Once a strongly residential area, Windermere has over the past decade been rezoned and transformed into a retail and commercial hub.
Once a strongly residential area, Windermere has over the past decade been rezoned and transformed into a retail and commercial hub.
The vast block which originally extended up from Umgeni Road, where commercial, retail and even light industrial facilities flourish, has crept up the hill to incorporate Lilian Ngoyi Road and above. Many of the glorious old Victorian and Edwardian single- and double-storey houses strung along this road have been restored and transformed into businesses or shared office spaces, with everything from décor showrooms to professional offices and small agencies.
The area extends so far now that it’s developed small enclaves of similar goods and services, like fabric houses, and further along there are coffee shops and restaurants, some of which have been around for some time.
Lilian Ngoyi Road, the heart of the Windermere district, is one of the longest roads in town. Starting around the Greyville Racecourse, Lilian Ngoyi Road stretches north across Sandile Thusi Road; it also crosses Innes Road and ends a little beyond Smiso Nkwanyana Road. It’s a stone’s throw from Florida Road’s bright lights and a short distance away from the beach.
Over the past few years, Windermere Centre – with an apartment block above with sensational sea and city views – has had a major facelift. Upmarket tenants have moved in, like Woolworths Food and clothing stores such as Willow and Anthology, joining the likes of Checkers, Clicks and Mr Price.
The City View Shopping Centre on Matthews Meyiwa Road has recently been revamped and now boasts an improved shopping experience.
Lilian Ngoyi Road has several tiny roads branching off from it with a sizable residential component. There are superb pre-primary and junior schools nearby, such as Durban Preparatory High School and Gordon Road Girls’ School. These are established Durban schools with excellent reputations. Just up the road you can find one of Durban’s finest private schools for boys, Clifton School (pre-primary to high school).
If you live in Windermere, you don’t need to venture far for anything. Your hairdresser could be in the Windermere Centre, the City View Shopping Centre or in a little house among the maze of little roads. The same is true for your dentist, your beautician and your lawyer. Yes, the traffic can be a challenge at peak times, but everybody understands and works together.
Windermere is an immensely convenient area to live, work and play in.
I live on a little road alongside Sutton Park – my two little girls cross the busy Lilian Ngoyi at the policed school crossing point for Gordon Road, I do my aquacise at Sutton Park, I shop at Windermere Centre, and I work five minutes away in town. How much more convenient can life be?
-Carol Prale, resident.
Things to do in Windermere:
- Sutton Park Swimming Pool for family fun during summer
- Windermere Centre and City View Shopping Centre for your shopping needs
- Stamford Hill Road has an array of factory shops
- Florida Road is in walking distance and perfect for enjoying sundowners with friends
Schools near Windermere:
- Durban Preparatory High School
- Gordon Road Girls’ School
- Clifton Boys preschool, prep, high school
- Morningside Primary School
- Curro Embury College
- Livingstone Primary School
Why we love City View Shopping Centre
Located in the bustling and trendy suburb of Morningside in Durban, City View is easily accessible from all major transport routes, nestled just outside the heart of the city centre, with 360-degree views of the beautiful Durban skyline.
City View, which was previously known as Game City, underwent a dramatic revamp and now offers a modern and improved shopping experience and includes a variety of value-filled stores, all conveniently located on one level.
The Centre is anchored by Game and Shoprite and offers nine eateries and food outlets, a full medical centre on the rooftop, a car wash and all the family favourite stores, including Ackermans, Mr Price, Pep, Toys R Us, Clicks, Pick n Pay Clothing and Totalsports, to name a few. Offering all major banks’ ATMs, Capitec and Nedbank branches, health and beauty salons, leading fashion retailers, and cellular, printing and electronic stores, City View has it all to create a safe and convenient shopping experience. To find out more visit cityview.co.za.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood,Sunday Times.
View more of the neighbourhood here:
