Bryanston Property - Houses

Bryanston property is a prime choice for the more traditional family (both up- and downsizing), those buying for investment or purely for lifestyle reasons. Here your neighbours are likely to be young executives, professionals, entrepreneurs, diplomats and cabinet ministers - all of whom are seeking an exclusive lifestyle, a sound investment and exceptional value supported by a prestigious address. From its initial rural beginning, the Bryanston area has become one of the most valuable, lucrative, upper middle-class residential suburbs of Johannesburg Today it boasts beautiful trees, landscaped greenery, incredible views, access to anchors, arterials, motorways, commercial- and business centres, shopping venues, services, entertainment, schools, recreation and healthcare facilities.

Today Bryanston is a part of the greater JoCity Metropolitan, but is still roughly demarcated by the old Municipal boundary that was Sandton. It is a massive area of approximately 225 kms², with its northern boundary running east/west along the N1, a western boundary extending along Homestead/Ballyclare Drive to Bryanston Drive/Main Road, which forms its eastern boundary. A number of satellite or extensions of the Bryanston area have been incorporated during the last 25 years, known as the Bryanston extensions. Bryanston has generally been split into an east and a west side separated by the line that is William Nicol Drive. There are definite pros and cons to living on either the west or the east side, depending on one's own personal lifestyle, priorities and preferences.

There are numerous arterial access points to the suburb, mainly from William Nicol Drive, the N1 Highway, and Rivonia Road. As part of the SANRA's (South African National Roads Association) development program, major upgrades are taking place to enhance safety and improve traffic flow, which is certain to make the area more pleasant for current owners and desirable to potential buyers.

The area has a long and interesting history that spans some 70 years, and has seen the suburb transcend from rural market gardens, through a period of sprawling farm-style homes to a modern era of a diverse suburban mix that includes large established luxury homes with garden, swimming pool and tennis court; pockets of secure, expensive low-density cluster homes alongside an international blend of up market, contemporary designer apartments and more affordable multi-unit lifestyle townhouses - all fused with major commercial-, retail- and business service centres.

The Bryanston property region was established in the 1940's and was essentially a suburb of large agricultural supply companies and rural farms with a rather wild country ambience. The area was named by Sir Abe Bailey (a pioneering property and township developer) for Bryanston Square - a landmark in London at that time. Bailey in fact, via his development company (SA Townships), gave rise to the first formal township development. During the early fifties, and mainly as a result of an economic depression, rural migrants descended on Johannesburg, resulting in more and more people moving northwards out of the near-Johannesburg suburban areas like Houghton, Yeoville, the Berea, Belgravia, Bertrams, Fordsburg and Jeppe to escape the negative effect of rapid urbanization into the city. In turn, the more affluent living in the new northern suburbs of Parktown, Rosebank, Oaklands etc., moved even further north to the new suburb of Bryanston, where one could buy a large piece of land for a reasonable price.

The main attraction was both the new infrastructure that was being developed in the area and the appeal of a quieter, more rural country lifestyle that was situated merely one hour from the centre of Johannesburg. In 1948 for example, as a significant gesture to people already living in the area and as an incentive to newcomers, SA Townships was responsible for the establishment of the Bryanston Country Club. The period from the fifties through to the late sixties was characterized by a gradual expansion of the area into a region of landed gentry - large properties where horses and a horse society were prevalent.  

In 1969 Bryanston was formerly established as a suburb of Sandton, a move which led to the tarring of roads and the introduction of essential municipal services. Bryanston property and land became more valuable, hard to acquire but still managed to retain its essential large stand, rural nature.

The most significant character and infrastructural changes occurred during the middle nineties, coinciding with the post-1994 democracy era when the area was merged into Johannesburg to form part of the greater JoCity Metro Council. It was a time of renewed optimism and financial stability in the country, which lead to a significant increase in the size of an affluent, upper middle-class society - a young, vibrant population of executives, professionals, entrepreneurs and an emerging aspirant class of previously disadvantaged. For businesses this represented an opportunity to viably relocate to a new, prestigious location in the face of downtown Johannesburg CBD decline and deterioration.

For the Bryanston region, it was a time characterized by a demand for housing of a different nature. The 3 acre (12, 000m²) stands were being rezoned into smaller units (half the original size, but with panhandle potential) that were split into multi-stands of a single hectare. These were more recently re-sectioned into multi-unit zonings of 500m² individual erven. Sectional Title, multi-storey developments of apartments and houses with densities of 20 - 30 units per hectare was launched to an ever-growing, dynamic population of pure buy-to-rent investors, as well as young, upwardly mobile end-user professionals and executives who sought both the new lifestyle and the more affordable entry opportunity into what was considered expensive property in South Africa. Hence, we had the emergence of what was called, at the time, the "gash unit", i.e. a small house ranging in size from approximately 50 - 140m² in a good area. 

In addition to the more traditional east/west segment split, Bryanston also saw the emergence of numerous extensions such as Beverley Gardens, Vandia Grove, Cowdray Park in the west, and suburbs such as Petervale and Kleve Hill Park on the eastern side. The extensions have been popular because it retains the essential prestige value, but is available to the buying public at a lower price. Corresponding with the expansion of roads and services, the 1970's saw the introduction of the Bryanston Shopping Centre with its 55 stores, on the corner of Ballyclare and William Nicol, which had as an anchor tenant the first major Checkers retail chain in the area.

There was a period of time in the region's history where security problems led to the further northward migration to new secure residential golfing estates such as Dainfern and Dainfern Valley. Subsequently security in Bryanston has been considerably improved as a result of introducing the Block Watch System and the often controversial street closures - a first in Johannesburg. An active and dynamic policing forum further ensures a more secure suburb.

From stately homes to the emergence of secure cluster-type homes, as well as modern contemporary townhouses and apartments, we have seen the character of the area change quite radically. With this growth, a new eclecticism fostered a cosmopolitan collection of businesses, schools, shops and services with every type and form of entertainment and recreation conveniently minutes away.

The greatest drawing cards of property in Bryanston still remain its upmarket positioning, reputation as a family suburb, the aspirational quality, the quick and easy access/egress via arterials and motorways, as well as its proximity to every conceivable service and recreational facility imaginable. Other contributing factors include the range and extent of its shopping- and retail centres and most importantly, the range and extent of its leisure and entertainment facilities.

Today, the area is an upper middle-class Sandton residential suburb, part of the JoCity Metropolitan area and it remains one of the most highly sought after places to live. The area has enjoyed excellent growth and, while house prices have tended to revert to normality, investment potential remains exceptionally high, both in terms of price maintenance and resale value, in as well corporate- and other private rentals.

Bryanston remains high on many purchasers' desirability scale as the suburb is renowned for its good property upkeep, sound structural condition and excellent location. In social terms, the suburb is characterized by a high social status with upper income levels prevalent, including both sound family-orientated units and affluent, childless singles/couples. In purely economic terms, the area is known for its high owner investment levels, and confidence in its future value.

The Bryanston property region offers the aspirant home owner or long term investor a wonderful opportunity to expand their personal wealth creation opportunities while living in a highly desirable, upmarket suburb that allows the option of having your offspring educated in the immediate vicinity. The face of the suburb has changed dramatically since the middle nineties, and today, while there is still a predominance of large families on large residential properties with garden, pool and tennis court, the emergence of a vibrant, younger population together with the retiring "baby boomers" has given rise to the development of very expensive ultra-luxurious cluster-type estates, as well as Manhattan style apartments and townhouse complexes. In addition, the area has seen the emergence of the contemporary multi-unit, high density lifestyle in lock-up and leave townhouse complexes of between 120 and 300 units.

While pricing, particularly at the top-end, has returned to some normality after having escalated by some 30% two years ago, demand is likely to start "pushing" prices up in the short to medium term in the low-end categories due to businesses expanding and more people coming into the area who want to live close to where they work. Prices of property in Bryanston range from R500 000 for a one bed townhouse to R2 ½ - R3 million for a top-end apartment. A top-end cluster is priced at about R3 - 6 million, while a four bedroom family home goes for approximately R3 - R5 million and a large, super luxurious houses and property for around R5 -R15 million. The price prediction for the area by most experts is largely bullish.

The region is fortunate to have a plethora of attractive features, benefits, influences and advantages. Top of the list is probably its conveniently central location, excellent access/egress, proximity to important service points and a vast choice of shopping venues, private- and government education facilities (crèches, pre-primary, primary and high), medical facilities, sports and recreation (golf, tennis, bowls, squash) venues, fitness and health establishments, cinemas, theatres, casinos, parks, libraries, churches, synagogues and mosques. Highlights which occur in the area and its immediate vicinity include:

 

EDUCATION
Creches /Pre-primary/Primary 

Bryanpark Nursery School

Jays Nursery School

The Round Nursery School

St Stithians Pre-primary

Brescia House (pvt)

Bryanston Primary

Braynston Dual Medium

Bryandale Primary

King David Primary (pvt)

Micheal Mount Waldorf Primary (pvt)

Redhill Primary School(pvt)

Rivonia Primary

St Davids Marist College (pvt)

St Peters Preparatory Scholl for Boys (pvt)

St Stithians Boys Preparatory (pvt)

St Stithians Girls Preparatory (pvt)

Bryneven Primary 

 

High Schools

Brescia House Ursuline Convent (pvt)

Bryanston High

Hyde Park High

King David High School (pvt)

Redhill School (pvt)

St Davids Marist College (pvt)

St Stithians Boys College (pvt)

St Stithians Girls College

 

SHOPPING CENTRES:

Bryanston Shopping Centre

The Bryanston Organic Market

Cloisters Shopping Centre, Rivonia

Fourways Mall

Hyde Park Centre

Montecasino Centre

Mutual Village and Mews, Rivonia

Riverside Shopping Centre, Bryanston

Sandton City

Coachmans Crossing

 

SPORT FACILITIES

Bryanston Country Club

Bryanston Sports Club

Jewish Guild Country Club

Johannesburg Country Club

Montague Country Club, Morningside

Rivonia recreation Centre

 

PARKS

Ernest Ullman Park, Morningside Manor

Sandton Field and study Centre

 

LIBRARIES

Bryanston Library

Rivonia Library

Sandton Library - Sandton Square

Norscot Library

 

CINEMA COMPLEXES

Fourways / Cedar Square

Hyde Park

Montecasino

Sandton City

Village Walk

The Teatro at Montecasino

 

MEDICARE

Sandton Clinic

Morningside

Sunninghill Emergency Centre

Sandton Surgical Centre

 

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Roman Catholic Church, Rivonia & Bryanston

Methodist -  Grosvernor Road, Bryanston

Methodist - Lone Close, Lonehill

St Mungo's, Grosvenor Road, Bryanston

Jewish - Chabad Sandton, Gallo Manor

Jewish - Sandton Morningside

Mosque - Morningside

 

MAJOR BUSINESS CENTRES / BUSINESSES

The Bryanston Wedge

The Sloane Street Office Precinct

Dimension Data Campus

The William Nicol/Main Road Office Corridor

GlaxoSmithKline

Microsoft

Ogilvy and Mather

Bridgeport

Tiger Brands

Abland

Synovate

The Bryanston Shopping Centre caters for the affluent community that makes up the region and its surrounding areas. The centre boasts 55 stores including beauty-, fashion-, food- and service outlets. The tenant mix at Bryanston appeals to the wealthy residents in the area. There is a diversity of superb coffee shops and top restaurants from which to choose.

Set in the heart of the Sandton property area belt is the Bryanston Country Club. This country club is an established sporting and social facility, founded in 1948. Enclosed in a secure haven of majestic old trees, lush green lawns, peace and tranquility, the club today boasts in excess of 2000 members who show a common appreciation for the club and its environment. As one of South Africa's finest golf clubs, the Bryanston Golf Course is graced with undulating grounds and a wide variety of vibrant South African birdlife.

 

The Bryanston Organic Market, established in 1976, is an outdoor market that places emphasis on original, fresh organic produce, wholesome foods, natural fibers and fabrics, unique arts and crafts and a place to sit and enjoy live music while savouring coffee and delicious cakes or muffins. It is a haven for those health-conscious shoppers who want to pass on the "healthy" world to their children and families.

 

From its rural beginning, the region has become one of the most lucrative, commercially valuable suburbs in Johannesburg and South Africa. In terms of its residential housing opportunities, the range is extensive and satisfies both the top-end buyer and the entry-level aspirant purchaser, without ever losing its exclusivity or sense of community. From a commercial- or business point of view, Bryanston property, with its proximity to Sandton City (one of the most important retail and business nodes in Africa), is a major draw card. In addition, the new rapidly developing Fourways node places Bryanston somewhere between the best of two worlds, i.e. superb suburban living close to every amenity, sandwiched between two vitally important retail- and business centres.  

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any further information with regard to this property in South Africa.

Other Suburbs in and around Bryanston:

Our listings price ranges for Bryanston Property:

• Residential Sale Property Ranging from R390,000 to R5,650,000

• Developments Sale Property Ranging from R419,000 to R890,000