One of Durban’s oldest suburbs, Glenwood, Durban extends from colonial-style mansions near the university down to lower-income Umbilo Road, which has recently gained popularity due to its proximity to the Durban CBD. It is located across the great yawning divide of Berea Road, a barrier of snob value particularly in the Durban real estate market.
Due to the flurry of activity on Davenport, Bulwer, and Ferguson Roads, where antique stores, the KZNSA Gallery, which houses a gallery showcasing contemporary visual culture, a shop, a café, and a training art program, as well as other small shops, restaurants, and cafés, have drawn a devoted following, Glenwood has entered an era of suburban revival.
Particularly Davenport Road has profited from the conversion of old Victorian-style homes into hip restaurants and boutiques, and it appears that it will one day equal Florida Road, though it would probably be more accurate to compare them to Melville in Johannesburg.
Glenwood, Durban is a great neighbourhood to live in thanks to the quiet homes, tree-lined lanes, and convenient access to Durban’s downtown. Academics, artists, designers, and other professionals are more likely to live there, giving Davenport Road and the surrounding area a decidedly “trendy” feel.
Staying here is more of a tranquil retreat than the bustling Durban centre and coastal districts, and it’s also practical for business travellers visiting the area.