Cape Town’s beach apartments are still on the “most desired” property list with a number of these selling above R20 million to as much as R42.5 million in Mouille Point, and a record price of R53.8 million in Bantry Bay.
Despite the overall weaker Cape property market, this property class remains a hot favourite and provided sellers hit the market in the right price ranges, they can still achieve an excellent sale, according to Seeff’s agents.
Cape Town’s apartment market generated over R6 billion in value last year, according to Propstats and Lightstone data, with more than half of that value coming from the coastal suburbs - especially the Atlantic Seaboard which generated some R830 million in super-luxury R20 million-plus apartment sales, says Ian Slot, Seeff MD for the area.
These top-end sales have been mostly in Clifton, Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Mouille Point and the Waterfront. Apartment sales are also faring much better than freehold houses, having generated over R1.12 billion in value for this year to end May 2018, twice as much as that of the freehold sales, says Slot.
Adrian Mauerberger and Cecily Sher, agents for the luxury sectional title sector have, for example, sold R125 million worth of luxury apartments in the first quarter alone. Two of these being top-end units in The Bantry (on Victoria Road) which sold for R31 million and R53.8 million respectively, the latter being a new price record for Bantry Bay. The previous highest price for an apartment in the suburb was R42.5 million, incidentally for the same apartment sold by Seeff in 2014.
The Mouille Point and Waterfront team of Lynn Pinn and Finella Botes have also made exceptional sales over the last eighteen months, despite the challenging conditions, and achieved R159 million so far this year including R41.5 million for a new luxury beachfront apartment in the East West development.
It should come as no surprise that beach apartments continue attracting excellent value. For centuries, doctors have prescribed trips to the ocean to improve overall wellbeing. Research quoted by Livescience.com has shown that living near the ocean makes one happier and healthier, and possibly even wealthier.
Cape Town’s beach apartments have delivered amongst the best capital appreciation over the last few years and attract a premium of 20% to 40% and even more for high-demand locations, says Slot.
Overall, the sub-R3 million price band remains the most active with sales still concluded in 41 days and within 6.3% of asking price, predominantly in the Sea Point and Green Point. Above this price range, it takes around 86 days on average to sell and sellers are getting between 9.4% to as much as 22.5% below the asking price.
Atlantic Seaboard complexes attracting the highest prices are mostly on the sea side of Victoria Road from Clifton (Eventide - R45 million to R73 million), Clifton Terraces (R40 million), The Beaches (R80 million), The Clifton (R42 million) and Bantry Bay (The Bantry (R53.8 million).
Mouille Point’s Platinum Mile (Beach Road) also attracts excellent prices - East West (R41.5 million), Amalfi (R78 million), Two Oceans Beach (R24 million) along with Granger Bay, mostly The Waterclub (R35.25 million). Premium prices are also paid for apartments at the V&A Marina where Front Yacht Basin complexes have sold for up to R40 million and on the Canals, a unit in Juliette sold for R40 million.
Blouberg area an attractive alternative
Affordability has made the Blouberg area a firm alternative for those looking for a beach lifestyle according to Clinton Martle, Seeff Licensee for the area who says that there is still high demand for a beach lifestyle.
The area offers excellent access to the CBD and other business nodes and, of course, enjoys the best views of Cape Town’s two iconic landmarks, Robben Island and Table Mountain. Blouberg is also the Kite Surfing capital of the continent and famed for the annual Red Bull King of the Air and other competitions.
Blouberg agent, Marlene Picksley, for example, recently made the change from a freestanding house to a beach apartment in Big Bay for lifestyle reasons. She says the change means more time to enjoy life and she just loves hearing the sea and watching the spectacular sunsets.
Beach apartments are to be found mostly in Wave’s Edge, Bloubergrant, West Beach, Big Bay and the Bloubergstrand Village. Popular complexes include Eden on the Bay, Azure, Grande Bay, Dolphin Beach and Seaside Village in the Big Bay, and closer to the Marine Circle side, Horizon Bay, The Sands and Sea Spray.
Prices range from around R1.6 million to R2.6 million, but you can expect to pay up to R5 million to R6 million for a top front-facing luxury unit.
The high demand for beach apartments is being met by a few new developments along Marine Drive and in the Blouberg Village area, the exciting new Macaron Blue complex which offers super-luxury units in the upper range of R6 million to 15 million.
While beach apartments have always been popular second or holiday home options, they are increasingly sought by own-use buyers, according to the agents. They are also popular rental investments, both for short- and long-term residential let.
Both the Atlantic Seaboard and Blouberg are high-demand holiday destinations and that means that there is always the opportunity to do a house-swap or to rent these out over the holidays.
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