Words: Riekie Human | Images: Rene Walker
Enjoying a prime location between the major hubs of Pretoria and Johannesburg, Centurion is a popular choice with businesses, who choose to rather move out of the cities and base themselves here; as well as families, who want to be close to businesses and major retailers, yet still maintain a lifestyle with a tranquil and easy going home base.
Here, there are still large plots of land and smallholdings available, but these are being developed rather quickly – making way for upmarket estates (which are undoubtedly one of the most popular housing options in the market), shopping centres and business parks.
In short, Centurion is positively booming and has properties to suit a diverse range of budgets – from swanky country estates to high-density developments. The most luxurious? The Blue Valley Golf Estate, just off the N1, certainly steals the limelight and this sought-after development is where the well-heeled choose to invest their money.
Lyttelton Manor needs no introduction and this older neighbourhood has been home to families who prefer a rustic, village-like lifestyle for many decades. It’s a friendly neighbourhood where people know each other by name, and many residents here are government and defence force employees or retirees.
Situated to the south of the capital, and easily accessible from OR Tambo Airport as well as the Centurion Gautrain station, the homes here are mostly older, many of them in need of some work and revamping – which makes this an exciting time of opportunity for this suburb to don some fresh feathers, as buyers spruce up their purchases, adding some new design sensibilities and flair to the frames of the large properties found here.
And this air of renewal is not just seen on the residential front, what with public establishments like the Lyttelton Shopping Centre and Netcare Unitas Hospital recently being upgraded. What’s more, several developments are in the pipeline, including an international convention centre.
Die Hoewes is also a hive of activity when it comes to expansion, and this predominantly entry-level area is known for its excellent sectional title offerings. Rentals for one- and two-bedroom apartments are in high demand and the ever-growing market for buy-to-let apartments and townhouses here is largely due to the location of this neighbourhood, which is near the Gautrain station.
