PROPERTY TRENDS
ESTATE LIVING( AND THRIVING)
BY CHARIS TORRANCE
ESTATE LIVING IS SOUTH AFRICA’ S FASTEST-GROWING PROPERTY TREND. COMBINING SECURITY, LIFESTYLE, AND LONG-TERM VALUE, GATED COMMUNITIES NOW ATTRACT 15 % OF BUYERS.
Though estate living is nothing new, it was seen earlier as a niche market reserved for the elites. Through the years, however, it has become the fastest growing property trend in South Africa – making up 15 % of sales. So why is everyone flocking to these gated communities?
THE HISTORY OF ESTATE LIVING
Though the concept of estate living can be traced back to colonial times, when land ownership and clustered residential structures attached to them existed, such as the slave lodgings of the Bo-Kaap. According to Bradd Bendall, BetterBond National Head of Sales, what we understand as‘ estates’ only began popping up in South Africa in the late 1980s.“ Rising crime levels in higher-risk urban areas prompted residents to form gated neighbourhoods with controlled access, laying the foundation for what would later evolve into modern residential estates.”
Regard Budler, CEO of BetterSure Financial Consultants, explains:“ BetterSure’ s research shows residential estates have evolved into professionally managed environments focused on preventative maintenance, shared infrastructure, and resilience.”
However, it is the Noughties that saw the rapid growth of“ lifestyle estates”. These were largely about access control, with limited oversight of ongoing maintenance.
“ Today’ s estates, by contrast, are fully integrated lifestyle environments,” notes Bendall.“ Over the past two decades, they have become one of the fastest-growing property types in the country, offering not only security, but convenience, shared amenities and a strong sense of place, too. Modern estates are designed to support everyday living, with facilities and services that enhance long-term value and deliver steady capital growth.”
The modern estate we see today, Budler explains, are structured, governed environments with enforced maintenance standards and proactive infrastructure management.“ This improved security and upkeep often translate into better insurance outcomes, including improved premiums and faster, smoother claims processing due to clearer risk controls and better-maintained assets.”
WHAT’ S DRIVING THE TREND?
As Bendall puts it:“ Buyers are increasingly drawn to developments that offer security, lifestyle convenience and long-term value within a managed environment.”
These mixed-use lifestyle estates offer not only luxury living but also a sense of community.“ Many estates have evolved into lifestyle
24 INBOUND SA / MARCH 2026