Dawn breaks for new Sun’s Lefika Villas

One year after the announcement of Sun International’s R295 million Lefika Villas development at Sun City, the project is 85% complete and every villa is already fully-booked for Christmas and New Year.

The Lefika project marks the first 5-star plus timeshare on offer at the Sun Vacation Club. Sun City resort general manager Brett Hoppé said: “The development could not have come at a more opportune moment.

“With the Nedbank Golf Challenge starting on Monday and the end of year holidays fast approaching, we are facing unprecedented demand. Luckily all 10 of the four-bedroom villas and 65% of the three bedroom villas will be available from this month. The remaining villas will come on board by mid-December, just in time for festive season bookings.”

The development consists of 48 three-bedroom and 10 free standing, four-bedroom villas, all en-suite.

Successful sales and member reservations for Lefika Villas

The villas form the first phase of a larger development and includes a club house, new restaurants and other amenities. Janita Donaldson, group general manager for the Sun Vacation Club said: “The demand for high-end luxury accommodation was there, but the market reaction to the development outstripped our sales predictions.

“By September, 11 months after the sod-turning, the entire four-bedroom stock has been sold and the pace of sales for the three-bedroom villas is also tracking way above expectation. Reservations opened on 5 October and that same day, we received reservations from 22% of our members. More than 50% of the four bedroom villas were also booked for the next 12 months.” Donaldson said 40% of Lefika Villas sales were snapped up by existing Sun Vacation Club members.

The remaining 60% was bought by new members. Lefika means “stone” in Setswana, and pays homage to the adjacent stone-walled Itlholanoga heritage site – the real “Lost City” of the resort.

“The expansive mountain views from the villas evoke a feeling of being in nature, built in the trees on a mountainous site, overlooking the valley below, with design inspiration generated from the local flora and fauna,” said Boogertman and Partners architectural team manager Lila Gouws, who hiked the site together with landscape architect Mariska Els for two days to gain an understanding of the “sense of place”.

Gouws said important natural features, such as rock outcrops and large trees, informed the placement of each villa and ensured that all the villas have magnificent unobstructed views, while being private.

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Thoughtful design and accessibility features in Lefika Villas

A team of 15 architects and designers spent the past 18 months designing and supervising construction, as well as procuring fixtures for the building, landscape and the interiors.

Each bedroom follows a unique theme, emphasising an allocated colour and telling a different story by using artworks, furniture, surface finishes and lighting by local artists. Bathrooms are large and airy, with tactile surfaces and mood lighting, creating a tranquil environment.

“The bathrooms have a very personal feel, with enough hooks and shelving for guests to bring everything that makes them feel at home,” Gouws said. “This intuitive design is continued throughout the space, with ample charge points for a smorgasbord of technology.”

Two of the three-bedroom villas have been designed for the mobility impaired, custom-made to be wheelchair-friendly, with grab handles and the height of the basins adapted.

“There are also emergency buttons to call should assistance be required.”

All villas have a closed combustion fireplace, an outdoor entertainment deck with a braai and an entertainment area.

“In addition, the four-bedroom villas each boast their own private plunge pool and a fire pit to gather around for late night chats, or just to sit in the silence of the Pilansberg while you gaze at the stars,” said Hoppé.

Wide sidewalks connect Lefika Villas to the hustle and bustle of the main resort. A five-minute walk will take members to the bus stop from where they can travel across the resort to the various attractions and amenities at Sun City.

Key statistics

• 100% South African suppliers and 95% South African products are used, making Lefika Villas proudly South African.
• 13 local fine artists’ works are used in the reception and villas
• 1 168 contractors were on site during construction;
• A 30% local spend percentage has been maintained by us local subcontractors, service providers and labour
• Materials used for the first phase included 2.2 million bricks, 4 200m³ concrete and 370 tons of steel.
• Using natural energy efficient design principles reduces heat gain in summer and minimises heat loss in winter. Large glazed areas allow for ideal natural lighting levels, while strategically placed windows ensure that effective cross ventilation creates the ideal level of comfort for the guest.

Water-saving sanitary fittings with energy-efficient cold start taps, heat pumps for effective water-heating and the use of LED lightings all contribute to the energy efficiency of the villas.

Sun City Resort’s sustainability manager Lwazi Mswelanto said: “As part of our water conservation efforts, wastewater from Lefika ablution and bathroom facilities will be treated, using the resort’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, and will be recycled into grey water and used for irrigation all around Lefika Villas. “

“This way, we will achieve a significant saving on freshwater that would otherwise have to be used for irrigation. Currently, the resort treats about 2 millions litres of water which is re-used for irrigating gardens and the two golf courses,” Mswelanto said.

“The grid-tied solar installation feed also includes Lefika, as solar energy can be directed across resort as needed. Waste will be collected and sorted at our resort waste recovery yard. All recyclable waste will be recycled and food waste be processed into compost.”

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