Sandhurst is one of Johannesburg's most prestigious suburbs, situated on a north-western slope that offers residents spectacular views of the city and the Magaliesberg. The homes are stately, with sprawling gardens, and architectural styles range from traditional to modern steel and glass constructs.
Cluster-style homes are highly sought after in Sandhurst, which maintains a verdant and idyllic atmosphere despite its proximity to the world-class Sandton central business district. Many leafy streets are boomed off, and private security companies constantly patrol the neighbourhood.
Johannesburg Skyline
In a literal translation, "Sandhurst" means a sandy wooded hill. Sandhurst is approximately 2.5 square kilometers in size and is located in the heart of Sandton. Children living in Sandhurst have access to several top schools in the immediate vicinity, including St David's Marist in Inanda and Sandhurst Prep. The Sandton Medi Clinic and Morningside Clinic hospitals are also a short drive away, and the Tara psychiatric facility and Sandhurst Eye Centre are located within Sandhurst itself.
Sandton City: A Retail Revolution
Sandton City was built as a twenty-one storey, concrete block shopping centre that opened in late 1973. It is an example of the Brutalist architecture that was common in South Africa in the early 1970s. The architecture is also seen in the Golden Acre (Goue Akker), a similar shopping centre built in Cape Town before the construction of Sandton City, the International Terminal at OR Tambo International Airport, the Carlton Centre, new Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg), and the JG Strijdom (since renamed the Hillbrow Tower) in Hillbrow, Central Johannesburg.
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The centre opened to the public on 12 September 1973 and has a gross leasable area of 128,000 m2 (1,380,000 sq ft) of retail space. The office space combined with the Sandton Sun Hotel increase the total area to 215,000 m2 (2,310,000 sq ft).
Upon opening, the scale and depth of the centre revolutionised South African and Johannesburg retail. It was also the first of its kind in Johannesburg.
Sandton City opened in 1973 with 120 stores on two levels of 50,000 m2, and added two additional levels of parking for 2,500 cars and outside parking with 25,000 m2 of office space.
Sandton City Exterior
Evolution and Expansion
During this time, Sandton City underwent major refurbishment of common areas. The outer plaza to the east housed offices, branches of Nedbank and Barclays (later to become First National Bank), medical suites, and a steak house. A bridge connected the outer plaza to what was then Sandton Library, a medical clinic, and the Sandton Council building. The area in front of the Sandton Library was developed into a new shopping centre, Sandton Square, connected by a sky-bridge.
Read also: Culinary Guide to Sandton
In 2001, stores were increased to 295 while parking bays were boosted to 10,000. A new food court and giant video wall were also constructed. In 2013, the Twin Towers office section of Sandton City was completely re-clad with a contemporary glass shell (these are now called Atrium on 5th). In 2014, the office tower received a complete external revamp, with new cladding applied over the original concrete structure. A new wing was also added to the mall, joining the Edgars and Woolworths Courts.
On 26 March 2020, the worldwide pandemic, COVID-19, forced Sandton City among other malls across Johannesburg, to shut the majority of its stores down during South Africa's lockdown. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and other essential stores such as banks and mobile operating stores were allowed to remain open during this phase.
Shopping and Recreation near Sandhurst
Shopping amenities don't get better than those near Sandhurst. There is Sandton City, with its glamorous Diamond Walk, and luxury shopping and dining facilities at Nelson Mandela Square. The high-end Hyde Park shopping center is also nearby. For quick errands, the Benmore shopping center is a short drive from Sandhurst.
Looking for recreational activities near Sandhurst? There's much to see and do:
- Glenda's deli: Known for its delectable cakes and instagrammable teatime spots.
- The Saxon Hotel, Villas, and Spa: A bucket list visit.
- The Goodman Gallery: A contemporary art gallery established in 1966.
- Inanda Club polo: Founded in 1935, known for international polo tournaments and upmarket banqueting functions.
Qunu at the Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa in Sandhurst offers an unforgettable dining experience. The Butcher Shop and Pigalle on Nelson Mandela Square are also popular choices.
Read also: Johannesburg travel? Stay at Hilton Sandton
Sandhurst is conveniently located within Sandton, less than a 5-minute drive into the Sandton central business district. It is also a comfortable 30-minute drive to OR Tambo International Airport and a 40-minute drive from Lanseria Airport.
Sandhurst residents enjoy typical highveld weather patterns with long hot summers and short, crisp winters. Rainfall is generally over the summer months, while the winter months are dry. Johannesburg has some of the most sensational sunsets in the world, to be enjoyed on all clear evenings, year-round.
Discover Sandton City Mall: Africa's Shopping Paradise!
When looking to purchase a property in Sandhurst, Seeff is available to assist you with an extensive range of properties for sale.
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