Sandown, Sandton

One of a number of suburbs in the northern reaches of Johannesburg with ‘san’ prefixed to its name as an indication of its association with Sandton, Sandown lies virtually between Morningside and the Sandton CBD, a prime position in Johannesburg.

The neighbourhood of Sandown is dominated by business that has spread from the inner reaches of Sandton to claim former residences, large sprawling properties and a number of cluster developments, although these mainly hug the eastern reaches of the suburb. Homes here lie on large properties, their gardens leafy and well maintained behind towering retaining walls that are a pre-requisite to suburban living in Johannesburg.

Sandown is really only a stone’s throw away from Sandton Square, and Sandton City, the dominating malls of Sandton, and the Sandton Convention Centre. Hard to believe that this part of Johannesburg was a wide expanse of highveld just over 20 years ago, given over, in much the same way as the upper reaches of Midrand (although this too is swiftly being eaten up by development), to small farms owned mainly by the horsey set.

Sandton’s obvious sophistication, expensive shops and world-class hotels and restaurants make Sandown a sought-after address and an ideal location when in the city, particularly if business is high on your agenda.