Florida, Gauteng is a location in South Africa. It is located about 10 miles west of Johannesburg. The area which is referred to as Florida was originally established as the farm Vogelstruisfontein. Vogelstruisfontein and the farms Roodepoort and Paardekraal were established as mining camps after the discovery of gold in 1881. The main road through Florida, Goldman Street, forms the spine for local business activity and civic services. The local library is one of the best facilities of its kind in Johannesburg. The eastern end of Goldman street is home to a number of antique dealers specialising in Afrikana furniture.
Florida Lake is a large area of water south of the railway line. It is flanked by residential properties to the north, and parklands to the east and west.
Although Florida was declared as a white area during apartheid, more than half of Florida's residents today are coloured. This is mainly because it is in close proximity to the coloured townships of Bosmont, Coronationville, Newclare, Westbury and Riverlea.
The railway station is on the Springs to Randfontein line with easy access to Johannesburg.
It is served by Florida Primary School, Florida Park High School and Afrikaans language Florida Hoërskool and Florida Laerskool. The local sports field at Trezona Park is the home to Florida Albion Football Club as well as having facilities for hockey, cricket, tennis and squash.
Flora Centre is located in Florida Hills and is Florida’s largest and most popular shopping centre. That is until they started with the upgrading of Flora Centre. The upgrading was quit disruptive for business for the past year and most of the shops are currently empty. Pick n Pay, Ackerman’s, Clicks, PEP Stores, PNA are still open. A few other smaller shops like a hairdresser, shoe boutique, biltong shop are also open. There is also a firearms dealer with an indoor shooting range located on top of the building’s roof. The Florida Hills post office and most of the banks are also in Flora Centre. Nando’s and the Wimpy will be opening in early December this year The upgrading of the building looks promising, a lot more floor space has been created and Florida residents can look forward to a greatly improved shopping centre in the nearby future.
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