Winchester Hills, a small suburb tucked away between Robertsham and the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve to the south of Johannesburg is quiet, clean and restful, yet just a short distance from the buzzing centre of South Africa’s busiest city.
This home in Winchester Hills, Johannesburg, offers two bedrooms, open-plan living area and covered balcony with built-in braai. It is selling for R685 000 - click here to view.This is according to Mamazi Mdlalose, the Rawson Property Group's local franchisee, who says the area is an oasis of calm, offering exceptional views as a bonus to many of those who own homes in this area.
“One of a group of suburbs to the east of Soweto that attracted a substantial number of new townhouse developments in the early 2000s, Winchester Hills was badly affected by the 2008/2009 recession when things became particularly difficult for the young, first-time buyers that typically favour such developments,” says Mdlalose.
“However, since then, the annual number of sales in the area has more than doubled, and prices have risen steadily - although it currently still offers good value for money.”
She says, for example, in the past three months the average price paid for sectional title properties in this area has been R667 000, and for that buyers can expect a modern three bedroom apartment or two bedroom, two bathroom townhouse in a sought-after complex with top-notch security. Many upstairs units also offer good views from their living areas or balconies.
“Alternatively, if buyers are looking for a freehold home, the average price paid recently is R1.53 million, for what buyers can expect to get a good quality three or four bedroom home with two bathrooms, two garages and probably a pool or a flat.”
Mdlalose says the suburb is also becoming more popular with upmarket buyers in search of luxury hillside homes offering panoramic views across the Mondeor Valley to the west or over the nature reserve to the south.
“Some striking multi-level homes have been built in this area in the past few years, especially on the Leadwood, Kouga and Magaliesberg streets, where there are now only few stands left for sale at prices from around R500 000 for 1 300sqm,” she says.
“Home prices at the top end of our market now range all the way up to about R4 million. In fact, we have just sold a five bedroom, double storey home in Winchester Hills for R3.45 million.”
This home offered five en suite bathrooms, five living rooms, a chef’s kitchen with electric and gas stoves, a scullery and an enormous walk-in pantry, study, prayer room, pool, storerooms, four garages and two flats with two bedrooms each, so even at this level, there is great value for money to be found here,” she says.
This two bedroom townhouse in Winchester Hills has an open-plan kitchen and lounge. It is on the market for R600 000 - click here to view.Mdlalose says some of the other main attractions of Winchester Hills include its excellent location in relation to the Johannesburg CBD and other commercial nodes, its proximity to large shopping malls, entertainment venues, sporting facilities, and excellent schools.
“Residents of Winchester Hills can get to the CBD within minutes via Xavier Street and the N1, and there is also a regular Metrobus service,” she says.
“The suburb is also bisected by the N12 southern bypass, and while that is a problem for some, it does have its own on- and off-ramps, which is an advantage for those who need a freeway route to Soweto, Alberton or the East Rand for work, or to OR Tambo International.”
As for schools, she says Winchester Hills has its own primary school and is also home to Sir John Adamson High School, as well as several nursery schools. The Johannesburg South campus of the private Abbott’s College is also just a few kilometres down the road in Suideroord.
Mdlalose says the suburb is well served when it comes to shopping and entertainment as it has its own shopping centre with a Pick n Pay and is within very easy reach of the Southgate Mall, as well as the newly revamped Southdale centre.
“These centres offer a huge range of stores and restaurants and there is also a movie multiplex at Southgate,” she says.
“Then for outdoor enthusiasts, the nature reserve, literally on the doorstep, offers a number of hikes and guided walks and boasts a great diversity of wildlife including zebra, blesbok, duiker and dozens of bird species, as well as many items of archaeological, historical and cultural interest.“
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