Pietermaritzburg Area Profile

Pietermaritzburg at a glance

Pietermaritzburg, the capital city of KwaZulu-Natal was established as a municipality in 1838 and has since grown into a thriving hub of commerce, industry and activity. Often referred to as Maritzburg, here the public sector plays a big role in the local economy as there are local, district and provincial government bodies located here. 

Pietermaritzburg Suburbs

The city of Pietermaritzburg is made up of numerous suburbs. More residential while others are predominantly commercial or industrial. These areas include; Ashburton, Athlone, Bellevue, Bisley, Blackridge, Boughton, Clarendon, Edendale, Epworth, Fairmeade, Fox Hill, Hayfields, Imbali, Lester Park, Lynnfield Park, Meadows, Mount Michael, Napierville, Pelham, Pietermaritzburg City Centre, Prestbury, Richmond Crest, Ridge Park, Scottsville, Signal Hill, Sunnyside, Sweetwaters, The Grange, Wembley, Westgate, Winterskloof, Worlds View.

Commerce and Industry

In the early 90's, Pietermaritzburg was known for the production of high-quality textiles and clothing. This industry has declined since and this space has been taken over by timber. Large timber plantations and citrus farms contribute heavily to the city’s current economy.

Furthermore, major investments in the area have been made by the Liberty Group, who have been active role players in Pietermaritzburg since 2002-developing the Liberty Midlands Mall and the Stay Easy Hotel. The Huletts Corporation and Willowton Group have also made contributions to this area’s industrial output. 
 
As one of the largest cities in the province, Pietermaritzburg has an active commercial and industrial property landscape that provides employment and business opportunities for residents and external investors alike. 

There are several commercial business parks in the area, which are home to a variety of tenants and different businesses that contribute to the city’s economy. Some of these parks and complexes include; Redlands Estate Office Park, Victoria Country Club Estate, Edmund Place Business Park, Mayors Walk Office Park, Millenium Park, Unilever Ndlovu Park and Baysons Park. With industrial complexes such as Hanifa’s Industrial Park and Willowton Industrial Park further adding to the industry in this area. 

Location and Transportation 

Pietermaritzburg is located along the N3 highway and can be found between the harbour city of Durban (approximately 80 km) and Johannesburg (490 km). Served by even more arterial routes, Pietermaritzburg is connected to Lephalale, Greytown, Paulpietersburg and Belfast via the R33. The R56 connects this hub to Ixopo, Kokstad, Mthatha, East London, Port Elizabeth and even Cape Town.

This city is also home to the Oribi  Airport, which has national flights running to Cape Town and OR Tambo International Airport. In addition, there are also many public transport facilities and services in and around this area, including the Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, bus station, taxis and the promise of a bus rapid transit system that is currently being developed. 

Shopping and Retail Opportunities 

Home to a host of world-class amenities, Pietermaritzburg boasts modern shopping centres and complexes. The ever-popular Liberty Midlands Mall, which is the largest mall in the Greater Pietermaritzburg area, spanning an impressive 78 000m2 of prime retail space and over 200 carefully selected stores that makes this the perfect place to spend a lunch hour. 

Other shopping destinations in Pietermaritzburg include Cascades Lifestyle Centre, Brookside Mall, The Quarry Centre, 711 Centre (255 Cheif Albert Luthuli Street), Sidewalk Centre (64 Durban Road), The Victoria Centre, Victoria Square, Northway Mall, Victoria Square and Wembley Centre. 

If you are looking for a property investment opportunity in the bustling city of Pietermaritzburg, Kamdar Group works with a broad network of specialists and experts who are ready to help you with all of your business’ property needs. Contact us today for more information.