Houghton Estate, Johannesburg

About the suburb of Houghton

Houghton has always been considered an affluent suburb with diverse architecture. Mansions on large stands built in the 1930s are impressive, and beautiful art deco blocks of flats are popular with residents. Houghton also has many buildings with significant historical value, such as Nelson Mandela's former residence and the King Edward VII School for Boys, which has a cultural legacy spanning over 100 years. St John's College is a world-class Christian African school founded in 1898. Upper Houghton was declared a National Heritage Area to preserve these historical landmarks.

Houghton is a quiet suburb where residents can enjoy idyllic surroundings. The spectacular view from Munro Drive overlooks the northern suburbs and is quite unforgettable. The suburb is also home to two magnificent golf courses, namely the Houghton and Killarney Golf Clubs.

Interesting facts about the history of Houghton, Johannesburg

Houghton's story is that Houghton Estate is one of Johannesburg's most renowned suburbs, located northeast of the city center. It was developed as a residential area at the turn of the 20th century by the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company and is unofficially divided into two sections: Upper Houghton and Lower Houghton.

Upper Houghton is situated on a large ridge that makes up the southern portion of the suburb, while Lower Houghton lies to the north (on either side of the M1 freeway) and is much flatter with a grid street pattern. The two sections are separated by Houghton Drive, which runs directly across the suburb from east to west.

Houghton is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth and redevelopment, particularly in Lower Houghton. Many stands in the suburb are being subdivided as there is a trend towards developing more cluster-style homes. Although this redevelopment is controversial to some, it has many benefits and has been sanctioned by the City of Johannesburg's Regional Spatial Development Framework.

Top 5 schools in the Houghton area:

1. St John's College, founded in 1898 as an African Christian school, is a remarkable place to visit and has an esteemed reputation. It is a private for boys and is in Houghton itself and follows the traditions of the Anglican Church.

2. King Edward VII School for Boys, popularly known as KEPS (the preparatory school) or KES (the high school), is well known for its fierce sporting prestige. The annual Easter-time rugby festival is televised, and high schools from all over South Africa participate.

3. Roedean School in nearby Parktown is an all-girls school with both boarding and day-school options. This private school for girls is highly respected. Roedean was founded in 1903 as a sister school to the esteemed Roedean in Brighton, England.

4. Sacred Heart College in neighbouring Observatory is a private co-ed school part of The Marist Network. The Marist Network began in France in 1816. The school was initially founded in 1889 in Koch Street, Johannesburg, and it has a rich history. The current school grounds located in Observatory were broken in 1924 when the foundation stone was laid. The name of the school was changed to Sacred Heart in 1980.

5. Houghton Primary School is a fee-paying public school in Houghton, Johannesburg. It is a Quantile 5 school, and children come from all walks of life ... there is no particular religious or cultural affiliation.

Medical facilities in the area

You can prioritize your health and welfare in Houghton. Nearby private hospitals include the Netcare Rosebank Hospital, the Netcare Park Lane Hospital, and the Life Brenthurst Clinic. Government hospitals nearby include the "Joburg Gen" and the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.   

Shopping centers and malls in the area

Houghton has fantastic shopping options, whether you're after daily essentials or some retail therapy. Killarney Mall is convenient, and Melrose Arch is a short drive away, with an array of upmarket options.

Places of Worship in Houghton

Houghton residents are a diverse community. There are churches for those of the Christian faith, Anglican and Pentecostal, as well as the St Jerome Catholic Church on Central Street, Houghton. The Greek Orthodox Church is situated in Rosebank (The Hellenic Orthodox Church of The Virgin Mary).

Mosques, including the Houghton Masjid in West Street and the Masjidul Furqan, are ideally located for Houghton families.

Shuls include the Great Park Synagogue, the West Street Shul, and the Oxford Shul in Riviera.

Things to do in Houghton

Are you looking for recreational activities around Houghton? There are many options for families to enjoy, particularly on the weekend.

The Old Eds Sports grounds are home to the one best Cricket Clubs in the country. There is also a Virgin Active on the premises, tennis courts, and a restaurant. It is home to the Old Edwardian society.

The Old Johannian Restaurant and Bar is rich in history and St John's Old Boys' stories.

The Acrobranch Melrose is a popular outdoor obstacle course. It is an aerial adventure popular for primary school-age children's parties.

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is in Newtown, a short drive from Houghton, and it is an all-day, interactive educational center that can't be missed. Similarly, the Wits Planetarium, open to the public since 1960, is a fun educational experience for youngsters. The Planetarium is located on the East Campus in Braamfontein, a quick 8-minute drive from Houghton.

The National Children's Theatre, according to their website, "presents stage adaptations of classics, contemporary plays and educational theatre to the acclaim of critics and joy of audiences. Well-loved stories, fantastic characters, beautiful sets, and costumes come together to bring the magic of theatre to thousands of children from all socio-economic backgrounds." The NCT is in Parktown, which neighbours the suburb of Houghton.

Distance to airports, main roads, and the CBD

Houghton is ideally situated in Johannesburg. Just north of the city center, it is a 15-minute drive south into the CBD. If residents are heading into the Sandton CBD, it is a 15-minute drive to the north.  Access to the M1 highway is a breeze, and the M1 is used to drive to the OR Tambo International Airport, which is 20 kilometers away (a 25-minute drive in fair traffic conditions).

Weather in Houghton

Houghton residents enjoy warm summers and crisp winters. The summer months are when the rainfall occurs. Maximum temperatures are 34 to 36 degrees Celsius as a norm. While winters are dry, the morning and evening temperatures can fall to almost zero (Celsius). 

Make Houghton your home, your story.

Whether you're a young professional or a family looking for a beautiful home, Houghton has plenty to offer its astute buyers. Seeff Sandton's area specialist Hajee Hoosen has a portfolio of property for sale in Houghton, and we invite you to browse through the property listings and be in touch with us.