Clifton, an ultra-wealthy residential area in the South African port city of Cape Town, is home to some of the most exclusive and expensive real estate in the country.
Overlooking Clifton Bay and the Atlantic Coast, this small community offers privacy and access to upscale amenities.
“A playground for the rich and famous, Clifton has a relaxed, holiday atmosphere,” said Annette Hepburn, area specialist and full-status real estate practice with Pam Golding Properties.
Maxine Schofield, a real estate expert at Lou Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, said the seaside suburb is “renowned for its stunning beauty, with its pristine white sand beaches overlooking the sparkling ocean and stunning mountain backdrop. ” he says.
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Clifton is a small piece of land nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and several mountain ranges, including Lion's Head and Table Mountain. Victoria Road forms the northern boundary and continues to the southernmost tip of the community. Nettleton Road is on the eastern boundary. The Atlantic Ocean is to the west.
Price range
Clifton real estate is divided into four sectors, each with a distinctive look and different luxury price points.
According to Paul Turner, license partner and real estate practitioner at Engel & Völkers Cape Town, Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl and Constantia, the bungalows overlooking the area's four beaches are old, unused buildings. Renovated homes start at R25 million (US$1.4 million). He said the highest price for a renovated bungalow was R80 million (US$4.5 million), but it could sell for between R50 million (US$2.5 million) and R80 million (US$4 million), depending on size and location. He added that some had been.
He added that the price reflects the fact that it is “in a unique and beautiful location and is almost the only property in this part of Cape Town with direct beach access”.
Bungalows, often purchased as holiday homes, sit on small plots of 300 to 600 square meters and have three to four bedrooms. Some properties have pools, and those closer to the road have garages and secure parking. There are about 100 of them.
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Homeowner associations prohibit ownership by corporations or family trusts, but there are no restrictions on foreign ownership.
The area along Victoria Road above First and Second Beaches in Clifton is characterized by multifamily developments. Mr Turner said seafront properties were some of the most expensive seaside properties in South Africa on a per square meter basis.
“Some blocks are much older, and others are very modern,” he says. “Top-class apartments sell for more than R150,000 (US$8,500) per square meter.”
He pointed out that they have security, safe parking and high levies and taxes.
The area between Victoria Road and Kloof Road is home to detached houses and apartments of varying ages, sizes and qualities.
“Prices tend to be lower than the seafront homes on Victoria Road, but top quality apartments sell for R45 million (US$2.5 million) and detached houses go for up to R100 million (US$5.5 million). “It may also be sold,'' he said.
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Clifton's largest and most expensive private homes on Kloof Road are located at Clifton Road and Nettleton Road. Mr Turner said prices ranged from R80 million (US$4.5 million) to R300 million (US$17.5 million), adding that the homes usually have multiple floors and “many have bold architecture, spectacular views, It is very modern with an impressive façade.”
Turner added that real estate prices in Clifton have increased 800% since 2000.
housing stock
Clifton has approximately 300 private homes and 40 developments with approximately 550 apartments. Styles range from bungalows and single-family homes to luxury apartment complexes. Most homes are a 10-15 minute walk to the beach.
With so few homes available, inventory is always in short supply. “On average, about five homes and 12 to 15 apartments are sold each year,” Turner says. “Owners are generally reluctant to sell because they enjoy their time in Clifton and will not sell if there is no financial need to sell. This will only consider selling at an attractive price. This also helps keep prices and values high.”
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What makes it unique?
Clifton is one of the few areas of Cape Town that is protected from the strong southeasterly winds, making it a calm and peaceful place for beachgoers.
“People are attracted to Clifton's relaxed atmosphere, beautiful scenery, wonderfully clean beaches and proximity to everything Cape Town has to offer,” Mr Turner said. He added that Cape Town International Airport is conveniently located within 30 minutes of Clifton.
He noted that most homeowners will have ocean views because of their hillside location.
Nick Gaertner, chief operating officer at Knight Frank South Africa, said Clifton offers the best in the world. “Although a relatively small pocket of Cape Town, the city's most popular restaurants, coffee shops, hiking and biking trails, and Cape Town's most popular luxury shopping spot, the V&A Waterfront, is just a short drive away.'' Within a few minutes.”
luxury amenities
Clifton is famous for its four white sand beaches, each with its own atmosphere and group of fans. They have achieved the prestigious Blue Flag certification, which is globally recognized for meeting rigorous standards of cleanliness, safety and environmental sustainability.
“Clifton First Beach is popular with surfers, Second Beach is popular with families, Third Beach has a gay scene and Fourth Beach has a trendy crowd,” Mr Hepburn said. “The designer's yacht is moored on windless Cliftonforth Beach and we enjoy a drink while watching the sunset.''
In addition to the beach, Clifton offers a variety of outdoor activities. The Glen Country Club offers tennis for adults and children, lawn bowling, paragliding and five-a-side football. The community's only restaurant, Bungalow, serves cocktails and Mediterranean cuisine.
Gertner said the boardwalk is as famous as the beach and is a “huge attraction for runners, walkers, sea kayakers and paragliders.”
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Cultural, dining and shopping options within minutes of the surrounding areas of Camps Bay and Bantry Bay/Sea Point more than make up for what Clifton lacks.
Cape Town Stadium, a 10-minute drive away, is home to the Stormers rugby team and hosts major sporting and entertainment events. The Metropolitan Golf Club, located right next to the stadium, features an 18-hole, 14-green, 9-fairway course.
Robben Island, a 15-mile ferry ride from Clifton, offers boat tours. This World Heritage Site, which also includes a museum, is most famous for being the place where anti-apartheid activist and South Africa's first president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
Zeitz MOCAA, which opened in 2017, is the largest museum dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.
A 5-minute drive or 15-minute walk from Clifton, Sea Point offers a variety of attractions, including a boardwalk, an Olympic-sized outdoor pool, and a variety of bars, coffee shops, and retail shops.
Cape Town hosts a variety of notable events that attract tourists. These include the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Cape Town ePrix and the South African Sevens Rugby Tournament.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club, a 15-minute drive from Clifton, hosts the Cape to Rio national race.
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International and local events held at the Cape Town International Convention Center include the Mining Indaba in February; “This is one of the biggest mining events in the world,” Turner said. “And every year we have wealthy clients coming to town.”
Popular hiking and nature trails nearby include Pipe Track, Cecilia Forest, Lion's Head, India Venster, and Skeleton Gorge.
There are several private schools within a 5-15 minute drive.
The French School of Cape Town is a private, co-educational international school for students aged 2 to 18 years. German International School Cape Town accepts both male and female students from primary school through high school. Redham House Atlantic Seaboard is aimed at students from her 1st grade through her 12th grade. St. Cyprian's School is affiliated with the Anglican Church and is a girls' school for students aged 3 to 18. and United Herzliya Schools, which provide Jewish and secular education to students from preschool through high school, regardless of religious affiliation.
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people living there
Clifton attracts wealthy people from all over the world. “We have industry leaders, professionals, families and retirees,” Hepburn said. “About 60 percent of them live here permanently, and the rest are seasonal.”
Turner added that the population is evenly split between locals and expatriates. “It’s very popular with wealthy investors in South Africa and around the world,” he said.
Gartner said, “The demographic is made up of more mature families, retirees, and swallows (foreigners who buy vacation homes and use them during the warm summer months), but the beaches and nearby restaurants are filled with young people.'' '' he added.
notable residents
According to published reports, billionaire businessman Christo Wiese and Adrian Gore, founder and group chief executive of financial services group Discovery Limited, live in Clifton. So does Stéphane Antoni, director of award-winning architecture firm SAOTA, according to a published report.
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Outlook
Mr Turner described the outlook for the Clifton property market as “very promising”, adding: “As one of the most valuable and exclusive suburbs, its small size means very limited opportunities for new development, so it will continue to grow in popularity and prices.” will continue to rise.” The land space between the mountains and the sea and the management and restriction of good regional planning. ”
Hepburn agreed, adding that prices fell by at least 20% during the pandemic, but prices have rebounded.
“South Africa/Cape Town/Clifton definitely offers the best value for money and cosmopolitan lifestyle compared to other parts of the world,” she said. “Properties that are priced correctly don't stay on the market for very long. We are confident that prices and values will continue to rise.”
Munya Mutanga, a real estate expert at Lou Geffen Sotheby's International Realty, is optimistic, saying prices will continue to rise because of high demand from other parts of the country and from abroad.
Muthanga said it was not just the generous exchange rate that was bringing them. “With the political climate around the world, we are seeing people moving to Cape Town because they think it is a safe place.”
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