The serene coastal town of Stilbaai is increasingly becoming the canvas for lifestyle and residential estates that maximise the natural beauty of the Garden Route. From eco‑estates to retirement villages, to beachfront developments, these estates are shaping what living in this part of the Cape will look and feel like in the coming years.
WORDS & PHOTOS: NEWSROOM
Stilbaai is in the midst of a kind of evolution: from holiday‑town to a place where people are investing for more permanent, amenity‑rich, and nature‑integrated living. The newer lifestyle estates respond not just to the demand for holiday homes, but for sustainable, secure, and community‑oriented living.
Featured Developments
Preekstoel Beach Estate – Stilbaai East
Preekstoel Beach Estate is a luxury coastal lifestyle development located in Stilbaai East, right on the edge of the Geelkrans Nature Reserve. This is one of the last beachfront estates in the Western Cape that secured development rights before newer, stricter environmental regulations were implemented, making it a rare opportunity for coastal buyers.
The estate offers a mix of freestanding homes, townhouses, and sectional title apartments with flexible architectural options and plot sizes. In addition to scenic views and direct beach access, the estate includes hotel-style amenities such as a restaurant, conference centre, spa, gym, and concierge. It is currently under development, with properties being actively marketed and sold.
Skulpiesbaai Lifestyle Estate – Stilbaai
Located near the Skulpiesbaai Nature Reserve and Stilbaai Golf Course, this premium estate features modern coastal homes with sea and reserve views. Skulpiesbaai is designed around green living principles with low-density development, contemporary architecture, and environmental building guidelines.
Buyers can choose from vacant stands or completed homes (off-plan). Safety and exclusivity are built in, with controlled access and thoughtful estate planning. The estate is well underway, with many stands sold and homes either built or under construction.
Thornehill Eco Estate – Stilbaai East
Thornehill Eco Estate is a boutique eco-conscious development situated in Stilbaai East, offering only about 20 stands, each roughly 700 m² in size. The estate is focused on sustainable living, with solar energy options and environmentally sensitive design controls, including colour and height restrictions to protect the visual and natural environment.
Elevated plots offer excellent views over the river and fynbos-covered countryside. It appeals to those seeking tranquility, privacy, and a minimal ecological footprint, yet within close reach of Stilbaai’s town centre.
Ellenrust Lifestyle Village – Stilbaai West
Ellenrust is a retirement-focused lifestyle village located in Stilbaai West. It offers a gated, age-friendly community designed for active retirees and those needing care. The development includes 128 erven (plots), as well as an assisted-living and frail-care facility, communal areas, and medical services.
Homes come in various designs with quality finishes and are close to essential town amenities and the ocean. The project is being built in phases and already has a number of units completed and occupied.
Plattebosch Kloof – Stilbaai West
Plattebosch Kloof is a land-only development in Stilbaai West offering flexibility for buyers who prefer to design and build their own homes. Phase 1 includes 40 vacant residential stands ranging from approximately 577 m² to 890 m² in size. The estate markets itself on affordability and simplicity: there is no homeowners’ association (HOA) in Phase 1, no monthly levies, and no strict building timeline.
All stands are fibre-ready and pet-friendly. Prices make it an accessible option for first-time buyers, investors, or retirees looking to customise their home in Stilbaai.
What distinguishes these developments
- Nature, views and location: Many estates are sited to maximise coastal and river views, or set next to nature reserves, dunes, fynbos, etc. The emphasis is not just on building, but on preserving the natural surroundings.
- Lifestyle and amenities: From full retirement living (frail care etc.), to hospitality‑style amenities (spa, gym, restaurants, conferencing), these estates are designed to offer more than just a house.
- Sustainability and eco‑features: Off‑grid energy (solar), protection of open space / indigenous vegetation, architectural and design guidelines to limit visual impact (colours, height, etc.), no unnecessary density.
- Target markets: A mix — retirees, people wanting vacation / holiday homes, permanent residents seeking a quieter coastal lifestyle, and investors looking for growth potential.
- Cost and value: Some estates are premium / high end (e.g. beachfront, full amenities), others offer more “entry level” land‑only options, with lower restrictions, levies, etc., but also fewer amenities.
For those interested in entering the market now and looking or property to buy in Stilbaai, there are options across the spectrum — premium beachfront, eco‑estates, retirement villages, and flexible land stands. Timing, careful due diligence especially around regulation and infrastructure, and selecting the right fit (amenities vs budget vs location) will matter a lot.
Top picture: Ellenrust Lifestyle Village.
