOT PROPERTYHOT PROPERTY

HOT INDULGENCE

HOT PROPERTY

Indulgences for your jewellery box, your pets and your wardrobe. And that’s just for starters

MIND THE GAPGap Inc. recently opened three stores in SA – in Jozi, Cape Town and Pretoria. These launches mark the much-loved American clothing brand’s

fi rst foray into sub-Saharan Africa and we think it’s about time too. Find your nearest Gap store at Sandton City in Joburg, at Tyger Valley

Shopping Centre in Cape Town and, soon, at Pretoria’s Brooklyn Mall. +27 (0)21 914 1390, +27 (0)11 783 5212; gap.com

ENGRAVED IN THE STARSLondon-based jewellery designer, Kirsten Goss,

is so hot right now. We love her new Geo-Grafi k

collection, with its clean geometric lines and names

inspired by the ancient disciplines of geometry and

astronomy, names such as the Orion necklace, Pyxis

studs and Octavia earrings. Available from Kirsten

Goss stores in Joburg, Durban, and soon, Cape

Town. +27 (0)31 312 7573, +27 (0)11 447 2234;

kirstengoss.com

ADD ANOTHER DIMENSIONL’Oréal Paris has introduced the latest in eyelash technology with its new

mascara False Lash Architect 4D Black Lacquer. Not content to navigate the

world of 3D, Lash Architect tackles women’s desire for more volume, more

length, more texture and more curl. This revolutionary mascara does it all for

you at a simple fl ick of a wand. Available too in waterproof, so your gorgeous

lashes won’t be affected by water or sweat. Released last month and available

from L’Oréal Paris stockists nationwide. loreal.co.za

SWAP MEETStarted by an entrepreneur who is passionate about travel, LoveHomeSwap.com

takes scenes from the blockbuster movie The Holiday to new heights. Realising

early on that kids and hotels don’t mix, Debbie Wosskow, a career mom who still

wanted to travel with family in tow, decided that a home away from home was

the way to go. And so came about LoveHomeSwap, a labour of love that allows

like-minded individuals or families to swap their homes via the website, ensuring

cost-effective travel – and absolutely no hotels. Debbie has identifi ed four

groups of people who would benefi t from this service: empty-nesters who have

time to travel; second-home owners who swap holiday homes instead of renting;

families who need more space than a hotel can offer; and fi rst-time homebuyers

who can’t afford a holiday. It’s similar to social networking – you join via the

website, browse the properties and then build up trust with the owners of those

properties. A luxe subscription

rate gets you a dedicated

travel and concierge team as

well as a soon-to-be-released

identifi cation product and

bespoke insurance product.

Take out a trial membership

and discover grand mansions

in the English countryside or

compact apartments in New

York City. Happy holidays!


HOT PROPERTY

HATS OFFHatz by Natz is a fresh and new KZN-

based brand that offers a broad range

of custom-designed millinery. Young

designer Natashia Steenkamp is fl eshing

out her passion for hat fashion with a

range that’s sleek, stylish, funky and fun.

+27 (0)82 528 0515, hatzbynatz.co.za

EGYPT IN YOUR BAGDesigner accessory label, Missibaba, has launched its Autumn/Winter collection, called

Missibaba and the Search for the Golden Scarab, which is inspired by the mysteries of Egypt

and the Adventures of Tintin. Taking as its starting points the series of comic albums created

by Belgian artist Georges Remi (pen name ‘Hergé’) as well as ancient artefacts, sealed

tombs and woven papyrus, Missibaba has created new bag, belt and jewellery styles that

will bring out the explorer in you. Plus, in collaboration with jewellery designer

extraordinaire, Kirsten Goss, Missibaba will be opening up a shop in Bree

Street any day now. Shop online, too. +27 (0)21 461 1083, missibaba.com

POSH PETDocklands Hotel in Durban has scored a

‘bow-wow’ now that it has become the

fi rst pet-friendly hotel in the Signature

Life Hotels collection. The hotel has no

diffi culties with extending the welcome

mat to pets. GM Ellen Aucamp says,

‘We have allocated specifi c rooms

that cater to pets as we have had an

increased demand for these facilities,

and with the right pet zones and policies

in place, we can more than happily look

after man’s best friend.’ The hotel has

achieved this by introducing demarcated

pet zones, pet strolling and social areas

and clearly displayed pet policies, and

it is keenly observing every facet of

operations, from food to health and

safety. Signature Life Hotels CEO Alan

Vels says, ‘We as a company are all

about guest satisfaction. Our success

and growth has relied on innovation.

In observing overseas hospitality trends

that tap into new markets, we see

that pet-friendly hotels are accepted

as the norm in the US and Europe

and we wanted to pioneer it here.’

+27 (0)31 332 8190,

signaturelifehotels.com

WIN WITH LOOFTLIGHTER!There’s nothing like the weekend. And when that weekend involves time spent around the

braai, it’s guaranteed to be a good one. This Father’s Day, help Dad take the stress out of braai

preparations with the amazing new Looftlighter, a Swedish patented device that lights your

braai or fi replace in 60 seconds – no lighter fl uid or braai lighters needed! With its powerful

hot- airstream system, the Looftlighter is safe and environmentally friendly, cutting down on

toxic fumes from petroleum-based products and providing Dad with a safe alternative to

conventional fi relighters. +27 (0)21 880 0074, [email protected], looftlighter.co.za

WIN!Stand to win one of 12 Looftlighter hampers valued at R1 060 each, including

a Looftlighter, basket, apron and braai tongs. Email [email protected]

with your details and put ‘Dad’ in the subject box. Ts and Cs apply.

16 | May/June 2012

HOT PROPERTY

WESTERN CAPE DIARY

Send your 2012 event information to [email protected].

The Good Food & Wine Show, 24–25 MayThe Good Food & Wine Show will be held at the Cape Town International

Convention Centre this month, showcasing a host of the latest national

and international food and wine trends and featuring an immense celebrity

chef line-up. You won’t want to miss this. Headlining this year’s event is

Buddy Valastro, star of the smash hit reality show, The Cake Boss, Whitney

Miller, winner of MasterChef USA, Michelin-star chef, Giorgio Locatelli, Reza

Mahammad, who has just launched his new series, Reza, Spice Prince of

India, and celebrity chef, Ariana Bundy. For the kids, famed CBeebies’ star,

Mister Maker, renowned for mesmerising even the most unruly of little

ones with his arts and crafts, will be there to keep them busy while you get

down to enjoying a great foodie experience. Tickets: adults R95, children

5–12, R50, children under fi ve are free. 0861 915 8000, computicket.com;

+27 (0)21 702 2280, goodfoodandwineshow.co.za

Nederburg Taste Theatre at The Gugulethu Wine Festival, 25–26 MayAt this year’s Gugulethu Wine Festival (sponsored by Tops at Spar),

Nederburg’s Taste Theatre will explore the impact that different food

fl avours can have on wine. Visitors to the event will have the chance to

sample various foods prepared by MasterChef judge, Pete Goffe-Wood,

paired with a selection of wines. Popular red, white and dessert wines

from Nederburg will be available to sample with foods such as beef, tuna,

cheddar cheese and chocolate. The event will be staged on the rooftop

of the Gugulethu Square mall. Tickets: R80. gugulethuwinefestival.co.za;

+27 (0)21 481 1822, webtickets.co.za

Stephan Welz & Co.’s Autumn Decorative and Fine Art Auction, 29–30 May The upcoming Autumn Decorative and Fine Art Auction by Stephan Welz

& Co. will be held at the Great Cellar at Alphen Estate, Constantia. From

fi ne art to a treasure trove of furniture and jewellery, there will be fi nds

to suit all tastes. An item worthy of mention is a painting entitled Two

Women, by Matisse protégée, Maurice van Essche, who came to Africa

as part of a Belgian Government-sponsored painting expedition in 1939.

The painting is credited with bolstering the modern movement in South

Africa. Other rare fi nds are an 18th-century Cape stinkwood ebony and

satinwood bureau bookcase that has been in the same family for 100 years,

and a bright, bold bracelet set with amethysts, citrines and aquamarines.

+27 (0)21 794 6461, stephanwelzandco.co.za

Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie at Hartenberg, 2 JuneHartenberg Wine Estate will host the Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie, where

guests will be able to enjoy some of the fi nest fl agship Syrahs from leading

cellars, paired with superb artisanal fare. The estate has invited a select

group of winemakers to showcase their wines and they will be joined

by some of the top local charcuterie masters, cheesemakers and olive

enthusiasts for a food-and-wine pairing feast. Other cellars who will be

sharing their versions of the spicy Shiraz varietal are Boekenhoutskloof

Winery, Boschkloof Wines, Cederberg Private Cellar, De Trafford

Wines, La Motte, Raka, Rust en Vrede Estate, Saxenburg and Thelema

Mountain Vineyards. Tickets: R180, including food and wine tastings.

+27 (0)21 481 1822, webtickets.co.za

Nederburg Taste Theatre

Stephan Welz & Co. Auction

Hartenberg Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie

The Good Food & Wine Show, 24–25 MayThe Good Food & Wine Show will be held at the Cape Town International

Convention Centre this month, showcasing a host of the latest national

and international food and wine trends and featuring an immense celebrity

chef line-up. You won’t want to miss this. Headlining this year’s event is

Buddy Valastro, star of the smash hit reality show,

Miller, winner of

Mahammad, who has just launched his new series,

India

Mister Maker, renowned for mesmerising even the most unruly of little

ones with his arts and crafts, will be there to keep them busy while you get

down to enjoying a great foodie experience. Tickets: adults R95, children

5–12, R50, children under fi ve are free.

+27 (0)21 702 2280, goodfoodandwineshow.co.za

2


hot property

No expense has been spared in the design of this beautifully finished home in the Southern Peninsula suburb of Noordhoek in the Western Cape.

Situated on an erf of 800m2 alongside the main lake at Lake Michelle Lifestyle Security Estate, the house has a total floor area of 519m2.

The welcoming entrance hall of this north-facing home opens onto a large, open-plan dining area with living room, TV room, kitchen and scullery. The kitchen is kitted out with imported Italian wares, such as Smeg appliances and a built-in coffee machine.

The home comprises two levels of living space, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a guest toilet on the ground floor.

The main bedroom suite with lounge and open- plan bathroom as well as the guest suite with separate bedroom, lounge, bathroom and balcony are situated on the upper level. There is also a study in a loft-like layout one level above.

The home offers fabulous lake and mountain views from all levels. All the bedrooms feature imported Italian cupboards, and the bathrooms are fitted with top-end imported sanitaryware.

The home features a high-tech security and entertainment system. In addition to the alarm there are CCTV cameras that are linked to six wall-mounted televisions throughout the home (the largest TV is 74”). Smoke detectors are fitted throughout the home, for added peace of mind. The smart-home technology extends to a central music, Internet and movie hub system that is connected to each room in the house as well as to the outside of the home. The system can be controlled by remote or via an iPad.

The views of the surrounding mountains are stunning, particularly from the loft level. In the courtyard is a large wind-protected wrap-around swimming pool area. There is also an outside braai room with fold-away glass doors for uninterrupted views, even in bad weather. The designer garden is planted with three large trees and has direct access to the main lake via the private jetty. The lake is ideal for swimming, canoeing, sailing and fishing. Two and a half garages with automated doors and direct access to the home complete this spectacular property. For more information contact Jenny Shaw at

Harcourts Back Wave on +27 (0)84 307 9256 or

+27 (0)21 785 5227, harcourtsbackwave.co.za.

1The sleek, modern property includes a high-tech security and home automation system. 2The courtyard is

perfect for summer entertaining by the pool. 3Views of the lake and the Noordhoek Mountains.

hot mandate

If you would like to have your hot mandate featured, email [email protected].

1

2

3

Lady of the LakeThis beautiful home at Lake Michelle Lifestyle Security Estate offers glorious mountain views and much more

18 | May/June 2012

PRIME PROPERTYPRIME PROPERTY

A new commercial offi ce block, Urban-Hub, in Cape Town’s historic Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, is a hybrid of old and new design aesthetics

Words Genevieve FisherPhotographs Tim Lake and Supplied

A HAPPENING


20 | May/June 2012

prime property


prime property

Opening page Reclaimed wood from the previous building on the site has been turned into an attractive

design feature at Urban-Hub, as demonstrated in the reception area. Opposite Some antique furniture

provides a contrast to the contemporary spaces and nodes at Urban-Hub. This page, top Individual

industrial-style lights have been grouped together to form an interesting lighting feature. Bottom The

stairway from the ground floor to the first floor is flanked by the signature reclaimed wood.

Standing in the reception area of Urban-Hub, you can’t help but think that this is a place you’d love to work from. As far as commercial office spaces go, Urban-Hub is

the antithesis of the stale and clinical corporate ones that most people would imagine an office block to be – harsh fluorescent lighting, synthetic blue carpet tiles, long corridors and vending machines selling goods whose main ingredients start with an E.

But walking through the slick glass doors at Urban-Hub, what faces you is as urban a space as can be: industrial chic in the form of concrete, red-brick and original old fire escape doors, a warm ambience, thanks to reclaimed wooden cladding, all of which is pulled together by a thread of cool in the form of contemporary art and furniture, not to mention a node where iPads are lined up for visitors’ use.

But this is a place that’s more than just chic, hip and happening. As Jonny Friedman, CEO of Urban Lime, the property investment company responsible for this project, says, ‘It’s not a new development in the sense that it was built from scratch; rather, it is a restoration project, in that we worked with what was there already and transformed it.’

Structurally, there are five adjoining buildings dating from the turn of 1800s to the 1970s, which have been interlinked, to make up Urban-Hub. The oldest of the buildings was owned by the same family since 1904. The newest one is a typical red-brick 1970s design and is now the knuckle of the development, where the modish reception area is.

The transformed buildings now accommodate offices spaces ranging from 84m2 to 192m2, hot-desking units, a rooftop deck and garden, a restaurant that Jonny says will serve the best coffee in Cape Town – big props here! – and three retail shops.

‘We wanted to create a place where those working here don’t need to, and more importantly, don’t want to leave,’ says Jonny.

From the get-go, Jonny loved the area and had his sights set on these buildings for nearly two years before the transformation began.

His company, Urban Lime, based in London and for the last eight years also operating in Cape Town, has garnered a niche for itself in that it targets areas that most developers wouldn’t, finds a site, and turns it into a trendy locale.

‘We’ve had a lot of experience doing these sort of restoration projects and Urban-Hub was in fact modelled on one we did in the now popular Shoreditch area in London’s East End, which was a no-go zone until a few years ago,’ he says.

Because he isn’t bashing down buildings, but merely restoring them to glory, Jonny knew about the history of these particular building and was as emphatic about retaining that sense of history as he was about modernising the spaces.

And what a history it is. When Jonny enlisted the skills and insight of Aidan Hart, from Inhouse Brand Architects, Aidan and his team started stripping down and dismantling the many layers of these buildings. Backed with research, they uncovered a lot of what went on in them over the years, almost like a visual history book of the buildings and the area.

‘When we started working on one of the buildings in the hub, the old Delos building, through uncovering its many shells, we discovered quite a long and wild history,’ says Aidan. ‘The long retaining wall has as its bottom half an old stone wall that dates back

22 | May/June 2012

prime property

Above left Retro seating and contemporary artwork in the waiting area. Above right and opposite An old stool as well as wooden beams from the original building

enhance the industrial feel of the premises.

to the first Dutch settlers. Above it is another layer of red-brick that is typical of the English colonial era.’ What’s even more interesting is that the original wooden columns have been stripped down to reveal extensive burn marks dating back to anti-apartheid riots that occurred in the area during the ’60s, which have now been revealed and become part of the look and feel of the space.

Retaining the history of these buildings was just a part of Jonny’s brief to Aidan. ‘The practicality of making these buildings into one modern and contemporary office hub required a lot of work. We needed to create flow between the interior spaces of the buildings, maximise light and bring in an international feel,’ says Aidan.

Jonny had seen Aidan’s work at the Test Kitchen and Carne SA restaurants and knew that he was the man for the job. Aidan’s expertise in spatial effects and his ability to tie nodes together is what Jonny needed in order for this project to work, namely, a special effects artist.

Aidan says, ‘My starting point was to ask the question, how would this space be utilised? In other words, starting with the psychology of architecture, or the human aspect of the discipline, which is like figuring out a puzzle.’ The first piece of that puzzle

was the idea of circularity as opposed to linearity. As he admits, ‘I’m not a fan of long passages or corridors – they’re negative spaces for me.’ The result is that, from the reception area, the voluminous space tapers off towards the back and directs you to other nodes by means of interesting wall features and stairs.

On either side of the reception area there are the original metal fire escape doors that lead you into other areas, such as the restaurant on the left and more office spaces on the right. Both of these areas connect on a terrace at the top, with vertical gardens, dramatic views of Table Mountain and the vibrant colours of the Bo-Kaap framing them in the foreground.

One of facets of this development that really boosts its credibility is that it is located in the Bo-Kaap, renowned for its Cape Malay history, restaurants, mosques, and most of all, its rainbow- coloured old homes.

‘Urban-Hub is in a great location in the Bo-Kaap: it’s a stone’s throw away from town and the Cape Quarter and is visible from one of town’s main arteries, Buitengracht Street. So far the reaction from our tenants has been fantastic – they love the design, location, and the fact that it is not commercialised yet still a safe area,’ says Jonny, who holds his tenants’ opinion in high regard.

With thanks to …

Inhouse Brand Architects,

+27 (0)21 488 2400, inhouse.ws

Urban-Hub, +27 (0)82 836 9333,

urban-hub.co.za, urbanlime.co.uk

This has been the key to Urban Lime’s success over the last 20-odd years. As Jonny says, ‘We’ve established lasting relationships with our tenants over the years. We really value them and have in some instances built premises to accommodate their changing needs.’ Jonny believes that the tenant mix of Urban-Hub will be the key to the development’s success.

‘The project is aimed at attracting small-to-medium-size businesses that have been around for at least five years and who are in the creative fields. We’ve created a space with a strong emphasis on networking that we hope will make tenants and their visitors linger longer.’

He points out that, although the pricing of units is on the high end, what tenants get for their money is a boutique office environment that includes top-notch security, ample parking, a receptionist and concierge, cleaning service, fast Internet access, and above all, a whole lot of style accolades, thanks to their being able to call this chic, happening hub their office.

prime propertyprime property


24 | May/June 2012

‘ It’s an exciting time to be an interior design company in Cape Town. For us there can be no better place to put our passion for design into practice,’ say design duo Stuart Allan and Reinhard Kretzen of Urban Spaces in reference to Cape Town’s status as World Design Capital

2014. Cape Town may not have New York’s skyscrapers or London’s sense of history, but it does have an energy created by its diversity of cultures, which ensures that South African design is constantly evolving, they add.

What started out as Fusion Architecture, opened by Stuart in 2005, morphed into Urban Spaces when Reinhard joined the � rm. Fusion still exists as a sister company, together with Emul8. These two companies focus on architecture and technological design. As a one-stop design and architecture � rm, Urban Spaces can o� er its clients competitive quotes. Because the three companies all operate under one roof, their o� ce is a formidable think tank where the team members inspire one another and draw on one another’s expertise.

Urban Spaces is well known in all the right creative circles. ‘We love being a small � rm. We truly get to deal with people closely and we can see when we hit the spot with our work. We set out to provide a professional design service that is accessible to everyone. We know this and our sta� know this, and this is our niche,’ say Stuart and Reinhard.

Urban Spaces focuses predominately on the corporate and retail markets, national and international, specialising in o� ce refurbs and the branding of trendy nightclubs and restaurants. They say, ‘We have always found that design and construction go hand in hand, and our preference has always been to manage our installations � rst hand, allowing us to make sure the result is true to the design vision.’

Their o� ces are based in the design hub of Observatory, in an old house that they converted to their urban space of choice. They’re inspired just by driving through Obs, where ‘Old’ Cape Town meets new design on every corner. ‘We also love the fact that Observatory is so central, as this allows us to service clients all over the Western Cape,’ they say.

If you ask them which projects top their list as the most fun to do, they answer, ‘Wow! Tough question! We have worked for corporate, residential and retail – they all o� er something. Obviously with o� ce design it’s fun to create the perfect ergonomic environment, a place where people love to go each day.’ (Their o� ces are no exception.) ‘Whereas with residential, it’s actually an honour when someone chooses us to beautify their home. Retail has its own challenges, but we love the concept phase of a retail project.’

Stuart and Reinhard believe in and stick to the principle of taking one extra step with each job they undertake, always asking themselves, ‘Is there even more we can do?’ 086 111 2154, urbanspaces.co.za

This page, clockwise from top A vibrant painting on canvas mirrors the

dynamism of the winding staircase in this modern home in Gardens; Urban

Spaces refurbished a concrete wine store to create a contemporary offi ce

space for Donkerhoek Data in Franschhoek; Java Junction’s streetwise look;

the classy and cool ZAR Lounge at the Cape Royale Hotel in Green Point.

Interior design company Urban Spaces, has a passion for all things Cape Town

Urban spaces and faces

DECOREX

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DECOREX

Decorex Cape Town 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre was an eclectic mix of colours, textures and creative concepts as the ‘Real’ theme encouraged exhibitors to consider

urban design and rustic elements and to either upcycle existing decor or simply refurbish it. Interior architect Susan Tait of Urban Spaces, under the guidance of Stuart Allan and Reinhard Kretzen, was the lead designer of the stand, which resembled a modern living room combined with hints of a newsroom, with plenty of white, splashes of grey, and of course, The Property Magazine’s signature red. Stuart and Reinhard were inspired by the mag’s contemporary and sleek appearance.

‘It was about designing a unique feature point in the stand, which explains what the magazine is all about and complements the brand,’ they explain. ‘The stand was designed to be eye-catching, clean-cut and sophisticated, modern yet still inviting.’ Interesting features included swivel boxes displaying photographs taken from the publication and pigeonholes for storing copies of the mag. Urban Spaces’ sister company, Fusion Architecture, assisted with the technical speci� cations and logistical elements of the project. Quality shop� ttings designer and manufacturer, Smart Space, was involved in assembling the stand and the signage was courtesy of Design-A-Sign. ‘Smart Space is our � rst choice for an inventive project, and Design-A-Sign have a work ethic like no other – always on time and a “can-deliver” attitude,’ say Stuart and Reinhard. For furniture, they sought out Créma Design for select pieces. The beautiful grey-and-red Malena armchair begged to be sat upon, while the cream Adelta Parabel Table and Foscarini Diesel Rock Floor Lamp made a stylish statement. ‘Créma Design always has very creative and luxurious pieces that designers and the public love. They are a quality brand and we enjoy working with them,’ say Stuart and Reinhard. Jack Black and Jack White stackable lighting � xtures from Tom Dixon added the � nal touch to the compelling space. Créma Design, +27 (0)21 434 0661, cremadesign.co.za

Design-A-Sign, +27 (0)21 595 2259, design-a-sign.co.za

Fusion Architecture, 086 111 2154, pdagroup.co.za

Smart Space, +27 (0)21 704 3089, smart-space.co.za

Urban Spaces, 086 111 2154, urbanspaces.co.za

beautifulDecorex Cape Town 2012 kept things real

All things bright and

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This West Coast home, despite being built according to constricting development guidelines, is surprisingly spacious, and its design pivots on the notion of transparency

The landscape changes dramatically on the drive from Cape Town to Big Bay, even though the West Coast suburb is just 30km or so from the city. The light is harsher and

the winds more challenging. The Cape West Coast is known for its tough climate, hardy fynbos and design vernacular. If you’ve travelled to the small coastal towns of Paternoster and Yzerfontein, you’ll have an idea of the region’s architecture – flat roofs, inner courtyards and weathered wood epitomise the look of the homes here and are employed to provide shelter against the climate.

Waters Edge Estate, just outside Big Bay, is a shining example of this West Coast aesthetic, but has an added contemporary character that makes it undeniably chic.

Every which way you look there is weathered timber, whitewashed walls and horizontal roofs, framed by the seaside views. Darryl Croome, a director of Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects, recently completed a home here.

Retaining the defining characteristic of the area was the clients’ number-one priority for this family home. The view is postcard-perfect and can be appreciated from surprisingly inconspicuous points within the home. Darryl explains, ‘The interflow of spaces is the defining feature of this home. The owners were lucky to secure a front-row site that looks onto the sea and the fynbos edging the ocean. Our task was to make this spectacular view as accessible as possible from anywhere in the home.’

The starting point for Darryl and project architect, Diana Grobler, was a principle that they prioritise above all else in their work: axial flow, described as the way the various nodes or rooms in a home flow into each other and connect. With the sea views dictating this flow, Darryl and Diana’s original floor plans were solid, and hardly changed throughout the construction process. ‘The whole house opens up fully towards the sea and there is no “lost” space. The central courtyard links the back formal lounge with the front informal family room, which looks onto the sea. By means of floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, this becomes one space, and there is a real feeling of transparency, almost as if the sea is flowing through to every living area of the house,’ says Darryl.

Words Genevieve FisherPhotographs Fiona Barclay-Smith

TransparenT-sea

LA Developments Cape, +27 (0)21 553 3617

Above LA Developments Cape is a multiple-award-winning master builder with over 20 years’ membership with the Master Builders Association, specialising in upmarket

construction, mainly in the residential and commercial sectors. LA Developments Cape’s emphasis is on attention to detail, quality and delivery. The hands-on approach of its

professional management team together with the company’s highly skilled workforce ensure that LA Developments Cape is able to consistently produce and deliver buildings of

the highest standard, for which it is renowned.

ON SHOW

28 | May/June 2012

ON SHOW

Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects, +27 (0)21 417 4300

The red cedar floor-to-ceiling sliding timber shutters slide into cleverly built cavities within the walls of the home so that the central living node comprising the formal lounge, courtyard and informal family room, and beyond that the natural landscape, can be segmented to create privacy within this space. The shutters also have a protective function, not only from a security perspective, but also from a climatic one, protecting against the harsh wind and light. Red cedar timber was used, as it weathers well and adds to the beach house aesthetic.

At 370m2, the site of the home is relatively small, if you consider that it’s a four-bedroom, three-level family home with a floor area of 517m2. Darryl admits that the size of the site and the restrictive architectural guidelines of the development were the

biggest challenges on this project, but also the most rewarding. The guidelines were extensive, with some of the most important ones calling for architectural elements that create light and shadow on simple white walls with crisp edges, strongly defined forms in a cubist composition with horizontal and vertical lines, all-concrete roofs, a simple, solid timber front door, and indigenous landscaping.

Darryl understood the importance of the home’s remaining consistent with the West Coast look-and-feel of the development. He and the clients decided that it was best to enlist the construction company, LA Developments, which had already built eight of the remarkable homes on Waters Edge Estate.

Peter Bossenger of LA Developments Cape was the project contract manager. Although the house was

completed towards the end of last year, Peter regularly checks in with the owners to see if everything is okay. Darryl says, ‘Peter was amazing; he really gave his all to the project, as he loved the challenge. There was a good vibe between all parties involved, from myself and Diana to the clients to the interior team to Peter. We had the ideal clients; they were open to suggestions, but also very involved,’ says Darryl. He adds that from the get-go, the clients’ enthusiasm for their new home was ‘refreshing’. ‘I knew the husband from my school days and he read an article in The Property Magazine about our firm and decided to get hold of me. He and his wife brought us and our interior team, from our sister company, Cori Quinton Interiors, into their former home in Rondebosch for us to get an understanding of their lifestyle and the

Joos Joiners, +27 (0)21 949 1776 Cori Quinton Interiors, +27 (0)21 417 4300

Stable Marketing, +27 (0)21 593 5540


things that were important to them that they wanted to retain. It really aided us in creating their dream home.’

The husband is an avid kitesurfer and he and his wife were emphatic that their new home encourage their beach-and-surf lifestyle. This motif runs throughout the home and reaches an apex of luxury in the main bedroom on the first floor.

The bedroom isn’t large by an means, but two adjoining perpendicular sliding glass walls look out directly over the sea and fellow kitesurfers and you get the feeling that Robben Island is right there in the bedroom with you. At the foot of the bed is a freestanding bath from where you can watch the seascape unfold. The glass walls open up onto a tanning deck. This was built in adherence with an estate rule that disallows the front- row houses from blocking the views of the houses behind it;

Stable Marketing, +27 (0)21 593 5540

This spread, top left This superb home was designed by Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects. Bold

and simple white forms are complemented by red cedar cladding and screens to provide sun control and

privacy. Crisp edges are softened with planters, while steel edge beams add definition to the detailing.

These elements reduce the massing of this home, while providing warmth and interest to the streetscape.

Top centre and above Stable Marketing, founded in 1984, specialises in high-end products for all timber

work and decor, including spruce structural beams, solid and engineered wood flooring, decking, cladding,

sealer and maintenance products, Siegenia lift-and-sliding mechanisms, Leifheit cleaning products, infrared

heating panels and African sculpture. The first image shows a custom-designed Western red cedar pergola

and a Brazilian walnut decking with concealed stainless steel screws and custom tint oiled oak floors.

The second image shows custom-tint oiled floating oak treads secured to the wall with a steel support

structure. Centre Cori Quinton Interiors undertakes the full spectrum of interior design and decorating for

high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects. For this project, Cori Quinton Interiors installed

predominantly custom-made furniture and also refurbished several pieces of sentimental value to the

client. Window treatments, soft furniture and accessories were designed and sourced to fashion a cohesive

interior, creating a contemporary, comfortable beach house. Centre left Joos Joiners was responsible for the

majority of the joinery on this project, including modern high gloss combined with some dark wood sections

of the kitchen.

ON SHOW

30 | May/June 2012

ON SHOW

Professionals List …

Arthur Quinton Darryl Croome Architects – Architects

+27 (0)21 417 4300, [email protected], aqdcarchitects.com

Cori Quinton Interiors – Interior Design and Decorating

+27 (0)21 417 4300, [email protected], aqdcarchitects.com

Joos Joiners – Joinery

+27 (0)21 949 1776, [email protected], joos.co.za

LA Developments Cape – Construction

+27 (0)21 553 3617, [email protected], ladevelopments.co.za

Stable Marketing – Decking and Timber Work

+27 (0)21 593 5540, [email protected], stablemarketing.co.za

the courtyard allows the neighbours a clear view of the ocean. There is a built-up ladder from the tanning courtyard to the home’s flat roof, allowing the client to check out the waves every morning.

The interior palette was informed by a sense of calm, with grey and cool colours dominating. Cori Quinton, director at Cori Quinton Interiors, and her colleague, Sean Rice, project interior designer for this home, drew inspiration from the surrounding environment and the outdoor beach lifestyle that’s so important to the clients. ‘Being a beach house and a family home, the interiors had to acknowledge its surroundings, match the lifestyle of its occupants and compliment the architecture. The project also involved furniture which was predominantly custom designed and manufactured for the specific nature of this project as well as refurbishing a limited number of furniture pieces which had significant sentimental value to the client,’ says Cori. Both Darryl and the interiors team feel that the ease of flow in the house was translated into the dynamics between the team members. ‘We communicated and understood each other exceptionally well and the result is more than pleasing to us and the clients,’ says Darryl. It all goes to show how effective a certain amount of transparency can be when creating a dream home by the sea.

DESIGN


Top right Offi ce space at Promise Brand Specialists. Centre Aspiring

designers at OFyt’s studio. Bottom right Reception area at King

James Group.

CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITALCREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL CREATIVE CAPITAL Creative capital CREATIVE CAPITAL

Words Genevieve FisherPhotographs Supplied

If all corporate environments were to take a leaf out of the advertising industry’s decor and design book, then you’d fi nd your days at the offi ce much more inspiring

DESIGN

CREATIVE CAPITAL

A dvertising is big business. It is

also big on creativity, and in all

instances this fl air for the creative

fi lters through into the places

these agencies call home. Here we bring you

the inside story of how two agencies, one an

industry heavyweight, the other relatively

young, but destined for great things, have

managed to create spaces that refl ect their

respective cultures and values. We also feature

a new agency that has got a lot of heart and is

focused on skills development.

OOOOOKing James Group has some of the most provocative ads and campaigns behind its name, not to mention some blue-chip clients. But Group Creative Director

Alistair King says that for its � rst 14 years the group had been ‘camping’, because it did not own its own premises. Until now.

From the get-go it was Alistair’s and his partner, group managing director, James Barty’s, dream to one day own their own premises.

Four years ago, when visiting their auditing � rm, which was based at what was then Roodebloem Manor, a heritage property in Woodstock, Cape Town, dating back to the 1800s, Alistair had a jaw-dropping experience. ‘I couldn’t believe that such a property existed, tucked away amongst some very modest houses. The property was nothing short of spectacular. It was like driving into an oasis of impressive lawns, a stately manor house and an endearing washuisie. We told one of the partners there and then that they should speak to us should they ever want to sell, and they

laughed because it was the furthest thing from their minds at the time,’ says Alistair.

When entering the almost-150-year-old main building, the manor house, you can almost hear that laughter reverberating o� the walls, pressed ceilings and incredibly voluminous spaces. Alistair and James have created a space that houses all seven of the communications agencies falling under the King James Group umbrella, where the balance between creative thinking, sophistication, history and humour is � nely struck.

The group is one of the few independent agencies to have garnered exceptional credentials over the years, but as far as Alistair is concerned, owning this new o� ce space is one of the group’s proudest achievements. ‘It’s a profound feeling, owning our own o� ces. It’s one thing to own property as an investment, but it’s altogether another feeling to have one that feels like an essential ingredient to our company culture. We always felt a little out of character when we were in other buildings, and for the � rst time ever we now feel

that we’re in a place that mirrors our temperament and brings the right kind of energy to the creative process,’ he says.

And talking about ‘the right kind of energy’, Alistair believes there’s been a marked di� erence in the agency’s growth since it moved to the premises just over a year ago, as evident from the sparkling awards from 2011 scattered around the agency and the fact that the team is now 100-odd people strong. Alistair says that the manor house, its lawns and the old washuis, where the � rst Jersey cows in South Africa were milked (the agency has a book describing how this was done) and that today houses the agency’s café, all have a dignity about them. ‘We were immediately attracted to it because it’s strong and substantial, and I guess that’s what we strive to be as a company,’ he says.

The innate dignity of the property comes from its deep historical roots, made tangible by the 250-year-old � g tree rooted in the front lawn. With history come great stories, which anyone in advertising is tuned in to.

OWN IT!� e palatial Woodstock home of 2011’s Agency of the Year, King James Group, is as regal as they come

OWN IT!

DESIGN

32 | May/June 2012

XXXBuilt in the 1870s, Roodebloem Manor was

the home of the Van der Byl family. Fast forward a few decades to when the property was bought by Charles Boyd and converted to the swanky Lord Milner Hotel, named after the governor of Cape Town, who used to frequent the hotel with his ‘companions’. ‘We often wonder what conversations and mischief have taken place between these walls – and we’ll do our best to contribute to that,’ Alistair says, playfully.

With touches of the company’s statement colour, regal purple, accenting many of the communal rooms and o� ce nodes, as well as some interesting light features, one thing that you can’t help but notice is the bare walls, save for a few pieces in the front reception area. When the agency moved into the premises it became incredibly busy with clients and so the team decided to do the space up room by room as opposed to doing it all in one fell swoop, speci� cally, the main communal areas, such as the boardrooms, agency bar and front lounge, whose look and feel was coordinated by

James’ sister, Caroline Drummond-Hay, an interior stylist. In addition to sourcing the furniture and decor pieces, Caroline consulted with Upstart Ventures about specialist o� ce furniture. The result is rooms that are wonderfully warm, with interesting features and some unique pieces, such as the massive glass boardroom table that can be written on and washes o� easily.

The slow but steady process makes you believe in the virtue of patience. ‘For a company that looks after brand’s identities, we’re notoriously bad at looking after our own. We tend to let our brand evolve as people come and go. We also didn’t have the luxury of time to plan our space before we moved in, so we have started slowly, literally room by room. We made two decisions. The � rst was to be respectful of the building and not turn it into anything too � ashy. The second decision was not to � ll it with art that has no meaning to us personally’.

An ongoing project of the agency’s is based on its Remember Book, a collection of the agency’s memories that was compiled four years ago. The

project continues with the work produced by the creatives in the form of sketches, storyboards, concept animations and the like, currently being primed for placement on the walls and, in some instances, on desks and other surfaces. ‘We’re very big on memories,’ says Alistair. ‘We’ve decided that everything adorning the walls must come from our sta� or be part of our history. We want to be surrounded by the things that de� ne us and have made us who we are.’

With history playing such an integral part in the agency’s culture, it is no wonder that Alistair says ‘the stars were aligned’ when the team got the news that the property was up for sale. Reclining in his chair, he recalls, ‘The � rst time I walked into the building, I pointed at this space and said “That will be my o� ce!” The man sitting in it at the time, probably one of our auditing � rm’s partners, just looked at me as if to say, “Keep dreaming, stranger.”’ Alistair did just that, and now adorning his o� ce door is a golden plaque that reads: ‘His Lordship.’ +27 (0)21 469 1500, kingjames.co.za

Above left and inset The boardroom at King James Group; tongue-in-cheek pen holders in the shape of a sharpener rest on a boardroom

table that doubles as a ‘notepad’. Above The agency’s signature purple accents many of its offi ce areas, such as this communal chill pod.

Above right and inset The café is located in the repurposed old washuisie; several industry awards adorn the reception desk.

DESIGN


34 | May/June 2012

A key ingredient in creative professionals’ recipe for success is passion. When that wanes or is lost completely, it can be tragic. In some instances, however, as

Marc Watson and James Mo� att, executive creative director and managing director, respectively, of Promise Brand Specialists, discovered, it can also be the motivating force to take the plunge and improve on the recipe.

‘James and I got to a point where we were unhappy in our careers, and being in a creative industry it’s so important to love what you do – in our opinion, more so than in any other industry. We felt a strong need to be able to steer our own course and be a part of something that has meaning for us. It was for those reasons that Promise began to take shape in our minds,’ says Marc.

The starting point for Marc and James was to uncover the core values that they believed creative brand communications was about, and for them that meant trust, and keeping promises, promises that they as creatives make to clients and those that clients make to their consumers – a circle of trust formulated, respected and constantly encouraged between all three parties.

‘In the early stages of de� ning the kind of agency we wanted, we had a few inexperienced clients who had never been serviced creatively before. In helping them understand the process, we would discuss how the most important thing a brand communicates to a consumer is its promise – the thing that you should consistently expect from that brand,’ says Marc.

The name ‘Promise Brand Specialists’ emerged from this idea and today it also serve as a reminder of their great ambition: to keep the promises

they’ve made to themselves and ‘to create amazing things and maintain our love and respect for creativity’, says Marc.

Fate obviously appreciated this honourable code that Marc and James had set for themselves. Marc recalls standing in a queue at the bank, which looked onto the hip and happening Workshop development in Parktown North, a commercial node bursting with creative businesses, and telling James that that was the perfect location for their o� ces. Lo and behold, a couple of months later, they moved all their equipment from their dinning room table and were sitting in their new space, ‘a broom closet’, as Marc describes it. ‘We quickly grew out of that tiny premises and moved three times within the Workshop before � nding ourselves in the space we are in today,’ he says.

They enlisted the help of JP Beukes, interior architect at One Point Zero, to translate their ambition into their work environment. JP had worked on the venue for the previous tenant, and Marc and James believed that his understanding of the space was imperative to its transformation. The team wanted to retain the existing open-plan studio feel of the space, to encourage the sharing of knowledge, encourage everyone to get involved in adding value to their jobs, and to have people inspire one another. ‘Most agencies contain a lot of di� erent departments – client service, strategy, etc. We hate departments! They often have walls that separate them, in the � gurative and literal sense of the word. At Promise we try to facilitate the free � ow of ideas and conversation,’ says Marc. This � uidity of ideas and creative contributions by sta� members has been executed in the form of a 30m-long raw wood table that curves snake-like

throughout the space. Everyone sits at this table at his or her individual workspace.

Something else that Marc and James wanted the space to be was a refuge for their clients. Marc says, ‘I told JP that when our clients visited we wanted to make them feel like part of the studio and involved in the process of steering their brands. Part of our ethos is getting our clients actively involved at the relevant stages of the creative process. This has been successful in business terms as well, in that from time to time our clients will work out of our o� ce when they need an escape from their own. It’s a good feeling, knowing that we’ve created a welcoming, happy place where we get a little work done too!’

The result of all the thought that has gone into the space to have it tie in with the group’s values is a remarkably chic and contemporary industrial space that’s warm and loaded with personality.

‘In an industry where we try so hard to distil ideas into their purest form, it was crucial that we approach our space in the same way,’ Marc explains. ‘It’s important that the most relevant and functional parts of the space come forward and everything that is super� uous recedes. The central work areas are � nished in light raw woods, with the eye-popping yellow bulkhead above being the focal point and drawing your attention to the most relevant part of the space.’

Although Promise Brand Specialists is a small-to-medium size agency, we’re sure that by remaining dedicated to its staunch vision, it will in no time probably have to move again, to bigger premises, where more promises will be made, and more importantly, will be kept with unwavering passion. +27 (0)11 442 2612,

promisebrand.co.za

DESIGN

Promise Brand Specialists of Parktown North in Jozi keeps its promises, not only to its clients, but also to itself, as its premises refl ect

PROMISESWHERE


DESIGNDESIGN

Clockwise from top left A communal desk helps break down departmental

barriers and lets the creativity fl ow; a comfy, quiet alcove overlooks

Parktown; a chill lounge fl anks the workspace; a designer Smeg fridge is

right at home in Promise Brand Specialist’s modern offi ce; a bonsai tree

enhances the tranquillity of this offi ce space.P

ho

tog

rap

hs

Ro

ela

nd

Sm

ith

Advertising is an interesting beast. Not only is it a global, multi-billion-dollar industry, but also, out of all the multi-billion-anything industries, it is the

one where creative capital is the most treasured commodity. As with any money-spinning industry, accessibility is dependent on high- level skill sets. And we in South Africa are all too familiar with the story of such skill sets being a historically exclusive domain, particularly in a creative and specialised � eld such as advertising.

The founders of OFyt, Gary Leih, Jono Shubitz and Paul Newman, stalwarts of SA’s advertising industry, recognise this. ‘We don’t believe it’s possible for anyone to live in South Africa and be in business here and yet be immune to the serious debates and con� icts that bubble and occasionally rage around inequality, transformation and discrimination. Unless you’re an ostrich, perhaps. We believe that action is needed now, in every way,’ says Gary.

The name OFyt stands for ‘Old Friends Young Talent’, which re� ects the agency’s business model, namely, to encourage and nurture young talent through the expertise that each of the founders and friends has gained during their

extensive careers in advertising. Gary is the former CEO of Ogilvy Group UK and an Ogilvy Worldwide board director. Jono is a former Creative Directors’ Forum chairman and Loeries Awards judge. Paul Newman is a former banker turned airline industry marketer. ‘Our operational model is to gather together passionate young talent, which is predominately, but not exclusively, historically disadvantaged, and put it together with experienced old hands – ourselves,’ says Jono. ‘What we’re doing at OFyt may seem like a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but we believe that every step is a worthwhile step. This step will help build experience and momentum in our industry for those who have not had easy access to the industry until now.’

In addition to the three old friends, OFyt comprises 10 permanent sta� members and 8 young graduates in the � elds of marketing, graphic design and other industry-related � elds. Their backgrounds and contexts di� er vastly. Some of them are from Gugulethu, some are from Langa and others are from the Southern Suburbs and other areas around Cape Town. There are even sta� members from Port Elizabeth. The common thread is the desire to learn, to

experience and to whip out some fresh, original and indigenous work, says Gary. Paul adds, ‘Our young team members are tasked with more than just creating locally relevant work. They also gather intelligence and insights where they live – in townships, the city and the suburbs. In this way they are both a creative resource and an insight factory for our clients.’

Another ‘old friend’ is the premises. OFyt occupies the ground � oor of Muizenberg’s Old Post O� ce building, built in 1932. The ‘young talent’ in this sense is the warm and trendy open-plan interior of dark wood, interesting and colourful wall treatments and red-brick. The extended balcony overlooks Muizenberg beach and a row of surfboards stands waxed and ready should anyone at OFyt wish to hit the waves.

Muizenberg is an appropriate place for a � edgling and unique agency: quite o� the radar, scenic and, says Gary, ripe with potential. ‘When one looks at trends in urban redevelopment all over the world, including the Woodstock example of the Biscuit Mill precinct redevelopment, when the advertising and design industries move in, things really start to happen.’ +27 (0)21 709 0290, ofcomms.com

A new agency in Muizenberg, Cape Town, is fi lling a gaping hole in the local advertising industry – accessibility and skills development

DESIGN

36 | May/June 2012

TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap TAKING THE GAP Taking the gap

Top right OFyt has the head lease on the well-known Old Post Offi ce building in Muizenberg, where old industry hands nurture talented

creatives from various backgrounds. Centre The colourful interiors of OFyt’s offi ce space strikes a balance between the need for

industriousness and the need for relaxation.


ASK THE EXPERTS

HELPDESK

Photographs Nic BaletaLocation Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

Photographs Nic BaletaLocation Fairlawns

Expert advice on setting up a productive workspace

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Tell us about your company.

Inspiration Offi ce is the leader

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offi ces in Johannesburg and

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from bespoke, value-driven,

environmentally friendly, locally

produced pieces to award-

winning international brands.

What are the latest trends in

offi ce spaces?

Because of new technology and

innovative business services,

the modern workplace is in

transition. The strong emphasis

on teamwork means there’s

an increase in the number of

collaborative spaces. Integration

of technology is key, allowing

workers to operate with

greater fl exibility and freedom.

Ergonomics and environmental

issues remain paramount.

Your top product solution?

A solution should be fi t for

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Irini Karpathakis, Business Development Manager

38 | May/June 2012

DESIGN PROFILE

� e Creative Axis puts a new spin on architecture, as its expansive portfolio of public works showsWords Tammy SuthernsProfi le photographs Michael GlenisterProject photographs courtesy of The Creative Axis

Looking at some of the marvellous structures that the Creative Axis has designed, it is di� cult for me to imagine the architectural company’s humble

beginnings in Lenasia, Johannesburg South, when it had just one director and a couple of sta� members. But the core mission of the company has resulted in a bursting portfolio.

For example, the Civitas Building in Pretoria, which houses the National Department of Health, has been converted by the Creative Axis to a veritable tourist attraction with an impressive, slick glass facade. The � rm’s work on the Innovation Hub in Pretoria portrays its founding principles of innovation and sustainability, while its Parks Station project shows how creativity and passion can be made to meet functional design.

For Anil Parshotam and Bhavik Ranchod, architecture is weaved into the very fabric of their identities. Anil studied civil engineering at Wits University but realised very quickly that it wasn’t for him. He went to work for an architect for a year and then returned to university to complete a degree, which forged his path in the industry and eventually landed him the position of director at the Creative Axis (previously branded Naren Mistry Architects). He worked on projects throughout his degree and after his graduation, learning as much as possible about the industry. Bhavik, who was recently made partner at the Creative Axis, always knew that he wanted to be an architect, having been passionate about graphic design, art and buildings when he was a child. He says, ‘Architecture is art and engineering combined. I joined the Creative Axis four years ago

and never looked back.’ Both men have overseas work experience that provided di� erent dimensions to their � eld. Anil worked in Australia for three years and recommends it for any young architect: ‘In Australia I worked on fairly large projects and everything that I learnt there, I was able to apply here. It changed my perception.’

The Creative Axis makes sure to keep abreast with technological advances in the � eld of architecture. Bhavik says, ‘When I started studying, we used hand drawings and we were still trained to hand draw. But as time went on, we got onto computers with 3D modelling. Technology now plays a big part in making the client understand the design.’ Today, thanks to Building Information Modelling, 3D software and computers, they are able to model a building in full and see every aspect of it, says Anil. ‘It gives the

This page View of the Park Station Gautrain access link.

of excellenceA IS

DESIGN profIlE

This page, clockwise from top left Enterprise Building entrance from the public square at the Innovation Hub; glazing detail at the Innovation Hub; Anil Parshotam,

director at The Creative Axis; suspended gatehouse structure at the Innovation Hub; interior view of the foyer at the Civitas Building; view of the exterior glazing facade at

the Civitas Building.


DESIGN ProfIlE

architect an opportunity to spend more time detailing the building, which will give you a better product.’ Anil adds that client communications have improved considerably now that clients can properly visualise the end product. The new technology also allows the architects to see how a building will respond to its environment and gives them greater opportunity to improve the building’s sustainability.

Although ‘green building’ is a buzzword in the industry at the moment, it has always been a core and founding principle of the Creative Axis. Bhavik says, ‘The principles of architecture from way back are based on what you build around your environment and on making sure that your building is adapted to the environment. At the Creative Axis, when we start designing a building, we consider those principles.’ Anil adds that technology allows architects access to research that shows the benefits of sustainable building, such as reduced water consumption. Anil says, ‘Sustainability is very important, both in terms of the longevity of the building and the long-term maintenance costs and operational costs. It’s great to design fantastic buildings, but, essentially, when you walk away from the building, you need to look at how the materials perform, how durable the materials are and the operating costs.’

Pretoria’s Innovation Hub, Africa’s first internationally accredited science park, shows just what the Creative Axis team is capable of. Created in a joint venture with M-Architects, the Innovation Hub contributes to the economy through the commercialisation of technology and development of technological capacity, entrepreneurial ability and intellectual capital. The design of the Innovation Hub building includes basement parking for 420 vehicles, the Innovation Centre and multi-tenant buildings separated by a large open piazza for gatherings and

outdoor conferencing. Anil says, ‘It was about making an iconic tourist attraction, to a certain extent, where people could look up to the skyline and see a building that was different from all of the others.’

The building is spacious and high-tech in its design, with red face-brick, glass and aluminium balustrades and steel staircases.

No challenge is too big for the Creative Axis family, who now have offices across South Africa and are expanding into the rest of Africa as well as to Brazil. Anil says, ‘I don’t see any request as strange; I take it as a challenge. It is part of an architect’s responsibility to be daring.’ One of the company’s most challenging projects was the upgrade of Loftus Versfeld Stadium, originally designed in the 1970s, to make it Fifa compliant. Anil says, ‘We were trying to build in areas where spectators were using the building and we were trying to work with a minimum budget. What was also quite a challenge was trying to work on a stadium that is landlocked by a very dense city fabric. We were able to pull that off successfully.’

It is these challenges that keep Anil on the edge of his architectural seat and ready to dive into the next project. He says, ‘What excites me is being able to design a building and explore challenging ways of putting something together. There is always a new solution. Looking at that solution, working it into the building and then building it and then going back to the building three years later and seeing how people are using the space and how the building has responded to the users is a process that we follow.’ For Bhavik, it’s his personal sense of accomplishment that gets him out of bed in the morning. He says, ‘It’s the feedback that you get from clients, when you’re in tune with what they want and you give them something better. It gives you that edge.’ +27 (0)11 854 5922, creativeaxis.co.za

40 | May/June 2012

Top right Bhavik Ranchod, partner at The Creative Axis.

Left, above centre and bottom right Atrium glazing at

88 Grayston Drive; entrance foyer at 88 Grayston Drive.

Below left, top to bottom View of the main facade at 88

Grayston Drive; view of the Park Station Gautrain access link;

interior view of the new Park Station north concourse that is

currently under construction.


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LIVING IN

42 | May/June 2012

DURBANVILLE

Durbanville was originally intended as farmland, but in 1825 a group of farmers from Tygerberg asked Lord Charles Somerset, the district governor,

for permission to build a church there. The Dutch Reformed Church that was built in 1826 is a national monument today – you’ll � nd it on Weyers Avenue. A small village began to develop between the church and the local outspan, Pampoenkraal. In 1836 the residents of Pampoenkraal petitioned the governor, Sir Benjamin D’Urban, to rename it Village D’Urban. With permission granted, the new name thrived until 1886, when it was changed to Durbanville, to avoid confusion with KwaZulu-Natal’s Durban.

In the 1870s, Durbanville became the Magisterial District of Bellville and was home to a jail and courthouse that still stands today at the Rust-en-Vrede arts and culture complex, another national monument. Since its earliest days, the name ‘Durbanville’ has also been synonymous with industrial development, an association that began with the King Brothers Wagon Works in the 19th century.

Another industry close to Durbanville’s heart is winemaking. Durbanville is home to a number of reputable wine estates, including Durbanville Hills, which covers a number of estates cultivated from a relationship between Distell and nine leading vineyard owners from the Durbanville district. Durbanville Hills

was created to mark the ward as a prime wine-growing location. It is one of the two coolest wine regions in the Cape, thanks to the sea breeze that drifts inland from Table Bay and False Bay. This climate aids in the slow ripening of the region’s grapes, resulting in wines with fully developed � avour. Under the Biodiversity Wine Initiative (BWI) umbrella, the members of Durbanville Hills also actively protect their collective 210ha of endangered Renosterveld farmland.

Nitída is the smallest wine estate in the region and is known for its handmade wines. It is named after the Nitída protea, or waboom, said to have been used by the Voortrekkers for building wagon wheels as well as for making medicine and ink.

TAKE A SIP

Take time out to travel the hilly Durbanville Wine Route. Many of the estates have their own restaurant for you to enjoy a spot of lunch with

your tipple. If you’ve had your fi ll of wine farms but still want to enjoy the fresh air, then visit the 3,5ha Durbanville Rose Garden, which features

500 rose varietals and 4 500 rose bushes. Another popular attraction is the national monument, Onze Molen. Erected in 1840 and restored in

the 1970s, Onze Molen is one of just two tower mills in the Malmesbury district.

The Tyger Valley Waterfront and Tyger Valley Shopping Centre are popular shopping destinations. For some culture with your retail therapy,

visit Willowbridge Shopping Centre, which is home to a Barnyard Theatre.

Durbanville also offers plenty of restaurants, a thriving nightlife along Edward Street, and a good selection of guesthouses.

DURBANVILLEDURBANVILLE

From wagon wheels to wine, we look at the history that rolls amid the hills of Durbanville and explore the vibrant suburb it has become

Words Catherine RileyPhotographs Supplieddelights

LIVING IN


WHAT THE AGENTS SAYJoe van Rooyen, licensee for Seeff

Durbanville, and Annien Borg, MD of

Pam Golding Boland and Overberg, tell

us why Durbanville is the place to be.

Q What makes Durbanville so appealing?JVR: Over the past few years, many of

my clients have relocated to Durbanville

from the Southern Suburbs. Durbanville

offers less congestion and a better

return on investment. There are sought

after schools in the area, such as Curro

Durbanville Private School, Gene Louw

Primary and Chesterhouse School as

well as the SNAP school, a special needs

school for autistic children. Durbanville

still has a rural feel, allowing residents

and visitors to get away from the hustle

and bustle, and there are also plenty of

sought after residential security estates

in the area.

AB: Buyers want to eat, shop, work

and play within close proximity to their

homes and the Northern Suburbs offers

that. The relaxed lifestyle, better security

and immense natural beauty of the area

are also compelling factors.

Q Who are the main buyers in Durbanville?AB: The biggest activity is seen in the

age group of under-30. The number of

buyers in this age group was 73% up on

the previous fi nancial year, indicating

a surge in fi rst-time buyers entering

the region. Buyers included a lot of

young families buying into secure

developments. Western Cape buyers

account for 70% of the sales and the

second-largest group of buyers is from

Gauteng. There are some foreigners

too. Cash buyers continue to dominate

the market.

Q Are there work opportunities in Durbanville?JVR: Yes. Durbanville is an active

town and has a good percentage of

passing trade.

Q Is Durbanville predominantly a residential, commercial or mixed-use area?JVR: It is mostly residential, although

central Durbanville has become

mainly commercial.With thanks to …

Durbanville Hills, +27 (0)21 558 1300, durbanvillehills.co.za

Nitída Wine Estate, +27 (0)21 976 1467, nitida.co.za

Pam Golding Properties Durbanville, +27 (0)21 851 2633, pamgolding.co.za

Seeff Durbanville, +27 (0)21 975 5290, seeff.com

Above and bottom right Views of the Durbanville Hills cellars and vineyards. Centre right

Nitída Wine Estate. Bottom left Hillcrest Estate, a boutique winery tucked away in the

Tygerberg Hills, is also famous for its delicious olives.

The chic Upper Eastside Hotel restaurant o�ers an extensive à la carte menu and all-day dining in a discreetly glamorous atmosphere. Executive chef Simon Kemp is well known for his fusion-style menu, but is also a master at the traditional – his handmade burgers are legendary.

Come and join us for a fabulous meal.

Brickfield Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town


Guest list

Danie Antill Louis Group International, Melanie Coetzee Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes, Donovan Dalton GoIndustry DoveBid, Lucia Davadoss

Hout Bay Manor, Chantell Engelbrecht Media Nova, Kim Faclier GoIndustry DoveBid, Tony Galetti Galetti Commercial & Industrial, Frank Gormley

EuroCape, Carrie Houba Broll Property Group, Michèle Jones The Property Magazine, Jason Lee Rawson Commercial, Adriaan Mentz Stauch

Vorster Architects, Tharien Nel The Property Magazine, Catherine Riley The Property Magazine, Dave Russell Baker Street Properties, Tom Scott

The Private Offi ce of Pam Golding Properties, Sanett Uys Broll Property Group, Terence van der Walt Siris Vinters, Tony Vaughan Media Nova.

Pure restaurant was the ideal location for our Commercial Property Dinner. The atmosphere was just that – pure and relaxed. The spacious restaurant’s

ambience was peaceful and the eclectic decor, in cool hues of grey, was simply gorgeous.

Tom Scott, head of Pam Golding Properties’ Private O� ce, had nothing but praise for Hout Bay Manor GM, Lucia Davadoss. ‘Lucia and her team have created something special and attractive for both international and local clientele,’ he said. ‘The service and food at Pure is excellent.’

Kim Faclier, MD at international online auction group GoIndustry DoveBid’s Property Africa division, loves anything that speaks to SA’s heritage, and remarked how pleased she was that the historical Hout Bay Manor had been restored to its former glory.

Still on matters cultural, EuroCape’s Frank Gormley shared an Irish anecdote before telling us about the not-for-pro� t Rainbow Academy of Music, Culture, Arts and Tourism he’s co-founded.

Terence van der Walt of Siris Vintners joined us at the table to explain the pairings of the various courses with the excellent wines from Durbanville’s Nitída Wine Farm. Armed with this information, we could settle in to enjoy the dinner and discuss the latest developments on the commercial property front.

Danie Antill, head of operations and new business at Louis Group, started things o� on a positive note, describing SA as the ‘heartbeat of the continent’. ‘The potential of our country, and the Western Cape speci� cally, is enormous. The decay of certain areas in the Joburg CBD is a prime example of what can happen if there are no improvements or upgrades

within a city. Cape Town’s advantage is that we have a booming tourist industry and it is imperative that we as property owners keep our hands on our buildings and remain vigilant to source new ways to keep the CBD as clean and vibrant as possible.’

Broll’s Sanett Uys agreed: ‘Cape Town is a fabulous place and the next decade will see it converting itself again to something better than before.’ Sanett added that the property market is improving. ‘In general, we are seeing some increase in activity and the enquiries for space in certain markets remains high.’

Jason Lee, national head of Rawson Commercial and best-selling author of Making Money Out Of Property in South Africa and Fast Forward your Retirement through Property, con� rmed and that there is a lot of movement on the rental side. Commenting on the new developments sprouting up in Cape Town’s CBD,

PROPERTY DINNER

Words Catherine Riley

Photographs Fiona Barclay Smith

� e Commercial Property Dinner held at Hout Bay Manor’s Pure restaurant served up a generous helping of positive industry news

Words Catherine Riley

Photographs Fiona Barclay Smith

� e Commercial Property Dinner held at Hout Bay Manor’s Pure restaurant served up a generous helping of positive industry news� e Commercial Property Dinner held at Hout Bay Manor’s Pure restaurant served up a generous helping of positive industry news� e Commercial Property Dinner held at Hout Bay Manor’s Pure

BLISSBLISSPURE

PROPERTY DINNER

46 | May/June 2012

Menu

Welcome drink

Nitída The Matriarch 2010 Méthode Cap Classique.

Starter

Prawn tian with cucumber and spring onion salsa.

Paired with Nitída Sauvignon Blanc 2011.

Amuse-bouche

Mojito sorbet.

Main

Grilled rib-eye with crunchy potato, truffled wild mushroom,

confit tomato and Calligraphy jus.

Paired with Nitída Calligraphy 2010.

Farmed salmon trout, gnocchi with asparagus, mange tout,

oyster mushrooms and dill crème fraiche.

Paired with Nitída Coronata 2010.

Dessert

Autumn Trio of Cointreau crème brûlée, spicy brandy ice

cream and chocolate torte.

Paired with Nitída Modjadji 2011.

Pure at Hout Bay Manor

Baviaanskloof, Off Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town.

+27 (0)21 790 0116, houtbaymanor.com

1

1Tom Scott 2Carrie Houba 3Lucia Davadoss 4Tony Vaughan 5Melanie

Coetzee 6Tony Galetti 7Danie Antill 8Donovan Dalton 9Sanett Uys 10Terrence van der Walt 11Kim Faclier 12Adriaan Mentz 13Dave Russell 14Jason Lee 15Frank Gormley

notably the Portside building and 22 Bree Street, Jason said, ‘I think there’s a good sentiment that comes with seeing cranes and buildings and people on site – it’s what the country needs.’

In Tony Galetti’s view, these buildings ‘will be good for keeping rental pricing in the Cape Town market competitive for a fair while’. The director of Galetti Commercial & Industrial told us that, thanks to his group, the brand-new 17 000m2 Sandown Centre in Parklands is almost 100% tenanted, and that the company has some exciting developments planned for Durban and Gauteng.

The number of new developments, said Baker Street Properties’ Dave Russell, reflects the market’s confidence in the city. ‘Major refurbishments of buildings, such as Newspaper House and Atlantic Centre, confirm the future of the city as a major commercial node. This will be complemented by the exciting new development plans for the V & A Waterfront, which will continue to integrate with the city in the future.’

Melanie Coetzee of law firm Smith Tabata Buchanan Boyes said commercial infrastructure always brings with it a sense of opportunity, but that developers have to consider the public’s needs, too. ‘New buildings in Cape Town must enhance our mountain’s natural beauty and not obstruct it, and development must be sustainable and not rushed,’ she said. Associate partner and urban designer at Stauch Vorster Architects, Adriaan Mentz, added: ‘Commercial architecture has many challenges in southern Africa and it is critical that commercial developers and design professionals take pride in their contribution to the public realm of the city.’

Cape Town’s commercial property greats, a tantalising menu, excellent wine and a grand venue amounted to an evening of pure pleasure.

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PROPERTY DINNER

3

Wine

‘Nitidus’ means bright, shiny, healthy, refi ned and cultured. Nitída Wines are named after the

Nitída Protea that grows in the Renosterveld area. Established by Bernhard Veller in 1995, Nitída

is the smallest wine farm in the Durbanville region and is the most consistently awarded boutique

wine cellar in South Africa. It was named Best Producer at the 2009 Michelangelo International

Wine Awards. Nitída takes pride in producing wines that are elegant without being insipid, bold

without being aggressive, high in quality and not over-wooded.

Nitída Cellars

Tygerbergvalley Road (R13), Durbanville, Cape Town. +27 (0)21 976 1467, nitida.co.za

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Ask the sellers who priced their properties correctly, chose the right agent and took all the essential measures to make sure their homes

were attractive to buyers, and they’ll join me in my response: the market’s good!

This doesn’t only have to do with the banks’ releasing their tight grip on bonds. I believe the market will continue to improve if we internalise just three monosyllables: know your worth. It’s a simple creed, but a profound one, and it applies to agents, sellers and buyers, equally. Agents need to understand the value they add so that they don’t compromise their worth. Sellers need to understand the value of their property and maximise its strongest features. And buyers need to feel that they’ve landed their dream home at a fair price. All three are achievable. Collectively, they are my de� nition of success in this exciting and ever- evolving industry.

Most people ask about the market because they’re trying to gauge whether their property will sell. How soon will it sell? Will it sell at the right price? What is the right price? You’ll be glad to know that the banks and the economy don’t have all the control in property sales today. Much depends on the seller’s

approach. One of the biggest mistakes many sellers make is overpricing the property. Overpriced homes will sit on the market for far too long, will not be attractive to buyers and will cause the seller a lot of angst. Eventually, the seller will have to reduce the price, which will often be much lower than the price it would have been had the home been priced correctly from the start. If sellers understand the value of their home and are proactive in optimising its strengths, the property will sell. Quickly.

Selling a home successfully means giving the right agent the right mandate at the right time. I realise it’s not that simple. Selling one’s home is, for the vast majority of homeowners, a highly emotional decision. Both psychologically and � nancially, we invest an enormous amount in our homes. Hearing that the price you want is neither reasonable nor possible can be disheartening. A good agent will remain abreast of all new trends and changes in the industry (such as current bank criteria), educate and support the seller, strive for the right price and keep clients informed about how they can get involved.

While the right price may depend on factors beyond everyone’s control, there is one important process in which the seller should be fully engaged:

dressing a home for sale. As a woman in real estate, I’ve learned that dressing for success doesn’t just apply to my wardrobe. Here are my two top tips. One is in direct accordance with my wardrobe rules, and the other is … not. First, the � ner details go an awfully long way to creating a powerful � rst impression. Second, leave very little to the imagination. In other words, don’t force potential buyers to imagine what the house would look like if the pool were blue and clear or the garden green and tidy.

As real estate professionals, nothing we do is a perfect science. If it were, most of us wouldn’t do it as well or love it as much. But there are certain patterns that seem to emerge every time, no matter the state of the market or the size of the property.

In over two decades in this business, I’ve learned that there is a recipe for everyone walking away happy, and it works in threes: sellers, buyers and agents need to internalise the value that each of them adds to a successful sale.

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GUEST EDITOR

Adrienne Hersch

residential & commercial

After 21 years in real estate, there’s one question I’m asked constantly: how’s the market?

The Rule of Three

Adrienne Hersch,

CEO Adrienne Hersch Properties

50 | May/June 2012

RESIDENTIAL Real Estate

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Down by the riverBuilding has begun at Brandwacht Aan Rivier, a secure lifestyle

development launched by Pam Golding Properties in 2010. Of the

120 erven, over 100 were sold soon after launch, and transfer took

place in November last year. Since then, some of the erven have

been resold for profi t, and now just eight erven remain available for

purchase. These range from 628m2 to 999m2 in size, are located above

a dam and offer spectacular mountain views. They are priced from

R1,7 million to R2,75 million (inclusive of VAT). Brandwacht Aan Rivier

will feature pretty lawns, walkways and bridges and electric fencing.

+27 (0)21 887 1017, pamgolding.co.za

Cutting edgeThe northern suburb of Edgemead offers a lot of potential to

prospective buyers. Just 15km from the city centre and the airport,

it is one of several garden areas in South Africa recognised for its

attractive surroundings and its great range of properties, priced from

R800 000 to R3 million. Last year the average price for a freehold

property in Edgemead was R1,18 million and for a sectional scheme the

average was R726 000. These prices open up the market to fi rst-time

buyers. Peter Fourie, co-principal of Leapfrog Edgemead, says that

people like to live in the area and opt to buy new homes there. ‘We’re

seeing a defi nite increase in property sales values from 2010 to 2011

and we believe that the demand will increase as people look for a safe,

centrally located community to set up house in, which is exactly what

Edgemead offers,’ says Peter. +27 (0)21 559 7152, leapfrog.co.za

Clearing the wayThe Cape residential market is on the up and is showing signs of improvement,

but delays in the issuing of rates clearance certifi cates for the purposes of passing

transfer remain a hindrance to achieving the agreed-upon dates of registration

of the transfer of a property, says conveyancer Denver Vraagom of Gunston

Attorneys. Prior to the implementation of the new online rates clearance system

by the City of Cape Town last year, a rates clearance certifi cate ordinarily took

7 to 10 working days to be issued as opposed to the current time frame of 20 to

25 working days. But once the teething problems with the new system have

been worked out, the processing time should improve, says Denver. He adds,

‘Unfortunately, the delay associated with obtaining rates clearance certifi cates

has resulted in some sellers having to service their existing mortgage bonds

for longer than anticipated. In other instances, sellers have had to service their

existing mortgage bond as well as pay occupational rent in transactions where

the seller has sold a property and simultaneously purchased a new property and

has had to take occupation of the new property prior to the registration of both

transfers.’ On a positive note, says Denver, an unchanged interest rate coupled

with the more fl exible lending criteria of SA’s banks has enabled fi rst-time

homeowners to make a steady re-emergence in the property market. These same

factors have also enabled property owners to exercise the option of registering

further mortgage bonds against their property to fi nance improvements to their

homes or to fi nance the acquisition of other assets. Denver adds that the Cape

Town Deeds Offi ce is operating effi ciently and taking just seven to eight working

days to process the examination of transactions lodged with it.

+27 (0)21 702 7763, gunstons.com

In this market, you cannot aff ord to lose sight of what’s important – service delivery and

constant feedback to buyers and sellers– Adrienne Hersch, CEO Adrienne Hersch Properties


COMMERCIAL Real Estate

Law of the landA 9 000m2, 19-storey commercial and retail development is being

built on the corner of Bree and Prestwich streets in the CBD.

Property developer Abland, whose new offices will be in the space,

is behind the project. Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys is the main tenant

and will take up eight floors of the building. The ground floor will

house retail stores, eight floors will be allocated to parking and

the remaining 10 will be set aside as office space. Completion is

scheduled for the beginning of August 2013.

+27 (0)21 934 2074, abland.co.za

Ticking the boxesThe Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is to undergo

an expansion designed by three Capetonian architects: Piet Bekker

of Stauch Vorster Architects, Anya van der Merwe of Van der Merwe

Miszewski Architects and Mokena Makeka of Makeka Design Lab. The

current CTICC building holds a four-star green rating, and the expansion

is shooting for a six-star green rating. Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana,

managing director of the Cape Town Partnership, has welcomed the

news, saying that this is a tangible example of what can be achieved

through partnerships. She adds that the expansion shows confidence

in the city and that it will be economically significant. In line with Cape

Town’s World Design Capital 2014 status, the CTICC expansion will

become a flagship architectural project of the city, and will also aid in job

creation, with an anticipated 10 000 jobs to be created by 2018.

+27 (0)21 419 1881, capetownpartnership.co.za

View to a thrillA mixed-use sectional title complex is on the market in Montague

Gardens. The Gallery comprises 5 500m2 of office and retail space, as

well as an additional 2 400m2 space with showroom and warehouse

potential. Facing onto Koeberg Road, the complex has national tenants

already in place. The office and retail space is priced at R22 million and

the warehouse at R11,5 million. Guy de la Porte has sole mandate for the

Gallery. ‘These retail units are offering a 10,5% investment yield that will

appeal to a market where high-yielding properties are scarce,’ he says.

Guy says the Gallery’s design is flexible and would suit any wholesale,

retail or distribution business that requires high retail exposure.

+27 (0)21 527 0077, guydelaporte.co.za

School belleCentury City is to become home to a new school. Listed private

school company, Curro Holdings, will build the school, which is

scheduled to open in January 2013. Curro Century City will join the

group as the fifth school built by Curro Holdings in the Western Cape.

The premises will comprise a pre-school of 2 340m2 and a primary

school built in two phases, at 2 511m2/phase. The school will be built

on an erf of 17 282m2, which will also accommodate the school hall,

the administration building and a rugby/hockey field. Curro Group

aims to provide high-quality, affordable education.

+27 (0)21 979 1204, curro.co.za

52 | May/June 2012

1The main swimming pool at Palais Namaskar. 2–3Water features and lakes in the

hotel’s gardens. 4Handmade Murano chandeliers by Andromeda adorn the public

spaces of the hotel. Imaad Rahmouni was responsible for the hotel’s design. Wo

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Visit thepropertymag.co.za for more business

and leisure news from Africa.

Designed by Paris- and Marrakesh-based architect, Imaad Rahmouni, the recently opened Palais Namaskar is a gorgeous hotel set on 5ha of land between

Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and Djebilet Hills. Part of the Oetker Collection, Palais Namaskar comprises 41 exclusively designed villas and suites as well as a Pool Palace, Mountain Palace and Water Palace. It is set within fragrant, manicured, Balinese-style gardens, surrounded by lakes.

The hotel is contemporary oriental in its look, with feng shui principles woven into the interior design. Complementing the decor are bespoke, handmade light � xtures by luxury lighting design company, Andromeda Murano.

The Italian company’s aim was to create a magical place with reinterpreted modern taste and sensitivity and a unique mix of exquisite tradition and oriental fusions. The overall e� ect is simply breathtaking.

Some of the rooms o� er terraces, while others feature Jacuzzis and heated pools. There is also a spa o� ering guests pampering in the most elegant setting. Dining options include a restaurant, tea lounge and a bar.

Surrounded by golf courses, shopping centres and cultural hotspots, Palais Namaskar is only 30 minutes away from Marrakech-Menara Airport. +39 041 736 674, andromedamurano.it;

+212 (0)5 24 29 98 00, palaisnamaskar.com

Magic in Marrakech

� e fi ve-star Palais Namaskar luxury hotel is a decor feast

investment, real estate, news & leisure

Africa

1

2 3 4


Pyramid dreamThe prospects for Cairo’s real estate market are looking up,

according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s (JLL) Cairo Real Estate

Overview. Ayman Sami, head of JLL’s Egypt office says, ‘If the

country is able to address its political issues, then we are confident

that activity will return to the market relatively quickly, as demand

exists across a number of sectors.’ The economic stability of the

country is very much linked to the political situation and has had

a negative impact on the tourism industry and new investment

in Egypt, says Ayman. Despite this, JLL has noted potential

improvement in the Cairo real estate market, where there is

demand for between 5 000m2 and 15 000m2 of office space and

retailers continue to open new stores. Ayman says, ‘Investment

opportunities currently lie in the mid-market segment across

various sectors.’ +2 02 25777 836, joneslanglasalle.com

It’s raining accoladesThe hospitality industry is booming across Africa, and big congratulations

must go out to Rani Resorts, which won a host of awards at the World

Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean ceremony in Sharm el Sheikh,

Egypt. Among the awards that the hospitality group scooped was one

for the Leading Resort in Mozambique for its Indigo Bay Island Resort

and Spa, while Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa scored it the Leading

Hotel in Mozambique Award. Rani Resorts’ Stanley and Livingstone

at Victoria Falls earned it the Leading Hotel in Zimbabwe Award. And

Matemo Island Resort in Mozambique, the jewel in the group’s crown

of African hotels and resorts, was named the Leading Resort in Africa.

+258 21 301 618, raniresorts.com

Protea flourishing in AfricaProtea Hospitality Group will be driving US$130 million (about R1 billion) into Africa with the construction of 11 new hotels. The expansion, one

of the biggest in Africa by a hotel group, will bring to nine the number of African countries where Protea has hotels. The first hotel will be built

in Nigeria. Plans for hotels in Uganda and Zambia are in the pipeline. Protea Hospitality Group CEO Arthur Gillis says, ‘As political stability and

business opportunities increase, they create a greater need for the hotels.’ He adds that certain African countries are setting global economic

trends in terms of hospitality and that the change of traditional trading partners has resulted in growth for these countries. The new hotels in

Nigeria will include Protea Hotel Ibadan, Protea Hotel Select Emotan, Protea Hotel Select Ikeja, African Pride Avalon Hotel and Spa and Protea

Hotel Asaba. The new hotels in Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia are expected to create 1 000 new direct jobs in the hospitality industry in those

countries. 0861 11 9000, proteahotels.com

Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls

Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa

africa

Protea Hotel Lusaka

54 | May/June 2012

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Forming part of the luxury leisure group, Shamwari, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is situated between Montagu and Barrydale on the world-famous R62 and brings a

whole new meaning to camping. The reserve’s Explorer Camp o� ers the more

adventurous and active visitor a two-night outdoor tented bush camp along a shaded river line.

The experience centres on being on foot in one of South Africa’s largest private game reserves, where the potential to have a close encounter with many di� erent species of game is always a reality. The reserve is home to the Big Five, zebra, buck, gira� e

and other wildlife. The enchanting view extends for kilometres, and only the sound of the crickets chirruping in the grass is there to distract visitors from their game- viewing. Comprising 54 000ha of mountains, plains and indigenous � ora and fauna, the reserve o� ers a feeling of total isolation, a place where historic rock faces and caves are decorated with San paintings, and a variety of birdlife guards the skies.

The Explorer Camp is a tailor-made safari. The walking trails are chosen by guests, who are then assigned a quali� ed, armed guide. The trail walks can last up to four hours. There’s an optional game- viewing vehicle for specialist tracking needs,

allowing guests to travel further a� eld to explore other walking trails and see what game awaits them in di� erent parts of the reserve.

Guests select the spot on which to pitch camp. Accommodation comprises three mobile canvas tents kitted out with comfortable camping beds. Each tent sleeps two, has its own bathroom facilities and provides optimal privacy.

Meals are enjoyed under the stars, and guests need simply relax, put their feet up, and take in the magni� cent surroundings. The Explorer Camp operates from October to April. +27 (0)41 509 3000,

sanbona.com

Visit thepropertymag.co.za to discover other

fantastic getaways in South Africa.

1–3Sanbona Explore Camp allows guests to get back to a simpler way of life amid the

rugged natural splendour of the Karoo.

South Africa

1

Wide-openWide-openspaces

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve’s Explorer Camp off ers a succulent outdoor

Karoo experience

2 3


Bargain bayProperty sales along the southern coast of KwaZulu-

Natal are seeing both local and upcountry buyers

snapping up seaside property bargains. Deidre

Ronnenberg, owner of the Aïda Amanzimtoti

offi ce, says the biggest driver of this activity is

the proposed R100-billion upgrade of Durban’s

former international airport, which is just 11km from

Amanzimtoti. ‘The anticipated increase in local

property values as a result of this development,

plus the fact that the demand for long-term rentals

here is already increasing, is attracting a far greater

number of investment buyers, and many of them

are paying cash,’ says Deidre. The South Coast

fares well in terms of property values. For example,

a spacious two-bedroom beachfront fl at with

garage costs around R650 000. Further down the

coast, there’s strong demand for retirement homes.

An estimated 400 000 retirees reside between

Umkomaas and Port Edward. Homes in this area are

popular for purchase, either as an investment or to

accommodate new retirees.

+27 (0)31 916 4215, aida.co.za

Interest-on-Sea Homebuyers are showing increased interest in properties in the Eastern Cape town

of Kenton-on-Sea, particularly in the middle-income market. Older, well-priced,

well- maintained homes are seen as offering good value or as having that ready-to-

move-in feel. Pam Golding Properties Area Principal, Michael Wilmot, says homebuyers

are drawn to the tranquil coastal lifestyle and unspoilt environment, which is ideal

for young children. ‘We are seeing leisure buyers returning to the market, including

middle-income small families and young buyers and a younger generation of retirees,

mostly from Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Bloemfontein, and they are generally seeking

properties in the range of R1 million to R2,5 million,’ says Michael. The growing number

of young buyers includes parents who intend sending their children to private schools

in Grahamstown as well as parents whose children attend Rhodes University. Michael

says Kenton-on-Sea is a popular holiday destination with relatively crime-free streets

and a Blue Flag beach. +27 (0)46 648 1203, pamgolding.co.za

Waterfront livingPam Golding Properties is marketing Ambermere Estate, which is situated on 300ha of prime land right next to the confl uence of the Vaal and

Wilge rivers. There are 61 waterfront stands available, each a minimum of 2ha in size and with at least 100m of private waterfront. Plots are

priced from R750 000. Building regulations are strict, allowing future buyers two years to build on their plots, and only single-storey homes of a

maximum 600m2 in size. All services will be underground, ensuring no unsightly cables are seen, as architectural guidelines are geared towards

being sympathetic to the surroundings. In the last few years, more than 10 000 indigenous trees have been planted on the estate and the

waterfront areas have been improved, including the building up of embankments and the construction of two marinas. Residents will be able to

enjoy outdoor activities, including water sports and birdwatching. The estate is fully fenced and secure, in line with the reintroduction of game

into the area. +27 (0)16 371 1377, ambermereestate.co.za

Mall in the middleMiddelburg Mall has reopened after a R500 million refurbishment. Moolman Group

and Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment say the facelift came

about because of increased retail demand. Middelburg Mall is situated just off the

N4 in Mpumalanga. The made-over interiors now have modern fi nishes, higher

ceilings, new tiling, a fresh coat of paint and improved bathrooms. The mall has been

extended by 10 000m2 to 43 000m2, and there is still room for further expansion.

‘It could eventually exceed 55 000m2,’ says Patrick Flanagan. The mall includes

94 shops, and most of them are let. Tenants include major banks and cellular

companies. The anchor tenants are Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Game, Checkers and

Edgars. Included in the retail mix are Clicks, Musica, Mr Price and Truworths. Among

the mall’s chain restaurants are the household names Spur, Mugg & Bean, Wimpy,

McDonald’s and Debonairs. +27 (0)13 244 1404, middelburgmall.co.za

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.

As the largest magazine in South Africa, we’ve always believed that size matters.

So until Apple makes an iPad that is as large as our magazine, we’ve decided to squeeze our magazine into the space available – but

we’re also squeezing in all of our regional and national advertisers, together with all of our regional editorial content and more.

Each month we’ll be expanding several of our editorial features to bring you more than we ever could in print alone. There are also

brand-new, digital-only advertising opportunities for our advertisers.

So, with over 200 pages of The Property Magazine South Africa on your iPad, Samsung Galaxy or other tablet every month, we still

believe that size does matter!

The Property Magazine will still be available in hard copy each month as three separate regional editions, but with our new monthly

digital-only national edition, you can now see what your neighbours are up to, too!

The Zinio app is available for your iPad, your Samsung Galaxy and other tablets and also from www.zinio.com. Register with Zinio

for free and download 200 pages of The Property Magazine South Africa now!

Now live: � e Property Magazine South Africa a national digital-only edition of 200-plus pages from all our regional editions, plus much more …

SIZE MATTERS

Directory

Untitled-1 1 2/16/12 10:57:57 AM

VISUALIZE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS

PERSONALIZE AND DEVELOP YOUR BUILDING PLANS

RENOVATE POTENTIAL AREAS

CO-ORDINATE THE BUILDING PROCESS

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ESKOM RATES ARE GOING UP ANOTHER 16%!

Now you can rather pay up to 60% LESS by installing

a solar geyser or heat pump from Totally Solar and

have Eskom pay for some of it via their rebate.

It pays for itself in less than three years and thereafter

provides hot water for FREE. It works in all weather

conditions and can be fi tted out of sight. Phone for an

on-site assessment to evaluate the best solution for you

at a price that suits your budget. Eskom, SESSA and

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R o g e r 0 8 3 6 5 1 0 4 6 4 o r t o t a l l y s o l a r w c @ t i s c a l i . c o . z a V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e w w w . t o t a l l y s o l a r . c o . z a

To advertise in this space,

please contactAmanda Faas on

0861 765 833or e-mail

[email protected]

Propertydecor, trends, luxury, design & real estateWinner of 10 publishing awards

networking

62 | May/June 2012

To see who else we’ve featured in our Society pages, visit thepropertymag.co.za.

Email social photographs for consideration to [email protected].

The debut Val de Vie Five Nations Invitational Polo Classic, Val de Vie Estate, Paarl: 1Rosie Nixon, Kristin Kossi 2Roxy Louw, Warrick Gautier,

Shahnee Louw 3Lee-Anne Summers, Tiffany Marx 4David Sampson, Nonkosana Ndayi 5Melissa Twigg, Kate George-Weaver.

Living the high life in Cape Town and surroundsSociety

1

3 4 5

2


networking

6 7

8 9

10 11

Gap Inc. store launch at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre, Durbanville: 6Sabrina Low, Tanya Nefdt 7Liezel van der Westhuizen, Jasna Zellerhoff 8Richard Hardiman, Paul Snodgrass 9Matt Miller, Cayleigh Bright 10Roxanne Cloete, Clayton Morar 11Lorianne Cloete, Keshia Solomons.

Wo

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iley

TREND WATCH

For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no further than these accessories

BOOGIE ON DOWNThe Boogie Board Rip, available from Mantality, is both

environmentally friendly and seriously cool. Write down

or doodle down your ideas on this touch-sensitive tablet,

with the peace of mind that you can save your scribbles and

revert to them later. The Boogie Board Rip allows you to save

up to 100 pages and even lets you transfer your drawings,

lists and ideas to your Mac or PC. Nationwide delivery.

+27 (0)11 462 5482, mantality.co.za

COFFEE WHEN YOU CANThese Coffee Joulies, available from Mantality, are the

ultimate boardroom weapon, helping to keep your cuppa

joe warm throughout long meetings. Should you need

a jump-start sip immediately, these smart beans help

with that, too! Sealed within each stainless steel bean

is a phase change material (PCM) that melts at around

60°C and draws the heat out of boiling hot coffee,

changing it to a more drinkable temperature. The PCM

also slowly releases the heat its absorbed, keeping your

coffee warm for longer. Mantality delivers to all major

cities in South Africa. Bottoms up! +27 (0)11 462 5482,

mantality.co.za

These Coffee Joulies, available from Mantality, are the

ultimate boardroom weapon, helping to keep your cuppa

joe warm throughout long meetings. Should you need

a jump-start sip immediately, these smart beans help

with that, too! Sealed within each stainless steel bean

is a phase change material (PCM) that melts at around

60°C and draws the heat out of boiling hot coffee,

changing it to a more drinkable temperature. The PCM

also slowly releases the heat its absorbed, keeping your

coffee warm for longer. Mantality delivers to all major

cities in South Africa. Bottoms up! cities in South Africa. Bottoms up!

mantality.co.za

CALCULATING IN COLOURBrighten up doing your calculations with this range of cute Casio

calculators from Offi ce National. Choose from a variety of cool

colours. Available from Offi ce National outlets nationwide.

+27 (0)11 704 0056, on24.co.za

ZOOM INFrom the Lighting Warehouse comes a new

range of desk and fl oor lamps, including this

Magnifi er Clamp Light in white. The lamp

effortlessly clips onto your desk and has the

bonus of a built-in magnifying glass. Available

from Lighting Warehouse outlets nationwide.

0861 5444 8464, lightingwarehouse.co.za

TREND WATCH

For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no further than these accessories

For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no

ZOOM IN ZOOM INFrom the Lighting Warehouse comes a new

range of desk and fl oor lamps, including this

Magnifi er Clamp Light in white. The lamp

effortlessly clips onto your desk and has the

bonus of a built-in magnifying glass. Available

from Lighting Warehouse outlets nationwide.

0861 5444 8464, lightingwarehouse.co.za

For a cool and technologically trendy addition to your offi ce space, look no GETTING IT RIGHT

The Livescribe Echo Smart Pen is a must-have for the

offi ce stationery box. This multipurpose pen records

everything that its writer hears and writes. For quick

and accurate access to all recorded information,

simply tap on your written notes. It has a built-in

micro USB connector (useful for transferring notes to

your computer) as well as a jack for headphones and

a speaker for playback. With two memory options

available, 4GB (400 hours) or 8GB (800 hours),

the Echo Smart Pen never misses a beat. Available

nationwide from The Gadget Shop. +27 (0)11 792 4912,

thegadgetshop.co.za

64 | May/June 2012

4412 Property CT May.indd 1 2012/04/21 8:35 PM

Built-in sound control

0860 27 28 29 www.gyproc.co.za

With Gyproc’s new high performance SoundBloc, you can create a world where patients heal and doctors can hear themselves think. A world where kids can learn and teachers can teach. A world where business travellers are guaranteed a good night’s sleep and holiday goers can go on partying till dawn. Sounds good, doesn’t it.

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Documents

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