Umhlanga Ridge is just what it sounds like—a ridge of land with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean that is located at the top of Umhlanga Rocks Drive. Numerous businesses, including Rand Merchant Bank, Unilever, Liberty Life, Discovery Health, and Deloitte, have their headquarters here. Additionally, it serves as the focal point of recent construction in this coveted region of Durban’s north.
The development of New Town, located in the centre of Umhlanga Ridge between Prestondale and the Gateway shopping centre, was built on around 50 hectares of property that belonged to Tongaat-Hullett. On Umhlanga Ridge, New Town has essentially merged with Gateway and St. Lucia Office Park Ridge. Just 15 kilometres from the Durban CBD, what was once sugarcane fields are now what is known as an “edge city”—a city on the outskirts of another city.
The work-live-play concept known as New Town combines office space, a sizable shopping mall (Gateway), a manicured park, tree-lined walkways, and mixed-use residential developments. Younger purchasers who would not typically be able to afford a home in the suburb are given the same opportunity to live here as individuals with significant financial resources for whom homes in these types of neighbourhoods are an investment.
And everything has been done with some thought. The ridge has become a totally modern, highly desired area of the city despite its high-density living and modern appearance due to the abundance of green space. Being close to shopping, beautiful surf and swim beach, La Mercy airport, and the outer ring road makes it the ideal area to stay. What else could you possibly ask for from a trip to the Umhlanga Coast?