Celebrating launch of Kerzner Estate

Sol Kerzner is all ears as daughter Andrea explains details of the project.

After more than three decades at Leeukoppie Estate, the Kerzner family are looking forward to welcoming new neighbours.

The much-anticipated launch of Kerzner Estate at Leeukoppie, the first development to carry the Kerzner name, was held at the family residence on Tuesday February 13.

A total of 48 homes, each with its own unique design, will feature on the estate, with the first eight now available for purchase.

Six of South Africa’s leading architects – Sean Mahoney, Jonathan Jacobson, Sally Tsiliyiannis, Stefan Antoni, Ian Gray and Dennis Fabian – were commissioned to design the homes, with Seeff Developments given the exclusive mandate to sell the units.

These homes start from R20 million.

Invited guests, prospective buyers and members of the media gathered at the residence under heavy skies to learn more about “Sun King” Sol Kerzner’s vision for the development, on which he has colla-
borated with his daughter, Andrea Kerzner.

After introductions and screenings of videos showcasing Leeukoppie’s magnificent panoramas, Mr Kerzner shared the story of how the family had come to settle in Hout Bay 35 years ago.

“My then wife (former Miss World) Anneline Kriel no longer wanted to spend our holidays in one of my hotels again. ‘As soon as we get there, all you do is get involved in operations,’ Annie said to me. So we decided to start looking at places to buy in Cape Town,” Mr Kerzner told guests.

“We started looking at apartments in Clifton, none of which really impressed us, but Annie was convinced about a place in Hout Bay. Now the last time I was in Hout Bay was when I was about 14, but I remembered there was nothing there. All I wanted to do was go to the beach at Clifton.”

Eventually, however, he was persuaded to have a look at the property, and “as soon as I was half way up the road I fell for it, the property was absolutely unique”. Only a few days later, Leeukoppie became the family home.

He said he had now decided to “share a bit of paradise” with others, and was especially excited to be working on the development with Andrea.

Andrea said the selection of the architects was a long process, with a lot of to-ing and fro-ing in order to arrive at the right people for the job.

“We have chosen architects who share our vision. We wondered
how they would work together, but they have come up with eight spectacular designs. One of our key focuses was environmental sustainability, and the estate includes rainwater harvesting, solar power and rehabilitation of the fynbos population,” she said.

Estate residents will have access to horse riding lessons, catering services, housekeeping options and airport transfers as well as a fitness centre. In addition, the estate benefits from its own private greenbelt.

Mr Kerzner told the Sentinel that he had embarked on the project since he had a lot more free time as he was no longer involved in the hotel business.

“My daughter has also always been very keen on estate development, so it’s been a lot of fun working with her.”

Andrea was pleased that residents of Imizamo Yethu were included in the construction of the homes, and that they would be able to take away much-needed skills from the project.

Ross Levin, Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl developments director, said Seeff enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with the Kerzner family again.

He expected significant interest in the development to come from buyers within the Cape looking for a luxury security estate home as well as from upcountry areas such as Johannesburg and Pretoria. The estate would also appeal to international buyers looking for a second home in South Africa.