Murrayfield was one of the earliest suburbs established as part of Pretoria’s Old East. It has bigger residential premises on average, having been established at a time when the city was still expanding and land to build on was abundant.
Thus one finds family homes with established gardens on stand ranging in size between 1 200m² and 1 800m² and occasionally a few larger stands also, says Vanessa Zwarts of Seeff Pretoria East.
“When investing in Murrayfield, look for a well-built home with an established garden and do your research on popular schools in the area. “Always compare sale prices and statistics to ensure you get the best home at the right price,” says Zwarts.
Depending on your work and school locations, it would be a buyer’s preference as to which side they want to be. Murrayfield South possibly has a few homes priced slightly higher. - Vanessa Zwarts, achiever agent, Seeff Pretoria East
Picture: Supplied
She points out the suburb is dissected by the N4 highway and has northern and southern portions: “Depending on your work and school locations, it would be a buyer’s preference as to which side they want to be. Murrayfield South possibly has a few homes priced slightly higher.”
There are no new developments, however, says Zwarts. Murrayfield boasts a popular French-style full title development, Il Forte Estate, on top of the hill overlooking Murrayfield and adjoining suburbs.
Average home prices are well over R2 million and so far this year 18 full title properties and 15 sectional title properties have been sold in Murrayfield, says Zwarts. For a suburb of less than 3 000 adult residents, it is performing well in a challenging market.
For those who find themselves owning a property in the area, home renovations are often a good option to modernise an older established home in an older area, but one must be cautious not to over-capitalise, says Zwarts.
“Slightly more mature owners and families are buying and settling in Murrayfield. The area has good schools and lots of amenities and offers easy access to highways. “These are some of the reasons why it is a popular location and the leading reasons to invest in this area,” says Zwarts
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Her claim is substantiated by statistics from property data company Lightstone, indicating that 53% of new homeowners in the area in the past year were aged between 36 and 49. This is the age group from which most parents with school-going children is drawn.
The popular schools in the surrounds include Laerskool Skuilkrans (Murrayfield), Deutsche Schule Internationale Pretoria (The Willows) and Lynnwood Ridge Primary School (Lynnwood Ridge), as well as nearby Laerskool Meyerspark and La Montaigne Primary School.
Notable local amenities include The Grove, an upmarket mall in The Willows nearby, which offers a wide spectrum of stores from decor, health and wellness to entertainment and banking plus lots more. This is complemented by other smaller shopping centres such as Murrayfield Corner, Watermeyer Park Shopping Centre and Rubida Park.
Property values here are on a par with those for The Willows, with La Montaigne a good candidate for people contemplating downscaling as it is more affordable.
Tina von La Chevallerie’s favourite places and things to do
My husband and I renovated our house after inheriting it, so we have the history. We have beautiful big gardens and keep lots of pets. We came here principally for our kids to be close to the German School. - Tina Von La Chevallerie and children Alexander, Sebastian and Christopher
Picture: Supplied
1 Anja’s Tea Garden
Almost everything is quaint and antique as well as colourful. They have wholesome food and can manage any group, big or small. 317 Graham Road, Zwavelpoort. 072 153 6732
Quaintness at Anja’s Tea Garden. Picture: John Makoni
2 La Vie Lente
This is a beautiful bistro and venue. It is a bit nouvelle with stunning cuisine. You can book a room or sit in the garden. 242 M6 Tierpoort, Pretoria East. 072 916 7801
3 Paws in the East
You can take your dog there and let it off the leash to run around. They also have an amazing restaurant. Plot 30 Bashewa, Tierpoort, Pretoria East. 072 171 1320
4 YamakaDo Restaurant
Their sushi is awesome and they put their spicy shrimp on top in such a beautiful, decorative way. The Grove, Lynnwood Road and Simon Vermooten Road, Equestria. 012 807 2283
5 Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Succulent herbs, wetland area, wildlife and an eatery. 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria. 012 843 5071
6 Murrayfield
Tennis Club Great and popular venue in the neighbourhood. 44 Clyde St, Murrayfield. 072 289 3478