A historic gem that government has been hoarding in its R220-billion property portfolio for 120 years is being sold off to the public.

Now called Fort West, the Victorian village - on 389ha 10km west of Pretoria along Church Street - is being converted into a secure estate. It will not be the preserve of the rich, promise development agents Amtrad.

A first phase of 314 development stands was launched for sale on Heritage Day this week, priced from R95 000 to R150 000.

Buyers will build houses costing between R340 000 and R450 000, including the land. And middle-income Gautengers have just as much appetite for buying as the rich (see main story).

Amtrad chief executive Grahame Lindop said 103 stands had been sold by lunchtime on the launch day. Another six townhouse and cluster sites with potential for about 400 units sold to developers in a flash, he said. Twenty of the Victorian houses have also been sold.

The project eventually will have 2 100 homes, 24 000m² of shopping, 12 000m² of offices, a school and a hotel.

A 71ha "hidden valley" will include animal clinics, stables, horticulture and organic farming.