THE INDUSTRY
PAGE 22
RETIREMENT ESTATE
Helderberg
Location
Helderberg Village is an upmarket retirement
village located on the slopes of the Helderberg
Mountains in Somerset West, approximately 45
minutes outside Cape Town. Situated in close
proximity to the N2 highway, the estate is
within easy reach of numerous wine estates in
landowner, Nico Koch, still remains a resident
of Helderberg Village.
Homes
Today, there are 720 dwelling units, including
one, two and three bedroom cottages and 37
one and two bedroom apartments on this fully
Stellenbosch, beaches and local shopping malls.
developed estate, housing 1200 residents. A
History
70% of which are rented out unfurnished, while
Helderberg Village has been in operation for over
28 years and was the brainchild of a visionary
entrepreneurial Cape Town attorney, Barry BurtonBarbour. Following his apparent success with the
development of the Silvermine Retirement Village
in Noordhoek for the Association of Retired
and Pensioners, Burton-Barbour purchased the
Shemara farm from Nico Koch and began
developing Helderberg Village in 1986.
hundred and forty of the homes are rented,
30% are rented out fully furnished.
Residents
Residents of the village come from all walks of
life and all parts of the world. Villagers must be
50+ and have undergone a successful medical
interview. The estate attracts many ex-captains
of industry.
Facilities and Amenities
The growth of Helderberg Village has since
There is a 70-bed on-site healthcare centre
been phenomenal, with additional land being
that has been extended on three occasions
purchased in order to meet increasing demand.
by the association using its own funds and
The village originally began as a share block
includes 15 assisted living bedsitter apartments
scheme, but, as the development grew, this has
attached to the centre. This facility provides
now shifted to sectional title and the original
professional sub-acute and frailcare as well