Stellenbosch is held very tightly by a closed loop investor market. Root 44 coming to market is going to attract a lot of attention from outside investors and existing property owners alike.
Reflecting the continued rise in investment demand, John Jack, CEO of Galetti Corporate Real Estate, notes that the market is under pressure to source standout properties that appeal to both local and international investors.
“Much of the prime real estate on offer is being sold before it even reaches the market because of the closed nature of the market. Everybody knows everybody here and Root44 has certainly attracted a lot of interest in the past. It has been both a Wine Emporium and a Tourism market where locals and foreigners alike come to experience the best Stellenbosch has to offer from both a culinary and viticulture point of view.
Investing Beyond Cape Town
While the student population sits at around 32,000, the region has since evolved from a student town into an area of high-spend tourism. As the country’s leading wine region, home to boutique hotels and luxury wine estates, Stellenbosch welcomes around 800,000 local and international visitors each year.
The top schools and easy city commute have also seen people increasingly migrating to Stellebosch as a homestead, with 2024 statistics highlighting a 2.1% year-on-year growth rate – bringing the population to just over 209,000.
Jack points to affordability as a key driver for migration demand. “Property here comes in roughly 10% cheaper than Cape Town, according to African Investor, but you’re still getting world-class lifestyle, scenery and easy access to Cape Town and the airport.”
“Cape Town will always be a drawcard,” continues Jack. “But serious investors are looking for long-term, year-round returns – and Stellenbosch delivers. It’s a magnet for tourists, families and students, and it’s only growing.”
Root 44 Comes to Market
Answering to the call by investors is Root 44 – a 5.1-hectare property located on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, which is being brought to market by Galetti via a Sealed Bid process.
With over R200-million invested in the property since 2016, Root 44 has seen consistent foot traffic as thousands of visitors arrive each week for the bustling food markets, live music, retail stalls and family entertainment. It also features a Wine Emporium, oyster bar, café and full restaurant, all framed by the region’s vineyards.
Jack notes that with the right vision and execution, this has the potential to become a flagship asset for a Corporate Brand or Hospitality and Tourism Investor.
“While not currently zoned for retail or hospitality, the opportunity lies in the site’s flexibility. It could be repositioned as a destination retail hub, a boutique hospitality offering, or even a large-scale conference and events venue, subject to rezoning and approvals.”
He explained that the sealed bid process is ideal for a property of this value-add scale, generating competitive yet confidential offers – while ensuring maximum transparency on during the marketing process.
“There is nothing like this on the market at the moment and we are expecting a lot of competitive bids from 31 July, with final and binding offers closing on 29 August,” he adds.
With strong market conditions, Root 44 is a rare chance for investors to secure a strategic foothold in one of South Africa’s fastest-growing investment nodes.
They key here will be to work with the Stellenbosch municipality to deliver an asset that serves and promotes Stellenbosch as both a tourism and global wine destination generating economic upliftment for the area. This is bigger than a local play, it could be used to position Stellenbosch Internationally under one roof.
Find out more about this property and the sealed bid process here.
