Cape Town, South Africa

Resales of prime vacant stands and completed homes have become available in the Moquini Coastal Estate in Mossel Bay, writes ROXZANNE VAN EYK

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

Within the municipal boundary of Mossel Bay along the Garden Route are three eco estates managed as nature reserves with a low density residential component. One of these is the completed Moquini Coastal Estate situated between Blind River and Dana Bay. Moquini, the scientific name for the rare Black Oyster Catcher whose breeding ground is above the highwater mark on this coastline, rates highly as a lifestyle destination.

The estate, with direct access to the beach via a boardwalk and panoramic views over Vlees Bay, has a seafront that stretches from Dana Bay’s second beach to the Blind River lagoon, where there are high sand dunes for 9km and rock pools in the sea.

Moquini is a 224ha low-density development of sloping highlands, valleys, dramatic riverside cliffs and deep gorges, where no further development is permitted. Idyllic facilities include a 17ha Equestrian Centre with stables for eight horses, estate horseback rides, several fynbos walking trails as well as one that leads to the waterfall in the Blind River where the Fish Eagles breed and call, canoeing in the river, a valley hiking trail, dune boarding, surf fishing and bird watching of 250 species.

As the story goes behind the history of the Moquini site, the original “River Shack” at the mouth of the Blind River was originally owned by CJ Langenhoven who composed Die Stem van Suid-Afrika, a poem written in May 1918 and later used as SA’s first national anthem. Marketing agent Neil Tucker of Colliers Residential says one can speculate that this poem could have been inspired by the location of the River Shack fishing hut. He explains: “It rings out like the national anthem — the blue of the ocean, the rivers, the cliffs and blue skies. You have to experience it to understand it.”

Moquini also has several species of wildlife in the estate, including bush buck, duiker, rooikat, ostrich, dassies, porcupine, various tortoise species and reptiles. Owners have the chance to view game at various waterholes and in the estate, or the opportunity for whale watching in the winter months.

The residential component of Moquini is limited to 68 large full title stands from 2500m² to 3500m², positioned in pockets away from one another to create privacy and ensure the low density vision is maintained.

To maintain a country-like atmosphere, the estate has no street lights and internal strip roads have been engineered to keep the speed limit to 30km/hour and so that the wild buck species and horses can use the roads without damaging their hooves.

Available to prospective buyers are re-sales, including 10 prime vacant stands varying from R1,2m to R3,5m with no building period attached, as well as completed homes varying in size from 350m² to 600m². Tucker says prices are generally related to position and views, rather than a cost per square metre. “Seafront, vacant properties on the dune sell for around R3m, while panoramic view sites sell for R1,5m. Homes average in size around 500m² and living costs are reasonable, with levies at R580 a month,” he says.

The architectural design of homes is based on guidelines that control the aesthetics of the development, the emphasis of which is based on views, outdoor lifestyle and natural materials and colours that blend seamlessly with the environment. In line with this ideal, minimal gardening is allowed as landscaping is to be natural using coastal fynbos and plants endemic to the direct area. Tucker says the superb bird life in the area is testimony to the reclamation of the fynbos, as parts of the development were a wheat farm many years ago and these tracts of land are now covered in fynbos and proteas.

Owners wishing to build appoint their own architect and submit plans to the aesthetics committee for approval. Interiors are not regulated as this as per personal taste.

Moquini has a 24-hour guarded gatehouse with intercom facilities to each of the residences, as well as an estate manager who looks after the nature areas, roads and general maintenance as required. For internet connectivity, telephone lines provide for ADSL coverage and 3G access.

Ownership in Moquini represents the “United Nations”, according to Tucker, who says there are owners from more than 30 countries all living in harmony with one another.

“Owners include those from Belgium, Holland, Australia, the US , Sweden, Austria, Norway, Germany, England, Scotland, China, South Korea and SA. Owners use the homes for mixed use, some for holiday use and many European ‘swallows’ come for our summer, while others have retired in the estate as it appeals to the person to seeks a quiet, exclusive, seaside lifestyle with beaches and nature on their doorstep.”

PRICE: Vacant land from R1,2m Completed homes from R5,95m

About Colliers International

Colliers International is a global affiliation of independently owned commercial real estate firms. The organization's 10,092 employees span the world in 267 offices in 57 countries. On a worldwide basis, Colliers manages 672,945,918 square feet, and has revenue of $US 1,620,958,349.

Contact Information

Colliers Residential
Neil Tucker 082 828 4893
Office 044 873 2444
Website: www.moquini.co.za

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