Parkhurst, Johannesburg

Parkhurst at a glance

About the suburb of Parkhurst

Parkhurst consists mainly of houses, some 2 000 of them, many of them with stand sizes of approximately 500 square meters. Much of the area was developed in and around the 1930s, and after World War II, the suburb was fully developed. And so, many of the houses date back to that era, having been re-modelled or renovated over the years, often more than once.

Parkhurst was one of the first suburbs in Johannesburg to offer sidewalk dining and is renowned for its café culture, particularly along 4^th Avenue.  There are various antique, craft, and book shops, interior design and décor shops, and fashion design boutiques.  Restaurants, bistros, pubs, and fine dining are all options in Parkhurst.

Interesting facts about the history of Parkhurst

The story of Parkhurst begins with Mr. Isidore Schlesinger, a New York insurance salesman who became one of Johannesburg's leading businessmen.  Mr. Schlesinger came to South Africa in 1894 as a young man and travelled around Southern Africa selling American goods and insurance.  He returned to the USA during the Anglo-Boer War returning to Johannesburg when hostilities ceased. 

He founded two companies, one of which was the African Realty Trust (ART) which started buying up small bits of farmland and developing them into residential areas.  Parkhurst became one of these areas, originally part of a remote area of the Braamfontein Farm; it was developed into smaller stands.  The suburb was registered in 1904 as Johannesburg's 67^th suburb. 

Schools in the area

Parkhurst is centrally situated, and plenty of good schools are a short drive from Parkhurst. To the west of Parkhurst, there are several Afrikaans schools for both primary and high school in Randburg, such as Linden Hoerskool & Randburg Hoerskool; Louw Geldenhuys & Unika Laerskole, as well as De La Salle Holy Cross College.

Many private schools are found to the east, in Rosebank and Melrose (St. Teresa's, Kingsmead, Pridwin). In Greenside, there is Greenside High to the immediate south, and a little further afield in Westcliff, one finds the popular school The Ridge. Many, many options for schooling are to the north of Parkhurst: in Craighall Park (Craighall primary), Hyde Park (Hyde Park High), and Inanda (St. David's Marist).

Parkhurst Primary is within the suburb itself.

Medical facilities in the area

Parkhurst Clinic is in Parkhurst, on the corner of 5^th Avenue and 14^th Street, and is a government clinic open to the public. Nearby private hospitals include the Rosebank Netcare Hospital and the Milpark Netcare Hospital in Parktown, which has a level 1 accredited trauma unit.

Shopping centers and malls in the area

Large shopping centres with many retail options are a 10-minute drive from Parkhurst, including Hyde Park Corner, Rosebank Mall, and Sandton City / Nelson Mandela Square. Residents of Parkhurst can make quick trips to Craighall or Victory Park for daily necessities, such as a grocery shop at Woolworths.

Restaurants to visit in Parkhurst

There are so many options! Here are our Top 5 places to eat in Parkhurst:

1. The Jolly Roger, a vibey traditional English style pub popular with the sporty crowds and young at heart. It's a popular watering hole for those that have played matches or watched their friends play at the Pirates Sports Grounds, a stone's throw away. Pizzas are a fan favourite!

2. Espresso Café & Bistro is a Parkhurst institution. The sidewalks are often packed with regular patrons.

3. Nice on 4th is popular for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. It's a cozy spot, and the prices are reasonable. It can get busy, so it's best to arrive early.

4. Hudson's - The Burger Joint has mouth-watering options of excellent quality. Please have a look at their menu here.

5. La Parada on 4^th Avenue is well known for its excellent service. It's advised to make a reservation. It's a tapas bar and restaurant with locations in Waterfall (Johannesburg), the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town, and Palm Boulevard in Umhlanga Ridge too.

Distance to airports, main roads, and the CBD

Pretty much equidistant to the Lanseria and OR Tambo International Airports, it is 34 kilometers to Lanseria and 38 kilometers to ORT from Parkhurst. One would be wise to take the Gautrain to ORT Airport, as it's 2.5 kilometers away in Rosebank and only a 12-minute train ride.

It is 8 kilometers from the bustling Sandton CBD and 14 kilometers from the Johannesburg inner city business district.

Weather in Parkhurst

The summer season is from December to February, and autumn arrives slowly from March. By the end of May and into the start of winter from June 1^st, it's cold and dry in much of Johannesburg. The sun still shines on most days. Spring Day is celebrated on September 1^st, and temperatures quickly rise. Mid-summer days see temperatures soar to 35 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperate plummets to 2 or 3 degrees Celsius in the pre-dawn hours.

Make Parkhurst your home, your story.

Our award-winning sales agent Rose Rolfe is the agent to contact regarding property for sale in Parkhurst. She has the best properties on the market, and you can browse her listings here.

Adrian Alport is our longstanding rental agent in the Parkhurst area. His clients highly recommend him, and you can be in touch with him here about rentals in the Parkhurst suburb and surrounding area.