Randburg Property - Real Estate

Due to its location and proximity to a vast number of facilities and services, Randburg property has enjoyed constant appeal and consideration by many. The region is one of the most important towns in the northern part of the greater Johannesburg Metropolitan area. It is approximately 100 kms² in size and has Johannesburg on its southern border, Roodepoort on its western side and Sandton to both the north and the eastern sides. There are approximately 30, 000 residential homes in the area, with some 220, 000 residents calling the area home. Randburg comprises mainly residential suburbs of which there are 32. In addition, Randburg is known for its central business district as well as its light industrial areas such as Strijdom Park, Honeydew and Kya Sands. 

There are numerous major anchor/arterial roads that provide the region with exceptional access routes such as the N1 (east/west), Northumberland, Christiaan de Wet, Beyers Naude and Malibongwe from the west. The main southern access point is via Bram Fischer Drive and Jan Smuts Avenue, William Nicol from the east and Main Road Bryanston from the north.

Due to its very central location, the Randburg suburbs are all ideally situated relative to important points such as motorway access and routes to Sandton CBD, Johannesburg and the West Rand. Every possible service and/or amenity is contained within its suburban confines.

The Randburg property region's colourful history can be traced back 160 years to its earliest settlers who were Afrikaans-speaking farmers who relocated to the area in the aftermath of the Great Trek. These were some of the original Boer pioneers of the 1850's and 1860's. Randburg originally comprised four very large farms, namely Boskop (1860), Driefontein, Olievenhoutspoort and Klipfontein (1865). The Driefontein farm was so big that it extended from the Bryanston border all the way to Braamfontein, a two-hour trip on horseback. All of these farms were subsequently sub-divided and ultimately became the well known suburban names of today. A part of Klipfontein became Craighall, others Kensington B, Beverley Gardens, Bryanbrink and Vandia Grove, while still another, Ferndale - which was pioneered by none other than the illustrious Abe Bailey, who also founded Bryanston.    

In the 1920's, many of the old immigrant gold-driven speculators were motivated to buy plots in the north-western districts of Johannesburg, which in those days consisted mainly of undeveloped veld. These settlers became farmers, specializing in various crops and types of livestock, and  integrated with the predominantly Afrikaans-speaking locals. The period between the 1930's and late 1940's, post-WWII saw more settlers arriving and further population growth (by 1950 there were 9, 000 inhabitants and by 1959 there were 13 townships). This led to a demand of services; so, in 1956, electricity was delivered to some parts and the first semblance of commerce and trade began to develop. 

Much discussion had been focused on the question of the area becoming a separate Municipality (as opposed to having peri-urban status) and on May 23^rd 1956 the first Town Council was formed. The name of the fledgling residential area was debated over and over and on the 1^st of July 1959, the region became its own Municipality. Further milestones in Randburg's illustrious history include the 1975 formalization of the area as its own magisterial district and the 1978 establishment of the first South African police headquarters - all of which laid the foundation for further growth and development of the area.

The next 30 years were characterized by property developer- and investor interest, originally in the eastern section and then following into Randburg West. During this period, one saw not only Randburg property- and township development, but also the establishment of light industry, retail outlets and service industries. Although not as fashionable as Sandton, property in Randburg attracted major interest and drew people from Johannesburg. There is a particular ethos about Randburg that was, and remains, attractive and the area has enjoyed 25% compounded growth since 1980.

The history and development of the CBD and its associated retail trading has been fraught with difficulty. First retailing took place in the sixties along Hendrik Verwoerd Drive and in 1972 development plans were drawn up for a new Civic Centre and expansion of the CBD, none of which were successful. The opening of Cresta in 1976 drew shoppers away from the CBD, coinciding with the emergence of the mini-bus taxi industry which led to informal trading and major deterioration of the inner-city. The northern metropolitan local council moved out of the Civic Centre in 2000, which lead to squatters moving in. However, major restorative plans were drawn up and executed, including the opening of a new taxi-rank at Randburg Mall in October 2001. In 2004 Johannesburg approved plans to declare CBD a city improvement district, designed to transform the area into an attractive, clean, safe, user-friendly and desirable area. It was hoped to exercise more effective management of the public areas, to encourage investment and to stimulate growth.

Randburg today is made up of a number of different community components, most of which are very attractive residential suburbs interspersed with a Central Business District component, an affordable housing development, light industrial- and mixed use components and the full spectrum of every conceivable retail service-, medical care- , schooling-, recreation-, leisure- and entertainment facilities, as well as places of worship. 

While the residential market has normalized over the past 18 months and pricing remained fairly static, industry experts predict exciting growth for the area in the medium to longer term, mainly due to more favourable market conditions, interest rates and a greater bank appetite for lending, combined with a pent-up demand (particularly by a younger generation) for residential housing. The suburbs of the region remain desirable for those who can't afford property in Sandton or who simply prefer Randburg. The physical conditions are excellent, as demonstrated in property upkeep, sound structural condition, and well-maintained neighbourhoods. Similarly, economic factors such as high owner investment, good South Africa property values, confidence in future value and good resale reputation will all encourage future investment. In a sense Randburg carries its own high social status and is known for its family orientation.

The type of residential home in the region that is available to the prospective home owner and/or rental seeker depends very much on affordability and other purchasing criteria. Determined by the nature of the area sought for example, one can purchase a large family home in Hurlingham from R3 - R5 million, a cluster in Beverley Gardens, Vandia Grove for R4 million, an affordable bond-linked home in Cosmo City from R350, 000 or a  flat in the Windsors from R150, 000.

We define suburbs in Randburg under the following categories: 1) Upper middle-class, 2) Middle Level, 3) Middle Suburbia, 4) Community Nest and 5) Multi-level (Cosmo City).

Specifically, industry experts define single family full title homes on 4, 000m² with garden, pool and tennis court; single family homes on 1, 000m²; exclusive, low density full title cluster homes on 400 - 500m² stands; higher density full title cluster homes on 300 - 400m² stands; high density (150 units plus) sectional title townhouses (studios, 1, 2 & 3 bedrooms); lower density (75 units) sectional title townhouses (2 & 3 bedrooms); traditional 2 bedroom flats/apartments in both high end price suburbs and low end areas (Windsor).

There are both purely leisure- and retirement homes (cottages, suites, rooms and apartments) dotted throughout in Randburg.

Randburg real estate, and property in its constituent suburbs has its own (and neighbouring) appeals and attractions ranging from its established green character, places of interest, sophisticated network of roads, choice of residential accommodation, fantastic shopping venues, wide recreation and entertainment facility selection and every other conceivable support service. Highlights include: 

 

EDUCATION
Creches /Pre-primary/Primary 

• Rand Park Primary
• Randpark Ridge Nursery School
• Sharonlea Primary
• Blairgowrie Primary
• Fontainebleau Primary

 

High Schools

• Ferndale High School
• Radley College Private High School
• Rand Park High School
• Damelin Randburg
• Randburg Hoërskool  

 

SHOPPING CENTRES:

• Randburg Mall
• Ranburg Shopping Centre
• Randpark Shopping Centre (now Heathway Square - 45 stores,
• Cresta Centre (235 shops, 94, 000m² GLA)
• Northgate Shopping Centre (180 shops, 1, 2 million foot count per month)
• Brightwater Commons (contemporary, urban shopping space)
• Lifestyle Nursery and Shopping Centre
• Sanlam Shopping Centre

 

SPORT FACILITIES

• Randburg Sports Centre
• Randpark Golf Club
• Marks Park
• Old Parktonians Club  
• Oblates Sports Club
• Ferndale Park

 

HEALTH & FITNESS

• Planet Fitness - Craighall Park
• Virgin Active - Cresta, Randburg, Northgate

 

PARKS

• Botanical Gardens
• Melville Koppies Nature Reserve
• Delta Park and Environmental Centre
• Kelland Bird Sanctuary
• Robin Hills Park
• Darrenwood Park
• Boschkop Ridge
• Golden Harvest Park
• Klein Jukskei River Trail
• Robyn Park
• Juweel Park
• North Riding Conservancy

 

LIBRARIES

• Randburg Library
• Olivedale Library  

 

CINEMA COMPLEXES / ENTERTAINMENT

• Cresta Centre
• Brightwater Commons
• Northgate Shopping Centre  
• Velskoen Drive-Inn 
• The Coca Cola Dome

 

MEDICARE

• Netcare Olivedale Clinic (265 bed, 11 operating theatres, 24-hour emergency)
• Randburg Medicross  

 

PLACES OF WORSHIP

• Rhema Centre
• Synagogues - Greenside, Victory Park
• Methodist - Randpark Ridge, Bordeaux
• Anglican - North Riding
• Catholic - North Riding, Randburg

 

BUSINESS CENTRES / BUSINESSES

• Randburg CDB
• Blairgowrie Centre
• Multi-Choice/MNet
• WesBank Centre
• Kya Sands
• Strijdom Park
• Olivedale
• Northlands Business Park
• Stonemill Office Park

A dynamic future is forecast for Randburg and industry pundits predict steady growth in the residential housing market. Business growth will ultimately attract people into the area and therefore this growth is dependent on business- and commercial growth taking place in the outlying suburbs of Randburg, while redevelopment takes place in the CBD. Randburg itself remains very popular, not only with established families whose kids will grow up and continue to live in its suburbs, but also with a new generation of younger people who are being attracted to the area from outside, and who are currently employed in Randburg. Different types of residential housing at different price points suit a wide variety of tastes and budgets; while a lively restaurant culture, open-air recreational areas, diverse shopping venues and services, ample choice of sports clubs- and facilities, as well as health- and fitness centres all add to the appeal of Randburg.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is any further information you require with regard to property in Randburg and its immediate vicinity.

 

Other Suburbs in and around Randburg:

Our listings price ranges for Randburg Property:

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

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