Driving up the N2 – if you are anywhere near the North Coast – your journey is bordered by rippling hills of verdant sugarcane, which seem to dance gently as the breeze ruffles it. As you head north, a board urging you on to Tinley Manor beckons interestingly; tucked away in the bosom of this suburb is an absolute gem: Palm Lakes Family Estate. It could be likened to an oasis; one that crops up as a balm for the bustle of the city.
Set on 700 hectares of prime land, Palm Lakes captures the heart of gated living in the most organic, natural way. With unspoiled bush, picturesque dams and animals roaming freely, the estate gives residents the best of both worlds: the sanctity of tranquil living and the peace of around-the-clock security. The estate was conceptualised and developed by husband and wife duo Wim and Olivia Sak, who still maintain a deep interest and investment in the estate. It is heartening to observe their unadulterated passion and drive to make Palm Lakes the estate of choice, and the fact that they are making that happen.
And the estate of choice it certainly is, with its perfect positioning along the North Coast: close enough to thriving towns like Ballito or the suburb of Umhlanga in Durban, but with enough of a distance between them to allow you to completely shut off when you get home. Palm Lakes is an estate that offers its owners and tenants exceptional value for money with top class facilities like the Dragonfly Clubhouse, Mini Palms – a clubhouse catering for children – a veritable water wonderland and astro turf, plus a retirement village and neighbouring (but on estate) private school, Trinityhouse Palm Lakes, you will struggle to find anything in this league elsewhere. Soon the estate, with its partners, will have completed a R20m investment in fibre on the estate which will then offer all residents extraordinary connectivity services. Remember what it was like growing up? The freedom and fresh air of wide-open spaces. It was a carefree existence. Palm Lakes Family Estate enables you to share an extraordinary life, the kind of life that you remember from your childhood, with your family and has been the dream of the developers who have invested significantly in making it a reality.
All this and Palm Lakes is only now, 10 years after its launch, nearing the end of the 300ha first phase one, with less than 50 plots left to sell and only a few homes in the retirement village. For Wim, this is an exciting milestone as it means that buyers are endorsing the estate by buying into it, and they are doing so faster than any other estate on the North Coast but that doesn't pose any problem. Wim and Olivia are planning to unlock the next phase of the estate in the near future to meet the constant and growing demand for sales.
Relax and unwind at the Dragonfly Clubhouse
A licensed restaurant, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas and sparkling swimming pool makes for the ideal hangout with family and friends. Recent additions which include two kiddies' swimming pools, a lazy river and a giant slide mean the clubhouse is undoubtedly the best place to cool off. If you don't feel like going for a dip then hang around on the estates newly extended deck and relax while the kids have fun.
Go fishing everyday
It's possible- the estate's many beautiful lakes provide for superb fishing right on your doorstep, with proximity to some of the North Coast's best fishing beaches. Blaze a trail on foot or mountain bike: a variety of trails meandering through the estate provide ample opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors and appreciate the breathtaking setting of Palm Lakes.
Quad bike adventures
The young and young at heart will love the estates bike track- an exhilarating yet safe adventure activity for all ages.
Golf enthusiasts Improve your skills at Palm Lakes' very own driving range or visit one of many golf courses that Ballito has to offer.
Mini Palm Clubhouse
The perfect spot for hours of family fun, with jungle gyms, fenced heated swimming pool, a coffee shop and catering facilities. Residents can also host their kid's birthday parties at the Mini Palm.
Architecture
Taking its cue from nature, the prevailing architectural style at Palm Lakes Family Estate encourages the seamless flow of energy from natural outdoor spaces to modern interiors.
Living areas are divided into individually roofed components arranged around landscaped courtyards that function as outdoor living rooms. Architecture is contemporary beach style, with clean lines and incorporating natural earth tones and finishes such as stone and wood.
The estate has only approved registered architects who have been authorised to develop structures at Palm Lakes and all buildings must comply with the architectural guidelines stipulated by the Home Owners Association, ensuring the look and feel of the estate is maintained.
Trinity House School
The core philosophy governing life at Palm Lakes, has always been the desire to provide the ultimate, convenient, family focused lifestyle. Now, in line with this philosophy, Trinityhouse Palm Lakes officially opened its doors to complement this perfect lifestyle. Building on the strong foundation of Trinityhouse schools across the country, Trinityhouse Palm Lakes offers a high academic standard, balanced with state of the art sporting facilities. Trinityhouse Palm Lakes provides education that reflects traditional values and holds true to a structured, caring Christian ethos.
Impala Ridge
The most recent development at Palm Lakes is the new 85 unit townhouse development named Impala Ridge. Found in the estate this new development will release 28 units in the first phase and will offer units for the 'starting' out owners with 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom options and moving up to family focused 4 bedroom and 3 bathroom units. Affordably priced from R1,690,000 direct from the developer Impala Ridge is set to continue the trend of selling affordable homes bundled with exceptional value at Palm Lakes.
All round our first feature estate, Palm Lakes Family Estate, truly delivers on its mantra that it doesn't sell houses, it sells a lifestyle.