Waterkloof, Pretoria

Waterkloof at a glance

Waterkloof is undoubtedly Pretoria's most coveted, sophisticated and well-to-do suburb, and finds itself perched upon the Waterkloof Ridge, tapering down toward its foothills. With the most magnificent views of the greater Pretoria landscape and iconic architectural designs such as the Union Buildings, this suburb oozes luxurious indulgence both by day and night. 

There is very little about Waterkloof that is not extravagant - whether it is its Victorian-styled family homes or the Ambassadorial residences, restaurants, tea gardens, shopping malls or boutique stores for the finest in clothing, furniture, antiques, gifts, art or cuisine.  Even it's entertainment facilities, such as the Pretoria Country Club are of the grandest and most elite in the country all the more reason that Waterkloof could well be described as "Pretoria's Playground of the Rich".

Interestingly, although Waterkloof is an old and superbly well-established area of Pretoria it offers an incredible blend of residential options.  Properties are generally large, with equally large family residences, some magnificently well renovated with all and any modern facility one could wish for, others original Victorian, while an array of styles to choose from include French provincial, Tudor, Mediterranean Cape Dutch and modern farmhouse.  In addition, some of the homes are less well maintained but seem to be a great route to go in order to get into the area.  These homes are renovated often with a modern and artistic flair which contributes to the old-style fee but with a modern vibe to it.  Added to this multitude of options are descriptions such as "lock-up-and-go homes or the renovator's dream house, quality homes, luxury homes, lifestyle homes, mansions, ambassadorial residences and quarter to a half-acre stands".  Whatever the home, properties are expensive and certainly cater to the most rich and affluent persons of society.

Condo developments are limited as there is a restriction on the building of "spec" homes within Waterkloof but what does happen is that older homes are often purchased at a favorable price and then demolished with the intention of gaining the stand for its size more so than anything else. 

From a security point of view there are continued efforts to ensure that, eventually, the whole of Waterkloof will be under security surveillance, ensuring its residents peace of mind, with a tranquil and fairly traffic free environment added to an already exclusive lifestyle.  

CLIMATE:

The "gorge of greenery" which Groenkloof is so famous for continues on into the suburb of Waterkloof and is particularly beautiful as it is woven into this very undulating area.  Waterkloof probably hosts the lushest natural surrounds in all of Pretoria and it is evident that Waterkloof's gardens benefit greatly from Pretoria's sub-tropical, warm temperate climate as it is covered in a carpet of lush growth while the Jackaranda trees illuminate the streets during spring and early summer.

Summer days are warm to hot and often overcast in the afternoon as Pretoria enjoys summer rainfalls across the months September through to February and even March. 

Winter mornings are generally cold, but warm up during the course of the day due to the mostly clear skies.  However, as winters do not receive rain, natural vegetation may dry up but soon re-emerges as spring breaks and the short bursts of afternoon showers, together with a warmer climate breaths life back into the natural environment and the beautifully manicured gardens of Waterkloof.

MAIN ACCESS ROUTES:

Waterkloof is securely tucked in behind the suburb of Brooklyn, with Main and Justice Mohamed Streets on its northern border.  Groenkloof and Nieuw Muckleneuk lie along its western border with the throughfares of Florence Ribeiro and Rigel Avenues while to the east is the equally sophisticated Erasmusrand with Dely Road, Nicolson Street, Club and Rigel Avenues as access roads.  Finally, to the south is Monument Park with Bramley and Sidney Streets and Club and Rigel Avenues leading to and from Waterkloof. 

Access to the N1 Highway is via Justice Mohamed Street or Rigel Avenue as well as Justice Mohammed Street or George Storrar Drive if heading toward town or the R21 & N14 Highways.  There is a network of streets which easily link Waterkloof to all the amenities on offer in its neighbouring suburbs, with only a few minutes' drive time required to any of these.

DISTANCE FROM BROOKLYN TO THE PRETORIA CBD:

• Via Justice Mahomed St / M11: 17 minutes / 12 kms
• Via George Storrar Dr / M7: 14 minutes / 9 kms
• Via George Storrar Dr / M7 & Ben Schoeman Fwy / Pretoria Main Rd / N14: 17 minutes / 12 kms
• Distances are approximate and drive times indicated during normal traffic. 

PLACES OF INTEREST & ENTERTAINMENT IN THE GREATER AREA:

• Alice in Waterkloof
• Art House on Brooklyn
• Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary & Blue Crane Restaurant
• Duncan Yard
• Freedom Park
• Fountains Valley
• Groenkloof Nature Reserve
• Groenkloof Golf Course
• Hellenic Community of Pretoria
• Klapperkop Hill
• Loftus Versfeld Stadium
• Magnolia Dell & Huckleberry's Garden Restaurant
• Meet on Milner, which features live blues and jazz acts
• Old Town Italy, restaurant and marketplace
• Pretoria Country Club, an elite establishment that dates to 1901.
• Rietvlei Nature Reserve
• TUKS Sports Grounds (University of Pretoria)
• The Voortrekker Monument
• Waterkloof Golf Club
• Wolwespruit Bike & Trail Park

CHURCHES:

• NG Kerk Stellastraat
• Oosterlig
• St Francis of Assisi Anglican Church
• St Francis Presbyterian Church
• St. John Vianney Seminary
• Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk - Pretoria Oos (Waterkloof Park)
• Waterkloof Baptist Church (Waterkloof Ridge)
• Pioneer Seventh-day Adventist (SdA) Church

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

• Brooklyn Police Station

FRAIL CARE & RETIREMENT FACILITIES:

• AD CARE Waterkloof
• Larmenier Village
• Nazareth House Pretoria, retirement and frail care
• Upper Waterkloof Aftree Oord, retirement and frail care (Waterkloof Ridge)
• Waterkloof Marina Dementia & Frail Care - La Vie Care (Waterkloof Ridge)
• Waterkloof Marina Retirement Estate (Waterkloof Ridge)
• De Groenkloof, frail care (Groenkloof)
• Deutsches Altersheim, frail care (Groenkloof)
• Frail Care Pretoria - Brooklyn Care (Muckleneuk)
• Jakaranda Haven (Groenkoof)
• Jewish Accommodation for Fellow Aged (Bailey's Muckleneuk)
• Postmus Dienssentrum (Brooklyn)

HOSPITALS & MEDICAL FACILITIES:

• Greentree Sub Acute Hospital
• Life Brooklyn Day Hospital
• Waterkloof Ridge Medical and Wellness Centre
• Cure Day Hospitals (Erasmuskloof)
• Groenkloof Kidney and Dialysis (Groenkloof)
• Life Groenkloof Hospital (Groenkloof)
• Mediclinic Kloof (Erasmusrand)
• Netcare Jakaranda Hospital (Muckleneuk)
• Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital (New Muckleneuk)

NURSERY & PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS:

• BB's DayCare Centre (Waterkloof Ridge)
• Hedgerows Pre School
• Noemsie Kleuterskool/Creche (Waterkloof Ridge)
• Waterkloof Pre-primary & aftercare

PRIMARY SHOOLS:

• Laerskool Silwerrand Primary's
• Waterkloof Primary School
• Brooklyn Primary School (Brooklyn)
• Laerskool Pretoria Oos (Brooklyn)
• Waterkloof House Preparatory School (Brooklyn)
• Waterkloof Primary School (Brooklyn)

HIGH SCHOOLS:

• Hoërskool Waterkloof (Erasmuskloof)
• Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool (Clydesdale)
• Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool (Elandspoort)
• Pretoria Boys High School (Brooklyn)
• Pretoria Girls High School (Arcadia)
• TUKS Sports High School (Lynnwood)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS NEARBY:

• The British Academy, a Cambridge International Examinations high school
• The Lycee Francais Jules Verne, a French international school for students in nursery school through grade five
• The North American International School
• Deutsche International Schule, a German international kindergarten-through-high school

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS:

• Catch Up Kids (Brooklyn)
• Situla Education & Therapy (Brooklyn)
• Pretoria Preparatory School (Brooklyn)
• Transoranje Institute for Special Education (Hillcrest)

RESTAURANTS:

• Alice in Waterkloof
• At Brasserie de Paris set in the iconic 1967 Karl Jooste home
• BICCCS
• Blu Saffron Restaurant at the Pretoria Country Club
• Corner Shop Neighbourhood Café
• De Kloof Restaurant
• Goddess Café
• Meet On Milner
• Pachas Restaurant
• Piza É Vino Waterkloof
• Priva
• Prosopa Restaurant
• The Three Ducks Restaurant
• The Winery.Co

SHOPPING MALLS:

• Waterkloof Heights Shopping Centre
• Waterkloof Lifestyle Centre
• 114 Fehrsen Street (Brooklyn)
• Brooklyn Square & Shopping Mall (Brooklyn)
• Waterkloof Corner (Brooklyn)

VETERINARY CLINICS:

• Animavet
• Waterkloof Animal Hospital (Nieuw Muckleneuk)