Southdowns Estate, Centurion

The Estate, covering approximately 200 hectares, consists of 700 stands which average 1,200 sm each. Approximately 50 ha of farmland are also included in the Estate which is utilized by the Irene dairy farm. All the roads and recreational areas have been planted with indigenous trees and plants. Recreational areas include agricultural areas, conservation areas, open space link systems and play areas. Walkways connect all these areas to one another. The Estate is surrounded by a 7km electric fence (2.5m high) with zone indication of intrusion detection and access is via one entrance which is manned 24 hours a day. Electronic security systems include biometric access systems, CCTV and Thermal cameras. The control room monitors the perimeter, access points and residential alarms via fibre optic cables. The Estate is patrolled daily by security personnel

Southdowns Residential Estate was established on a portion of the Irene diary farm. It is the premier Estate in Centurion and is sought after by investors and the discerning purchaser. The Estate captures the very essence of Irene’s beauty and historical significance such as the Smuts residence, the Boer war concentration camp and the dairy farm. The Estate was established in 2004 by Centurus Property and forms part of the renowned farm Doornkloof. The farm has a rich history. General Jan Christiaan Smuts, arguably one of South Africa’s most remarkable sons of the twentieth century, bought the farm in 1908 and lived on it for more than forty years. This is the place where this enigmatic South African leader found peace and spent time with his family. The Sesmyl spruit which flows out of the Rietvlei dam joins up with the meandering Hennops River and runs through the Eastern part of the Estate where it is lined with weeping willows.

Nelmapius Drive (M31) forms the Northern border, John Vorster Drive (M19) forms the Western border, whilst the Irene Dairy farm forms the Eastern border and the Agricultural Research Council the Southern border. The architectural style is “Turn of the Century” Irene vernacular. The Estate is the first in South Africa to have its own piped natural gas to each household from Sasol which can be used for heating, braai’s, cookers, fire places, lighting, under floor heating as well as water heating. Each house has its own gas meter. The Estates telecoms include telephone lines, integrated intercom systems, internet access, TV signal feeds and security by visual identification.

The Estate boasts its own private college, Southdowns College which opened its doors on 15 January 2007 and caters for grade 000 to grade 12 pupils. This college is one of the most exclusive in Pretoria and is highly rated for its standard of education. The school is accessed directly from the Estate, making it very safe for the learners. Enrichment choices offered by the college include swimming, hockey, cricket, rugby, tennis, choir and music, journalism, ballet, art and drama, open window collaboration, dance, evangelism, netball, body conditioning, aviation, judo, golf, chess, cookery, eco club and board games.

The price of stands varies from R1,500,000 to R3.200,000 (2012). The price of houses varies from R3,800,000 to R12 000,000 (2012) and lofts from R2 200,000 to R4,500,000 (Average R2,900,400 (2012).

Southdowns Residential Estate is perfectly located between Pretoria (10km) and Johannesburg (30km). The OR Thambo International Airport as well as Lanseria Airport is only 40km away. The Estate has a number of shopping malls in close proximity including Southdowns Mall (1km), Centurion Mall (2km), Irene Farm Village Mall (6km) as well as access to the Irene Dairy Farm, Irene Country Lodge, Irene Country Club and Rietvlei Nature Reserve (7km). The Estate has easy access to all major highways including the Ben Schoeman (N1), N14 and R21. The Gautrain Centurion station is within 4km of the Estate. The village of Irene, which is close by, has all the usual facilities such as shops, schools, restaurants, doctors, libraries, vets, sports facilities, churches, station, post office, clinic, guesthouses and Lodges.

The Irene country Club which borders the Estate offers golf, tennis, bowls, cricket and squash.