Introducing the
historic Clubhouse.

A farmhouse with a century of history

Originally a traditional farmhouse, the building was thoughtfully transformed by Collins Residential while maintaining its historical integrity. The restoration preserved the original Jojoba dark wood floors, pressed ceilings, and cornices that speak to the building’s heritage. High ceilings and stained-glass windows evoke an era when Hillcrest farmers enjoyed sweeping views across to Durban’s coastline , a sense of history that permeates every corner of the space.

A design that honours the past while embracing the present

Interior designer Catherine Olivier from Wylder Jane Designs was tasked with merging historical aesthetics with contemporary finishes. Her design philosophy centred on a “tropical colonial aesthetic”, a considered combination of rich colours, natural woods, grass cloth wallpaper, and warm earth tones that feel both grounded and inviting.

Colonial paddle ceiling fans and industrial-retro lighting animate the bar area, while Areca palm trees have been used strategically to add height, variation of scale, perspective, and improved acoustics. The result is a space that feels simultaneously rooted in its history and entirely of the present.

The estate’s social heartbeat

Today, the Clubhouse functions as the primary gathering place for Emberton residents and the broader Hillcrest community. Ray’s Kitchen, the restaurant operating within the estate, has made the Clubhouse a destination, not just for residents, but for Hillcrest diners seeking a distinctive setting for a meal with family or friends.

Beyond dining, the Clubhouse offers fitness facilities, a lap pool, and a yoga studio, all set within the character and warmth of a restored heritage building. It is a place where the estate’s community comes together, where friendships are formed, and where the spirit of Emberton is most tangibly felt.

Part of the Aviva experience

As a resident of Aviva Emberton, the Clubhouse is on your doorstep. It represents exactly what makes living at Emberton Estate unlike any other address in the Upper Highway area , a community with depth, character, and a sense of place that has been built over more than a century.