One of the big successes in the Southern Suburbs property world, Bishopscourt Village, is to this day largely unknown to the majority of Capetonians, say the Greeff Properties’ agents Ford King and Simon Raab who serve this area. Even the name of the area, adds Mike Greeff, Chief Executive of Greeff Properties, is known to very few.

The village, which lies between the Liesbeek River and Bishopscourt Drive, took on its identity in the 1930s when a successful businessman, a Ukrainian immigrant by the name of Isaac Ochberg, acquired the land for development. However, most existing buildings date from the 1960s.

Bishopscourt Village has now grown to the point where no further land is available for new housing - but ongoing renovation of the existing homes here continues and this and the shortage of stock in the area, says King, have ensured steadily rising values.

“The average price today,” says King, “is R4 million and the homes on our stock list are priced between R3,3 million to R6,5 million.”

The last three years, he adds, have seen prices rise faster than ever before, partly because so few residents want to sell.

“This is an area where, once people have lived there, they never want to move on.”

Simon Raab comments that the village has a strong community spirit and is much liked by couples with children. The local residents’ association, to which 85% of the residents belong, has its own newsletter, organises an annual street party and employs ADT to bike patrol the precinct on a 24/7 basis.

“Those with children of school or university going age find the area particularly attractive,” says Raab, “because UCT, SACS, Bishops, Western Province Prep School, Rondebosch and Wynberg schools are all close at hand – and the Cape Town CBD is only fifteen minutes away out of peak traffic hours.”

The quality of the homes, he adds, is high, reflecting the good standards of artisans and workmen in the 60s and 70s.

Although no one style was ever prescribed, residents building here have always, he says, shown respect for the conservative architectural traditions that have prevailed in the district.

King and Raab, who continue to sell homes steadily here, have recently confirmed their relationship with the Bishopscourt Residents’ Association by helping to sponsor ongoing conservation work on the Liesbeek River where a park has been proclaimed.

“There is, of course, seldom sufficient stock available to meet the demand,” says King, “but if potential buyers will exercise a little patience, this is very definitely an area to target. It has everything: strategic position, charm, beautiful trees and great mountain views, high building standards and a wonderful communal spirit. You cannot do much better than this if you are looking to buy in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs.”

Article by: www.greeff.co.za