Irene – Centurion

Irene Cows
Irene Cows

The only real Country Village in Gauteng where you can still walk in the narrow treed streets with nature close at hand including peacocks, tortoises and a variety of birdlife.

Irene is situated in Centurion. It is positioned between Nelmapius Drive and the Ben Schoeman Freeway. (N1). Irene has easy access to the N1(1km) as well as the R21 (5km) and is situated approximately 35 km from Sandton and 10 km from Pretoria City Centre.

Irene is situated 4km from the Centurion Mall, 2km from Southdown’s Mall and about 4km from the Irene Village Mall. Situated on Botha Avenue which runs through Irene are a number of small shops including Chemists, Garages, Cafes and Restaurants. The Highveld shopping centre is also very close by (3km).

The Anglican church of St Martins is situated in Irene as well as a number of other denominational churches including the Holy Cross Chapel which was dedicated in 1912. Irene also boasts its own library (built in 1940) as well as its own common.

Irene was established in 1902 when Johannes Albertus van der Bijl laid out 337 erven. Today, Irene consists of approximately 1,000 properties of which a handful are sectional title. The size of stands varies from 1,500sm to 4,000sm.

A farm was established by a Voortrekker, Daniel Elardus Erasmus which he named Doornkloof. Alois Hugo Nellmapius, a Hungarian later purchased two thirds of the farm in 1889 and named it “Irene” after his daughter (Irene means “peace” in Greek). Nellmapius died in July 1893. Johannes Albertus “Bertie” van der Bijl bought the farm in 1896 on an auction which was now named Irene Estate. Part of the original Doornkloof farm was later bought by Jan Smuts in 1908. The Smuts residence is a museum today and open to the public. A craft market also takes place every second Saturday of the month on the grounds on the Jan Smuts residence. Irene is well known for its country feeling with the dairy farm, old war memorials and established homes. Irene is fully developed and prices range from R1.1m to R9m. (In 2009).

The Irene concentration camp was established in 1901 during the second Boer war for Boer prisoners. This concentration camp held 5,500 prisoners, mainly women and children and today the Camp cemetery houses 576 graves.

Irene also has its own 18 hole golf course which was established in 1910.

Irene Property offers top class security as the entire village has been surrounded with an electric fence and guards patrol 24hrs a day. Real Estate in Irene is very scarce and only a handful of Properties come onto the market each year.

Irene also has a number of Estates including Cornwall Hill Estate, Irene Farm Village Estate, Irene Glen Estate, Southdown’s Estate, Tenth Lane Estate, Centurion Golf Estate, Twin Rivers Estate, Century Manor Estate, Irene River Estate, Irene Village View Estate, Irene Woods Estate, Rietvlei Heights Estate, Rietvlei Ridge Estate and Stone Chat Estate.

Besides the Government schools in Centurion which includes Irene Primary, it is close to a number of Private Schools including Cornwall Hill College (2km), Southdown’s College (2km) , Midstream College (10km) as well as Damelin College in Highveld (3km).

The Unitas Hospital is within 7km of Irene and the Highveld Medical Centre is within 3km. A smaller medical centre is also available at the Southdown’s Centre.

The Supersport Park complex is situated just north of the N1 (3km).

The Irene country Lodge is also very popular for businessmen for both luncheons as well as functions. The dairy farm has two very popular restaurants and residents may buy fresh milk daily as well as goodies from the delicatessen.

For Property in Irene you only need to consult the Seeff Properties Website to view our range.