With breaking ground due to take place within a few months, Lalela Estate is all about bringing back the “neighbour” in “neighbourhood”.
White picket fences, neighbours gathering for a catch up at the end of their roads, kids laughing as they ride their bikes up and down cul-de-sacs on hot summer days – for most people this is what they envision when they think of living in a family-friendly neighbourhood. The essence of a true neighbourhood is what most of us long for and Lalela Estate’s community-centric values focus on the nostalgia of an ideal neighbourhood environment. Through its design, lifestyle and amenities, Lalela is zoning in on what makes a quintessential neighbourhood setting and reviving our most loved characteristics of living in a true community.
The reality is that most gated estates were built for security rather than the notion of being a neighbourhood. However, one of the drawcards many estates promote about living in gated environments is the sense of community. Despite this, the architecture of many estates doesn’t lend itself to the true notion of neighbourhood living, with layouts often being linear with one main road, some feature circular roads and perhaps a spattering of cul-de-sacs.
The market demand for property in estates continues to increase, and this is clearly evident in the rate of increase in the number of gated estates from 6 500 in 2016 to over 8 600 in 2022 as per research from Lightstone.
“Living in a gated estate may be regarded as one of the top items on the wish list of many South Africans because of the security, amenities and lifestyle they provide. At Lalela Estate, we’ve created the perfect marriage of a traditional gated estate with a true neighbourhood feel – the opportunity for small neighbourhoods to exist within the larger estate through the creation of lane architecture leading to a cul-de-sac. The cul-de-sac and the benefits of living in a cul-de-sac is what drives the vision of Lalela,” explains Geoff Perkins, Head of Residential Projects, Collins Residential.
The formation of these small aterial roads and cul-de-sacs will allow neighbours to live with one another in a community without divisive walls and enough privacy to live comfortably without prying eyes. These lanes will facilitate small pods allowing for the creation of ecosystems of connected families, which are intrinsic to one’s psychological well-being – giving the definition of neighbour a feeling once lost. This will impart a true feeling of belonging for residents while also providing an additional layer of security.
Geoff adds, “The past couple of years have reminded us of the importance of connecting with your neighbours and being able to share with the one’s who live closest to you. This was the inspiration behind the family-inspired Lalela Estate. The two- and three-bedroom homes go beyond the walls but fit comfortably within the 104-hectares of lush greenery and natural wetlands. Drawing you closer to nature, residents will enjoy serene living and a sense of reconnecting with nature and the people closest to you.”
Homeowners will be able to choose from five custom designed, single-storey architectural layouts with their own private garden and parking. Starting from R2 295-million with no transfer duty and no conveyancing fees, there is only a R50 000 reservation fee required.
Over the years the term neighbour had lost the zest it once had. It’s refreshing to see community-centric estates such as Lalela coming to the fore, reminding us to stop, listen and embrace the beauty around us. Reminding us that it takes a village to raise a child and that it’s better to do life with neighbours you know.