One of the largest and most active development nodes in the Western Cape is in the Helderberg Basin, around 5km from Somerset West.
“Prices start from R2 249 900 for a spacious three bedroom home with two bathrooms and a single garage, and buyers only need to pay their bond costs. This development is supported by all four major financial institutions, and up to 100% bonds are available for approved buyers,” says Roos.“The latest project taking form here is Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate, which occupies a site of 18ha next to the extensive Sitari Country Estate, and is being developed by Multi Spectrum Property (MSP),” says Riaan Roos, CEO of the MSP group of companies.
“Unlike other estates nearby, Acorn Creek offers a true village feel, with village-design layout and architecture by Dennis Moss Partnership. Two large oak trees flank the entrance, and a river, the Moddergatspruit, runs the entire length of Acorn Creek. Acorn Creek offers a pocket of exclusivity, security and energy-efficient living.”
Roos says while the look and layout of Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate have been very carefully considered, so has the use of environmentally-friendly building principles to develop homes that are sustainable for the future.
“Our developments already include solar geysers and indigenous landscaping as standard features to contain the impact on the environment, but at Acorn Creek we have taken our environmental consciousness a step further,” says David Britz, Operational Director at MSP.
“Apart from the standard green features such as LED lighting and solar geysers, each home will have its own solar-powered electrical back-up system and a grey water collection and distribution system.”
When the energy crisis hit South Africans hard a few years ago and load shedding became a part of daily life, Britz people became more aware of solar energy and how it could be harnessed to keep a household running despite power interruptions.
“The power-up battery packs installed at the houses in Acorn Creek are charged through solar panels. These batteries can supply between 60% and 70% of a household’s energy needs. Many people are moving towards becoming less dependent on the national energy provider and harnessing the power of the sun,” says Britz.
“Unlike other estates nearby, Acorn Creek offers a true village feel, with village-design layout and architecture by Dennis Moss Partnership. Two large oak trees flank the entrance, and a river, the Moddergatspruit, runs the entire length of Acorn Creek. Acorn Creek offers a pocket of exclusivity, security and energy-efficient living,” says Roos.“The severe drought has resulted in consumers also waking up to the fact that we need to reduce our water consumption and conserve this valuable resource.”
He says grey water systems such as those that will be a standard feature in Acorn Creek’s homes provide an easy answer to reducing water consumption and reusing water that has already been circulated through the household.
“The 37 homes in phase 1 of Acorn Creek Lifestyle Estate have all been sold, and sales in phase two, which include 38 homes, are well underway. Civils activity has commenced on site, and building of the first homes in phase one is set to commence in April 2017,” says Britz.
“It is expected that the first homes will be completed around October 2017. There will be eight phases in all: phases one to six include 320 homes, and phases seven and eight will offer 195 village apartments.”
Britz says the properties are designed in a Cape vernacular-style, ensuring a true country feel, and Grohe taps, granite kitchen tops, a gas hob with electric oven, cooker hood and built-in braais are standard.
Some home designs include a fireplace, with buyers able to choose between a gas and wood option. Acorn Creek also offers fibre-optic internet.
“The development features a 1.4km walking or jogging trail along the river. Landscaped ponds with berms and walkways add to the park-like surroundings, as do the children’s play equipment in the parks and outdoor gym,” says Britz.
The communal areas are served by an integrated water management system and retention dams, which use storm and roof water, borehole water and municipal grey water.
“They are set to include indigenous and fynbos plants and more than 850 trees, including fruit trees. The landscaping was planned to include the natural stream or creek that meanders through the entire estate,” says Britz.
“Combined with this modern country village lifestyle is top-end access control, including thermal imaging cameras, biometric identification, professional guards and state-of-the-art perimeter securing by Fang.”
Britz says Acorn Creek is ideally located, approximately 30 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport and just 5km from Somerset West.
World-renowned wine estates and the University of Stellenbosch are just a 10-minute journey away, as are nearby beaches, golf courses, weekend markets and various mountain bike trails.
“There is easy access to educational and commercial amenities in the immediate surroundings as Acorn Creek is situated adjacent to the new Curro Sitari private school and close to the planned new 12 500sqm flagship Shoprite Checkers shopping centre. Access to public transport and major traffic arterials is extremely convenient,” says Britz.
“Prices start from R2 249 900 for a spacious three bedroom home with two bathrooms and a single garage, and buyers only need to pay their bond costs. This development is supported by all four major financial institutions, and up to 100% bonds are available for approved buyers,” says Roos.
He says a fully refundable R25 000 deposit secures your home, and this will be used towards the purchase price.
“Acorn Creek, being a turnkey product, is ideal for young professionals, couples, small families and those looking to scale down into retirement,” says Roos.
“There is a sales office on site which is open from 09h00 to 17h00 during the week, 10h00 to 13h00 on Saturdays and 13h00 to 17h00 on Sundays.”
For more information on the development, visit the website.
