The suburb in Johannesburg where a two-bedroom apartment can reach R80,000 per month
Melrose in Johannesburg is becoming a hotspot for wealthy South Africans, with Pam Golding Properties securing a record rental deal.
The property group noted that it has signed an agreement in Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch, securing R80,000 a month for a two-bedroom apartment.
This is the highest rental ever achieved in the upmarket precinct and highlights Melrose Arch’s status as one of South Africa’s most exclusive addresses.
The 262sqm apartment includes two en-suite bedrooms, an open-plan lounge and dining area, and a double-volume patio for entertaining.
It also features a TV lounge, a stylish staircase, and a separate butler’s suite with its own entrance that can be used as an office. The apartment is designed for modern, lock-up-and-go living with top-end finishes and strong security.
Pam Golding Property Group CEO Andrew Golding said Melrose Arch’s success lies in its design and lifestyle offering.
“Secure, eco-conscious and designed around walkability, the vibrant precinct of Melrose Arch, launched in 1998, was well ahead of its time,” he said.
“Originally billed as a live, work, play area, today, it continues to set the benchmark for mixed-use precincts in South Africa.”
According to Mariël Burger, regional head for Pam Golding Properties in Gauteng, demand for rentals in Melrose Arch has been strong in 2025.
Apartments range from smaller lofts to large four-bedroom homes, with rentals priced between R17,000 and R80,000 a month.
“Situated in the heart of Melrose in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, there is simply nothing else in South Africa that compares to Melrose Arch,” said Burger.
“With 24/7 security, eco-friendly infrastructure offering solar power, water and gas back-up, and advanced recycling programmes, the lifestyle proposition here is unparalleled.”
“Beyond its residential offering, Melrose Arch is also a thriving business hub attracting multinational corporations and professionals.”
The location adds to its appeal. Between Sandton and Rosebank, with quick access to the Gautrain and OR Tambo International Airport, residents are close to hospitals, schools, universities, sports facilities, and more than 100 retail outlets and restaurants.
Bucking the trend
Lightstone data shows that 62% of homeowners in Melrose Arch have owned their properties for over 11 years, showing the precinct’s long-term appeal.
“Melrose Arch’s enduring appeal is evident in the long-term commitment of residents, many of whom have owned their homes for more than a decade,” Burger said.
This strong demand stands out against the weaker Gauteng rental market overall. PayProp’s Rental Index shows rental growth in the province dropped to just 2.9% in the first quarter of 2025, one of the lowest rates in the country.
The average rent in Gauteng now sits at R9,201, which is still the third highest in South Africa, but with very slow growth.
Rode’s Report also found that Gauteng’s rental growth was just 1.2% in the first quarter, slower than the 2% recorded in 2024.
Despite this, Pam Golding has seen growing interest in Johannesburg properties. Golding said web searches focus more on Johannesburg suburbs.
“While Cape Town retains top spot for searches on the Pam Golding Properties website, Joburg locations such as Bryanston and Sandton overall account for an increasing number of web searches,” he explained.
From August 2024 to January 2025, seven of the top 20 searches on Pam Golding’s website were for Gauteng suburbs, with Bryanston and Sandton ranking just behind Cape Town.
In early 2024, Gauteng had only five suburbs in the top 20. Golding said Johannesburg suburbs now account for nearly a third of all searches.
Melrose Arch apartment rental of R80 000 per month
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