Bryanston in Johannesburg has long been a favourite with those looking to capitalise on property and this remains the case to this day says Riki Scruton, Principal of the local Chas Everitt branch which services the area.
According to Scruton, although activity has tapered off somewhat in the R6m to R9m price range, buyers are snapping up properties priced between R3m and R4m as the earning potential on such properties is “significant”. Indeed, so popular have these homes become that stock in this price range has effectively run out he says.
But why the popularity? Scruton explains that Bryanston is one of the prettiest and most established suburbs in Johannesburg, which, when coupled with the fact that it enjoys easy access to Sandton and Randburg, makes it a hard package to beat. Bryanston was established in the 1940’s and is named after a village in the UK. Over the years it has grown to become one of Johannesburg’s largest suburbs extending from the outskirts of Randburg through to Morningside.
“In addition to attracting captains of industry, Bryanston also appeals to buyers with families thanks to the many upmarket schools in the area including Bryanston Primary School, Brescia House and Michael Mount Waldorf School (which also incorporates the highly popular Bryanston Organic Market),” explains Scruton. “And although some of Johannesburg’s most expensive homes are located here, Bryanston offers a wide variety of properties to suit most pockets.”
Bryanston’s more modest homes are located close to the N1 freeway and can cost anywhere from R500 000 to R1, 5m. According to the latest Lightstone report on the area, the average freehold home is currently selling for just over R3, 5m. The same report states that Sectional Title properties are currently selling for around R988 000. According to Scruton, really basic properties of this nature can be bought for around R300 000 but these are few and far between.
According to Scruton, Bryanston’s top end homes are currently valued at around R40m. Unsurprisingly these properties rarely come onto the market though. The majority of these upmarket gems are located at Ecclestone Crescent and Mount Street and are endowed with magnificent southerly views over Johannesburg’s skyline. Indoor pools, volley ball courts, squash courts, indoor movie theatres, Jacuzzis and sprawling gardens are just a few of the elements these homes feature.
New residential development in the area has slowed thanks to electricity restrictions notes Scruton. A few years ago Bryanston went through a phase where developers bought many of the suburb’s large one acre plots, subdivided and developed them into upmarket cluster homes which now sell in excess of R10m in some instances. It is envisaged that this activity will occur again when electricity becomes more readily available in the future.
Retail wise Bryanston residents are spoilt for choice. Local shops include Grosvenor Crossing, Post House Shopping Centre, Hobart Road Shopping Centre, the Wedge and Sloane Square. Sandton City and Randburg’s shopping outlets also lie within close reach.
Other Bryanston amenities include excellent restaurants, a number of Christian and Catholic churches are located within the suburb and quality medical facilities such as Sandton Clinic lie within close reach. Golf fans can get their ‘fix’ at the picturesque Bryanston Country Club and the upmarket office node entitled ‘The Campus’ on William Nicol Road caters for large commercial entities such as Dimension Data, Glaxo Smith Kline, Microsoft, Ogilvy & Mather and Synovate.
In terms of general property activity in the area, Scruton says renovation is occurring at significant levels, cash buyers are making an appearance, the rental market is faring well and buy-to-let investors are making a comeback proving that Bryanston has lost none of its shine.
