KNOW YOUR ’HOOD
Each week we take a closer look at a South African suburb. This week our spotlight falls on Menlo Park, one of the prettiest areas in Pretoria’s “old east”
NITTY-GRITTY
• Menlo Park borders the up-market suburbs of Brooklyn and Lynnwood (all three of these areas are said to be named after their US counterparts in California, New York and Seattle) and Waterkloof. • The suburb was established between the ’50s and ’70s and was, at the time, Pretoria’s most eastern suburb. Since then the city has expanded greatly and the area is now known as the “old east”, an area that houses some of Pretoria’s more expensive properties. • Centrally positioned near the N1 highway, Menlo Park is just a few minutes away from Pretoria’s central business district and is also close to shopping and entertainment centres such as the Menlyn and Brooklyn shopping malls. Menlo Park High School and the University of Pretoria are just a few minutes away. • The area was once also home to South African artist Walter Battiss, whose former home has been converted into a guesthouse called Fook Island — the name comes from the moniker Battiss gave to his utopian imaginary island and it features murals created by his protege, Norman Catherine. • The Hazel Food Market, which takes place at the Greenlyn Village Centre in the suburb every Saturday morning, is one of the city’s most popular fresh food and produce markets.
PRICE POINTS
Estate agent LC Steyn from Chas Everitt says: “Menlo Park is very much like Waterkloof in its heyday. The plots are bigger than usual, but many of the subdivisions are about 600m2.”
Prices range from about R2-million and can go as high as R7-million.
“Properties under R2-million are very rare and go very fast,” adds Steyn. “Homes in an older ’70s style that have not received much attention can go for less, but it’s a high-end area so there are many newly renovated homes.”
IN THE MARKET
“There are many queries from families with children under the age of 12,” says Steyn, adding that there are many amenities in the area, including the various high schools, preschools, creches and nursery schools.
“It’s also a booming entrepreneurial area with many small shops and cafes.”
Savvy first-time buyers and young professionals view the area as an affordable high-investment opportunity. Student communes are also popular considering the area’s close proximity to the University of Pretoria.