Parktown North, Sandton

Just north of Rosebank in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, Parktown North, which takes its name rather obviously from its position north of the suburb of Parktown, is one of the oldest residential areas in the city with a rather interesting history.

Parktown North originally served as the residential area for the poorer relatives of the Randlords (the guys who controlled both the diamond and gold mining industries in those days), who erected their oversized manor homes on Parktown Ridge during the gold rush that hit Gauteng during the 1890s. Today these ‘poorer’ homes are much sought after colonial-style houses and Parktown North, which has its own very active residents’ association, has an enviable village atmosphere even though it lies close to Jan Smuts Avenue - one of the busiest arteries in Johannesburg that makes getting around the city that much easier.

There is plenty to do when staying in Parktown North, the heart of the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. Rosebank is the home of numerous business and shopping centres and is the site of both the popular Rooftop Craft Market (a must-visit for the cheese, if for nothing else) and the African Market. There are numerous restaurants to choose from in Parktown North, and the trendy villages of Parkhurst, Greenside, Melville and Norwood with their attractive high street culture, antique shops, enticing eateries and coffee shops are all just a few minutes away.