We live in New York and absolutely love visiting this beautiful corner of the world - so much so that we actually contemplated investing in this eco-estate. The idea and ethos is wonderful, but the execution is dismal...(read: rusting frame structure, poor drainage, flooded basement).After investigating further, reading reviews, and hearing the accounts of some owners I am so relieved we took our funds elsewhere!

I have been following the trials and tribulations of the first home owners on the estate from the start of the build in February 2017 to date.The house cannot be lived in as the “builder” did not build the house according to the approved building plans (making it impossible for the Council to issue an Occupancy Certificate) and due to other severe construction issues, including amongst others serious water ingress.The developer has also initiated numerous court cases against the owner in an attempt to force them to accept the house as is. To date all they have succeeded in doing is to postpone arbitration.As I have responded to your question can you please tell me what involvement the 4 and 5 star reviewers have with the estate? As far as I can ascertain they are neither property or home owners.

Beautiful, calm and comfortable living. Incredible views and just the right walking distance from Franschhoek’s main road.

Amazing, tranquil, peaceful and serene place to live in. Very happy happy to be a part of the L’Afrique family

When I initially saw how the first house on the estate was being constructed I expressed my concerns regarding the professionalism of the builder to the owners (I have built myself).They assured me that I should not be concerns as the builder had told them that the Architect, the NHBRC and the Engineer (not to mention the local building inspector) would be monitoring and signing of each stage of the work as it was completed.As it turns out the house was never registered with the NHBRC, and the Architect services were not retained during the build and the Engineer signed of aspects of the build without ever seeing them.All of the above have resulted in a house that was not constructed according to the approved building plans, and with multiple structural issues. The owners are still unable to take occupation some four years later.The Estate is located in a most beautiful part of the country, and the concept of an Eco off the grid house is brilliant. It is a just “unfortunate” that the Developers are totally out of their depth when it comes to building this type of house.Please be very, very careful who you choose to build your next home.

Your very own little paradise at the foot of the Franschhoek mountains.

What a lovely concept, being green. Pity the execution was disastrous.

From the green belt you could see the various stages of development for the first build (2017); now reading damning reports from the Master Builders Association and seeing a vacant house, the excitement that was once there for the first build on the estate has turned to sadness.

What happened to the Eco Estate concept ? I see that houses are now being built with brick, also no solar panels or other environmentally friendly materials.Can a developer just change the Ethos of a Development/Estate at will ?How do the home owners who bought into the Eco Estate concept feel about this, surely this must have devalued their investment ?