ISSUE 22
PRIME INVESTMENT The Herschel
REAL ESTATE COMMENTARY | 3
A NIGHT FOR TWO AT THE TAJ,CAPE TOWN. Answer the following question: Who is the Executive Chef at Taj, Cape Town’s Bombay Brasserie? See pages 4 & 5 for information. Send replies to [email protected] Please include your contact number.
Greeff’s winning team CONTENTS By Mike Greeff Spurred on by the momentum of an open mandate is often not in can be a nuisance; Sellers must 4 THE TAJ, CAPE TOWN a sterling fi rst quarter of 2012, during writing therefore some aspects of the maintain a list of contact details which Greeff Properties enjoyed a agreement may be vague, leading and update all the agents involved Fit for the gods 55 percent increase in sales turnover to the probability of questions as every time there is a change or new 6 HOT POTS compared with the same period in to which agency was in fact the development and agents requesting One pot feasts 2011, our agents stormed into the effective cause of the sale. viewing appointments at haphazard 10 ULTIMATE KITCHEN STYLE second quarter of the year, fl exing times throughout the week can be Hot, chic and French their marketing muscles, and in the History has taught us that sellers inconvenient, not to mention a space of fi ve weeks, scooped up who opt for a sole mandate will security risk. 12 AHEAD OF THE PACK 64 new sole mandates, valued at almost always achieve better prices Lewis Thomas of Partners Hair Design R300 million. This was an increase of than those using multiple agents, If an agency has a sole mandate, it’s 133 HOT SEATS 57% compared to the same period since under a sole mandate, the more likely to invest in a marketing The rise of the occasional chair last year. agent invariably creates a platform plan for the property. Greeff has 144 ON THE COVER of competition among buyers to an in-house media and publicity Sole mandates are the lifeblood ensure a sale at the best possible department dedicated to marketing The Herschel of our industry, but the sole mandate price. Open mandates tend to our sole mandated properties. In 15 BISHOPSCOURT & KENILWORTH UPPER 7 agreement exists for the benefi t encourage agents to compete addition to this, Greeff’s affi liation 17 CLAREMONT UPPER & NEWLANDS of agent and seller alike. Sellers against one another for the sale, with Christie’s International Real 18 CAMPS BAY should be aware that when one thereby running the risk of reducing Estates means that selected luxury 19 CONSTANTIA UPPER sole mandate expires and another the selling price. Cape Town properties for which 9 is awarded to a new agent, there Greeff has sole mandates, can be 22 NIEUWE STEENBERG could be a period during which Sellers might argue that several marketed directly to the Christie’s 24 CONSTANTIA RURAL / HILLS the previous agent is still eligible for agents mean more potential buyers, international database of qualifi ed 1025 TOKAI commission if the property is sold however in my experience, when a buyers, through a bespoke marketing 26 FALSE BAY to someone introduced by him/ property has appeared week after and media mix and the global 30 BERGVLIET, DIEP RIVER, WYNBERG, her during the time period covered week in the local newspaper under affi liate network. Greeff Properties 12 by the previous sole mandate. The every estate agency’s banner, and has also cemented relationships HARFIELD strength of security for both sellers numerous ‘for sale’ signs, advertising with a number of other affi liates, 31 CITY BOWL and agents lies in the fact that the various estate agents are littering the which provide excellent exposure 32 SECTIONAL TITLE sole mandate agreement is a legally pavement, the common perception to the correct target market. These 14 34 RENTALS binding document comprising a set will be that something’s wrong with include: Druce Properties (London), of controls backed by the Estate the property, since nobody appears and LH Properties (Munich). Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) to want to buy it. Furthermore, the Code of Conduct. By comparison, logistics of an open mandate GREEFF’S
The Greeff Magazine is published by Greeff Properties Trescoe House, Corner of Riverstone and Cornwall Place, Wynberg
EDITOR Hedi Lampert Kemper DESIGN & LAYOUT Nici Mancini of Purple Mosaic [email protected] EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Hedi Lampert Kemper 021 763 4120 Price: R6 995 000 [email protected] Web No: 179092 GREEFF PROPERTIES BRANCHES Karen Little Wynberg Head offi ce 021 763 4120 083 261 8849 City Bowl 021 426 4848 False Bay 021 785 7222 Bruce Durham STEEPED IN HISTORY – ORIGINAL, Camps Bay 021 438 0991 TOKAI 082 380 1880 Rentals 021 794 1295 GABLED, CAPE DUTCH, THATCHED HOMESTEAD www.greeff.co.za Features include teak staircase, high ceilings, original wooden 5 4.5 2 10 Printed by Colourtone Aries fl oors and sash windows. Gym, sauna and large sparkling pool.
Disclaimer: The publisher, being Greeff Properties and the editor give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright Greeff Properties. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from Greeff Properties. Greeff Properties is not responsible for any unsolicited material. E&OE.
$#+"' ),)&-#( '("(*&"(&(# $#+"#&")'('#!"(#"#&0"""#'$( (-"" )("( $#+",$&" #&#)'!&&#*"("#"(!$#&&-(&(()&'#!#&( "(''(#&'(("+ ("('"+ "(#(,$" (& $&"("&"'"##)$'(#&" #)( &"'&* " "( # #) "'.#&!& -(!$ !&') (" &(()&'" & -&(""!"-#("(&#&()&' !() #)' -&'(#&*"(""+'(#&-'#)'')(')'(#!'"&'"'+(#!!""*+'#(#(& (-"&#" #)"("/'##&'#$"(#$&"(((" )'("(#" "$*" $& !"('#*&"!"( *"). "() (-&# #!$"-&"'!(#&/' (& ."(#'!#$# ("&('#(#&/' "&"!& (%)&. #!(#*&'(-#) ()&&("(&("!"(")'" BREAKAWAY | 5
By Hedi Lampert Kemper
ew things can cast more of a shadow over the latter part of my weekend than the spectre of an early morning meeting in the city. Beating the traffic means rising at an ungodly hour such as might induce the kind of nausea, I still, all too readily, associate with the panic of desperate, Flast-minute cramming for exams, and the alternative is throwing away an hour or more of precious time to the inbound city traffic. Unless of course you opt for the road less travelled and infinitely more serene – and now that I’ve done it, I can from my lofty, omniscient perch also claim that here lies Nirvana – literally. After all nothing is guaranteed to pulverize Sunday afternoon blues into oblivion more effectively than a Sunday night at a luxury inner-city hotel.
I packed an overnight bag and drove into the city, with the motorway virtually to myself, taking particular delight in a little acceleration on those marvelously engineered curves on De Waal drive, and after checking in at The Taj, and being shown to my rather wonderful room, it was with a tiny pang of regret I turned my back on the breathtaking view of St Georges Cathedral and the Company Gardens with the backdrop of table Mountain’s slopes glinting in the golden, late afternoon light. But, the Ayurvedic delights of the hotel’s Jiva Spa beckoned, and minutes later, I was reclining, wrapped in a silky, cotton robe, sipping a steaming cup of “detox” tea, brewed with fresh lime, basil leaves and sweetened with jiggery (an unrefined, whole sugar derived from sugar cane and date palms, and apparently rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron,) and, frankly, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I’d rather be.
My therapist bathed my feet in a hand beaten copper bowl filled with warm water and rose petals and informed me that in true Indian tradition, Jiva believes in the time-honoured adage “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means: “the guest is god,” and the treatment which followed was indeed heavenly. I had Champi, an authentic Indian head massage followed by a facial. All lentils and kidney beans, naan bread and fluffy steamed basmati rice. If I’d the creams and lotions used at the Jiva Spa are natural products containing had a teaspoonful of space left for dessert, I would have opted for malai kulfi a heady mix of exotic herbs and spices. After the treatment I was invited to – a cardamom ice cream, to round off the culinary extravaganza. make use of the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, which I did. But back in the room, another menu awaited us – a pillow menu! I was almost weak with delight. What to choose? The orthopaedic neck pillow, the full body hugger, goose or duck down or a cotton filled puff of pleasure? The latter was delivered to the room in minutes and the ensuing sleep was deep and refreshing.
We rose early enough to watch the rosy, dawn light on the top of Table Mountain while the city streets below slowly began to wake up, punctuated by the odd call of a gull straying a little far from the ocean.
After a sumptuous breakfast buffet at Mint Restaurant, it was still, happily, too early for my meeting in the city, so, wide-eyed as a tourist, I meandered down St Georges Mall, taking in all the arts, crafts and fashion, and wondering why I don’t visit my exquisite city more often.
Thus at peace and aglow, I joined my partner for dinner at The Bombay ' &'$ ) $*,*'- )- +%%#%')+% Brasserie where legendary executive chef, Harpreet Kaur’s contemporary &'(%$((' $ $"* $*"" '!() $()*'$) Indian approach results in Relais et Chateau type presentation, incorporating RATES QUOTED: APPLICABLE TO SA RESIDENTS ONLY. TERMS & CONDITIONS . exotic flavours that pack a mighty punch.We feasted on roasted yellow corn Special offers are valid for all reservations and bookings, travelling before end September 2012. STO rates are inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, 14% VAT and 1% Tourism Levy. soup with turmeric popcorns, soft lentil dumplings in yogurt with sweet mango relish, char grilled spiced broccoli, char grilled Indian paneer cottage cheese %'#%' $%'#) %$%')%#!%%! $# " '(&)%+$ ) %)"(%#%'"" spiked with guntur chillies, a masala prawn curry, smoked brinjal mash, black 6 | DINING IN
DINING IN | 7
(%*' %$ ! %$%$($%$) )( ( $ ) #%$( %# Recipes, styling and production by Hedi Lampert Kemper. Photographs by Jan Ras. Cookware: La Cocotte: by Staub, courtesy of Eurafrican, Cape Town.
APPLE AND SWEET POTATO LAMB SHANKS WITH CHICKEN ROAST IN CIDER TURKISH APRICOTS, DATES AND ALMONDS Serves 4 to 6 Serves 4 or 6 if shanks are generous ! #% $ !! $ $ # )%!!$! "&#%# !! # *$$(%! %% #&%%# &% %$ ' ½%$! (# $% %$!#$%) +%$!$% # &$ !!# & ,&!#( Preheat oven to 180˚C. Place all ingredients in a #$!# %$ casserole dish, except the sweet potato. Cover with the lid #$ %$ or heavy foil and roast for 45 minutes, basting regularly. $ Add sweet potato, baste again and roast, covered for % another 30 minutes. Remove lid or foil, baste again and roast uncovered for 15 minutes or until chicken portions are golden brown and sweet potatoes and apples are tender. Heat oven to 175˚C. Place oil and chopped onion in a cast iron casserole dish or roasting pan and cook on a stove top until the onion starts to soften. In the meantime, squeeze the juice of one lemon over the lamb shanks, then brush with a mixture of apricot jam and beef stock granules, spreading as evenly over the meat as possible. Add the shanks to the cooking onion, and brown the meat on all sides. Add red wine, mix to combine, cover with the casserole lid or heavy foil and place the roasting pan in the oven. Roast for 1½ hours, basting regularly, then season with a good sprinkling of cumin, a little extra salt and a good shake of white pepper. Add three quarters of the roughly chopped dates and apricots and gently mix into the sauce. Roast uncovered for 20 minutes or until meat is nicely browned and falling off the bone. Keep basting to prevent shanks from drying out. Serve with cous cous and sprinkle with remaining apricots, dates and the almonds. 8 | DINING IN CLASSIC MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE WITH GARLIC, PARSLEY AND CREAM
Serves 4 #" '% # '% ! " !"!! $!# "! ! " " "!! (!! %!
In a medium sized saucepan, sauté the onions and garlic in butter until soft, add wine and oysters. Place the lid on the pot and let mussels steam for 3 to 4 minutes until the shells open. Turn off heat and add cream. Do not boil the cream, it will clot. Just before serving, add tomato cubes and garnish the dish with parsley leaves. Serve with a fresh, crusty baguette.
CAULIFLOWER & POTATO SOUP WITH PERI-PERI CASHEW SPRINKLE
Serves 6 as a starter "($ "!!($ ! "!! ! "!! ! # ! $! #! !" & " " "'!!(#" $! & $"!
Melt butter in a pot, add oil and fry onion and garlic until soft. Add potatoes, cauliflower, water and stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for at least twenty minutes or until potato and cauliflower are tender. Purée the soup in a blender and add a good sprinkling of nutmeg to taste. Add more salt if desired. Serve topped with a few drops of olive oil, a swirl of cream and a sprinkling of chopped peri-peri cashews. Garnish with a light dusting of paprika or peri-peri seasoning. Enjoy with a chunk of warm, fresh ciabbata. DINING IN | 9
10 | HOMEWARE
Custom made to order in a choice of 15 colours, the Souveraine1400 Rubis by Godin is the jewel in the iconic French manufacturer's crown. The hob is fuelled by gas and there are two 75-litre ovens – 1 gas and the other electric. $*+' # * ( ) #$$ '$$ $).$ #
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# )( #%) $#!!),. # *'' #()%*!) #)$#$),$').%$( ) $#($*) ' /( ($! "%$')'# ()' *)$'$ #)'#) $#!!.! "%'$*)( #!* #(#!)' )#%%! #( -&* ( )!.')$$ '$$(##)' )(,$$)'(% ("#*)*'.( !!')("# ,$) ""#(%' #+'.1,!((#!#"$((( # HOMEWARE | 11 " ! #"$ "
Integrated red and The fl agship product stainless steel kitchen of the Rosieres units fi tted with range, the Bocuse Rosieres appliances. in cast-iron black All items available enamel and chrome, from Eurafrican was designed in Industrial Agencies. consultation with Chef Paul Bocuse specifi cally for home use. It boasts two 60-litre electric ovens, a gas hob and a multifunction removable plate.
Eco 10kw by Godin A retro-designed, cast-iron wood burner with an option to fi t the fl ue pipe off the top or the back. Use a side door for woodloading.
In cream enamel with satin chrome fi nishes, the handcrafted Exquise Pro by Godin is custom-made to order. The ovens are electric – one has a 60-litre capacity, the second, a 30-litre capacity and a warming Ecoval 13kw drawer. Gas hob. by Godin frontloading wood burner with top or rear fl ue pipe All items available from Eurafrican Industrial Agencies Address: 26 Marine Drive, Paarden Island. Tel: 021 511 3925 www.eurafrican.co.za 12 | PERSONALITY
Words and photographs by Hedi Lampert Kemper.
ewis Thomas thinks of himself as an artist might his belt, Lewis sailed from Southampton to Cape a canvas – a medium for shapes, colours and Town aboard the Pendennis Castle. “I was 20 – it today, it appears, mixed media; he’s wearing was one big adventure,” he says. After a brief stint torn jeans patched with scraps of newspaper at a salon in Florida, west of Johannesburg, Lewis Lprint, there are paper clips and mismatched landed a job in Cape Town at The Mount Nelson. The training academy, he explains, was a natural cufflinks through the button holes on the tips of his “I got to work early and left late, since mornings progression; “I had been teaching my junior collar and his glasses are framed in a translucent and evenings were the busiest times in the salon. I colleagues informally for the past 25 years. My acid green, which matches his left sneaker – the made sure I did the receptionist’s hair for free every lacklustre performance at school left me feeling right one is purple. day too, so she’d send hotel guests my way – and I never had a chance to amount to much, so I they always tipped really well.” took a particular pride in passing my knowledge “I compose my outfit every night before I go to on,” says Lewis, who had begun to discover a gift sleep and I lay it out next to the bed,” says Lewis, I TOOK A PARTICULAR PRIDE IN for teaching in addition to his clear talent as a adding that his children tend to appreciate his style hairstylist.“ It meant I could give people the means more than his wife does. She apparently requested PASSING MY KNOWLEDGE ON,” to earn a proud living, and that’s one hell of an that he wear matching shoes when the couple SAYS LEWIS, WHO HAD BEGUN TO incentive to get up in the morning.” visited her family in Portugal recently. DISCOVER A GIFT FOR TEACHING
Lewis’s creative energy is, however, not limited to IN ADDITION TO HIS CLEAR TALENT his personal sartorial expression. Most of his time AS A HAIRSTYLIST is spent sharing his knowledge, expertise and unquestionable talent in the art of hairdressing at Lewis recalls paying R22 000 with a fistful of notes Partners Hair Design Training Academy – a SETA for his first salon in 1984. It was to become Partners accredited (in process) establishment, offering a Hair Design in Claremont. He currently owns all 19 full-time hairdressing course. of the Partners Hair Design salons, eight of which cater for men only, and the remainder, for a unisex I struggled through school, but I knew from the age clientele. Lewis keeps his hand in by working at of 13 that I wanted to be a hairdresser. With a the Gardens branch of Partners Hair Design on hairdressing diploma from City & Guilds UK under Thursdays. WHAT’S HOT | 13 7
6
YOU DON’T HAVE TO REDECORATE THE WHOLE ROOM; 5 TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE BY SIMPLY ADDING A NEW HOT SEAT. I LOVE HOW SUCH A SIMPLE CHANGE CAN REINVIGORATE YOUR SPACE. Dawid Augustyn | Owner of Establishment – a Cape Town based design and furniture company.
1. Vadim Chair and Ottoman by Hamilton Conte (Paris). The chair has solid beech legs and a resin, upholstered seat. Available in various shades. POA 2. Audrey Chaise-lounge, by Koo International – available with chrome or wooden legs. The collection boasts additional matching elements such as a couch, two or three seater 4 sofas and pouffes. Chaise - R24 595.00 Excl. VAT 3. Quilt Chair, by Established & Sons. Bouroullec’s iconic Quilt series takes its inspiration from comic book superheroes. The mathematically designed, upholstered, patchwork components are covered in a honeycomb-like skin of hi-tech stretch fabric with individual foam inserts, which is fi tted over a fi breglass shell. R69 350.00 Excl. VAT. 4. Camelot Chair by Koo International is designed with two lateral holes to emphasize a vacuum. Metal Legs are available in gloss or satin chrome or a choice of lacquered colours R20 769.00 3 Excl. VAT. 5. Raw Chair by Muuto. Based on rough and intuitive interpretations of iconic everyday objects, crafted from a piece of wood hand-carved using a band saw, each RAW piece is unique. R19 012.00 Excl. VAT. 6. Easy Chair (with arms) by Established & 2 Sons, conceived by Klauser & Carpenter, with scale of economy in mind. The Easy series of upholstered seating was created as an antidote to the prevalent large landscape sofa systems. The 1 engineered metal base is available in either polished nickel or a variety of colour options. The sofa and chair are available with or without arms. R28 603.00 Excl. VAT. 7. Tudor Chair by Established & Sons, created by charismatic Spaniard, Jaime Hayon, hailed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most relevant creators of our times. Inspired by the six wives of Henry VIII, each chair expresses a unique identity through variations of upholstery and fi nishing, blending fi ne opulence and spectacle with modern fl air. R18 056.00 Excl. VAT.
See www.establishment.co.za for the complete ranges. [email protected] 14 | DEVELOPMENT
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lanked by exclusive, private girls’ school, Herschel, and located a mere two blocks from luxury shopping centre, Units are priced from Cavendish, The Herschel occupies one of Claremont’s R1.1 million most enviable positions. Undeniably modern and (exclusive of VAT) Fdefi ned largely by clean, straight lines, the structure is at once imposing, yet unobtrusive – its elegant minimalism speaking to a timeless and classic design ethos. “The use of simple materials and the stripping down of unnecessary decorative elements creates an unfettered frame for the striking views of Devil’s Peak and Constantia Nek, False Bay and the Southern Peninsula,” says The Herschel’s architect, David Peerutin of Peerutin Architects, adding that fl oor-to-ceiling glass doors bordering bedrooms and living rooms allow natural light and views to fl ood in, thus maximising the inside/outside feel of the apartments.