Die Hoewes proves to be the perfect location for the development of affordable but upmarket higher-density housing.
In the wake of the landmark developments of the early ’80s, such as Centurion Mall and Waterfront, Netcare Unitas Hospital and SuperSport Park in the then “rural” Centurion, a neighbouring area primarily comprising smallholdings and fittingly called Die Hoewes proved to be the perfect location for the development of a¬ffordable but upmarket higher-density housing.
Today, this portion of land contains roughly 7,000 residential units, of which more than 95% are apartments and townhouses of a huge variety. A number of these, as well as a handful of freestanding houses, are part of security estates.
Despite new developments like the Centurion Gautrain station and several o¬ffice blocks, the neighbourhood’s beautiful tall trees and the tranquil countryside feeling have been preserved.
Die Hoewes has the established Lyttelton Manor as its eastern neighbour, while leafy Doringkloof borders the suburb in the southeast. Western neighbours are Zwartkop (southwest) and Clubview (northwest). Local main roads in the area – such as Jean Avenue, Lenchen Avenue, John Vorster Drive, Rabie Street and Botha Avenue – are easily accessible while Die Hoewes also o¬ffers the perfect location for residents commuting between Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg and Krugersdorp.
The suburb is located alongside the N1, with comfortable access to the R21 to Ekurhuleni and OR Tambo International Airport. The N14 to Krugersdorp and Lanseria International Airport isn’t far away.
Meeting the educational demands of its relatively young, but established community – three-quarters of stable property owners and recent buyers are under the age of 50 – Die Hoewes is centrally located close to an array of Centurion’s top educational facilities. Hoërskool Centurion, Lyttelton Manor High School, Hoërskool Zwartkop, Southdowns College, Lyttelton Primary School, Laerskool Louis Leipoldt and Fleur Primary School are all situated within a 5km radius from the suburb. Further education and training institutions in or in close proximity of the suburb are Centurion Academy, Technicol SA College, The Open Window Institute for Arts and Digital Sciences, and Prue Leith Chefs Academy.
Situated on the banks of the Hennops River, just across from the super-regional Centurion Mall (with more than 200 shops) and the adjacent Centurion CBD, there’s no need to travel far to enjoy a huge variety of shopping options.
“The local smaller shopping malls like Jean Village, Jean Crossing and The Highlands Shopping Centre have all my favourite shops,” says resident Beren Bauermeister.
There’s no shortage of health establishments in the area. In addition to the largest private hospital in the country, Netcare Unitas Hospital, medical services are available from Vista Clinic, Lyttelton Clinic, Centurion Day Hospital, Southlake Medical Centre and At Health Medical Centre, among others.
The suburb meets the daily demands of its residents and takes care of their lifestyle and recreational needs. The area is particularly renowned for its eateries, co¬ffee shops, pubs and clubs.
I love the fact that the area is so central – it’s about walking distance to Unitas Hospital, Lyttelton Police Station, the Gautrain station, SuperSport Park and Centurion Mall. I work in Johannesburg and the easy access to the N14 and N1 is also a plus.
-Beren Bauermeister, resident.
Where to eat in Die Hoewes:
- Crawdaddy's Good Food Pub and Co: for a variety of seafood and meat dishes
- Turn 'n Tender Centurion: for excellent steaks and wine
- Ridgeback Village Restaurant: for live entertainment and laidback dining
- Beerhouse Centurion: for craft beer and unique #BrewFood
- Hemingway's Restaurant and Wine Cellar: for fine dining in an elegant setting
Things to do in Die Hoewes:
- Watch movies at SterKinekor, Centurion Mall.
- See an exhibition at Centurion Art Gallery.
- Spend time with the children at GoPlay Kids Indoor Play and Cafe.
- Book a spa treatment at one of the many health spas in the area.
Outdoor attractions in the area:
- SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium
- Paintball Village
- Zwartkop Country Club
- Irene Dairy Farm
- Zwartkops Raceway
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
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