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Travelling north along the N2 freeway, one encounters the small town of Salt Rock shortly after Ballito and Shaka’s Rock as another one of the province’s hidden gems.
Only 40 minutes from Durban, Salt Rock has long been a favourite holiday destination with its fishing spots, small-town environment and breathtaking beaches. The town owes much of its history to Basil and Gwen Hulett, of the sugar farming family, who established the Salt Rock Hotel and helped develop the town.
Over the years the hotel complex has been expanded to include a caravan park, timeshare, country club and now the new multi-million-rand Salt Rock Shopping Centre that has brought 4 000m² of retail and commercial space to the market. The opening of the expanded centre took place in July last year.
At the time, Salt Rock Hotel administration and marketing consultant Brian Carr said the revamp and redevelopment was in line with the new demands emerging in the rapidly growing Dolphin Coast. The initiative brought to the market a mix of retail and office space and a coffee shop where locals could meet.
Other new or established developments within the town include the Dolphin Coast Health Centre soon to open, Tiffany’s Shopping Convenience Centre, The Litchi Orchard complex and the Sage Centre.
Tiffany’s Shopping Centre in Salt Rock. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Seeff North Coast sales director and licensee Tim Johnson says while the local real estate market is not completely sheltered from external forces, several encouraging trends were emerging.
Johnson says luxury residential sales reflect the market sentiment. “Given the development happening around us and the exciting announcements and launches in the coming months, the North Coast broadly is certainly South Africa’s investment and lifestyle darling,” he says. Commercial sales and rentals reflect the growth happening along the North Coast.
New commercial strip mall development constructed next to the Salt Rock Hotel. Space is available for rent. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
There are units available within the new Dolphin Coast Health Centre measuring 12m² to 14m² for R250/m² that the developers believe will suit the requirements of physiotherapists, beauticians, massage facilities and doctors.
Situated in one of the farm-style shopping complexes are various retail units and office space to let at R320/m² within the mixeduse centre. In another fully fenced property adjacent to a popular pre-school in the town, an attractive 20m² loft-style office came to the market last year for R200/m².
For investors seeking an entrance into the holiday accommodation market, a 15-bedroom luxury boutique hotel recently came to the market for R14.5 million. The property included a large dining area, conference room, communal pool, Jacuzzi bar with a liquor licence and modern kitchen facilities, all within walking distance of the main Salt Rock beach.
Food and tourism are vital drivers in resort town
Salt Rock Hotel
The view from the Salt Rock Hotel veranda towards the town’s tidal pool and the Indian Ocean.
Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
The Salt Rock Hotel has been a stalwart for the town for decades and now includes a caravan park, timeshare, country club and new Salt Rock Shopping Centre. The hotel is known for its award-winning curries, with patrons travelling long distances to savour these classic KwaZulu-Natal dishes.
Siggi’s German Restaurant and Pub
Chris Schaedle and Chris Kossmann established Siggi’s German restaurant in 2008. The name Siggi’s was intended to carry forward the tradition of great hospitality and excellent food that had become an institution over the years at Siggi Schaedle’s Country Hotel in the Natal Midlands.
Sycor Construction
Owner Darren Sykes has more than 30 years’ experience in building dream homes in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Sycor Construction has been instrumental in several large developments around Salt Rock, Ballito and Umdloti, including Dunkirk, Brettenwood, Simbithi and Zimbali.
Kitchen Thyme
Kitchen Thyme operates from the Sage Centre. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Kitchen Thyme provides a fun, funky and functional element to patrons’ kitchens with its conventional everyday items and equipment through to that special gift for a modern twist on an old classic.
John Deere
The brand name for the American corporation Deere & Company, John Deere specialises in agricultural, construction and forestry machinery, diesel engines, drive trains used in heavy equipment and lawn care equipment.
The Litchi Orchard
Not only is The Litchi Orchard a functioning fruit farm, but it is a green haven of good food, decor and design that has evolved into a meeting place for the North Coast community. From humble beginnings as a wholesale nursery amid more than 300 litchi trees to the rustic early morning Farmers’ Market, the business has grown into a collection of passionate food, home and lifestyle small business owners.
Advantages of investment in area
A traditional corner outlet found in the residential area. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
Location
Situated slightly north of Ballito and Shaka’s Rock on the KwaZuluNatal north coast, Salt Rock now benefits from the dramatic growth and development expanding north of the Durban CBD. The town is a favourite holiday destination with its fishing spots and gorgeous beaches, attracting investments into tourism and accommodation facilities.
Land available for development
The northern expansion along the coastline is shifting the land use from agricultural to residential, commercial and industrial. This offers investors opportunities to design and develop new premises to meet the various levels of demand.
Established community
Live Eat Play is the motto for the Sage Centre complex. Picture: Terry Haywood Photography
The proliferation of new residential complexes and an established sugar farming community provides a sound market for entrepreneurial ventures and new businesses looking to attract consumers.
Infrastructure
Salt Rock is on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast with easy access to the N2 national freeway. This links the town to the ports of Richards Bay and Durban for export and import purposes as well as to the King Shaka International Airport for ease of access for holidaymakers and swift travel.