Sun International has broken ground on its latest development: the R295-million expansion of its Sun Vacation Club (SVC) – one of South Africa’s leading timeshare models – at the group’s iconic Sun City resort, in the North West.

The group’s first significant expansion at the resort since the development of the Aviary in 2004, the Lefika Villas comprises 58 luxury villas – 48 three-bedroom villas and 10 four-bedroom villas – as well as a recreational area with a resort pool, family restaurant and kid’s play area.

“We are experiencing significant demand for SVC accommodation at Sun City and this expansion will help satisfy this demand. We are confident that this development will achieve above market returns,” Sun International CEO Anthony Leeming told media during the sod-turning event this week.

The development forms part of Sun International’s multimillion-rand masterplan that includes the potential development of another 200 two-bedroom units. This will be fully dependent on the success of Lefika Villas and driven by demand.

The addition of Lefika Villas, which will be able to accommodate up to 400 additional guests, will increase the SVC at Sun City to 478 units once it is completed by November 2023.

“Sun City remains perennially popular and post-Covid, we have seen an increase in demand from leisure, conference and sporting guests. We have invested significantly in the property and the Resort is in great condition. We are also seeing great demand for self-catering units at the Sun Vacation Club,” Leeming continues.

“The Lefika Villas were born from the market demand for a high-end luxury, self-catering product at Sun City Resort. The SVC Lion suites and the three-bedroom units sold out in record time, highlighting the appetite for more space and more luxury,” explains SVC Group GM Janita Donaldson.

As part of the development, there will be significant inclusion of surrounding communities in upliftment and knowledge and skills transfer projects, with a stipulated 30% build value to be allocated to local contractors, Sun City Resort GM Brett Hoppe adds.

According to the development team, the design of Lefika Villas, which means “stone” in the local Setswana language, draws inspiration from the adjacent stone-walled Itlholanoga heritage site.

The settlement, located on the northern face of the hill overlooking the entire valley, is rated as a level five for historic significance and is a designated provincial heritage site.

Sun International enlisted the assistance of leading archaeological and heritage experts, including University of the Witwatersrand archaeology professor and Origins Centre director Mandy Esterhuyzen, who will assist with the management and preservation of this and surrounding historical heritage sites.

The villas are also designed with as little intrusion of the surrounding natural landscape as possible, with all the units arranged to accommodate existing natural features, typography and views.

“Special attention was also given to the preservation of existing natural features on site. The new villas have been located around existing natural topographies such as existing rock outcrops and existing trees as far as possible. The serene bush setting feels miles away from the heart of the bustling Sun City Resort which is literally two minutes away,” says Sun International development manager Mark Pitchers.

Meanwhile, Sun International is continuing with several current upgrade projects at Sun City, which is home to the iconic 327-room The Palace of The Lost City Hotel, the 241-room five-star Cascades hotel, the 380-room Cabanas and the Bush Bungalows with 14 chalets, as well as the 340-room four-star Sun City hotel.

The group embarked on a complete R208-million refurbishment of the The Palace of The Lost City, including the installation of a Spa and gym, which will be completed in November when the hotel celebrates its thirtieth birthday.

The exclusive Salon Privé in the Sun City Hotel has also been given a complete makeover.

Sun International has also started its expansion of the GrandWest Hotel in Cape Town to increase the capacity to 103 rooms, from the 39 rooms it currently has, which are running at a 99% occupancy.