Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal
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Hillcrest | |||||||||||||
Suburb of: | Durban | ||||||||||||
Established: | 22 January 1895 | ||||||||||||
Postcode: | 3650 | ||||||||||||
Population: | 28,000 | ||||||||||||
Median property value: | R1,450,000 [1] $214,286 |
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Hillcrest is a suburb of eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and forms a part of the Upper Highway Area.
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[edit] History
It was formerly a sleepy town on the outskirts of Durban that has now become a booming suburb incorporated into the greater Durban area known as eThekwini. Hill Crest was founded in 1895 as a farming village a good distance from what was then an emerging port. It grew very slowly but steadily, with proper infrastructure in the form of tarred roads being introduced to the town centre only in the 1970s and 1980s.
The town celebrated its centenary in 1995 and has since then seen an incredible increase in inhabitants migrating from more central areas in Durban.
[edit] Hillcrest Today
Hillcrest has since lost its independent status and is now subject to administration by the Outer West Council.
The suburb of Hillcrest has become known as a middle-income residential area and the new influx of capital has, in the past 10 years, spurred on the construction of many shopping and lifestyle centres all around. The town centre is barely recognisable from the way it was a decade ago. House prices have boomed in recent times and average incomes have increased dramatically. Boasting a very clean and pollution-free environment as well as a country feel to it and also being 30 minutes away from the Durban central business district, with a freeway link, the area has become one of the most lucrative in KwaZulu-Natal.
[edit] Places of interest
- Camelot Country Club (residential golf course)
- Camp Orchards Resort (polo grounds, guest lodge and spa)
- Christians Shopping Centre
- The Colony Shopping Centre
- Cotswold Downs Estate (residential golf course)
- Emberton Driving Range
- Heritage in Hillcrest (shopping and lifestyle centre)
- Heritage Theatre
- Hillcrest Sports Club and Hillcrest Tennis Club
- Richdens Shopping Centre
- Hillcrest Corner Shopping Centre
[edit] Schools
A public school system is provided in Hillcrest that includes: Hillcrest High School and Hillcrest Primary School and Winston Park Primary School in nearby Winston Park.
Private schools include Highbury Preparatory School and Hillcrest Christian Academy with Kearsney College and the Roseway Waldorf School in nearby Botha's Hill and Alverstone respectively.
[edit] Famous residents
- Dale Benkenstein, Nashua Dolphins cricket player
- Wayne Fyvie, former national rugby player
- Ian McIntosh, former Sharks rugby coach
- Shaun Pollock, national cricket player
- Terence Parkin, Olympic medalist
- Megan Coleman, Miss South Africa 2007
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