Conservation Area

The Parktown Ridge is a heritage gem for Johannesburg.  The ridge is protected as a Conservation area.  The properties on The Valley Road and Rockridge Road define the area.  Many of these properties were built in the early 1900s, designed by architects such as Sir Herbert Baker.

The area was designated a Conservation area in 1991 after much effort by the Parktown Association.  It was deemed so not only because of the architectural merit of the properties and the history of area, but also because of the geographical importance of the ridge itself.

In 1991 Parktown Ridge became the first Conservation Areas to be proclaimed in Johannesburg.  The Conservation Area (now called a Heritage Area) was proclaimed in terms of the National Monuments Act, 28 of 1969.  The City Council acknowledges that the Parktown Ridge has a concentration of many culturally significant houses designed by Sir Herbert Baker and other important Architects and the quality of the built heritage, fine gardens, the natural beauty of the Ridge and superb views combine to make the Parktown Ridge Heritage Area unique. Some of the houses are declared national Monuments, now called “Provincial heritage Sites”.

See planning requirements for more information on refurbishing and developing a property in this area.