As time has progressed Musgrave has harmoniously combined the well-heeled with business owners and students.
Before the North Coast property boom, there was Musgrave – an area that is centrally located in Durban, with many grand homes and spacious Art Deco, Edwardian and Victorian apartments. The Musgrave area was once home to mostly wealthy and affluent families. However, as time has progressed it has harmoniously combined the well-heeled with business owners and students.
Musgrave property is distinctive and has a rich architectural history. From the 1930s to the 1940s, architects started designing Art Deco buildings, which represented luxury, exuberance and progress. With the desire to be modern, Art Deco buildings were inspired by different styles: from the bold geometric shapes of Cubism, to the bright colours of Fauvism. Furthermore, the older homes and apartments were built to be spacious and striking, and continue to impress investors and homeowners despite property developments becoming more modern.
Convenient living at its best is what makes Musgrave a popular neighbourhood to live in. The area has good public transport services from buses and taxis; is conveniently close to schools, universities and colleges; and is home to Durban’s oldest shopping centre, Musgrave Centre. Just a short drive from popular neighbouring suburbs, Musgrave is centrally located and makes driving north, south or west easy and quick.
Musgrave is a vibrant area to live in, and there are always events happening in and around the area. It shows off the diversity Durban has and is a true melting pot of cultures, ages and times.
I have lived in the Musgrave area for around 30 years. I moved here because it is central, and I really liked the neighbourhood. I enjoy going to Musgrave Centre, and my daughter’s school, Marias Stella, was also close by.
Heather Hoggard, Musgrave resident
Things to do:
- Indulge in some retail therapy at Musgrave Shopping Centre.
- Explore the monthly Night Market.
- Visit the eclectic restaurants scattered throughout the Musgrave area.
- Take the family to the Essenwood Park.
- Have a picnic at Durban Botanic Gardens.
Top schools:
- Maris Stella
- Durban Girls’ College
- Durban High School
- Orient Islamic School
- Clifton Preparatory School
- Gordon Road Girls’ Primary
Best in food:
- Circus Circus in Musgrave Centre
- Unity Brasserie and Bar
- Bertoua Cafe Lounge
- 315 Restaurant at Coastlands on the Ridge Hotel
- Canvas Grill
Take a spectacular trip through Durban Central here:
Agent commentary on Musgrave
What makes Musgrave such an attractive area to reside in?
Musgrave is such an attractive area to reside within because of its central location and easy access to all major highways: M4 north and south, N2 and N3. The close proximity to the CBD, Durban’s beaches, Greyville Racecourse and Suncoast Casino. Hospitals like Parklands, St Augustine and Entabeni are a few minutes away. There are a variety of restaurants and takeaways. Properties are in great demand because of the location and amenities. Due to the strong demand in property, prices are increasing rapidly and are attracting a lot of investors.
Mobeen Khan: Estate agent, Rawson Berea
What types of property can you find in Musgrave?
Musgrave is the hub of the Berea area, where you find shopping centres, schools and more. It is a safe place to reside, and is an area that has been around for some time. You can find all types of property in Musgrave, from duplexes, to apartments and houses, all of which are market-related in price, feasible and well kept.
Jay Venketroyalu: Estate Agent, Remax
What lifestyle is associated with living in Musgrave?
Living in the Musgrave area gives one easy and quick accessibility to everything. By that I mean we have all the amenities one could wish for right on our doorstep including the beach, and one does not have to travel more than a couple of kilometres – often no more than a few metres – to find the best food, shopping centres, banks, places of worship, and of course the area boasts many wonderful restaurants catering to all tastes.
Julie Solomon: Director, Julie Solomon Property
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
