Residential estate Steyn City, located between Sandton and Midrand, has launched its Ultimate Helistop – notching a first for residential developments in South Africa.

Steyn City was introduced to the market in 2015, setting new standards by offering a living space with unparalleled facilities and a range of homes from luxury apartments to lock-up and go cluster homes and freehold houses.

The addition of the Ultimate Helistop’s facilities allows for both the storing of helicopters and scheduling flights, which the developers say, “represents the culmination of a dream for developers”.

Developers Douw Steyn and Giuseppe Plumari, who is also Steyn City Properties CEO, say the addition of the helistop was always part of the “master plan”.

“From the very beginning, when [Steyn] and I were just starting to imagine what it would take to really distinguish Steyn City, we considered the facilities we should make available to residents. We agreed that, given our accent on luxury, a helistop would be an excellent addition to our parkland residence,” Plumari enthused.

He says Ultimate HELI was “an obvious choice as a partner” for the facility owing to the company’s experience, expertise and reputation as a world-class helicopter and heliport operator.

Ultimate HELI CEO Shaun Roseveare says the company is “excited to be part of this unique venture”.

“[The helistop] will give residents the convenience of helicopter services to shuttle them to the Sandton central business district, airport transfers, scenic flights, direct transfers to other towns, cities and lodges,” he says.

Roseveare adds that the helistop was designed in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations, complying with all recognised international standards.

The project also received the approval of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring full compliance with local requirements.

Maintenance of the helicopters will take place off site.

The Ultimate Helistop differs from conventional helipads that may be found at other developments, luxury golf or bush destinations for several reasons.

Plumari explains that, for a start, “these helipads function simply as a launch or landing pad”.

In contrast, the Steyn City Ultimate Helistop has a final approach and take-off area, as well as three independent helicopter parking pads and is a seven-star facility hosting a full array of attentive services including a reception area, a lounge and viewing area for convenience and comfort with a coffee station and the latest reads.

There is an upstairs office suite with a private meeting pod for guests to host a meeting on arrival or prior to departure, as well as washroom facilities to freshen up before your next flight.

Added to this, the Ultimate Helistop is capable of storing a number of helicopters in its sizeable hangar, which measures 650 m².

Its parking bay configuration also makes it possible to load up to three helicopters at a time, ensuring there is no delay between taxi or take-off, even if more than one flight has been scheduled, Plumari elaborates.

All services provided by Ultimate HELI are also available to non-residents, who can schedule or charter a flight to make a weekend getaway more enjoyable.

Flights can also be organised for time-pressed businesspeople who need to conduct regular site visits or simply to mark a special occasion such as an anniversary celebration mid-air with a bottle of bubbly, or a gifting idea for a golfing partner’s next big birthday before a round of golf at Steyn City’s Nicklaus Design championship golf course. 

“The building’s magnificent design mirrors the blades of a helicopter rotor,” adds architect Bryan Charters, who worked closely with Ultimate HELI to ensure the building complied with international standards.

A “touch of elegance” has been added by interiors expert Stephen Falcke.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer Steyn City’s residents this one-of-a-kind service, keeping our promise to deliver the best lifestyle estate in the world,” Plumari concludes.