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Cape Town - A vacant plot owned by former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste at the luxury Val de Vie security estate near Paarl in the Cape Winelands, is up for sale for R15m.
The plot is part of the estate's exclusive Gentleman's Estates development - of which there are only 13. According to a reliable source, the interest expressed in the plot has been "overwhelming" since it has gone on the market.
The Gentleman's Estates were originally priced from R7.5m to R9.95m and range from 1.2- to 3.53ha. A typical home on these estates would be in French Provencale or Cape Vernacular style and about 1 500m² in size - including stables and staff quarters.
Apart from the Gentleman's Estates, the development of which it forms part includes four River Reserves. The four River Reserves (of which Jooste's plot does not form part) are described as eco-estates of between 2.56- and 5.83ha and originally priced at R12.5m.
Secure estate living
Being part of the Val de Vie community includes safety and security; sports facilities like a health club, tennis and squash courts; a heated indoor pool; running and bike trails; parks and membership of the famous Pearl Valley golf club. The estate also has world-class polo grounds and a restaurant.
There are certain limitations, however, to what may be kept on a Gentleman's Estate: No pigs. Poultry only for the owner's own use. No commercial aviaries or commercial workshops are allowed and growing tunnels are not permitted. No reptiles of any type are permitted either.
An artist's impression of the recently launched Val de Vie retirement development:
According to the regulations, a maximum of 10 livestock may be kept - all properly housed.
If you are a high-net worth individual who likes to commute via helicopter: sorry you are not allowed to have your own helicopter pad on your Gentleman's Estate. (Of course you can comfortably land in a helicopter elsewhere on the estate though.)
Val de Vie offers world-class polo facilities:
A brochure promoting the Gentleman's Estates development sums it up:
"Steeped in luxury, set amidst nature, this magnificent farmland of 2.94 hectares is the space you will have the freedom and pleasure of calling 'home'. Keep your own horses, cultivate vineyards, olive groves or organic vegetables – this property offers you an opportunity of a lifetime – a farm lifestyle within a greater, secure estate.
Situated beneath the awe-inspiring peaks of the Drakenstein and Simonsberg Mountains, Val de Vie Estate offers a one-of-a-kind luxury lifestyle. Internationally recognised for its winemaking, polo and its iconic Jack Nicklaus Golf Course at Pearl Valley, Val de Vie was voted the ‘Top Residential Estate in South Africa’ for the past three years and has earned the ‘Safest House in Africa’ award."
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