The suburb of Hatfield in Pretoria was proclaimed in 1905 on a portion of the farm Koedoespoort, which previously belonged to the Wesleyan Methodist Society. In 1903 a portion of the land was sold to Patrick Duncan, colonial secretary of Transvaal at the time. The new suburb was measured out and named Hatfield after an estate in Herfordshire, England that belonged to the second earl of Selborne, the then (1905) governor of Transvaal. One of the well-known main roads was named Duncan Road after Duncan. This new suburb on the remote eastern outskirts of the city comprised a couple of...

Although Pretoria is a city where Afrikaans is the prominent language it hasn't stopped American influence in the naming of its many suburbs. Brooklyn and Menlo Park are two examples and so is the highly sought-after residential and commercial area known as Lynnwood. The region was developed in the 1960's and has seen a major expansion in various directions since its inception. The creation of Lynnwood was an initiative to establish a new suburb on the outskirts of the Pretoria of the time. The design brief was to create a "Garden City." In today's terminology, an estate expanding Pretoria...

Brooklyn is a well-developed affluent suburb situated in the pivotal South African city of Pretoria (Tshwane). It's located in the Eastern part of the sprawling urban yet leafy landscape and is well known for its upmarket residential houses and upstanding shopping and malls. The area has seen a boom in retail developments over the last few years. It lies just adjacent to the University of Pretoria in the northern region of the suburb and towards the southern part of Brooklyn, you'll find the suburban areas of Groenkloof and Waterkloof.  Commercial Hotspots Although Brooklyn has always...

Menlo Park borders other upmarket areas known as Waterkloof, Brooklyn and Lynnwood.   Menlo Park was first established between the 1950s and 1970s. It was then the most eastern suburb of Pretoria, but the city has grown considerably and expanded eastwards since then. Today these suburbs are known as the old east and boast some of the city's most high-end residential properties. Together with Brooklyn and Lynnwood, it was most likely named after American counterparts. It is the opinion that this reflects the suburb's less 'oppressive' image, when compared to that of leafy Waterkloof...

Arcadia, nestled against the iconic Union Buildings and Meintjieskop, has transformed into a lively, cosmopolitan center. With roots dating back to Pretoria's inception in 1855, this central neighborhood seamlessly blends historic charm with modern vitality. From the bustling city center to the serene terraced gardens of the Union Buildings and Mahlamba Ndlopfu, Arcadia offers a diverse range of experiences. Its streets boast architectural wonders, from grand Victorian homes repurposed into businesses or guesthouses, to towering apartment complexes catering to various lifestyles. The...