Westville, Durban

Westville at a glance

Westville is an area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is just west and 10 km inland from the Durban CBD. Westville is a well-established and strategically located suburb in Durban known for its mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and educational institutions. It is situated west of Durban's city center and offers a thriving business environment with a wide range of office spaces.

The history of Westville dates back to the early 1800s when European settlers began to establish farming communities in the region. The area was primarily used for agricultural purposes, and it was sparsely populated. The original farmsteads in Westville were established by European colonists. It was a formerly independent municipality however it became part of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in 2002.

Westville's development was marked by improvements in infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and public services. The area's infrastructure development helped to accommodate a growing population and businesses.

Westville's strategic location, with good connectivity to major transportation routes, led to its emergence as a commercial and business hub within Durban.

One of the most significant developments in Westville's history occurred with the establishment of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Westville campus in 1972. This educational institution has played a central role in the growth and transformation of the suburb.

Although Westville is predominantly residential, it is host to The Pavilion Mall situated south of the town and ranks as the second largest shopping centre in the Greater Durban metropolitan area. The Pavilion Shopping Centre is home to a wide variety of retail stores, offering everything from fashion and clothing to electronics, homeware, beauty products, and more. It hosts both local and international brands, making it a one-stop shopping destination.

A number of smaller shopping centres in the suburbs of Westville are also within easy access such as Westwood Mall (east of Westville), Westville Mall (Westville Central) and Westville Junction (Westville Central).

While Westville offers a more suburban and relaxed setting compared to the bustling Durban CBD, it is just a short drive from the city centre. The suburb is characterized by green spaces, parks, and natural beauty. Westville's pleasant surroundings, including its tree-lined streets, provide a tranquil and attractive backdrop for businesses. This environment contributes to a positive work-life balance for employees. This proximity is advantageous for businesses that need access to government offices, banking institutions, and corporate entities located in the city.

One of the largest factors to Westville’s growth is its central location and ease of access. It is served by four freeways, namely the N3, N2, M13 and M19. The N3 passes through the southern part of Westville, connecting it with Durban to the east and Pietermaritzburg. N2 bypasses Westville to the east, connecting it with the KwaDukuza and King Shaka International Airport to the north and Port Shepstone to the south.

The M13 passes through the central part of Westville, connecting it with Durban to the east and Pinetown. The M19 passes through the northern part of Westville, connecting it with Durban to the east and Pinetown to the west.

A notable landmark in Westville is the E.B. Cloete Interchange, commonly known as “Spaghetti Junction” serving as the interchange between the N2 and N3.

Westville offers a variety of office spaces, including modern office complexes, business parks, and standalone office buildings. Many of these spaces are equipped with the latest technology and amenities to support businesses' operational needs. Whether you're a startup, a well-established corporation, or a professional looking for a co-working space, Westville has options to suit your requirements.

Westville is well known for its popular business parks such as West Way Office Park and Essex Gardens. Business parks in Westville are well-spread with a number of them located in the CBD and in the east of the town.

Westway Business park is known for its strategic location, modern facilities, convenient location and its role in accommodating various businesses, from corporate offices to manufacturing and logistics operations. This park offers good security and located off the N3 highway and across from the Pavillion. This is one of the reasons it is home to small businesses and huge corporations alike, most notably the headquarters for companies such as RCL Foods, Vector Logistics and Eskom (regional offices).

In the east of the town are Essex gardens and Derby Downs Office Park. They are located close the Westwood mall and offer tenants affordable rentals while still having great amenities.

Westville is served by the Life Westville Hospital, a private hospital owned by Life Healthcare Group, located south of the N3 and adjacent to The Pavillion Shopping Centre.

Schools situated in Westville include Star College Durban Westville Boys' High School, Westville Girls' High School, Atholl Heights Primary School, Berea West Junior Primary School, Berea West Senior Primary School, Pitlochry Primary School, Westville Senior Primary and the Deutsche Schule Durban. Higher education centres include a 2-square-kilometre campus of University of KwaZulu-Natal (formerly the University of Durban-Westville) and Varsity College (Westville campus).

Westville offers residents a great environment to work and live. For the adventure enthusiasts there are hikes and walks with the Palmiet Nature Reserve nearby. Westville central offers more entertainment from restaurants to bars. The well know Waxy O’Connor’s is always worth a visit especially on St Paddy’s day.

Residential properties here are set on large hilly stands, with the market price still at affordable values. It is a great area to live and work while still being central to the Durban CBD and growing Northern suburbs.

In summary, Westville, Durban, has established itself as a dynamic and convenient location for businesses of all types. Its accessibility, commercial infrastructure, proximity to Durban's city center, and a wealth of amenities make it an appealing choice for companies looking for office spaces in South Africa. Westville's blend of urban convenience and natural beauty creates a unique and desirable business environment that continues to attract enterprises and professionals seeking a well-rounded location for their operations.

If you are considering making Westville the new home for your business let 5th Avenue assist to make the process smooth and successful as possible.

5th Avenue Properties is a prominent real estate firm specializing in commercial properties in the Westville area. Their deep understanding of the area, coupled with a vast network and experience, ensures that they can help businesses find the ideal office space tailored to their specific needs.