Timeline
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1994
The group’s Founder, Maree Brink, conceptualized and initiated the Village Hospitality Concept with the launch of Harbour View Cottages, also known as Cape Town’s First Guest Street, in a historical area which is now known as De Waterkant Village launched Private Special Purpose Funds with a long-term vision to invest in tourism related assets and financed by South African banks. The first investment was 7 houses in De Waterkant.
1996
Village n Life Limited was incorporated as a specialist management company. Founding Directors were Maree Brink and Johannes Lategan Launched the Tourism Participation Property Model, affording private residential property owners the opportunity to buy property and participate in the dynamics of the tourism industry. Benefits include enhanced rental returns, hassle-free ownership and private occupation when required. The model is unique and its income is not pooled; each property is managed individually and Village n Life fees are incentive driven. Notice periods are 6 – 12 months. To date (2018), 178 owners with residential property to the value of R1,5 billion are participating. A further 133 properties to the value of R500 million, owned by Village n Life’s Private Special Purpose Fund and directors, participate.
2000
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased, after which Village n Life launched De Waterkant House, a guest house, situated in the popular area of De Waterkant.
Conceptualized and launched Camps Bay Resort, a fun and vibrant seaside resort, located across from Camps Bay beach. The vision was to offer a resort experience, with centralized reception and services. Private Special Purpose Funds commenced buying up properties for this purpose in Camps Bay (2016, own over 46 title deeds).
2001
Conceptualized and launched Waterfront Village at the Marina Residential in the V & A Waterfront. To date (2018), the venture consists of over 100 participating residential properties in what is known as the most expensive residential development in Africa.
Launched our Private Property Banking Service, an unique investment service offering private individuals an advisory service, financial structuring and administration services. Today this service is rendered through TPF Wealth and headed by Johannes Lategan and Shaun Slabber.
2002
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased Earl’s Dyke and bordering properties and redeveloped as
Camps Bay Retreat, a boutique hotel set on 4.5 acres of private nature reserve.
2003
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased 24 properties in Mouille Point. Village n Life launched Mouille Point Village.
Roelof Troskie joined Village n Life as Managing Director.
2006
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased and Village n Life conceptualized, developed and launched The Charles Guest House in De Waterkant.
2007
Launched The Glen Apartments, luxury serviced apartments in Camps Bay
Private Special Purpose Fund bought The Farmhouse Hotel in Langebaan on the West Coast. The Farmhouse Hotel offers splendid lagoon views, delicious hearty meals and an Afrikana Museum
Launched a wellness company, Mint Wellness, which operates spas and salons.
2008
Developed the adventure and tours portal, in order to offer Village n Life guests travel, tours and adventure experiences from carefully selected suppliers and operators.
2010
Launched The Crystal, luxury serviced apartments in Camps Bay, with 24 participating sea-facing apartments.
Launched Traveller’s Places as a unique concept offering international travellers an opportunity to stay in creative spaces, in the best locations at affordable prices.
Launched Sandy B, a private beach club in Camps Bay.
2011
Private Special Purpose Fund commenced the purchase of Village n Life’s Hermanus Collection consisting of New Wing Harbour House, the Manor House and Le Paradis and later went on to purchase Quarters Hotel, as well as lease and develop Village Square.
Village n Life took over management of Harbour House Hotel in Hermanus.
2013
Launched Silo Apartments. Located in Silo 2 in the Clock Tower precinct of the V & A Waterfront, Silo Apartments offer long-term, serviced rentals that are perfectly prepared and efficiently organized to allow guests to slip seamlessly into local living.
2014
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased and renovated the historical Stone Cottages in Camps Bay.
2015
Private Special Purpose Fund purchased the Quarters Hotel (renamed Harbour Square Hotel). Village n Life secured 10 Village Square apartments on a long-term lease. The property will collectively form the Village n Life Hermanus Collection and will be hosted and managed by Harbour House Hotel.
Created a dynamic, independent and specialized venture, VnL Sales, which would host all off-site and online sales and marketing activities. Roelof Troskie was appointed Chief Executive Officer.
2016
Village n Life reached sales revenue of over R350 million, staff complement of 600 and properties under exclusive management, valued over R3 billion (Private Special Purpose Funds of R1,3 billion and tourism participating properties of R1,7 billion).
Village n Life is restructured into the following specialized ventures and support services:
Launched Village n Life in Mauritius with a joint venture with Horizon Holidays. The first joint projects was West Coast Marina which consists of West Island and La Balise.
Appointed Frank Kilbourn as Non-Executive Director.
Appointed Stache February (CA.SA) as Group Compliance Officer.
2017
Appointed Jo-Ann Strauss as Non-Executive Director.
Launched an affordable housing venture and staff village in Maitland, Cape Town, together with Club Resco.
2018
Hannes Swart (CA.SA) appointed as Director.
Kobus van der Westhuyzen (CA.SA) appointed as Group Financial Manager.
Riaan Veldtmann appointed as CEO VNL Hospitality.
Village n Life group fund purchased Pezula Hotel.
Village n Life took over management of Pezula Hotel.
Launched exciting new backpackers in Hermanus, zzzone.