Why high-net-worth individuals are flocking to Nettleton Road, Clifton: SA's most expensive property market

Nettleton Road in Clifton, Cape Town, already boasts the reputation of being one of the most exclusive streets in South Africa - and likely all of Africa. According to Lance Cohen, CEO of Lance Real Estate, this exclusivity is set to increase, promising even more expensive and beautiful homes in the future.

It made news again this year when South African multi-award-winning Black Coffee reportedly bought a R157-million mansion, in cash, in this exclusive property hotspot.

Known for its dramatic views across the Atlantic Ocean towards Table Mountain's Twelve Apostles, Nettleton Road didn't become South Africa's most exclusive address overnight. Instead, it earned the title gradually, brick by brick, through successive record sales.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, it was little more than a quiet, cliffside stretch above Clifton, dotted with modest bungalows and weekend retreats. Some of the earliest homes were so simple they were practically makeshift, built for beachside escapes rather than luxury living.

Over the decades, the road’s dramatic position and its proximity to Clifton's white sandy beaches quietly drew attention from those who could afford to turn location into legacy.

By the mid-2000s, the road was already outpricing the rest of the country, and over the past two decades, it has quietly cemented its place at the top as developers, designers and high-net-worth buyers snapped up every inch of this cliffside strip.

Cohen says there is a shortage of high-end real estate in the city of Cape Town for the numerous prospective buyers there are at the moment.

Some of the notable homeowners in the street include Black Coffee, well-known architect Stefan Antoni, a well-known art dealer and a bank financier, amongst others. It also drew wild interest when four pieces of land sold for millions earlier this year.

Work has begun in earnest on those plots.

Black Coffee's property fits seamlessly into Nettleton Road’s aesthetic; sleek architecture, sweeping glass, and a layout designed to drink in the Atlantic from every angle. Perched high on the cliffside, the home mirrors the DJ’s lifestyle: understated in tone, but unmistakably premium.

While details of his interiors remain private, neighbours whisper about a contemporary masterpiece built for both solitude and entertaining, the kind of home where ocean sunsets pour through the windows like stage lighting.

His presence on the road adds to Nettleton’s celebrity appeal, reinforcing its status as the address where South Africa’s top achievers choose to plant their roots.  

Makes sense, right?

Living on Nettleton Road (it even sounds fancy) comes with the kind of perks that would make anyone jealous. You’re perched above the Atlantic with uninterrupted ocean views that shift colour with the time of day, framed by the Twelve Apostles on one side and Clifton’s beaches on the other.

Residents step out of their homes and are minutes away from the iconic stretch of white-sand beaches; no long drives, no crowds, just the sea on your doorstep, lekker! The road itself is tucked high enough to offer privacy, shielded from traffic and curious eyes, with world-class security systems built into nearly every home.

Then there’s 21 Nettleton, the clifftop hotel everyone whispers about; tiny, intimate, and insanely luxurious. Six rooms, a penthouse, and the option to rent the whole place make it feel more like your own villa than a hotel.

Private chefs, infinity pools that look like they spill into the Atlantic, saunas, steam rooms, and terraces with views that Instagram dreams are made of.  Prices start at R15,000 a night for a room and can hit over R130,000 if you take the whole villa, but for anyone who can, it’s curated Cape Town luxury.

It's a seven-storey, castle-esque mansion that screams drama and luxury, and it's giving Lisa Vanderpump vibes. 

Designed by Antoni, this vertical masterpiece spans nearly 1,000 m² across seven levels. It includes multiple bedrooms, a private cinema, a wine cellar, a gym, a massage room, a steam room and staff quarters.

Its infinity pool appears to pour straight into the Atlantic, while terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows provide uninterrupted views of Clifton’s beaches and the Twelve Apostles. Sold for R120 million, it stands as the ultimate trophy home.

Earlier this year, Pam Golding Properties reported that it had sold two adjacent vacant erven comprising a total of 2 700sqm and situated in a prime position in what is considered South Africa’s most prestigious and coveted address were sold by Pam Golding Properties for a total sum of R170 million, VAT inclusive.

Pam Golding said there were originally only two larger lots with permission to subdivide into four.

Pam Golding also described Nettleton Road as the most exclusive of all roads in the country. It has a limited number of residential properties, featuring large, luxurious, iconic homes.

These properties offer everything high-net-worth individuals desire: an unparalleled lifestyle, exclusivity, privacy, and rarity. Above all, the spectacular views epitomise the essence of the globally acclaimed Atlantic Seaboard.

It said the panoramic views from Nettleton Road sweep from the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range to all four Clifton Beaches. “This premium location is home to captains of industry and some of the most luxurious designer homes in South Africa.”

Basil Moraitis, who heads up the Western Cape region for Pam Golding Properties told this publication that the Atlantic Seaboard continues to experience significant demand, increased pricing and limited stock available for sale.

“Whilst difficult to forecast the future, there is extensive investment across all property types, which continues to underscore the value proposition of the lifestyle offering and perceived value.”