Stately Kloof preserves genteel ambience
The affluent and prestigious Kloof area, which lies in the "mist belt" between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, has retained its olde worlde charm in the midst of furious development in other parts of the KZN province.
In fact, its settled ambience is one of the biggest draw cards for property buyers, says Clint Ellice of the local Chas Everitt International office. "Many well-to-do buyers now want to escape the growing congestion of Durban North, where densification in popular areas such as Ballito and Umhlanga is reaching new highs. And they are targeting the Kloof area in a big way.
"The excellent schools here, such as Thomas More and St Mary's, and the local government schools, give them more reason to do so. And on top of that Kloof has a temperate climate, where leafy gardens in the old English style flourish in the grounds of stately homes."
Ellice says that although Hillcrest, about 8km away, is undergoing tremendous development and densification, Kloof has escaped intact. "The only development taking place in Kloof at the moment is a measure of subdivision of the large original stands. The local authority now allows subdivision into stands no smaller than a half acre (about 2000sqm) and these are mostly sold to people who build single dwellings that fit into the existing style of the neighbourhood."
Even sub-divided stands are in relatively short supply, though, and prices start at around R600 000. Building costs for the area average R5 500/sqm.
The average home price in Kloof over the past 12 months was just short of R1,8m, Ellice says, while the top price was around R20m for Crowhurst Estate, an old colonial home that was bought by a developer who plans to establish a small and exclusive estate.
Kloof offers several excellent restaurants and local shopping centres. The scenic Makaranga Lodge is a landmark hotel, wedding venue and conference centre that has become popular.
Ellice says the bed-and-breakfast trade in Kloof is vibrant. "Many top executives prefer to stay at one of the upmarket establishments here when they come down from Gauteng for business in Durban or Pinetown. They are attracted by the same air of gentility as the new wave of buyers."
ISSUED BY CHAS EVERITT INTERNATIONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL CLINT ELLICE OR LIZ RITTEN AT CHAS EVERITT HILLCREST ON 031 765 4352 OR VISIT www.chaseveritt.com