Words: Candice Botha
The Bluff is an umbrella term for seven smaller suburbs: Brighton Beach, Grosvenor, King’s Rest, Ocean View, Fynnland, Treasure Beach and Wentworth, all situated south of Durban on the promontory of land that forms a natural boundary to the harbour.
One of Durban’s older areas, The Bluff has a distinct sense of community and unique character and it’s not surprising that the area has a bustling property market. According to Private Property data for April, the Bluff was the 17th most searched-for suburb in Durban with a median price of R1,695m.
“Residential properties range in price from R1m to R10m with commercial properties up to R35m,” says Wondera Erasmus, owner, Harcourts Brighton Beach. Tyson Properties currently has homes on their books ranging in price from R430,000 to R5,7m. “There is also vacant land available,” notes Erasmus, giving buyers the opportunity to build their own dream home.
The area is often underrated with buyers not considering the spacious rooms, established gardens and magnificent sea views available from the many elevated properties in the area, all offering good value for money.
Recent upgrades of the beaches and shopping centres in the area have done the property market good and the establishment of the Sodurba Whale Watching Festival – taking place on 30 June at Brighton Beach – will bring visitors to the area.
The location is convenient for many people who work in the nearby areas of Prospecton, Mobeni, Island View, Jacobs, Durban central, Fynnland or Merebank. Transnet, Portnet and Engen are all nearby and buyers wanting to live close to their work are an active sector of the property market here.
“There is a range of property available including freestanding houses, simplexes, duplexes, apartments and maisonettes,” says Lynn Roper, franchisee, Tyson Properties Bluff, who adds that properties in Marine Drive, Maxwell Road, Sormany Road, Milkwood Beach Estate, Vistaero and D’anstey are always in demand.
“The market on the Bluff is best described as active but cautious,” says Erasmus. Roper adds that any secure property with a sea view is popular and complexes and estates will always have good resale value.
