This Pretoria suburb is a magnet for those who love the artsy vibe and international flair on offer.
More about the area
Brooklyn, situated south-east of Pretoria city centre, is a suburb rich in arts and culture, filled with international flair and has been home to presidents, ministers, diplomats, renowned academics and artists. It lies between Lynnwood Road to the north, Main Street to the south, Roper and Fehrsen Street to the west, and Brooklyn Road to the east. It has a number of high-end residential properties including beautiful houses dating back to the Anglo Boer War.
The Brooklyn and Eastern Areas Residents Association is one of the oldest residents’ associations in South Africa and has been protecting the character of the suburb and looking out for the best interests of residents of the area since 1924. Brooklyn has a unique international atmosphere and is known as an area populated with embassies, such as the Spanish Embassy, Austrian Embassy and Embassy of Switzerland, and is home to international residents making it ideal for building a global network.
The suburb has a strong creative aspect with Brooklyn Theatre and Fried Contemporary Art Gallery playing an integral part in the artistic character of the area. Young musicians at the theatre are involved in projects to promote the appreciation of music, while the gallery promotes local artists such as Alexis Preller, Braam Kruger and Sydney Khumalo.
Brooklyn offers an ideal working environment and is the place of choice for many financial institutions and professionals. High standards of education are maintained in the suburb with some of the best educational facilities including Pretoria Boys High School, Brooklyn Primary School, Pretoria Preparatory School and Brooklyn International Pre-school, as well as the University of Pretoria bordering the area.
When it comes to shopping, Brooklyn Mall and Brooklyn Design Square provide a full complement of national retailers and specialist retail stores as well as an assortment of restaurants. Brooklyn has everything your heart desires whether you want to have a picnic at Magnolia Dell Park, browse through interesting books at a local book store, or enjoy your favourite movie at Cinema Nouveau.
"The jacaranda-lined streets make a walk with family a ritual you want to repeat daily. The involvement of community leaders enhances the sense of security and sustainability of the suburb. Brooklyn is an example of how interaction between different strata of society can lead to a better future for our country." - Pieter Swanepoel, resident for 45 years
Things to do:
- View an art exhibition at Fried Contemporary Art Gallery.
- Go shopping at Brooklyn Mall and Brooklyn Design Square.
- Enjoy a concert at the Brooklyn Theatre.
Top schools nearby:
- Brooklyn Primary School
- Pretoria Boys High School
- Pretoria Preparatory School
- Brooklyn International Pre-school
Best in food:
- Enjoy a romantic atmosphere at Cynthia’s Indigo Moon.
- Have wonderful Italian dishes at Capeesh.
- Relax at the charming garden cafe Jam and Daisies.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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