The rise in property prices, coupled with the popularity of estate living, has solidified the Western Cape as the home to ten of the most expensive estates in South Africa.
In 2024, homes in the region sold for an average price of up to R27 million. The demand for high-end homes in the area is largely driven by buyers seeking secure and well-managed estate living.
In 2021, Cape Town’s residential property sales outpaced Johannesburg’s, and the trend has continued, with Cape Town leading in total sales volume and average price paid for homes.
According to Hayley Ivins-Downes, managing executive of real estate at Lightstone, Cape Town outperformed Johannesburg in terms of average property prices every year from 2019 to 2024.
The value of property sales in Cape Town was over R81 billion in 2024, while Johannesburg’s dropped to just over R47 billion from R59 billion in 2021.
Beyond physical safety, estates are often well-maintained by homeowners’ associations (HOAs), ensuring that property values remain stable.
Properties within these gated communities tend to appreciate faster than their freestanding counterparts, offering strong resale potential and reliable rental returns due to low vacancy rates.
The increasing demand for estate living, especially among affluent buyers and retirees, combined with perceptions of better service delivery and lifestyle in the Western Cape, has contributed to the rise of some of the most expensive estates in the country.
According to Lightstone, the most expensive estate in 2024 is Silverhurst Estate in Constantia, with an average sale price of R26.7 million.
Other notable estates include De Goede Hoop in Noordhoek and Waters Edge Estate in Milnerton, with average sale prices of R21 million and R20 million, respectively.
Here is a table showcasing the 10 most expensive estates in South Africa based on the average sale price in 2024:
| # | Estate | Town | Total Sales | Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silverhurst Estate | Cape Town | R160 million | R27 million |
| 2 | De Goede Hoop | Noordhoek | R84 million | R21 million |
| 3 | Waters Edge Estate | Milnerton | R60 million | R20 million |
| 4 | Steenberg Golf Estate | Cape Town | R235 million | R16 million |
| 5 | St Johns Estate | Cape Town | R74 million | R15 million |
| 6 | V&A Waterfront Marina | Cape Town | R677 million | R15 million |
| 7 | Boskloof Eco Estate | Somerset West | R80 million | R13 million |
| 8 | Canellun | Somerset West | R39 million | R13 million |
| 9 | Erinvale Golf Estate | Somerset West | R329 million | R11 million |
| 10 | Kenrock Country Estate | Hout Bay | R109 million | R11 million |
