Four Ways hotels

Coordinates: 26°1′16″S 28°0′33″E / -26.02111, 28.00917

Fourways is the fastest-developing commercial and residential hub in the far north of Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, and indeed that of Africa. The main access routes to Fourways are off the N1 at William Nicol Road, or alternatively along Witkoppen or the R511. It is located mostly in Region 3. It is roughly as far as one can go in the city before Johannesburg's metropolitan area dissolves to rolling hills, and game farms. Approximately 30 minutes north of Fourways is Hartebeespoort Dam and the Magaliesburg Mountains. These are much sough-after recreation areas where many of the city's wealthier residents own holiday homes. Fourways is bounded to to the East by Paulshof, Bryanston to the South and Randburg to the West.

Long before the district came to be called Fourways, it was a 605-acre residence and farm owned by the Eriksen family. Fourways was so named because of the four-way stop where William Nicol and Witkoppen Roads met. Today William Nicol cuts under Witkoppen and is 6 lanes wide. 15 Years ago, it was just a two-lane system. Greater Fourways symbolises the name with two four-way roundabouts on Robin Drive and Alexander Avenue.

Combining 'Nor' and 'Scot', the Eriksen family honoured their Norwegian and Scottish roots, naming their residence Norscot Manor. After being sold off piece by piece, the stately manor house was given to the City Council of Johannesburg in the 1970's, who named the suburb that was planned around it 'Norscot'. The mansion now serves Fourways as Norscot Manor Recreation Centre, the majority of it being a library, but also encompassing an art gallery, lessons for children in Irish & Highland dancing, Ballet, Biodanza, Indian and Modern dancing as well as Judo and Karate, a playground and a tea garden.

The district of Fourways encompasses eight suburbs and three estates. The suburbs are Magaliessig (aka Little Fourways), Norscot, Greater Fourways, Norscot Slopes, Lonehill, Beverly, Craigavon, Broadacres. The estates are Cedar Lakes, Fourways Gardens, Dainfern, Dainfern Valley and Dainfern Ridge. The estates have come to be because of the city's high crime rate. Dainfern is centred on a golf course, while Cedar Lakes and Fourways Gardens are centred on family ideals and parks. The weather is warmer here than that to the South. Fourways will, on average, enjoy Pretoria's temperatures, owing to their proximity.

Apart from Sandton's older and most prestigious suburbs, such as Westcliff and Sandhurst, this district has some of the cities priciest and most sought-after homes.

Central Fourways comprises the entertainment district. These centres are Design Quarter, just north of Magaliessig, Fourways Mall north of Greater Fourways, Montecasino to the east of Greater Fourways, Fourways Crossing just east of Fourways Mall and the newest development, Cedar Square to the north-west of Fourways Mall. It must be mentioned that Broadacres and Lonehill are served by their own smaller shopping centres. These centres are chic, and are frequented by stay-at-home moms, Broadacres being the particular favourite because of the large park-like grounds it encloses, making it a safe and enjoyable haven for children.

Fourways has several reputed schools. They include the government school Fourways High School in Greater Fourways (grades 8-12), the private Crawford schools: Pre-Primary, and Preparatory in Craigavon (grades 000-7)as well as Crawford Pre-Primary, Preparatory and College in Lonehill (grades 000-12). Dainfern is served by Dainfern College (grades 0-12). Residents of Fourways have a precedent stake in entering their children in Bryanston's elite government primary schools Bryandale Primary School and Bryanston Primary School, because of Fourways' close proximity to Bryanston.

Some of the main attractions in Fourways are:

These facilities are on the intersection between the R511 and Witkoppen Road, the intersection after which the area was named.

Source: CIA Factbook, Wikipedia

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