KNYSNA, along SA’s Garden Route, makes for the idyllic retirement retreat. The idea of living out the golden years of retirement by the sea has always been a favoured preference. The moderate climate, the attraction of the ocean, scenic lagoon area and indigenous forests plus the benefits of an established town infrastructure and a wide selection of tourist amenities makes Knysna a tempting retirement location.
And now there are plans for a new upmarket retirement development to be located on a site overlooking the Knysna lagoon.
Pam Golding Properties are marketing the Knysna Lifestyle Estate, catering to the over-50s set who are in search of an active and fulfilling retirement lifestyle.
Measuring a total of 52ha in size, the marketers say that with only five units per hectare, this development is regarded as the lowest density of any similar retirement lifestyle village in SA.
Buyers can expect smart two and three-bedroom cottages with two bathrooms. Retirees can enjoy a secured lifestyle estate with all the advantages of health care and recreational facilities.
This site also has a security gate enclosure and gated access.
With the minimal footprint of this development, there is ample opportunity for spaces dedicated to natural fynbos conservation (as part of the Cape floral kingdom, fynbos contributes about 8000 species), as well as walking trails and landscaped green areas.
The elevated site will afford the homes quality views of the Knysna lagoon and the famous Knysna Heads as well as hill, mountain and dams on the estate.
Neat, modern interiors are planned for the homes and the first units are expected to be completed by September 2010.
The site plans include a stylish clubhouse complete with restaurant, library, gym, studio and card rooms. Sport enthusiasts can keep active on the bowling green, tennis courts, a possible croquet lawn or by swimming in the heated pool.
There are other activities such as bridge, gardening, hiking and a choir and music society to keep residents busy.
Day clinics will provide medical assistance for non-urgent health issues plus a 20-bed health care facility delivering professional care for either temporary or long- term patients.
The residential accommodation for sale is mainly freestanding — to be sold individual and sectional title. The pricing will start from R2,5m to R4,5m and depend on size and the position of the unit.
Ling Dobson, Knysna area principal for Pam Golding Properties, says: “Investors may purchase homes, and have two years to nominate the person to be living in the house. Levies will include external gardening and maintenance of homes, and 25% of any capital appreciation on the resale of a house will go towards a levy stabilisation fund to keep levies low over time. The village is managed by the homeowners’ association with residents being appointed directors.”
Dobson expects high interest in the Knysna Lifestyle Estate, especially from locals and people from the major city centres. Knynsa Lifestyle Estate can be found just 8km from the town and 2km off the main road in the peaceful Welbedacht suburb.
Knowledge Factory’s SAPTG puts the yearly appreciation trend for Knysna/Knysna Central’s full title homes at -0,27%. The three- year and five-year trend is 8,37% and 16,59% respectively.
For the 2008-09 year period, the average selling price is about R1,788m. In 2007-08 the average selling price was R1,721m compared to R1,438m in 2006-07.
Price: From R2,5m to R4,5m.
Contact: Pam Golding Properties Knysna Ling Dobson 044 382 5574