The never-ending new developments in Sandton

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When living in or visiting Sandton, one is constantly amazed at the number of new property developments taking place. The ongoing new developments include office buildings and business parks, shopping centres, shopping malls and their extensions and improvements, additional parking facilities to cater for ever-increasing numbers of vehicles, freehold homes, access-controlled estates of various descriptions, cluster and sectional title townhouses, and apartment developments.

If it’s located in Sandton, it’s highly likely to be relatively recent or brand, spanking new, or a work in progress. Even during the worldwide recessive economic conditions of the 2008 period, the construction of new property developments continued in Sandton.

Essential occupation

Newly developed Sandton buildings and units were also occupied by new owners and tenants, quite soon after completion – in tough economic conditions and circumstances. These exciting trends still continue in Sandton, showing no signs of decreasing, much to the relief of developers, since unoccupied property negates the viability of a new development.

Before Sandton

Nowadays, it’s only really the mature generation that experienced the Sandton of the period before the latter 1960s, when the Sandton area beyond Rosebank was not known by its present name. Sandton was established in 1969 (as a separate municipality) and named by combining the names of two of the area’s oldest established suburbs – Sandown and Bryanston. 

Initially, the properties there consisted largely of extensive plots of land with lots of big trees, sprawling gardens, and rambling homes – ideal for those who preferred a semi-rural lifestyle on weekends and a daily commute to central Johannesburg for work during the week. The area was also favoured by horse lovers, many of whom featured stable yards on their properties.

A white elephant

It was to be the new development and opening of Sandton City in 1973 which was instrumental in giving the Sandton area its subsequent multiple developments, high popularity level, and exceptionally affluent status, becoming one of South Africa’s most wealthy areas. It’s quite astonishing now that many doubters and nay-sayers were of the opinion that Sandton City would turn out to be a white elephant.

After Sandton City’s establishment and highly successfully opening, older, once semi-urban properties were bought up for redevelopment – a multitude of new developments in Sandton that continues virtually unabated. Sandton City is hardly a white elephant. Because the new developments are ongoing (virtually endlessly), the entire area and all its suburbs continue to grow, expand, and gain increasing affluence.

Proverbial golden egg

This cycle appears to be self-perpetuating (expansion plus new developments) – similar to a chicken and egg situation, although everyone now acknowledges that Sandton City was the original golden egg.

One can hardly go wrong by investing in newly developed luxury property in Sandton, with a few important requirements. These requirements include the following:

• Unless you’re a qualified, highly experienced estate agent on par with our property specialists, you’d be well served and much safer, financially speaking, with the guidance and assistance of such an expert.

• Even though Sandton is a well-to-do area, location, location, and location are nevertheless still important. Our Sandton agents are well versed in all aspects of finding, buying, selling, investing, and living in Sandton’s new developments.

• Because there may be unknown factors pertinent to new developments, the architect’s abilities, the developer’s reputation and credibility, and the construction company and sub-contractor’s standards of work, and quality of standard fittings, fixtures, and finishes – the assistance of a property industry specialist is vital, in order to avoid pitfalls.

Fine & Country South Africa specialises in high-end property developments – existing and new. A dedicated Sandton agent will be allocated to you as soon as you contact us for assistance. This person is committed to serving you through every phase of your new development acquisition, professionally and effectively, ensuring that you’re in competent hands throughout the process.