Property for sale in Pretoria

Situated approximately 50kms north of Johannesburg in Gauteng Province, Pretoria is considered to be the diplomatic and executive headquarters of South Africa, as well as the country’s official capital. Famous for its many Jacaranda trees, historic monuments and stately architecture, Pretoria is also an important centre for commercial research and development, as well as the home of the South African State Theatre and Loftus Versveld rugby stadium, which hosted matches during the 2010 Football World Cup.

Pretoria’s sheltered position in a natural basin on the South African Highveld means that it enjoys hot, slightly humid summers with occasional thunderstorms, with average temperatures slightly higher than that of its neighbour, Johannesburg. Winters are usually dry and cool, with frost conditions in the early morning but plenty of sunshine during the day.

Best described as the South African equivalent of Washington, leafy Pretoria is the site of many international embassies and government departments, as well as museums and important historical monuments. These include the Union Buildings, a crescent-shaped sandstone complex with terraced gardens which dominates the Pretoria landscape. Designed by the famous British architect, Sir Herbert Baker it was built in 1910 to commemorate the amalgamation of English and Boer territories into the Union of South Africa. Many years later, in 1994, they were to become the site of Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration and today serve as state headquarters and house the Office of the President.

Founded in 1855 by Dutch settlers who moved away from the Cape to escape British rule, Pretoria is named after the father of their leader, Marthinus Pretorius. The Voortrekker Monument, which commemorates their arduous journey, known to South Africans as the ‘Great Trek’, is still a highly popular tourist site and now forms part of a nature reserve.

Falling under the Metropolitan Municipality of Tshwane, modern-day Pretoria is still a predominantly white, Afrikaans-speaking city in terms of demographics, reflected in the popularity of sports such as rugby union. However, thanks to the presence of a large international diplomatic and academic community and an ever-increasing black middle-class, it enjoys a diverse, sophisticated and cosmopolitan cultural air, offering residents an attractive mix of arts, culture, sport and outdoor pursuits, including fine dining and a selection of world class ballet, musical and operatic events held at the State Theatre, and cricket matches at Centurion.

As well as quiet leafy suburbs and broad avenues, Pretoria also has a reputation for excellent schools. It is also home to several leading academic institutions, including the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa (UNISA) – the country’s largest distance learning education provider - as well as the Tshwane University of Technology. Other important research and teaching institutes located within the vicinity include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), MEDUNSA, the Medical University of South Africa (now part of the University of Limpopo) and Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital. As a result, Pretoria offers good employment opportunities for those keen on a career in academia, the performing arts, the civil service or diplomatic corps.

Property in Pretoria tends to reflect its diverse population, with everything from palatial ambassadorial residences with manicured gardens to corporate apartments and family homes, right through to starter homes in gated complexes and student accommodation. Pretoria real estate prices therefore tend to vary according to suburb and property type. Areas popular with students include Hatfield, Brooklyn and Lynnwood, whilst the tree-lined suburbs of Arcadia and Colbyn boast many embassies and consular residences. Popular suburbs in Pretoria include: Doornpoort, Equestria, Faerie Glen, Garsfontein, Montana, Moreletapark, Silver Lakes, Sunnyside and Waterkloof Ridge

Thanks to urban sprawl, it is sometimes difficult to tell where Johannesburg ends and Pretoria begins, particularly along the N1 highway that connects these two cities. In fact, many people choose to commute to Johannesburg for work whilst basing themselves in Pretoria – a lifestyle that has now just become easier, thanks to the introduction of the new Gautrain metro system linking central Pretoria with the business districts of Johannesburg and Oliver Tambo International Airport. This could have a positive effect on Pretoria property prices, particularly in areas closest to the station such as Hatfield.

Other areas undergoing rapid urbanisation include Centurion. Located south of Pretoria at the intersection of the N1 and N14 highways (enroute to the Oliver Tambo International Airport), it is close to Pretoria’s cricket grounds and the Centurion Shopping Complex, making it well-positioned for those who travel frequently. Aside from many affordable residential units in cluster home developments, the area has also seen the construction of a number of exclusive country and golfing residential estates in recent years.

A growing trend is the development of a number of exclusive equestrian estates in newer, more rural areas such as Mooikloof in Pretoria East where residents can enjoy properties with large plots, shared stables and the security that comes from a gated community.