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Paarl *Discussion and Galary*

24K views 57 replies 17 participants last post by  wadeyshady1 
#1 · (Edited)
As Die Kapenaar kindly reposted the pictures for me. I'll make a more suitable start to the thread.


Paarl
Quick Intro



Population: 108,000
Founded: 1687 (Third oldest town in South Africa)

Attractions

Taal Monument and Museum

Wine

Fairview
KWV -One of the top Brandy brands worldwide
Siimonsvlei

Top Restuarants

Bosmans (The Business Day Restaurant of the Year Award 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2005)

Le Quartier Francais
(Franschhoek) - Top 10 Restuarant in the World (Hotel Magazine USA) + many many more

Websites

http://blog.winecountry.co.za/ | www.paarlonline.com
 
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#38 ·


CT's Paarl gets transformed

2008/11/13

The Winelands town of Paarl has reported a surge in interest in buying historic buildings and transforming them.

Savvy property buyers are helping to re-invigorate the Winelands town of Paarl, by snapping up some of its older buildings and transforming them into character-filled modern structures. The local Pam Golding office reports that there has been a surge in interest in some of the town's older houses, especially those with interesting historical background, and says renovators are turning the dull and dowdy into charming family dwellings and small shops.

The change is nowhere more evident that on the town's Main Road, says PGP area manager Surina du Toit. "Main Road has always had a few small businesses and motor dealerships, typical of a rural town, but in the last few years we have seen it undergo a complete transformation. It is now a bustling, trendy spot, full of beautifully renovated buildings, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants. One of the biggest success stories has been number 279 Main Road, which we sold to developers two years ago. They have taken the old collection of drab offices and flats, and created modern apartments as well as vibey commercial spaces including a deli, restaurant and boutique. The vibe is not unlike St George's Mall in Cape Town, with lots of pedestrian traffic and outdoor activity, flanked by beautiful old buildings. It is also becoming a draw-card for tourists, who find it is a great place to spend an afternoon, wandering through small shops and enjoying fantastic local food."



Tourists are not the only ones to enjoy this breath of fresh air in the town. Says PGP's MD for the Boland and Overberg, Annien, Borg: "The property market in Paarl remains buoyant despite the overall tougher trading conditions we are experiencing at present. We are seeing ongoing interest from a wide variety of buyers, including businesspeople working in Cape Town's Northern Suburbs, for whom it is only a 25 minute drive to work. There are also plenty of queries from upcountry residents looking for a less stressful and more secure place in which to raise their families, close to excellent schools and sporting facilities, with a stunning mountain and vineyard setting and a more tranquil, neighbourly lifestyle. There is particular demand for homes in the various security and golf estates such as Pearl Valley, Boschenmeer, Val de Vie and Winelands Estate."

The agency has a wide selection of homes for sale in Paarl, with prices starting at around R440 000 for apartments, and small homes coming in at around R1 million. There is a variety of larger family homes, smallholdings and farms, ranging up to a large wine and port farm with a traditional Cape Dutch homestead, on the market at R33 million. "One can still buy a sizeable house here for R1.5 million," adds du Toit, "and enjoy all the benefits of living in the Winelands and enjoying a rural lifestyle, while still being only 45 minutes away from the Cape Town International Airport."
 
#39 ·
(Drakenstein) Municipality helps poor and elderly cut costs
2008-12-04
http://www.paarlpost.com/cgib/article?newsid=13459

THE Drakenstein Municipality has approved increases to the indigent subsidy scheme to save poor communities and the elderly millions of rands annually in a bid to ease the burden of the current financial crisis.

Not only will the poor pay even less for services, but the beneficiaries in the scheme will also increase from the current 8 000 to 16 000.

The current criterion for qualification in reduced municipal fees is an income of less than R1 880 per household per month. Under the new approach, the minimum income qualification will increase by 30% to R2 444.

The Municipality will also engage in a drive to encourage individuals in poor communities to register with the Municipality in order to benefit.

Farm workers have also been targeted, through savings in their employers’ contribution payment for services.

It is estimated that the subsidy granted for one year will amount to about R48 million.

“The Municipality has taken into account the burden the poor face in these difficult times,” says Executive Mayor Charmaine Manuel.

“Although the current financial burden is not of our making, we believe that the Municipality should help the poor save money for key commodities such as food and clothing.”

The savings, which came into effect on December 1, cover water, electricity, refuse removal, sewerage services and property rates.

The grant will increase from R203,34 to R278,44. In the case of unemployed individuals the grant is R304,94.

Municipal staff would have to work overtime to capture details of the beneficiaries, with possible help from unemployed individuals.

The practical implications for poor households are as follows:

• Free electricity to increase from 50kw to 100kw, including the unemployed

• Free electricity of 100kw to households on local farms, for the first 5 000 applicants

• The R55 sewerage subsidy to increase to R75

• The R55 refuse removal subsidy to increase to R75

• Free water of 6kl will now increase to 10kl

• Residents of old age homes to be subsidised by R150 per month per couple on refuse collection and sewerage services

• All registered poor households to be exempted from interest on arrear accounts

The Mayor further encouraged all affected individuals to register at their nearest municipal office.
 
#40 ·


Grande Roche Hotel

2009-02-26

A NEW management and marketing contract for the prestigious Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, a member of Relais & Chateaux, has recently been facilitated by Pam Golding Hotels, a member of Pam Golding Hospitality (PGH).

This transaction resulted in that the Shamwari Group, with partner Dubai World Africa, being awarded the contract.

Joop Demes, CEO of Pam Golding Hospitality, said ,“The directors of The Grande Roche consulted us with a view to increasing brand awareness in an increasingly competitive market and also alleviating pressure in terms of day-to-day operations.

“Having introduced Adrian Gardiner, chairman of the Shamwari Mantis Group to the directors of the Grande Roche, we were then commissioned by both parties to facilitate the negotiations,”

The Grande Roche Hotel is considered the most well-known boutique hotel in the Cape Winelands, being particularly popular among a repeat clientele from Germany and the UK.

With Mantis Collection, Gardiner has built up an exceptional collection of unique, upmarket and boutique hotels and game lodge establishments in Africa, England, Scotland and Europe.

“Pam Golding Hospitality has a long history with Adrian Gardiner who has utilised our services extensively for consultations and facilitations for many well known properties such as The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve in the Western Cape, Steenberg Hotel in Cape Town and the Draycott Hotel in London.

“His keen eye in partnering with unique properties dovetails perfectly with the Grande Roche to benefit both parties,” he says. Currently PGH is involved in nine other operator facilitation processes for hotels in SA.
 
#41 ·
Santé Winelands Hotel to reopen in May



Possible base camp at Santé

2009-02-26

WITH less that 500 days left for Africa’s first soccer world cup event, all possibilities for international teams to set up base camp in Paarl are under investigation.

The latest on the list is the Santé Winelands Hotel between Paarl and Klapmuts. This hotel closed down two years ago after the owner, the fallen asset management company Fidentia, ran into difficulties.

On the official Paarl 2010 website, the four possible venues for team accommodation are listed as Santé, Diemersdal farm near Wellington, the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, and Pearl Valley.

The Paarl Waterfront development is not mentioned on the website, although consultation with stakeholders regarding this development is in progress.

Arthob Petersen, councillor of Drakenstein municipality and chairperson for Paarl 2010, told the mayoral meeting last week that Santé was also in the running to have their facilities ready for a presentation to Fifa, the international football governing body.

Fifa will make the final decision on where these base camps will be, in December. All base camps must conform to Fifa requirements.

“It will cost the hotel R16 million to upgrade their facilities. They have to get playing fields to accommodate the players,” said Petersen.

The hotel was recently purchased by British business man Chris Wishlade of SafCap Investments for an undisclosed sum and is currently being refurbished. It is due to open in May.

The hotel was closed for more than two years and this week the new owners were busy removing the current furniture from the hotel.

* The Grande Roche Hotel has also indicated that they will undertake to build an additional six suites in order to qualify for a base camp team hotel.

“Upgrades to the Dal Josaphat Stadium have started and we are waiting on the final specifications for the pitch and the base camp stadium guidelines,” Petersen said.
 
#43 ·
reoppening this hotel is a must as its spectacular and was my favourite hotel in CT, good to see some GBP being invested.

Would love to know what he paid for the hotel?



Possible base camp at Santé

2009-02-26

WITH less that 500 days left for Africa’s first soccer world cup event, all possibilities for international teams to set up base camp in Paarl are under investigation.

The latest on the list is the Santé Winelands Hotel between Paarl and Klapmuts. This hotel closed down two years ago after the owner, the fallen asset management company Fidentia, ran into difficulties.

On the official Paarl 2010 website, the four possible venues for team accommodation are listed as Santé, Diemersdal farm near Wellington, the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl, and Pearl Valley.

The Paarl Waterfront development is not mentioned on the website, although consultation with stakeholders regarding this development is in progress.

Arthob Petersen, councillor of Drakenstein municipality and chairperson for Paarl 2010, told the mayoral meeting last week that Santé was also in the running to have their facilities ready for a presentation to Fifa, the international football governing body.

Fifa will make the final decision on where these base camps will be, in December. All base camps must conform to Fifa requirements.

“It will cost the hotel R16 million to upgrade their facilities. They have to get playing fields to accommodate the players,” said Petersen.

The hotel was recently purchased by British business man Chris Wishlade of SafCap Investments for an undisclosed sum and is currently being refurbished. It is due to open in May.

The hotel was closed for more than two years and this week the new owners were busy removing the current furniture from the hotel.

* The Grande Roche Hotel has also indicated that they will undertake to build an additional six suites in order to qualify for a base camp team hotel.

“Upgrades to the Dal Josaphat Stadium have started and we are waiting on the final specifications for the pitch and the base camp stadium guidelines,” Petersen said.
 
#45 ·


Exclusive hotel opens on estate

2009-03-05



NEW. The L’ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas has been in operation since the beginning of the year. Pic: Sieb Sieberhagen


THE L’ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas, a newly built exclusive hotel set within the secure grounds of the prestigious Fransche Hoek Estate, is now in operation.

Guests can stay in the stately five-star château or in one of the charming one, two and three bedroom private villas.

Construction of this Provençal-inspired hotel started in June 2008 and late in December last year it was handed over to owner Dawie du Preez, a resident of Franschhoek.

The château, with six superior bedrooms, each luxuriously furnished and all with views of the majestic Franschhoek Mountain, are furnished with king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, satellite TV, DVD players and even small kitchenettes.

This hotel also offers “fractional ownership” to members of the Private Residence Club with four luxury two-bedroomed villas managed by L’ermitage.

A total of 26 spacious villas line the cobbled streets – all luxuriously furnished with the finest finishing touches and a fully equipped designer-kitchen.

The fine-dining restaurant, with Reuben Riffel contracted as consulting chef, offers gourmet eating at its best.

L’ermitage also has its own deli-cum-grocer, called the Epicerie. It is stocked with imported cheeses and meats, breads and speciality products. Also on site are a wedding chapel, conference facilities and wellness centre.

For more information, visit www.lermitage.co.za.
 
#57 ·

La Concorde by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Klok by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Kerk Zaal 2 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Huisie 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Huis 1787 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gimnasium 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewelhuis 2 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewelhuis 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewel 1984 2 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewel 1818 2 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewel 1818 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Gewel 1787 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Geel Gebou by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Die Stal 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


De Hoop 1 by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Café Juno by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr


Bruin Gebou by Pet Shop Boy, on Flickr
 
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