Words: Betsie Loock-Van der Merwe
The Midstream development does not only consist of a group of distinguished residential estates, but also include necessary day-to-day amenities and requirements like schools, medical facilities and a hospital, shops, restaurants, churches, sport and recreation facilities and many more within its borders.
The oldest of the residential estates – Midstream Estate – was launched in 2003. Midfield Estate, Midlands Estate, Midstream Heights, Midstream Ridge Estate, Midstream Hill, Retire@Midstream and Midstream Meadows followed, resulting in the establishment of approximately 5,500 families in the area by 2018.
The development offers state-of-the-art security systems and a lovely tranquil location on the outskirts of the city, within easy access of Gauteng’s freeways, airports and the Gautrain system.
Property
Midstream offers a mixed bag of trendy, elegant, stylish properties suiting a wide range of property preferences, needs and budgets. There are more established estates, like Midstream Estate, offering well-established properties with beautiful settled gardens, while recently developed estates, like Midstream Meadows, offers new owners the opportunity to see the foundations of their dream homes being laid.
First-time homeowners can enter the market here at around R2,5m for a comfortably sized home, cluster house or townhouse with an average floor space of approximately 200m2, usually comprising two to three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a double garage.
Close to 60% of stable property owners in Midstream falls in the 36 to 49 age group of which the more established would be able to invest in more luxury and space of properties, priced roughly between R3,5m and R5m. On average these homes have between four and six bedrooms, four or more garages, staff quarters, as well as other conveniences such as irrigation systems, aircon, a pantry, satellite and more.
Designer properties at the upper end of the market include glitzy mansions, architectural masterpieces and enchanting castle-like homes ranging on average from R5m to R8m. On the extreme upper end are the extravagant and grandiose, coming in at an asking price of between R8m and R18m.
The estate also caters to hip yuppies or young couples preferring a lock-up-and-go luxury apartment lifestyle, e.g. Ascend to Midstream where luxury apartments are on the market for about R2,5m to R4,5m.
Retire@Midstream offers a relaxed but graceful lifestyle to retirees in the form of semi-detached, townhouse or bachelor units ranging in price from about R1,3 to R3m or more.
Schooling
According to the developer, Bondev, the team saw the establishment of a school as one of the vital elements for a sustainable community. Following consultation with, among others, Dr Michau Heyns from the University of the Orange Free State and former headmaster of Grey College, it was decided to establish the Afrikaans-English parallel-medium Midstream College that would comprise a pre-primary, primary and high school.
Today, Midstream boasts three baby houses catering to babies and little ones aged three to 36 months (Midstream College Baby House, Midstream Ridge Baby House, and Midlands Baby House); three pre-primary schools (Midstream College Pre-Primary, Midlands Pre-Primary, and Midstream Ridge Pre-Primary) accommodating kids between three and six years; two primary schools (Midstream College Primary School and Midstream Ridge Primary School), and Midstream College High School. A daily bus service and after-school facilities are in place to provide essential services to the learners.
Midstream also offers easy access to other nearby Centurion schools.
Nature
This charming development is set in the beautiful countryside between Irene in Centurion southeast and the Glen Austin agricultural holdings in the greater Midrand area. Midstream boasts many leafy trees, green belts, parks, cycle lanes and lovely panoramic views, which all enhances the sense of being close to nature while enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
Natural areas close to Midstream include Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve with its sprawling grasslands, abundance of wild life, bird hides and fishing and hiking opportunities; the historic Smuts House Museum and picnic terrain in Irene; and the Irene Dairy Farm which offers visitors a chance to relax in a tranquil farm atmosphere in the middle of the city. The Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain & Animal Farm, Bishop Bird Park and the Glen Austin Bird Sanctuary are all situated very close to Midstream.
The area is a golfer’s paradise. Midstream boasts a superb golf course while Copperleaf Golf Course, Blue Valley Golf Course, Irene Golf Course, Zwartkops Golf Course and Centurion Golf Course are nearby options as well.
Midstream is an area where we can live for the rest of our lives. These different estates cater to every stage of life, even retirement.
Lina Fourie, resident
Medical facilities nearby
- Midstream Medical Centre
- Mediclinic Midstream hospital
- Cure Day Clinics Midstream
- Netcare Unitas Hospital
- Netcare Waterfall City Hospital
Shopping
- Square@Midstream
- Shopping-on-Ridgeway
- Grey Owl Village
- Southdowns Shopping Centre
- Centurion Lifestyle Centre
Eat
- Turn ’n Tender: the steak lover’s choice
- Lupa Osteria: authentic Italian wood-fired pizza, home-made pasta, Italian seafood and veal dishes
- The Godfather: award-winning fine-dining restaurant and grill house
- Mugg & Bean: tried and trusted
- Wimpy: a favourite on your doorstep
