South Africa—14 Nov 2025

The most expensive residential estate in South Africa where houses sell for R27 million

Silverhurst Estate in Constantia Valley was found to be the most expensive security estate in the country, with a whopping average selling price of R27 million for its homes in 2024, according to data from Lightstone.

The Western Cape, as a whole, is known for its high-end property market. Data also indicate that the province accounts for approximately 40% of the property transactions exceeding R10 million in South Africa.

The Silverhurst estate likely wound up at the top of this list due to its location, as well as its sole focus on large, well-kept, Cape-Dutch-inspired homes, only 78 of which occupy the 112 hectares of land.

“By scale, Silverhurst Estate is much more boutique than most country estates, without the complications and bustle of too many onsite amenities, offering a more exclusive sense of sophistication,” the estate said.

The land, which has evolved into the estate, has a rich and fascinating history dating back to 1685.

The Constantia valley was granted to explorer Simon van der Stel, a piece of land ten times larger than any Governor had received at the time.

However, after a decade of owning the land, van der Stel set his sights on the farm next door, attracted by the density of silver trees in the hardwood forest.

He took on the farm and named it Witteboomen. Later, half of the estate would become Silverhust.

The land changed hands many times and was run as a farm. In 1872, shoemaker and adventurer William George Gimour took ownership of the farm.

Gilmour left his Scottish family home at the age of 14 to travel the world. He trekked across the country by ox-wagon and built up a fortune selling shoes.

The estate’s land remained in the Gilmour family for over 100 years and three generations before being developed into the residential estate.

The legacy of the previous owners lives on in the estate’s lovingly-restored Manor House, the original property.

Mansions beneath the silver trees

The architecture of each house in the estate was inspired by the traditional Cape Dutch settlements that were historically a part of the Constantia Valley.

Silverhust prides itself as an estate built on the values of the “simplicity of unfiltered country estate living,” without many of the recreational facilities that feature in many security estates today.

However, residents enjoy exclusive access to the estate’s tennis courts and pavilion area and close proximity to neighbouring, award-winning wine farms.

The property sizes range from a quarter of an acre to a full acre, and each home enjoys views of Constantiaberg and Table Mountain.

Through the security gates of Silverhurst, the central avenue branches off into smaller lanes and pathways into the lush landscape.

The landscape around and in the estate is carefully cared for. Ancient oak trees, flowering camellia trees and poplars surround the manicured lawns, shrubs and flower gardens of each home.

The Spaanschemat River runs between the houses, and the estate dam is a haven for birdlife and flora.

The estate is heavily guarded, with 24/7, state-of-the-art security ensuring the safety and privacy of each residence.

Only visitors that have been pre-approved by homeowners, or domestic workers are allowed through the gates, and even these visitors are required to use the estate’s main gate, with its other entrances open to residents only.

With such a high level of security and to preserve the estate’s sought-after views of Constantia, the estate’s mansions do not have high walls guarding their exteriors.

In fact, the estate’s rules mandate that hedge heights are kept below 4m.

Properties in the area are currently selling for as much as R41 million for a six-bedroom house.