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PROPERTY ANALYSIS & TREND REPORTS
Mark Pettipher

Mark Pettipher

  • Joined: 16 July 2025
  • Articles: 304

300% increase in holiday rental bookings, as AI reshapes travel search

Rentals

AI is rapidly reshaping Cape Town’s holiday rental market, with referrals from platforms converting at about twice the rate of organic search. Nox Cape Town says success now depends on precise, structured and verifiable property information, supported by faster responses, dynamic pricing and real-time reporting. Yet human expertise remains essential, particularly for neighbourhood knowledge, guest service and judgement. The strongest model combines AI-driven discovery and efficiency with trusted local insight.

Estienne de Klerk takes the helm at Growthpoint

Estienne de Klerk growthpoint group ceo

Estienne de Klerk has taken over as Group Chief Executive Officer of Growthpoint Properties, succeeding long-serving leader Norbert Sasse. With almost two decades at Growthpoint and extensive experience across listed property, capital markets and corporate strategy, De Klerk brings continuity to the role. His appointment, supported by Group CFO José Snyders, positions the company to strengthen portfolio quality, recycle capital and pursue sustainable growth across its local and international operations.

The Marine reopens its doors, revealing a refined new chapter of coastal elegance

Marine in Hermanus

The Marine in Hermanus, one of South Africa’s landmark seaside hotels, has reopened after a refurbishment of its ground-floor public areas. The refresh reimagines reception, the cocktail bar, Pavilion Restaurant and connecting spaces, preserving the historic building’s character while introducing understated luxury. Inspired by Hermanus’s fynbos landscape, the design blends hand-painted botanical murals, warm lighting, terracotta floors and contemporary finishes to renew the hotel’s timeless elegance and coastal hospitality experience.

First businesses secured for the new Rietvlei Business Park

Reitvlei business park

Rietvlei Business Park in Pretoria East has reached a key milestone as Abland Property Developers welcomes its first long-term occupiers. Rugged SA has opened a 2,200sqm showroom, office and warehouse facility, while Package It will begin operating from a 6,700sqm warehouse in July 2026. Positioned at the R21 Nellmapius Drive interchange, the park offers premium-grade industrial space, strong accessibility and exceptional highway visibility for growing businesses in Pretoria East’s market.

NAD malls bring the FIFA World Cup closer to home

NAD Mall - football

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gathers momentum, New Africa Developments’ community malls are giving shoppers a front-row seat to the action. From Mams Mall to Acornhoek, Dwarsloop and Jumbo Mall, big screens are turning everyday shopping trips into shared football moments. Free, familiar and close to home, these centres continue to serve as places where communities gather, celebrate and belong throughout the tournament as excitement builds across South Africa.

GrandWest Mall development breaks ground

Grand West Mall

Flanagan & Gerard and GrandWest have broken ground on the R650 million GrandWest Mall, a 22,000m² convenience shopping centre within Cape Town’s GrandWest precinct. With over 70% of space already let, the mall will include Checkers FreshX, SuperSpar, Dis-Chem, Clicks and leading fashion retailers. Designed with Western Cape inspiration, the development prioritises local procurement, community employment and integration with GrandWest’s entertainment, dining and leisure offering.

Launch of Restilridge Farm Estate ushers in a new era of coastal farm living

Coastal farm living

Renishaw Coastal Precinct has launched Restilridge Farm Estate, a secure coastal residential offering within the 1,300-hectare Scottburgh development. Blending restored Crookes Brothers pioneer homes with modern farm-style residences and sectional-title units, the estate combines heritage, conservation-led planning and lifestyle amenities. With trails, equestrian facilities, clubhouse, solar-ready design and self-reliant services, Restilridge targets families, retirees and investors seeking community-focused KZN Mid-South Coast living.

Managed rentals hold key to agency growth

South Africa’s rental market remains resilient, with strong demand, low vacancies and high agency optimism supporting confidence in 2026. However, PayProp warns that stabilising rent growth and strained tenant affordability mean agents must look beyond market conditions to grow successfully. Expanding managed rental portfolios, investing in automation and adopting trusted PropTech and AI tools will be critical to building scalable, sustainable and more profitable agency businesses over the year ahead.

Brahman Hills breaks ground on one of Africa’s most ambitious wellness developments

Brahman Hills

Ground has been broken for the expansion of the Healing Earth™ Transformative Wellness Spa at Brahman Hills — set to become Africa's first fully integrated spa and garden wellness destination. The multi-million-rand development will extend into Brahman Hills' record-breaking 22-hectare Serenity Garden labyrinth, weaving together treatment spaces, thermal rituals, reflective walking paths and garden rooms. Rooted in regenerative Blue Zone principles, the spa reopens towards the end of 2026.

The fixer-upper: financial trap or untapped treasure?

Brad Bendall

South Africans are increasingly seeing fixer-uppers as accessible entry points into the property market, but BetterBond warns that renovations should be planned with long-term value in mind. Bradd Bendall says buyers should prioritise upgrades that improve liveability and resale appeal, from energy and water independence to kitchens, bathrooms, curb appeal and functional space conversions, while budgeting carefully for hidden costs, delays and financing risks.

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