The award-winning South African residential estate built on its own island

The Thesen Islands residential development in Knysna in the picturesque Garden Route was constructed on a marine ecosystem so delicate that it had to meet more than 100 strict conditions during its construction. 

The estate has received awards for its development, skillfully balancing residential living with the environment. It won the International Property Award for Best Marina Development in South Africa. 

The 90-hectare marina features 512 individual homes and 56 apartment units, all constructed in a colonial maritime architectural style that conforms to Knysna’s architectural heritage and maritime history. 

The homes occupy 19 man-made islands linked by 21 arched bridges that monitor all entries and exits for safety reasons.

The Thesen Islands Marina is a blue-flag area and one of the richest ecological estuaries in South Africa, home to the rare and endangered Knysna seahorse. 

The location of the exclusive estate is steeped in history. According to the estate developers, the San were the earliest inhabitants of the island. 

Later, settlers made the area their home and named the island “Paarden Island.” In 1869, Norwegian timber merchant Leonard Thesen and his wife and nine children settled in the area. 

The family had departed on the Albatross, a ship bound for New Zealand, when the ship was forced to dock in Cape Town. The Thesen family decided to stay in Knysna and started a timber trading company.

In 1904, Charles Thesen, son of Leonard, bought Paarden Island and established a timber processing plant there in 1922, naming it Thesen Island. 

In the 1980s, the community grew concerned about the environmental and industrial pollution caused by the factory’s activities. As a result, the plant was closed and its buildings, machinery and waste dumps remained. 

In 1991, Dr Chris Mulder and his company, CMAI Architects, proposed a redevelopment plan for the island, turning it into a residential marina.

Balancing residential living and environment

Because the Knysna River Estuary is one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the country, and a major tourist attraction, the development needed to be carefully planned, adhering to ecological, architectural, engineering and aesthetic requirements. 

It took ten years for the estate to pass from initial concept to final approval, with twenty-five alterations to the master plan. 

The developers adhered to over 100 conditions demanded by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 

One of these conditions was an environmental management plan. The houses were constructed to allow for water circulation, allowing marine life to flourish. 

The plan has been successful, and today the development has resulted in an increase in marine biodiversity. 

Residents of this estate enjoy a peaceful and unique lifestyle. The estate has its own tennis and squash courts as well as beaches, parklands and bird viewing. 

Even the paint colours of each house in this exclusive estate must be chosen from a carefully selected palette of shades to ensure the estate retains its aesthetic and blends in with its surroundings. 

The residential area of the estate is a 10-minute walk from the Thesen Harbour Town, the area’s commercial village. 

While the harbour town and its various restaurants, hotels and businesses located in what were once saw-mills and factories, are open to the public, the entrance to the residential area is monitored by 24/7 security and is for residents alone.

The high quality of the water in Thesen allows residents to safely engage in water sports, snorkelling, and boating. 

About 40% of the homes in the Thesen estate are used as primary residences, with the rest used as secondary homes or rented out to holidaymakers. 

---

More photos from Thesen islands:

---