Durbanville Central is part of the greater Durbanville municipal region, that extends across the central business district of Durbanville. This area is located within close vicinity of two of the area’s oldest suburban areas of Durbanville Hills and Durbanville Extention 2, both a short distance from the town centre. Just 20 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, and half an hour away from the City and wine regions of Stellenbosch, Wellington, Paarl, and Franschoek, makes it a popular investment option for property buyers.
As a whole, this northern suburban area of Cape Town boasts approximately 20 suburbs, and is positioned after Plattekloof and before Bellville along the N1 motorway towards Kuilsriver, and can also be reached from the Durbanville Racecourse Road on the M13. This is also where residents live within kilometres of pristine agricultural areas where wheat and cattle is still farmed, and where winemakers produce some of the country’s best viticultural products in the Durbanville Wine Valley.
Now a fast developing region, the area’s original name refers to its agricultural roots stemming from the Dutch word Pampoenkraal,that means pumpkin, while kraal is the well known traditional term for a cattle enclosure. This area’s history goes back to when it became a watering station for long distance travellers, and was renamed after the British Governor of the time, Benjamin D’Urban. Its final name change to Durbanville took place to avoid confusion between this destination and Durban in Kwa Zulu Natal.
The typical Cape Colonial history of this region is reflected here in many quaint historic buildings and picturesque avenues, from where spectacular mountain and vineyard estates are visible over a distance. Of historic value in the town is the Rust en Vrede building, the restored mill at Onze Molen, and an old residence of King’s Court dating back to 1905.
This area is favoured by young families who enjoy living within close proximity of the Boland wineland regions. Durbanville Central is known to offer first time property buyers with a number of choices including some older, more established homes, as well as apartments and townhouses and entry level prices for apartments of from R600 000 to below R1-million. For parents with school going children, the central part of Durbanville is where all levels of public schooling can be completed, from Durbanville Preparatory, Primary to High School. And from a tertiary education perspective, it is located close to the University of Stellenbosch’s Medical Faculty at Tygerberg Hospital, as well as a number of other college campuses.
Longtime resident of 20 years and principal owner of Victory Estates, Vic Cannone says that Durbanville has become a popular area where wine farming, entertainment and sport play a large role in attracting residents who enjoy a rounded lifestyle. He says some of SA’s best musicians choose to entertain local audiences here from a broad selection of venues at wine estates, theatre cafes and restaurants. The town also boasts superb sporting facilities, one being the Durbanville Rugby Club that plays host to Western Province and first team rugby games.
Like the central parts of Durbanville, the surrounding suburban areas of this northern part of the city of Cape Town offers much when it comes to sophisticated suburban living close to business, excellent schools, modern retail facilities and upmarket shopping malls.