A world on its own: The Duncan Yard

 There is a hidden village called the Duncan Yard on Duncan and Prospect Street in Hatfield, Pretoria.

By: Letlhogonolo Ndhlovu

27 January 2014, 13:45

This cosy haven, tucked away in the heart of the city has an artistic ambience that pulls you in from the moment you walk through its doors.

“ It’s almost like a fairytale land,” I overheard a customer tell her companion as she walked passed Silverwoods Antiques store that sells furniture that is as old as a century.

The Duncan Yard is built around an old castle which really does make the shopping centre feel like a fairytale that has come to life. “We try to keep the setting unique, one that you won’t find anywhere else,” said the owner of Duncan Yard Karen Prinsloo.

An artistic ambience that pulls you in from the moment you walk through its doors …

Every store at the Duncan Yard is exclusive; from the items they either personally create or source out from local artists to being given a taste of beautiful foreign lands like France from a romantic decor store called Moi.

The mood is peaceful with the soothing sounds of Cesaria Evora’s music echoing in the stores as I explore this hidden art yard. Founded by Hansie Prinsloo ten years ago, Duncan Yard grew to be an intimate shopping centre after the owner of Garden Bleu asked if Prinsloo could renovate one of the buildings for her business.

Today you will find a Deli where you can enjoy baked goodies. There is a restaurant called Papas which carries through the romantic milieu of the yard.

With both indoor and outdoor seating, Papas most unique feature, apart from the food and the art, is an African rooster that roams around freely adding quirkiness to the setting.

In the Duncan yard you will find Beautiful Beginnings beauty salon with fairly reasonable prices, there are clothing stores like Lyon which sells tailor made menswear, home decor stores like Zakka, a Multi Racial recording studio, an antique collectables store called Le Chat Noir, an area for kids to play and so much more.

The Duncan Yard is also a wonderful venue for events such as weddings, birthdays or tea parties.

A gallery of the Duncan Yard highlights:

If you happen to be in the city and would like to retreat to a quite place, pop by the Duncan Yard to experience this hidden village.

Find the Duncan Yard on the corner of Jan Shoba (old Duncan) Street and Prospect Street in Hatfield Pretoria.

Follow the Duncan Yard on Facebook.

Go to www.duncanyard.co.za for more information about the stores available and events taking place at the Duncan Yard.