As Durban rides the wave as South Africa’s primary domestic tourist destination and the country’s most liveable city as voted by the recent Mercer Quality of Living Report, local government and the private sector are rallying to assert the province as the African continent’s best beach destination.
Tongaat Hulett has been one of the companies at the forefront of KwaZulu-Natal’s rapid development over the past two decades. Working together with public and private sector stakeholders, the company has identified key demand drivers for economic growth, and tourism is one of them.
Cue Sibaya Coastal Precinct, on the KZN north coast’s burgeoning property corridor. Situated between the Ohlanga and uMdloti river estuaries, the development encompasses 308 hectares of forest and overlooks 6,5 kilometres of ocean.
According to the company, the 1000-hectare, 15 to 20-year project will ultimately bring approximately 9 000 residential dwellings and 500 000 square metres of commercial space to the region.
Using an open space lattice system and innovative, unobtrusive architecture, the hilltops will be developed, leaving the valleys, forests, beaches and wetlands to be rehabilitated, preserved and maintained.
Fully realised, Sibaya will include offices, shops, restaurants, educational institutions, recreational opportunities and more to complement its comprehensive residential offering.
“With house prices showing growth in nearby Durban’s property market according to Knight Frank’s 2017 Global Residential Cities Index, investors would see great returns on investing in a fully-integrated precinct such as Sibaya,” said Tongaat Hulett Developments Managing Director, Michael Deighton.
Residents of the Ocean Dune development took occupation of their luxury apartments in April. 260 luxury units offer direct beach access and unobstructed sea views; with prices ranging from R1 million to R17,5 million, the development is fully sold out.
Other developments in the market within Sibaya include Signature Sibaya, Pebble Beach, Coral Point, Gold Coast Estate, the Sterling and the retirement option, Shoreline Sibaya.
Demonstrating the high demand for property in the area, most of the residential developments are between 60% and 80% sold out with Shoreline achieving R250 million in sales within four months of being launched.
Sibaya Coastal Precinct is situated just ten minutes from the King Shaka International Airport and forms a pivotal node in the emerging Aerotropolis, while in time, it may also offer commuters the benefit of being a transport point along the proposed GO!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN).
“The proposed new transport system will ultimately connect Durban to its surrounds and make access to our beautiful beaches and natural attractions easier than ever,” said Deighton.