KNOW YOUR ’HOOD

Every week we take a look at one of South Africa’s top areas. This time our spotlight falls on Westcliff, home of Joburg’s “old” money

NITTY-GRITTY

• Westcliff (also spelt West Cliffe and WestCliffe in the records) was developed at the turn of the 20th century by the Braamfontein Estate Company – the same company that had, a decade earlier, established neighbouring Parktown as the then-premier suburb in Johannesburg. While much of the latter suburb has been redeveloped (with old houses knocked down or converted into nonresidential properties), Westcliff has retained its status as the home of Joburg’s “old” money. • Westcliff lies north of Parktown West (between Escombe Avenue and the Valley Road), bordered by Jan Smuts Avenue (on the east) and Westcliff Drive (on the north), extending to Barry Hertzog Avenue (on the west). As the name would suggest, much of the suburb is laid out along the lines of the Westcliff ridge, and many properties offer expansive views over the city – and, depending on the location, all the way to the Magaliesberg. • The suburb includes St Katharine’s School and The Ridge School. Both trace their history back nearly a century and are among the most prestigious primary schools in the city. • The exclusive Westcliff Hotel is currently closed for renovations and will re-open next year.

ON THE MARKET

Dee Scholtz, of Hamilton’s Property Portfolio, says Westcliff holds a “subtle allure. I think it’s a combination of history, architecture, its location ‘above’ the city, and the air of tranquillity that comes with large properties and beautiful tree-lined streets. It’s one of the very few suburbs that seems to have escaped the carving up of large properties into a mass of subdivisions and modern structures.”

Scholtz says buyers are drawn to the original features of homes in the suburb – from slim red-baked bricks and wooden floors, doors and windows to the local Westcliff stone used in boundary walls – and distinct architectural styles.

Many of the properties in the area are listed (evident by “the number of blue plaques displayed on stone gate posts”), which has offered a greater measure of protection. Scholtz explains that much of this is due to the unwavering efforts of the local residents’ associations and the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust (now the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation).

PRICE POINTS

Several new town-house and apartment complexes have been developed (or planned) in Westcliff “Extension” at the foot of the ridge where, Scholtz says, prices start from just over R1.7-million.

While there are a handful of other properties advertised for under R10-million, the asking prices for most freestanding homes in Westcliff seem to comfortably fall between R10-million and R20-million.

“From R20-million upward you really do get absolutely everything one could ask for,” Scholtz says. A property that is “architecturally magnificent with superb quality finishes and incredible views north, large landscaped gardens . . .”

Scholtz says properties in Westcliff always attract “enormous interest” – although not always from genuine buyers – and believes prices in the area will continue to rise as new owners refurbish old properties, underpinned by restrictions on subdivisions (stands may not be less than 2 000m2) and strict local heritage requirements.