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PROJECT

OPTENHORST VILLAGE

Optenhorst Village in Northern Paarl is a mixed-use development with a residential
component and shopping centre; a commercial/office component is planned for
the near future. It was developed as part of the greater Optenhorst Estate, and
honours its landscape by the preservation of heritage trees and vineyard elements.

The area was previously an old grape farm and Tanya de Villiers of CNDV Landscape
Architects included a vineyard edge to the shopping centre, retaining this theme.

he client’s brief called for a “special development” with a landscape
that was reminiscent of traditional Paarl. CNDV therefore designed
Tthe project to be “romantic and beautiful”. The large vineyard edge
added to the centre was a screening requirement from the Heritage
authorities.

Design concept
De Villiers created parks with a traditional Paarl aesthetic in order to
establish the appropriate atmosphere; this was also extended to the
parking area of the shopping centre. Pergola structures were covered
with vines, jasmine creepers and roses, and mature citrus and olive trees
were also included.
Special elements such as the water feature, hardwood decking and
fun elements in the form of festoon lighting under the pergolas, were
added.

Soft landscaping and planting
The plant palette is mainly indigenous, with the addition of lavender,
star jasmine, irises, roses, rosemary and salvias. Colours are dark and cool,
Water feature and festoon lighting

Project Team
Client: Ashprop Investments
Number 10 / Haus Developments
Landscape Architect: CNDV
Landscape Architects
Landscape Contractor: VIP Gardens
Architects: SVA International
Main Contractor: Isipani
Project Managers: MDSA

16 Landscape SA • Issue 153 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za