Upper Highway, Durban West drawing more luxury buyers, says Seeff

Demand for luxury homes shifting towards Durban’s Upper Highway area, just west of the metro, for its upmarket homes and respite from city living, yet with all the metro benefits on the doorstep, says Gregg Wilson, licensee for Seeff Upper Highway. The property market is strong here with high demand for sales and rentals.

He says despite the upmarket status, the Upper Highway area offers better value compared to the Durban North, Umhlanga and Ballito areas. It also competes with the Midlands for the country-like lifestyle, but offers closer proximity to the city. Wilson says lush vegetation, beautiful gardens and a cooler climate are characteristics of the area.

A defining feature of the Upper Highway area is the Valley of 1000 Hills and the world-renowned Comrades Marathon route which runs through the area. It includes upmarket residential neighbourhoods and towns such as Hillcrest, Kloof, Assagay, Botha’s Hill, Everton, Waterfall, and Drummond, straddling the highway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Wilson says buyers flock to the area for a quality country-like lifestyle, yet with access to the city, top amenities and great schools including Kearsney College, Highbury Prep School, Roseway Waldorf, and Hillcrest Primary and High Schools, says Wilson.

The growing area has seen an influx of new estates and developments. Among these, the most exciting is Westown, a massive mixed-use property and lifestyle development off the N3 under construction. It is centred around Westown Square and comprises interconnected precincts and spaces, and is projected to attract R15 billion in investment over the next decade and a half.

Lightstone data shows steady price growth for the Upper Highway area during the market boom periods with the average price now around R1.9 million, and around R1.5 million for sectional titles. Luxury homes range between R3 million to R6 million range, although large properties can range to around R19 million for a top-end home, including some with equestrian facilities.

Wilson says it is currently still a good market for buyers with excellent stock on the market across a broad spectrum of prices. The value is well-illustrated by a showcase home currently on the market in the picturesque village of Drummond, priced at R5.495 million, adds Bradley Topham, an agent from Seeff Upper Highway.

He says the luxury 681sqm home is on 4.24ha of land with large trees, lush vegetation and a forest-like setting. An award-winning international architect and interior designer designed the home which features an interplay of natural materials such as stone, wood and marble, greenery, grey and natural hues, and large windows and sliding doors providing endless vistas from every room over the valley and hills.

Unique features include a gabion stone wall as you enter the home which flanks the open-plan living area and kitchen. Rooms are spacious, and each room is a feature room. There are three bedrooms, the luxurious main suite featuring a spa-like bathroom, finished in wood and marble.

Additional features include indoor/outdoor showers with glass windows providing picturesque vistas. A wooden terrace stretches across the length of the home with rooms opening onto it, providing spectacular views over the landscape. There is also an outdoor entertainment area with a fireplace overlooking the terraced garden. Additionally, there is a study/home office, one-bedroomed flat, four-car garage and additional parking, massive workshop, staff accommodation, swimming pool, and six stables.

Drummond is picturesque with no pollution, and clean air. It is a quiet country-like suburb with beautiful villas and smaller cottages with large grounds and an abundance of natural trees and plants. The popular Impala Ridge Farm is practically on the doorstep for fresh produce, gourmet food and fascinating vintage cars and motorbikes.

The agent says the property is a one-of-a-kind, and offers outstanding value. The home is in a spectacular condition and setting. A similar home will set you back significantly more anywhere else, such is the allure of the area.

Contact Bradley Topham on 079 493 9537. For more information about Westown, visit https://westown.co.za/site/.