Large, modern and spacious houses with extensive gardens and entertainment areas are the norm in upmarket residential estates. And, as is the case with Silver Lakes Golf Estate in Pretoria East, tennis courts, squash courts and tees are often thrown in for good measure. Many of them take advantage of their beautiful natural surroundings, be it bushveld and game or rivers and other waterways, and 24-hour state-of-the-art security is a given.
Situated near the N4 highway, Silver Lakes is 20km from bustling Pretoria Central and the Hatfield Gautrain station, 30 minutes from historic Cullinan and less than an hour’s drive from cosmopolitan Johannesburg. The area’s highlights include a stylish country lifestyle in the city, views of the Bronberg mountain range, access to a wildlife reserve, and wide-open spaces where the children can play.
Remarking the development of a city nearby called the East Capital, now in its second phase, Andre Van der Walt, ward councillor: Silver Lakes, says Silver Lakes is one of Pretoria’s major growth nodes. The municipality envisages the new city growing eastward up to Bronkhorstspruit and including the development of the N4 corridor from Silver Lakes to Cullinan.
“The aim is to make the far-eastern area of the municipality self-sufficient and to create job opportunities for the thousands of people living near Bronkhorstspruit, Cullinan, Tweefontein and Donkerhoek,”
Van Der Walt adds. “The new city concept includes housing, business, manufacturing and leisure facilities by the municipality with the public sector.”
There is a variety of upmarket retail outlets in Silver Lakes. With more than 40 stores, Silver Oaks Crossing shopping centre, on the corner of Von Backstroom Boulevard and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, presents great weekly shopping options at the SuperSpar or Woolworths, as well as a post office and a medical centre. While they’re about, shoppers can even enjoy a pampering at Perfect 10 or Placecol. Marketing manager Annalie Rautenbach says that the centre is known for the Silver Oaks Crossing Race of Faith, a yearly event that takes place in June and where people from all walks of life come to celebrate their faith with an early-morning run (or walk) through Silver Lakes Golf Estate and Willow Acres Estate. Calling it “one of the most scenic races in Gauteng”, Annalie explains that the race is held in support of a worthy cause and that in 2015 the organisers donated R20 000 to the Paul Jungnickel Home for Adults with Disabilities in Zwavelpoort.
Hazeldean Square on the corner of Graham and Silverlakes roads has over 20 stores where shoppers can buy household products from PicknPay, pick up medicine at Dis-Chem or train at Hazeldean Virgin Active.
The Silver Oaks Life Medical Centre and Hazeldean Intercare Centre are major draw cards of the area, allowing residents to easily take care of their health close to home. The top public and private English and Afrikaans schools in Silver Lakes provide another incentive for people to live there. These include Curro Hazeldean Primary School and College, Laerskool Tygerpoort and Tyger Valley College. With balanced academics, sports and culture activities, aftercare and hostel facilities, there are a number of options for parents considering enrolling children in these schools.
Silver Lakes is also known for its restaurants, such as Dros Silver Oaks Crossing, Mo-Zam-Bik Silver Lakes and Papachinos Hazeldean. Dros and Papachinos both provide a playground and a bake-your-own-pizza experience for children. At Mo-Zam-Bik, residents can experience the flavours of the country in its signature Rum & Raspberry drink and authentic Portuguese espetada.
In the heart of the suburb, just off Silver Lakes Road, lies the Farm Inn Country Hotel and Wildlife Sanctuary where guests can spot 23 indigenous species, including lion, leopard and cheetah, interact with cheetahs and cubs, enjoy a breakfast or Sunday lunch buffet and go on a game drive with the hotel’s game ranger.
The upmarket Lombardy Boutique Hotel on the corner of Graham and Lynnwood roads has the cosy, elegant feel of an Italian village. With manicured gardens and attractive water features, the hotel offers three dining rooms for special functions, a library ideal for breakfast presentations, the stylish Monza dinner venue and The Cellar for corporate dinners and family feasts.
When it comes to a quality family lifestyle in a developing area with reliable schools, medical facilities, restaurants and entertainment, Silver Lakes is the perfect place for first-time buyers and young families wanting to establish a comfortable lifestyle.
Activities in and around Silver Lakes
- Take the children to Dros Silver Oaks Crossing or Papachinos Silverlakes to create their own pizzas.
- Enjoy a game drive at Farm Inn Country Hotel and Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Head to the Hazeldean Virgin Active Gym to build your own training programme.
- Play a round of golf at Silver Lakes Golf Estate.
Property prices in Silver Lakes
A typical property for sale in Silver Lakes is a four-bedroom house at an average asking price of R3,85m.
96% of properties for sale are houses.
3% of properties for sale are townhouses or clusters, at an average asking price of R2,25m.
Average monthly rental for a three-bedroom house: R28,500
Demand
Properties for sale in Silver Lakes account for 32% of total sales listings in Silver Lakes and the surrounding area. They receive:
- 33% of the interest
- 52% of the total rental listings.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
