Avid golfers who love the game and want to spend more time with their families can now buy upmarket homes at the Copperleaf in Centurion, Gauteng.
The clubhouse walkway at Copperleaf.
Described as a new concept in exceptional family living, the estate is home to South Africa’s first (Ernie) Els Golf Club.
Copperleaf is located at the edge of the city and central to Centurion and Fourways with easy access to Lanseria, the N1 and N14 highways.
This was previously known as Gardener Ross and the name changed when developer Investec Property took over the development in 2010.
Investec is recognised as one of South Africa’s best property operations and since it took over the development, it has remodeled it to offer family orientated leisure facilities with a total of 1 129 home stands overlooking the Magaliesburg Mountains.
Investec Property has access to capital and can enter into joint ventures to source and buy land or buildings for development or to be refurbished.
The name Copperleaf was inspired by the indigenous plant that grows in the area. The name was chosen in line with the environment and its design is aesthetically pleasing for would-be buyers and visitors to the estate, says Heather Casey, head of marketing and communications at Investec Property.
Copperleaf clubhouse restaurant.
Copperleaf is any of various plants of Acalypha, an ornamental shrub widely known for its decorative, colourful variously patterned leaves.
The residential estate which was officially launched on Sunday offers unsurpassed country living in close proximity to the urban centres of Pretoria, Johannesburg and Centurion.
Sam Hackner of Investec Property says Investec Property took over Copperleaf development in 2010 when the developer ran into financial trouble.
Initially, he says they had concerns but after carefully looking at what the development had to offer and what they could bring to the market to differentiate it from other golf estates, they saw great potential.
“The location is central and the key thing is that Copperleaf is focused on family living rather than just a golf estate,” says Hackner.
It is more of a country club lifestyle living than your average golf estate development.
He explains that Investec Property wanted to create a child friendly environment, family entertainment destination that all family members living at the estate or visiting the estate can enjoy.
“Copperleaf is secure and the open space ensures families enjoy the sorts of outdoor activities which characterise idyllic family life.”
He says that of the 1 129 stands at Copperleaf, there are only 499 stands available for sale. The stands vary in size from 500 square metres to 1 500 square metres with contemporary or traditional farm-style being the overriding architectural feel.
Copperleaf is located on 390 hectares of land with the majority dedicated to parkland, the golf course and open areas to maintain a sense of space.
Stand prices range from R375 000 to R1.45 million. Hackner says the estate has 96 residential units sold already, 26 houses are being built currently and there are 44 residential unit plans waiting for approval.
As a sign of buyer confidence, Hackner says when the developer fell into trouble, many land owners put their stands on the market for sale.
Since Investec Property took over and redesigned the development, land owners have since taken their land off the market and want to build homes.
He says that land owners and buyers at the moment are cautiously optimistic.
“Buyers with money do not want to spend immediately, they are wary of debt and with banks not lending 100 percent loan-to-value, and many have taken the wait-and-see-approach.”
He says in this property cycle, buyers are now concerned about the developer behind any property development, something many didn’t worry about before.
The recession also helped to separate the reputable developers from the suspect ones and right now the industry is left with reputable ones with integrity.
“To make it in this property market requires, patience, honesty and integrity.”
Hackner is confident that this will be another success story for its property portfolio because the important thing about Copperleaf is that people get warmly welcomed with an ambience that invites families thus creating a unique, unseen lifestyle.
Talking about the South African property market, he says they have been cautious and built good relationships with retailers.
Currently, Investec Property is busy with the Massmart and Toyota distribution centres. It has been involved with Sandhurst Towers and Inanda Club in Johannesburg.
Apart from the residential component and golf club, Copperleaf boasts a pool, gym, tennis courts, mini cricket oval and accompanying pavilion, acres of walking and biking routes, café and spa.
Hackner said Investec Property spent R50 million on the new clubhouse and the combined facilities make Copperleaf an exceptional development they are proud of.
A three bedroom, two bathroom home with a double garage is the entry level priced at R1.9 million.
Copperleaf carries the heritage of being built on land once lived on by Ernie Els’ grandfather and the acclaim of being the second Els Club to be established globally.
In November, Els will officially open the golf course which has played host to a number of flagship golf events, most recently, the Sunshine Tour Media Challenge.
The development has its own water treatment works, which recycle gray and sewerage water for the irrigation of the golf course and 2700 trees are currently being planted to add to the existing park, wetlands and grasslands.
Copperleaf is also home to a number of protected species including the giant bullfrog and the African grass owl. The development is open to the public and visitors wanting to spend a day out of town playing golf or being pampered with treatments at the spa. – Denise Mhlanga
Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.
Ja, all fine and well that stand prices are x, and building y etc. What all these articles always miss out on is the extra levies that you have to then pay on top of a 2 million bond. As an example…buy a place in a estate, you are never told that the estate’s levies range from 5 thousand to 20 thousand a month. So basically, another misleading article. Your article is a puff piece with no filling. Security estates, even golf estates have additional costs involved. - August
Please do not judge the estate if you do not have the full details. The current levy of our estate is R1500 and if you take the security and All the facilities the estate offer, you will pay it with a smile. If you can afford a R2 million bond then R1500 wont be such a big deal to you. We have lived in a few estates but none has the relaxed atmosphere that Copperleaf have. Do yourself a favour and visit the estate. - A Home Owner