Property

The small South African suburb where homes sell for R69 million

Kirsten Minnaar • 15 November 2025

Fresnaye on the Atlantic Seaboard is one of South Africa’s most desitbale luxury property markets, with villas selling up to R69 million and average values rising 74% in five years.

According to Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard, Fresnaye is a rare gem in South Africa’s property market.

It offers stunning sea and mountain views, shelter from the notorious Cape South Easter, and tremendous capital value growth and investment value.

In 2025, villas in the suburb have sold for up to R69 million, and a penthouse for up to R32.5 million. The average price is up by a phenomenal 74% over the last five years.

Just over half of all freehold houses have sold this year for over R20 million. The total value of sales at R753.6 million (from 45 units) from January to early November 2025.

These sales have already exceeded the total value for 2024 of R638 million (from 51 units). Levin said this is reflective of a general uptick in activity across the Atlantic Seaboard over the last few years.

Although a small suburb, Fresnaye occupies one of the best locations on the continent. Situated on the slopes of Lion’s Head, it is one of the two most wind-sheltered suburbs and offers incredible ocean and mountain views.

It has a unique French-Riviera feel with palm-tree-lined avenues and a mix of family houses, apartments and penthouses, along with holiday properties and guest houses. Fresnaye also frequently ranks as one of the best places to live and holiday in.

It offers quick and easy access to the amenities and attractions of the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl, including retail, restaurants, leisure activities, and the sought-after beaches.

Access to excellent schools – such as St. Cyprian’s School, Reddam House and Bishops Diocesan College – makes it a top choice with family buyers.

Some of the most sought-after streets in the country, offering some of the best views, are located here, such as Alexandra Avenue, Fresnaye Avenue, Head Road, Kloof Road, and Top Road.

Fresnaye property values soar

Levin explained that the suburb consequently attracts high demand and premium prices, making it one of the most affluent suburbs as buyers compete for the most sought-after addresses in the country.

There is an approximate 50/50 split between freehold and sectional title properties. The overall average selling price this year stands at around R16.7 million, putting it among the top in the country.

Propstats data, however, shows that the average price for freehold houses is actually higher, and well above this at R21.9 million.

Just over half of all freehold sales (16 sales) in 2025 have sold for upwards of R20 million to a highest price of R69 million.

This record price was achieved for a luxury villa in Head Road sold in October by Seeff’s luxury market specialist, Jo Lombard.

About half of all the sales in the suburb were sectional title properties, which sold at an average price of R10.8 million.

The sought-after high-end apartments and penthouses, however, tend to achieve much higher prices. Jo Lombard, for example, sold three such properties over the last three years, each achieving the highest price for an apartment.

An apartment in Ave Des Huguenots was sold for R30.5 million in 2023, and an Ocean View Drive apartment was sold for R33.5 million in 2024. These are some of the highest prices paid for apartments in the country.

The most recent sale of a spacious penthouse with a private pool, and uninterrupted ocean and mountain views from every room, located in Ave Des Huguenots, achieved another record price of R32.5 million for the year.

Lombard said the property was purchased by a local buyer who had been renting in Camps Bay and intends to use it as their primary residence.

The Atlantic Seaboard is arguably the most valuable residential belt on the continent. Everybody who visits Cape Town tends to frequent the area, and it ranks as one of the most desired areas to live and invest in, Jo said.

It therefore offers a compelling investment case with transaction data showing strong capital retention and growth, as illustrated by 2025’s sales data.