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The Top 5 Apartment Buildings in Johannesburg, Reviewed!
1. The Houghton
Website: https://thehoughton.com/
Address: Osborn Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, 2041, South Africa
Contact: +27 86 118 2669
Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
Booking.com reviews score | 4/5 |
makemytrip.com | 4.5/5 |
Total reviews | 5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.5/5 |
Rates | 4/5 |
Amenities | 5/5 |
Location | 5/5 |
Security | 5/5 |
Management | 4/5 |
Pros
- Includes great amenities such as a golf course, walking paths, and spa & juice bar
- Uses state-of-the-art security technology
- Has apartments both for sale and for lease
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reports on needing to improve customer service
The Houghton is one of the most popular and luxurious apartment compounds in the area.
They have received an impressive number of great reviews from apartment owners and short-term renters.
We love the apartments’ clean and modern interiors. They’re also fibre-ready and have essential appliances like freezers and washers pre-installed for the tenants’ convenience.
We also like that they have backup generators ready to provide power in case of emergencies.
There are a lot of available units too. Around 3000 listings available for rent can easily be found online, so you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice in terms of where you want your unit to be located.
The Houghton is praised by their tenants for its world-class amenities. They enjoy access to different recreational spaces including a gym, a garden, and a pool.
As for security, we noted that the Houghton has great quality surveillance systems that are installed all over the premises. They use state-of-the-art technology for their security and there are also guards always on duty, which is a big plus.
The Houghton offers two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments available for sale.
However, most units in the Houghton are on the expensive side. They are priced from R 3,890,000 to R 75,000,000, which isn’t really for those on a budget.
Unfortunately, we’ve also heard some complaints about The Houghton’s customer service and their neglect of some tenants’ concerns about their units and its facilities.
We hope Management matches the quality of their service with their expensive rates and trains their staff to be more helpful and responsive to tenants’ issues.
2. The Leo Apartments
Website: https://theleo.co.za/
Address: 162 Anderson St, City and Suburban, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
Contact: +27 81 563 1991
Google reviews score | 4/5 |
TripAdvisor.com reviews score | 4/5 |
africabz.com | 3.5/5 |
Total reviews | 4.5/5 |
Score consistency | 4/5 |
Rates | 4/5 |
Amenities | 3.5/5 |
Location | 4/5 |
Security | 4/5 |
Management | 3/5 |
Pros
- Affordable
- Built to rent
- Modern design
Cons
- Facilities need better maintenance
- Weak internet connection
The Leo Apartments is one of the most sought-after accommodations in the area because of its modern units and cheaper rent.
What we found noteworthy about the Leo Apartments is its prime location. Tenants here have access to the city’s hotspots and business centres.
We think this is perfect for young professionals seeking their own space near their offices.
Their apartments are built to rent, and in line with this, they’ve made their rates relatively affordable. Rental rates for studio apartments start from R 3,390, while the 1- and 2-bedroom units start at R 4,490 and R 5,690, respectively.
This is quite a steal, considering the design of the space units and the location of the building.
In terms of their in-house facilities, the Leo Apartments offers a fully-equipped gym, laundromat, and rooftop entertainment area consisting of a soccer court, a jungle gym, and braai area. We think these are great areas to include for all those socials and fitness activities.
Their security system is pretty decent, too, with access control for keeping tenants and their units safe. On top of this, they have 24-hour security services, and the premises are protected by CCTV surveillance.
We find the Leo Apartments amenities more than adequate considering its relatively reasonable rental fees.
The Leo Apartments also features free high-speed fibre connection, which they claim is uncapped. However, we’ve heard some objections from tenants as they’ve apparently experienced slow and intermittent connections.
We also caught wind of some incidents involving cockroach infestations and dirty facilities, which is a bit of a turn-off for us. We suggest that Management maintains their facilities better and does regular pest control procedures to avoid future issues.
3. The Bolton
Website: http://thebolton.co.za/
Address: 2 Sturdee Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Contact: +27 87 357 9004
Google reviews score | 3.5/5 |
Booking.com reviews score | 3.7/5 |
Total reviews | 3.5/5 |
Score consistency | 4/5 |
Rates | 3.5/5 |
Amenities | 4/5 |
Location | 3/5 |
Security | 4/5 |
Management | 3/5 |
Pros
- Newly-built structure
- Low deposit needed
Cons
- Some reports of subpar customer service
The Bolton is a newly-built apartment complex located in Rosebank.
One thing they put a premium on is the building’s location. The Bolton is conveniently near offices, leisure and entertainment spots, and transport hubs.
Their facilities are top-notch, too. The Bolton features a boardroom and workpods, which are great for working professionals.
They also have a front-desk reception, a laundry room, a garden with a pool, a cinema room, and braai facilities. We think they generally covered everything a renter needs to live conveniently.
We’re quite pleased with their security facilities as well. The Bolton provides 24-hour security on-site and CCTV surveillance, and their gated residence requires biometrics for access.
We also like that they’re prepared for emergencies as the buildings are equipped with generators and water tanks.
They claim to be currently 99% occupied – however, they’re still looking for unit buyers who will rent out their units. With a low-deposit requirement of only R 5,000, we think it won’t be long before units for rent are fully taken.
Prices of units for sale range from R 750,000 to R 1.6M depending on the unit type, which is still a lot cheaper than other luxurious apartments.
However, if you add up the monthly rental dues, units in The Bolton turn out more expensive than other options, with a minimum total fee of R 6,500 for a studio apartment.
While we love the modern lifestyle The Bolton promotes, a few tenants mentioned some unpleasant experiences in terms of service, particularly room service and maintenance. Here’s hoping Management has already taken steps to address these complaints.
4. Williston Court
Website: https://williston-court.business.site/
Address: 17 Clarendon Pl, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa
Contact: +27 76 909 9096
Google reviews score | 4/5 |
Infobel reviews score | 4/5 |
Total reviews | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Rates | 3.5/5 |
Amenities | 3/5 |
Location | 4/5 |
Security | 4/5 |
Management | 3.5/5 |
Pros
- Affordable units
Cons
- Poorly-built furniture
- No air-conditioning
Williston Court is an apartment building within Parktown that offers decent rental spaces, together with facilities that provide security, food, parking, and more.
We think Parktown is a great area for those on a lower budget. This locale has a selection of units on the cheaper side without sacrificing its good location near essential places.
Williston Court is conveniently built near commercial spaces, hospitals, schools, churches, and restaurants. Some of the notable places near the building are Netcare Park Lane Clinic, the National Children’s Theatre, and Wits University.
The building consists of four floors with a variety of units ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom apartments. Their rates are affordable too – for instance, two-bedroom units are rented out at only R 4,690.
Considering its location and affordability, Williston Court is a great choice for college students and young professionals.
However, we noted that the units lack amenities and have furniture made from cheap materials that aren’t built to last. Williston Court doesn’t have air conditioning and a water heater in their baths, either.
Although the rent is cheap, you may want to consider these factors before making a commitment – especially if you consider these essentials.
On the other hand, most tenants commend the building’s security and the friendliness of its personnel.
5. The Tyrwhitt, Rosebank
Website: https://www.thetyrwhittrosebank.co.za/
Address: Cnr Bath and, Tyrwhitt Ave, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196, South Africa
Contact: +27 10 900 4005
Google reviews score | 4/5 |
Booking.com reviews score | 3/5 |
Total reviews | 3.8/5 |
Score consistency | 3/5 |
Rates | 4/5 |
Amenities | 3/5 |
Location | 4/5 |
Security | 4/5 |
Management | 4/5 |
Pros
- 24-hour concierge, security guards, and ample underground parking
- Centrally-located
Cons
- Limited common amenities
- Poor internet connection
The Tyrwhitt offers apartment units for sale, long-term rent, and short-term rent. It’s also located in Rosebank, comfortably near workplaces and establishments.
Because Rosebank is a busy location, the demand for residential accommodation is currently rising. One thing we found noteworthy about the Tyrwhitt is they provide several rental options that fit varying budgets.
Each unit type (ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms) also varies in size. The rent rates also depend on the size of the units.
Although their monthly rental rate is a bit steep (smaller units start at R 11,000 for smaller units while penthouses start at R 60,000), it’s still within the budget when it comes to more luxurious apartments in the area.
As for its public facilities, all they can offer are meeting rooms. Unlike other apartments in this price range, the Tyrwhitt doesn’t have a pool, gym, or barbecue area, which is somewhat disappointing.
Nonetheless, the Tyrwhitt is commended by its tenants for its great client servicing and tight security. They have the standard 24-hour concierge and security persons, as well as CCTV surveillance.
They also have a standby generator for power outages, metred gas, and hot and cold water in all units and storerooms available for purchase. Lastly, they offer fiber optic internet, with pre-installed DSTV.
A handful of tenants aren’t happy about their faulty internet connection and inconsistent bath heaters, though. This is a bit concerning considering their lack of amenities.
We hope Management takes care of these concerns and improves its facilities to attract more tenants and investors.