Words: Kit Heathcock | Images: Heather Durand
Stunning views of Table Mountain and easy access to town aren’t the first things that come to mind when most people think of the Northern Suburbs. But the neighbourhoods within the triangle made by the N1, the N7 and the slopes of the Tygerberg Nature Reserve enjoy both these advantages.
Residents of Plattekloof, Panorama, Edgemead, Burgundy Estate and neighbouring suburbs can reach the centre of Cape Town within 20 minutes, are conveniently placed for travelling to the international airport and have the food, wine and nature of the Durbanville Wine Valley nearby.
Property
Plattekloof spreads up the hillside above Plattekloof Road with luxury villas and architect-designed homes positioned for fantastic views of Table Mountain and Table Bay. Bordering Tygerberg nature reserve and with historic De Grendel farm on one side, the upmarket suburb feels open, spacious and close to nature.
Panorama is on flatter ground below Plattekloof Road – the story goes that the town planners swapped the names of the two areas by mistake on the original plans. Older family homes here are being renovated by a new generation who appreciate the quiet neighbourly streets of suburban living. The most notable landmark is the excellent Mediclinic Panorama, which attracts patients from all over the city.
Edgemead was the second Garden City to be developed after Pinelands, starting in 1972. Its tree-lined streets, sports clubs, schools and the close-knit community that worked so hard over the years to build all these facilities, have made it eminently desirable. The architectural uniformity regulated by Garden Cities has relaxed slightly since administration passed to the municipality, with the occasional colourful exterior or double-storey house appearing, but the legacy remains in the amenities and public spaces, the excellent library, the shopping centre and sports fields.
Burgundy Estate is the newest kid on the block – an enclosed suburb still under development. “When we moved the school here there were just a few units around us, and it was quite a young single population,” says Elana Edwards of Riverside College, Burgundy’s first school. “Now the community is a lot more family oriented. You see families playing in the parks, walking to the shops. There’s a very relaxed atmosphere.” A mixture of apartment buildings, townhouses and larger homes can be found in the area, with parks, walkways and running tracks interspersed. The mashie golf course and canoeing lake are favourite dog-walking spots.
Schooling
Many years of community support and involvement went into building Edgemead’s primary and high schools which have long been highly rated for their academic and sporting achievements. Riverside College settled on a temporary site in Burgundy Estate in 2011 and is currently building a permanent campus, providing private education all the way to matric. The well-established public schools in Bellville and Durbanville are within comfortable driving distance, as are the newer private schools of Century City in the other direction.
Explore
With the fynbos-clad backdrop of Tygerberg Nature Reserve, residents have easy access to hiking, running and mountain biking trails. The Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club has special access to a network of trails linking the reserve with neighbouring wine estates all the way to Meerendal.
For a more leisurely exploration of the area, go wine tasting – starting at De Grendel with its renowned fine dining restaurant and work your way around the valley from Durbanville Hills to Nitida, Bloemendal, D’Aria and beyond.
Urban recreation for the whole family can be found at Grand West – where you can ice-skate, catch a movie, watch a theatre production or enjoy a band performance – or at Canal Walk, for movies and retail therapy. There’s also the Barnyard Theatre at Willowbridge, or you can pop into the city centre for more entertainment. Residents really do feel like they have the whole of Cape Town on their doorstep.
“Kids are always on their bicycles or skateboards in Edgemead, there are old people walking their dogs, people walking to the library or the shops and kids can safely walk to school. It’s a very family-oriented community – that’s one of the strongest drawcards for me. Everyone looks out for each other.”
Gil Hawkins, resident
Eat:
- De Grendel: for special occasions, fine dining and wine tasting
- Greens: a cosmopolitan cafe with a good view and great food
- Cattle Baron: for excellent steaks
- Bossa Burgundy: for steaks, burgers, pizza and an outside kids’ play area
- Simply Asia: for a taste of Thai
Do:
- Play golf at the Royal Burgundy Mashie course or at one of several full golf courses in the Northern Suburbs.
- Enjoy mountain biking through the nature reserve and nearby wine farms with the Tygerberg Mountain Bike Club.
- Visit Grand West for movies, ice-skating, concerts and the casino.
- Watch live shows at the Barnyard Theatre in Willowbridge.
- Buy gifts for loved ones at Edgemead’s popular annual Christmas Market.
Shop:
- Plattekloof Village: for good everyday shopping facilities, including Pick n Pay and several eateries
- Edgemead Shopping Centre: for Spar and a friendly community mall
- Burgundy Square: for Checkers, a cafe and local shops
- Willowbridge: for boutique shops and restaurants
- Canal Walk: for retail therapy
Agent insight
Q: Why should homeowners consider buying in the Northern Suburbs?
“The Northern Suburbs area offers an excellent family lifestyle, and the main attraction for buyers and families is the tranquillity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Other attractions include the excellent schools, Durbanville Wine Valley, medical facilities, shopping centres and the value you receive when purchasing a home. Areas such as Plattekloof, Welgemoed, Welgedacht and Durbanville offer some of the most exclusive properties, with the Northern Suburbs trending in the latest designs.”
Pierre Nel
Pam Golding Properties Plattekloof
021 558 3438
pierre.nel@pamgolding.co.za
pamgolding.co.za
