Braamfontein at a glance

Braamfontein, once a forgotten part of Johannesburg’s rich history, has steadily won back property buyers - both commercial and residential - over the last couple of years in part due to the rejuvenation projects and also due to the hip and happening art crowd that favours this vibrant part of town.

Braamfontein first became a part of Johannesburg in 1886 and despite its beginnings as a farm, the area grew to become an important part of the Central Business District. As business shifted to Sandton, many of the tenants that once called this part home moved away leaving the area to become a more of an informal part of the economy.

This entrepreneurial spirit remained in the area once the Johannesburg Development Agency and various other property owners launched their city regeneration initiative. Today, businesses that had remained in the area have all upgraded their buildings, a plethora of cool eateries, art galleries, boutiques, and shops have popped up around the area. Braamfontein is now marketed as the fourth-largest node for office space in the city of Johannesburg.

It is however not just businesses that are attracted to the area. Various industrial-style apartments have been developed in the area. With a mix of Art Deco and Brutalist architecture, each building has its own unique character ensuring that the history of the area remains front and centre while it is brought into the future from the inside by the cool crowd that makes this their home.

The colourful suburb of Braamfontein is linked to buzzing Newtown by the Nelson Mandela Bridge, regarded as a gateway into the city centre.

Newtown has been transformed into a safe and attractive place to work, live and visit and the original unique character of the Market Theatre and Kippies, the cosy club at which most of the country’s jazz greats perform, now in a new venue, have been joined by restaurants and the Newtown Music Centre.

Weekends bring the popular Neighbourgoods Market where locals can sell their wares and delicious foods to the sightseers who often start arriving before the doors have opened to grab the first cup of coffee and hot pastries before it gets busy.

This is very much an up-and-coming area perfect for young professionals working close to Braamies or in the neighbouring suburbs. As such, public transportation is readily available and amenities are plentiful.