New developments in and around Sandton

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Ever since the now-famous Sandton City opened its doors to begin trading in 1974, most people only think of Sandton as the vibrant, exceptionally affluent area that it has become.

Ongoing growth and new developments

In fact, Sandton still continues to expand and grow, well into the 21^st century, whilst new developments strive to keep abreast with an ongoing demand for luxury properties. As always, supply and demand dictate the ongoing establishment of new property developments here, meaning that the rich and affluent area that is modern-day Sandton is now far bigger than a mere one square mile.

The financial and economic hub

Promulgated in 1969, the name “Sandton” is made up of a compilation of two of the area’s long-established suburbs, Sandown and Bryanston. Because of Sandton’s close association with modern affluence and its status as the latter-day economic and financial hub of South Africa, few people give thought to or have knowledge of Sandton’s history and significance.

Lesser known Sandton history – iron smelting

Sandton has actually been developing and evolving for many years, prior to the area’s settlement by Europeans. During the 1980s, in Lonehill, a suburb of Sandton named for its boulder-topped koppie (hill) that stands out from the surrounding area, evidence of some 300-year-old iron smelting and forging works and the production of weapons, implements, and ornamental pieces was discovered. Pottery shards that are similar to Iron Age artefacts were found elsewhere in what was known as the Transvaal, as well as the patterns still favoured by the Tswana/Sotho people.

Gold

While some may say that wealthy Sandton’s new developments and streets are paved with gold, it seems that only a handful of people are aware that gold was discovered in the Sandton/Bryanston area, in either the 1850s or 1878 (reports of the exact year of this discovery vary).

Nevertheless, this early discovery of gold predates that of Harrison’s discovery that gave rise to the world-famous great Witwatersrand gold rush, which resulted in the establishment of Johannesburg. The prospector who found this gold was one Pieter Jacobus Marais. Marais is said to have camped on the banks of the Braamfontein Spruit in the Bryanston area, where the call of his occupation – gold prospecting – caused him to pan for and find traces of this precious metal.

Without taking this likelihood of gold deposits any further, Marais continued on his journey from Potchefstroom to Pretoria. It is thought that news of his trace find of gold was instrumental in the subsequent actions of Harrison, the prospector who is credited with the discovery of Johannesburg’s rich gold deposits.

Harrison had followed the Braamfontein Spruit along its course to its source in Johannesburg’s area of Langlaagte, and the rest, as they say, is history. Perhaps it is fitting and fair that the Johannesburg Stock Exchange has migrated and moved from the Johannesburg CBD to its more recently developed building in central Sandton.  

Some Sandton affluent suburbs/developments

• Sandhurst
• Sandown
• Bryanston
• Morningside
• Hyde Park
• Illovo
• River Club
• Lonehill
• Fourways
• Broadacres
• Dainfern

It’s almost impossible to believe that land prices in Sandton were considerably lower than those in central Johannesburg only some 40 odd years prior to 2019, but one look at all the new developments in Sandton, driven by demand, is evidence of the latter’s popularity.

Fine & Country South Africa, a leading estate agency that specialises in luxury properties and affluent new developments in Sandton and similar high-end offerings elsewhere in this country, is perfectly placed in Sandton to assist and guide you in your property transactions in this luxury market in South Africa. To view our portfolio of luxury Sandton properties, please click here.