Overview
Glen Marais is an established residential and commercial suburb in Kempton Park, within the City of Ekurhuleni. The area is predominantly residential, with established homes, townhouse developments and security estates complemented by neighbourhood retail, offices and business facilities.
Its strategic location close to the R21 and OR Tambo International Airport gives Glen Marais strong connectivity to Johannesburg, Pretoria and the wider East Rand. The suburb also forms part of Kempton Park's broader airport-oriented economy.
Historical Context
Glen Marais developed as part of Kempton Park's expansion from its original mining and railway origins into a larger residential and commercial centre. Kempton Park itself was established in 1903 following the subdivision of the farms Zuurfontein and Rietfontein.
Today, Glen Marais is one of Kempton Park's established residential suburbs, with commercial activity integrated into the surrounding neighbourhood environment.
Real Estate Market
The property market is primarily residential, comprising free-standing homes, sectional-title properties, townhouse complexes and lifestyle estates. There is also a growing commercial component, including offices, business parks and selected industrial and logistics facilities.
Recent listings indicate that larger logistics and industrial facilities are also being developed along the area's major transport corridors, particularly around the R21 and Pretoria Road.
Commercial & Business Activity
Glen Marais has developed a strong supporting commercial environment, with neighbourhood shopping centres, offices, professional services and business parks serving the surrounding residential catchment.
Its proximity to major industrial areas such as Pomona, Spartan and Isando, together with OR Tambo International Airport, places Glen Marais within one of Gauteng's most important logistics and aviation-related economic areas.
Amenities & Infrastructure
The suburb has a well-established amenity base, including local shopping centres such as Glen Balad Mall, Glen Acres Shopping Centre and Woodbridge Square. Larger retail destinations including Festival Mall are also accessible from the area.
Healthcare, schools, restaurants and everyday services are well represented, supporting Glen Marais's established residential character.
Accessibility
Accessibility is one of Glen Marais's strongest advantages. The R21 provides direct connections towards OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria, while the R24 and R25 provide additional connections across the East Rand and Gauteng.
OR Tambo International Airport is approximately 8–13 km away, depending on the starting point within Glen Marais, placing the suburb within convenient reach of Gauteng's primary international airport and air-freight gateway.
Business Environment
Glen Marais benefits from its position within Kempton Park's broader airport and logistics economy. The area provides a substantial residential workforce catchment, while nearby industrial nodes accommodate manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and logistics businesses.
This combination of residential infrastructure, commercial amenities and transport accessibility makes Glen Marais particularly well positioned for businesses that value proximity to OR Tambo, the R21 and established East Rand employment areas.
Conclusion
Glen Marais is an established residential and commercial node with a strategic position within Kempton Park's airport-oriented economy. Its combination of established housing, retail and business facilities, together with strong access to the R21 and OR Tambo International Airport, supports continued demand from both residents and businesses.
The suburb's proximity to major industrial and logistics areas further strengthens its role within the wider East Rand economic network.
Frequently asked questions
Glen Marais is primarily an established residential suburb, complemented by retail, offices, business parks and a growing commercial and logistics component.
Glen Marais benefits from access to the R21, R24 and R25, providing connections towards OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the wider East Rand.
Yes. While predominantly residential, Glen Marais has an established commercial and business environment, with offices, business parks and newer logistics facilities, while nearby Pomona, Spartan and Isando provide access to larger industrial operations.
Michael Labram
Candidate Property Practitioner