Safely ensconced in Constantia’s security estates
Constantia is one of the oldest, most sought-after, affluent suburbs of the Mother City of South Africa – the city of Cape Town. In fact, this beautiful, lush leafy area must have been desirable and viewed as luxurious ever since its founding and establishment as an estate in 1685, some 33 years after Jan van Riebeeck and his party arrived in the Cape to set up a base from which to supply passing Dutch ships with essential fresh necessities.
The founder of Groot Constantia, the then Governor of the Cape, was Simon van der Stel. One may assume that his property, which was used during and after his lifetime for the cultivation of grapes, olives, and fruit, as well as winemaking, quickly gained a prestigious reputation in a colony that was devoid of meaningful agriculture until then.
Keeping up with the van der Stels
It’s also possible that other settlers who moved to the Constantia Valley a little later were accorded a degree of prestige that came with having the colony’s governor, an important person, as a neighbour – not the Joneses, but the van der Stels. Whatever the case may be, this area still holds a significantly prominent status today, as do its fine wines and export-quality table grapes, well into the 21st century.
Modern Constantia features its very own, exceptionally popular wine route. Wine estates, a few of which are relatively recent additions, include Steenberg (the oldest), Buitenverwachting, both Groot and Klein Constantia, Eagles’ Nest, Constantia Uitsig, Constantia Glen, Beau Constantia, and Silvermist. These grand properties, dedicated to grape growing and wine production, are extensive in size.
Dreaming of a highly desirable, secure residential solution
However, nowadays the trend towards security estate living has not escaped this gorgeous, historic valley and its upscale surroundings. Here, where the magnificent area and the dictates of security lifestyles meet, the result is a truly unique, modern concept combined with rarely encountered, highly desirable residential solutions.
Who doesn’t dream of living safely amidst the beauty and age-old tranquillity of notable wine farms and vineyards? This prime area and its exclusive and luxurious security estates are also prime Fine & Country South Africa territory – one of the specialities of our reputable estate agency.
The pros and cons of security estate living
- As the name suggests, security and safety, particularly in South Africa, is the foremost consideration and advantage of buying property and living in a secured area, which is separate from other property and safeguarded by a perimeter structure with additional safety measures to protect residents within from unlawful ingress and unauthorised or unwanted entry by others.
- The people and households within such a residential complex form a community – a group of people who have common interests. Typical common interests include a shared lifestyle, the integrity of their respective and communal property and residents and possessions, maintenance of spacious communal areas, security measures that include access control and possibly guards at access or other key points, plus rules, guidelines, and regulations that enable an appointed estate manager/management/board of trustees to administer and manage relevant communal matters.
- Typically, buying property in a secured community means buying a lifestyle – much more than mere bricks and concrete. Ensure that the lifestyle suits your interests before signing on the dotted line.
- Community living isn’t for everyone. Make certain that you familiarise yourself upfront with the regulations, levies, and applicable responsibilities for homeowners.
Fine & Country South Africa specialises in the luxury, upmarket property sector in this glorious, picturesque Cape suburb, and we’re on hand to guide you every step of the way through Constantia’s stunning, sought-after security estate purchases and sales.
