Pretoria ‘beach’ owners sink plans for hotel, despite R3m planning costs

Pressure from homeowners’ association sees Blyde Riverwalk development return to core family, security values

20 October 2021 - 12:49
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The Blyde Mint Villa as a concept. The villa has been built and was to be the base of the Byde Mint Hotel.
SCRAPPED The Blyde Mint Villa as a concept. The villa has been built and was to be the base of the Byde Mint Hotel.
Image: Balwin via Twitter

In a new twist to the Pretoria “beach” saga, Balwin Properties will no longer be building its 60-room Mint Hotel, despite already spending R3m on planning the new development.

Balwin Properties, which owns the Blyde Riverwalk Estate, has been locked in a months long wrangle with homeowners who live there permanently and owners who bought flats as investment properties and lease them out to different visitors for short periods. The latter are known as short-term lessors (STLs).

The Blyde Homeowners Association (HOA) voted last Thursday against STLs. Balwin said this followed numerous complaints to the HOA “over a period of four years, over the unruly conduct and noise disturbances that have become the norm, especially over weekends”.

The developer said it was inundated with complaints from residents about overcrowding of the lagoon area by guests from STL apartments “as well as residents do not feel safe and secure within the development, which is of great concern for all stakeholders”.

This has had a major impact on the STLs who need the rental income to cover their bond payments. This group of owners claimed Balwin is pushing them out because it wanted to dominate the short-term lease market through its planned new development: the upmarket Mint Hotel.

Balwin has denied the claim, but on Thursday the developers admitted, for the first time, to plans to build a hotel after months of speculation by homeowners. 

We believe that the discontinuation of the construction of the hotel is in the best interests of the The Blyde Estate, as well as all stakeholders concerned.
Balwin Properties CEO Steve Brookes

Balwin now says it has received communication from several owners expressing concern about the development of the boutique hotel — and has decided to halt its plans.

Balwin said in a statement: “These concerns predominantly revolve about returning the estate to a development focused on the prioritisation of the safety and security of all permanent residents and assurance that residents can freely and peacefully enjoy the lagoon area in a family-inclusive environment.

“Having duly considered the matter and despite having received the necessary local authority approvals for the construction of the hotel and having spent about R3m in professional fees in relation to the planning and development of the hotel, Balwin confirms that it will not proceed with the construction of the boutique hotel at The Blyde.”

Also, below the area demarcated for the hotel is an “ultra-luxury” villa owned by Balwin with Mint Hotels and rented to wealthy clients. 

STLs used this to leverage their argument that the developers wanted to be the only ones to profit from STL.

This in mind, Balwin on Tuesday indicated that the villa located at the doorstep of the lagoon will be disposed of for about R10m “which is expected to further enhance the value of the apartments across the development”.

Balwin CEO Steve Brookes said: “We have a 26-year track-record of going the extra mile for our homeowners and have always been open to engagement. We will continue to act decisively and with integrity to protect the interests of our clients.

“Having engaged with numerous stakeholders, we believe that the discontinuation of the construction of the hotel is in the best interests of the The Blyde Estate, as well as all stakeholders concerned and this entrenches our belief that we want to restore The Blyde to a family-focused environment for the enjoyment of its homeowners and long-term residents.”


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