Property

The exclusive South African suburb built on a 360-year-old wine farm where properties sell for over R100 million

Kirsten Minnaar • 24 June 2026

Cape Town’s exclusive suburb of Bishopscourt is seeing surging demand for luxury homes, with limited stock and strong local and international interest driving property sales above R100 million.

Bishopscourt is one of Cape Town’s most prestigious residential suburbs, renowned for its expansive properties, tree-lined streets and prime location on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain in the Constantia Valley.

Offering privacy, security and panoramic mountain views, it has long attracted high-net-worth individuals, diplomats and prominent business leaders.

Its proximity to the city centre, while retaining a peaceful suburban atmosphere, makes it one of the most sought-after addresses in South Africa.

The suburb’s origins date back to 1658, when the land formed part of the Bosheuvel wine farm established during the Dutch colonial era.

In 1851, the property was purchased by the first Anglican Bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray, who renamed it Bishopscourt after the official residences of Anglican bishops.

The original estate remained largely intact until 1937, when it was subdivided to create the exclusive residential suburb that exists today.

Bishopscourt is particularly popular with families due to its proximity to some of Cape Town’s leading schools.

Nearby institutions include SACS Boys High School, Herschel Girls School, Constantia Waldorf School, and Cedar House High School, all of which are a short drive away.

Residents also enjoy convenient access to shopping and everyday amenities. Constantia Village and Cavendish Square are the closest major retail centres, while the Cape Town CBD is approximately 13km away.

Cape Town International Airport can be reached in about 20 minutes, making the suburb well-connected despite its secluded setting.

Outdoor lifestyle is a defining feature of Bishopscourt. The suburb borders Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and lies close to the Constantia Wine Route, with many walking trails, restaurants, and wine estates nearby.

Today, Bishopscourt remains one of South Africa’s premier luxury property markets, with large freehold homes on generous plots commanding some of the country’s highest residential prices.

From R30 million to R100 million

Situated on an erf of over 4,600 sqm, this sizeable four-bedroom residence in Bishopscourt, Cape Town, recently sold for R34.95 million through Pam Golding Properties.

According to Pam Golding Properties Western Cape area manager Sam Nel, Bishopscourt continues to function as one of Cape Town’s most exclusive residential enclaves.

In this area, demand consistently exceeds supply across all price bands, with well-priced homes selling within weeks or discreetly before the public launch.

“Entry-level pricing for quality homes in Bishopscourt now typically begins in the R30 million to R35 million range, while activity above R50 million remains robust for exceptional properties,” Nel said.

“At the very top end, interest in R100 million-plus estates is increasingly being driven by both local and international buyers and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.”

This mirrors data from Seeff, which showed that, for the first quarter of 2026, Bishopscourt properties were selling for an average of R30 million.

This is almost three times the area’s average selling price from five years ago, which was around R11 million.

Nel noted that buyers in Bishopscourt are highly specific in their requirements, placing particular importance on privacy, north-facing orientation, land size, architectural quality, and redevelopment potential.

“Well-located properties, especially those offering renovation opportunities, are attracting strong competition from both investors and end-users,” she said.

Across Bishopscourt, stock shortages remain a defining feature of the market, leading to increased competition among buyers.

Quality homes are frequently sold before or immediately after listing, while well-priced properties often attract multiple offers within a short period.

“The shortage is being driven by sustained demand, limited new supply and a growing tendency among existing homeowners to retain properties due to long-term capital growth and lifestyle appeal,” Nel said.

“As a result, entry price points across both suburbs have shifted materially higher in recent years, with what was previously considered premium pricing now effectively forming the new baseline in several sub-segments.”