Kensington Area Profile

Kensington at a glance

The hilly suburb of Kensington is located in Region F of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. It has become popular with the more creative residents of Johannesburg, such as artists, teachers and academics. This trend has also influenced the neighbouring suburbs of Yeoville, Observatory, and Melville. Kensington has remained a high priority on the average tourist's itinerary as it continues to be a buzzing, arty milieu that it carries from the 80s and 90s. 

Property in Kensington comprises of lovely old homes with many of the buildings being restored, as well as modern and trendy houses and apartments. 

Notable features of the suburb include Rhodes Park Kensington Castle and the Kensington Cross. Kensington is also home to the headquarters for the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg.

A brief history of the area
Kensington was laid out over the slopes of several koppies (flat-topped, high-sided hills) on the farm called Doornfontein. Named by the owner of the land, Max Langermann, the streets of Kensington were finalised in 1903. These streets were graciously planted with many trees, giving the area its distinctive, wooded appearance. 

Climate
Kensington has a mild and generally warm climate. At an average temperature of 20.0 °C, January is the hottest month of the year. At 8.9 °C on average, June is the coldest month of the year. Summers have much more rainfall than winter. Rainfall is the lowest in June, with an average of 7 mm. In January, it reaches its peak, with an average of 126 mm.

Distance from key points
O.R Tambo International Airport is a 16km away from Kensington Central. Driving at an average speed of 80km/h will take you about 14-minutes of travel time via the R24.

Schools in the area
There are several schools in the suburb; Kensington Ridge Primary, Jeppe High School for Boys, Jeppe High School for Girls, Jeppe Prep, as well as Leicester Road Primary, to name a few. 

Medical facilities
Residents in Kensington in need of medical assistance can make use of the nearby Netcare Park Lane Hospital, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, or Netcare Garden City Hospital.

Shopping Malls
There are several shopping centres in and nearby Kensington. These are the Eastgate Shopping Centre, Park Meadows Shopping Centre, Bedford Centre, as well as Key West Shopping Centre. 

Restaurants
Kensington is a restaurant neighbourhood in development, with most restaurants and coffee shops amid the antique shops on Queen Street. Some great places to visit include; Bennigan's, Die Kneipe, The Rusty Lady Bistro, Cut and Craft Artisan Bistro, Ottimo, Ponto De Encontro Restaurant, Kakami Sushi, and Zest Curries.

Special Attractions
Rhodes Park, named after Cecil Rhodes, is filled with old trees and hidden corners, ponds with ducks, jungle gyms for kids, a library, tennis courts, a football field, an amphitheatre, along with a bowling club. It is a great destination for the entire family. 

The picturesque Bezuidenhout Park is conveniently situated just below Observatory Ridge, which is the highest level in Johannesburg. The best of the countryside can be seen from here as visitors are taken away to a peaceful serenity around them. Bezuidenhout Park is neighboured by Bruma Lake and the Bruma Flea Market. On the other side is the Eastgate Shopping Mall, a favourite for shoppers in Johannesburg. 

The Siyakhana Permaculture Food Garden can also be found in Bezuidenhout Park. It represents the agroecology in the city. A variety of food and herbs are grown for the disadvantaged and economically challenged here. These gardens have further turned unsightly areas of land into green wonders. 

Other nearby attractions include the Gillooly's farm and Radium Beerhall.

Make Kensington your home today!
Kensington is a vibrant area filled with potential investment opportunities. If you are keen on owning a home in this suburb contact RealNet RainMaker today for more information.