Property for sale in Durban
 On South Africa’s east coast, in colourful KwaZulu-Natal, is Durban (eThekwini). Bathed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, South Africa’s third largest city has a unique ambience arising from its British colonial past and subtropical climate. In fact, Durban enjoys 320 days of sunshine per year, as well as exceptionally mild winters.
Established in 1824 by the British lieutenant, FG Farewell, Durban quickly became known for its sugar plantations, which were to be the making of many a 19th century ‘sugar baron,’ and still form an important element of the local economy. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Last British Outpost,’ remnants of Durban’s English heritage can still be seen in its architecture, together with equestrian pastimes such as the Durban July, held annually at Greyville Racecourse.
As well as being South Africa’s busiest seaport, Durban is also a tourist mecca synonymous with miles of sandy beaches and excellent surf. Thanks to its newly-built international airport, Durban also serves as a gateway to the country’s many wildlife reserves, the Drakensberg mountains and nearby Zululand.
As well as many excellent public and private schools, including the exclusive nearby Hilton College, Durban also has a university, two colleges and a business school. For sports fanatics, there is Kings Park football and rugby sporting precinct, the world famous Kingsmead Cricket grounds and the Durban Country Club golf course.
Infrastructure-wise, Durban has well-established road and sea links, as well as a world-class international conference centre. Although many businesses have relocated northwards to office space closer to the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in recent years, much is being done to regenerate Durban’s long neglected city centre.
Current efforts include the construction of Durban Point Waterfront, with its themed water park and exclusive canal-lined residential developments, as well as the R21.5 million harbor-side Wilson’s Wharf craft market and dining complex. Plans for two luxury hotels, along with several new housing, leisure and retail developments, mean that the area will continue to undergo major transformation.
Property in Durban consists of a mixture of double-story houses, art deco apartment buildings and Victorian cottages, as well as newer cluster developments extending northwards towards the coastal resort of Umhlanga Rocks. Durban itself is fairly hilly, which means that many plots enjoy excellent sea views. Notable geographical features include the Bluff, a long bush-covered ridge partially surrounding the harbour; and the Berea, a tall ridge running parallel to the sea. The latter offers buyers prime Durban real estate in the form of grand colonial-era homes situated on extensive grounds, originally constructed to capitalise on cooling sea breezes and commanding views.
Other popular areas include fashionable Morningside, with its renovated Victorian Cottages and proximity to the trendy eateries and boutiques of Florida Road, and the newer coastal suburbs of Durban North and La Lucia where upmarket seaside apartments, villas, condominiums and family homes command hefty price tags.
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