Page 109 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

CEO of the eLan Property Group green technology solutions, and most importantly, it
is a community-based development.”
ARK TAYLOR believes that his career Taylor added that creating jobs and promoting
has been characterised by ‘thinking small businesses is in important in driving his
big’ and having the perseverance to projects. “We aim to contribute significantly to the
Mensure that his plans, which are often local population groups.”
innovative, reach fruition.
Taylor commented, “Success is dependent on the
He has spent the last 30 years in the property team that you build around you. Each individual
development industry; starting off small in the is often better than you at what they do, and it is
residential sector and then progressing to catalytic important to give them the responsibility and freedom
type developments like Simbithi Eco Estate in Ballito. as well as the authority to do what they do best.”
The eLan Property Group was founded in 1997 His current mission is to grow the eLan Property
and has become a leader in real estate marketing Group brand. He says, “Exciting things are happening.
and sales, sales of hospitality investment projects I intend to work smarter not harder and use the
and more recently has diversified into other experiences that I have had to be more productive
investment opportunities. and proactive.” He added that the commencement
Zululand Tree Lodge in Hluhluwe, the first venture of deals and putting everything together is something
undertaken, was a R12 million development. that he has continually enjoyed and that he is
currently exploring opportunities for development in
Taylor’s desire to innovate was apparent in the
Riverside Hotel, which became a sectional title Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.
hotel. This was a first for South Africa and has been Through the efforts of the eLan Group in exploring
the country’s most profitable sectional title hotel the potential overseas property investment market,
and a true eLan success story. and in particular the UK, South African Properties
Overseas Marketing Association (SAPOMA) has
Taylor commented, “The pioneering and
innovative approach does not always pay off, become a reality.
staying ahead of the curve is not always clever, as SAPOMA is administered and coordinated by eLan
one is constantly meeting new obstacles, which Marketing, and through its overseas division, eLan
have not been dealt with before.” International, the Association will represent those
developers and allied professional organisations
His determination to ‘make a difference by doing
things differently’ is very apparent in the Blythedale who have the vision and urge to become part of the
Coastal Estate. An important part of this project world global trading scene.
has been in obtaining community buy-in, which Taylor says that his family have been crucial to
has well illustrated Taylor’s perseverance. “This him throughout his career and provide him a lot of
development has taken 19 years of planning and support. This support has allowed him to continue
community negotiation to come to fruition and is in his various endeavours, while often facing stress
now going from strength to strength and will be a and dealing with the challenges that accompany
great success story.” property development projects. “If you persevere
through all the issues, you will be successful.”
Our success is based on not just selling off
pieces of land but we have created a concept for Although works takes a lot of his time, he does
family living. Blythedale Coastal Estate is the most try to include time for travel with his family and
forward-thinking development in South Africa. “The opportunities where he can relax by spending time
emphasis is on fibre connectivity, frictionless access, skiing or fishing.

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