Parktown, Johannesburg

About the suburb of Parktown

Parktown is one of the largest, oldest and closest suburbs to the north of the Johannesburg city center. Three of Wits University's five campuses are situated in Parktown, including Wits Medical School, Wits Graduate Business School, and the College of Education. 

Parktown has many business and commercial offices but still has many quieter residential streets. It has predominantly sectional title complexes, many of which are rented by students and academic professionals from the university. There are also 360 freehold homes - 23 of which are in estates - as well as 941 sectional title units. Parktown is, accordingly, a good area for investors looking for rental properties.

Parktown is close to the M1 highway, with several arterial roads to the surrounding suburbs,  as well as being close to the commercial areas of central Johannesburg. The Linder Auditorium on the Wits University Campus is home to Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, and Parktown is close to other arts and cultural venues for other orchestras, South African ballet, and theatres, with restaurants, schools, and places of worship to cater to resident's needs.

Interesting facts about the history of Parktown

Back in the late 1890s, Parktown was known as one of the elite areas of South Africa, with the wealthier citizens from the diamond and gold industries building homes on the ridge. These wealthy homeowners were called the Randlords, and the name also serves as the origin of the name of our "Rand" currency.

Parktown still has a few Edwardian and Victorian mansions, as well as homes designed by Sir Herbert Baker. In the 1960s, over 50 older houses were demolished to establish the Johannesburg College of Education (now known as the Wits University Education Campus) and the M1 highway.

Schools in the area

Parktown residents have access to several schools established as far back as 100 years ago with a long educational and cultural history. This includes Parktown Girls High in Parkview, Parktown Boys High School, established in 1922, St. Katherine's Primary School, established in 1916, and Helpmekaar College, the first Afrikaans school in Johannesburg, established in 1921.

There is also Deutsche Schule, established in 1891, where students write final exams for both South African and German schooling systems, as well as John Orr Technical High School, Wits University, and Grantley College.

Medical facilities in the area

Parktown is relatively close to the Netcare Park Lane Hospital, renowned for its obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric care, as well as the Netcare Milpark Hospital, known for its world-class specialized care, the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, as well as Life Brenthurst Clinic.

Shopping centers and malls in the area

Killarney Mall caters to the needs of Parktown residents with restaurants, cinemas, banking facilities, and many clothing, grocery, and other service providers. 44 Stanley in Milpark offers a unique shopping experience for residents with its many stores and eateries and is a trendy place to visit. There is also the North Park Mall and St. David's Place, in Parktown.

Restaurants to visit in Parktown

Parktown itself and the neighbouring suburbs provide residents with many dining options, such as Mike's Heritage House in the 1905 Eikenlaan (Oak Lane) mansion on St Andrews Road, which serves amazing steak with seafood and poultry options. There is also Olive and Plates, Wits Club & Conference, where residents dine under stately oak trees. 

Other options include Pizza Del Forno in Killarney Mall for amazing Italian pizza and pasta, as well as Ocean Basket and Simply Asia, also in Killarney Mall.

Things to do in Parktown

Looking for weekend activities around Parktown? Here are our Top 5 things to do in and around Parktown:

1. Parktown & Westcliff Heritage Trust: They conduct bus and walking tours to view houses and gardens of old Johannesburg areas, including Victorian Parktown, as these homes are not open to the general public.

2. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Newtown: This is a science and technology center with exhibits, shows, and workshops, very popular with school-going children.

3. Johannesburg Civic Centre: This is less than 2 kilometers away, providing music concerts, ballet, pantomimes, plays, and much more for the whole family to enjoy.

4. 44 Stanley, Braamfontein Werf: Situated just 3 kilometers (10 minutes) away and set amongst industrial buildings from the 1930s, there are courtyards and arcades for bespoke shopping and dining.

5.  The Wilds Nature Reserve: It has paved hiking trails and animal-themed artworks in a city park, with downtown views and a climbing wall.

Distance to airports, main roads, and the CBD

Parktown is known for its excellent location in terms of the University of the Witwatersrand, particularly for medical students who also need to have a short commute to the nearby academic hospitals.

It is a short, fifteen-minute commute into the Johannesburg inner city district and a twenty-minute commute to the north into Sandton. Depending on traffic conditions, it is a comfortable 30- to 45-minute drive to the OR Tambo International Airport.

Weather in Parktown

Johannesburg's weather is one of the best climates in the world. People who call Parktown home generally enjoy being outdoors all year round. Summer temperatures can reach mid-30⁰C. In the winter months, when it is the dry season, temperatures can fall to single digits (Celsius) in the early morning and through the night.

Make Parktown your home, your story

Our area specialist agent at Seeff, Hajee Hoosen, has been successfully selling homes in Parktown for several years. She has in-depth knowledge of the most current market trends and pricing trends. Contact her here for more information.

We also have several rental homes available for lease in Parktown. Browse the properties to rent here, and be in touch with the specialist rental agent for Parktown, Suhail Timol.

Home is Our Story.