East London's new off-grid estate is nature's paradise

An exclusive gated eco-estate comprising just 22 vast stands is being launched this month along an unspoilt expanse of the winding Gqunube River in the Gonubie district of East London.

A unique aspect of Riverspride Eco-Estate is that the plots on offer range in size from 8 000m² to just under 12 800m², and all offer stunning views.

But by far the most significant feature of Riverspride is how completely it lives up to the “eco-estate” part of its name by offering residents the opportunity to live completely off the grid, says Lofty Nel, East London Principal of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Every South African dreams of living in an Eskom-free Utopia where loadshedding isn’t a constant threat, the lights always turn on and there’s hot water when you want it. Riverspride Eco-Estate has been developed entirely on green solar power to take advantage of the year-round sunshine in the Eastern Cape, and borehole connections are already installed at each stand to provide households with independent freshwater supplies.”

Nel, whose company has the sole mandate to market Riverspride Eco-Estate, says a development of this kind is a first in the East London region and with so many people still working from home, the project is already drawing national interest.

“We haven’t even officially launched the estate yet, but three river-front plots have already been sold and we’re busy concluding the sale of a fourth at the moment.”

Nel says Riverspride Eco-Estate is attracting so much attention from investors for myriad reasons, not least of all because the enormous stands are priced to sell.

“We have an 8 386m² stand with gorgeous views across a pristine natural valley on offer right now for R700 000, while river-front stands that are larger top the price list at R1.3 million. All prices include transfer duties.

“It doesn’t matter where on the estate you buy, though – with stands that big you’re not going to see your neighbours!”

Nel says because the estate is zoned agriculture, buyers are permitted to build two homes on their properties and there are no design restrictions to the builds.

“The estate is also paradise for families who love the outdoors. On every property there’s ample space to build stables or outbuildings to store kayaks, ATVs or mountain bikes, and with at least 8 000m² of your very own private nature playground to explore, every day is an adventure.”

Nel says estate costs at Riverspride Eco-Estate are also extremely low compared to comparable exclusive gated communities around the country.

“Monthly levies for owners will be an extremely affordable approximate of R120 per month, with an additional agricultural zone rates levy of around R150.”

Nel says as with the majority of coastal destinations around the country, East London’s property market has seen significant growth in the past year, largely spurred by the exodus of semigrants from inland metro areas.

“According to figures published in December last year in Lighstone’s Residential Property Index, year-on-year house price inflation in the Eastern Cape is a very healthy 7.3%, placing it in the top three performing provinces in the country.

“We’re seeing this trend developing on a daily basis in our office, with more and more inquiries from upcountry buyers interested in relocating to the East London region because of the lifestyle, the unspoilt beaches, community atmosphere and of course the fact that they can get far more bang for buck investing here than on the Western Cape or northern KZN coastlines.”

Nel says Riverspride may offer pristine natural surrounds for residents, but the estate is located less than 10km from a variety of shopping and entertainment amenities in Gonubie, as well as medical facilities and numerous primary and high schools. The nearest beach is also less than 10km away.