As one of the older neighbourhoods, St George’s Park allows for breathing space for all types of homeowners.
As a resident of St George’s Park for just over a year now, Tayla Foong, one of the bright young innovators behind the Bay’s Food Truck Fundays concept, could not be happier.
“I’ve always dreamt of moving into the area and running around the park each day after work, and when I found the perfect retro one-bedroom apartment at a steal, I jumped at the opportunity,” she says.
Tayla says she was roped into the Food Truck Fundays enterprise early on.
“At the time, I was working at a local design agency and Jan du Plessis, owner of Werk_, approached the company to assist with the logo for the market.
“As my dad, Grant Foong, was very involved with the initiative from the beginning, I was roped in too, managing the social media presence and booking all the musicians for our events.”
Food Truck Funday is a regular gathering of some of the Bay’s best food trucks at Chicky’s Yard in the nearby Baakens Valley. The market is something Tayla has a real heart for and she’s been encouraged by the success of the initiative.
“As I was really passionate about putting Port Elizabeth on the map, and loved running events, I stayed on and have seen the brand grow from strength to strength,” she says.
Home sweet home
The park itself was established in 1860 and is the oldest in Port Elizabeth.
St George’s Park also incorporates the St George’s Park Cricket Ground (the site of the country’s second oldest cricket club); Founders Green (the oldest bowling green in South Africa); the St George’s Park Swimming Pool; the Prince Alfred’s Guard Memorial, and the Pearson Conservatory, built in 1882 for the cultivation of exotic plants, water lilies and orchids.
With the area steeped in so much history, so is Tayla’s apartment.
“I really love how the old apartment buildings St George’s Park have so much space. The fact that I can fit a couch and double bed into my room and still have space to spare, amazes me.”
Tayla loves every aspect of her apartment. “I love my home because it reflects me. I love that I’ve made my rental feel like home. I also love my home because it’s filled with greenery – I’m a plant-mom,” she chuckles.
She’s also fortunate to have a home with a view.
“I have a really cool balcony on my first-floor apartment that overlooks some trees from the bordering property and it’s perfect for Sunday-afternoon cocktails on my nifty pallet couch,” she says.
Gems in the neighbourhood
According to Tayla, her street is very quiet, but she likes that you can still hear the city bustle just down the road.
“There’s always something happening around the park too, so that’s great!”
For Tayla, the actual park of St George’s is one of the hidden gems in the city as a whole. The park is home to a beautiful outdoor theatre called Manville, where Shakespeare plays are performed annually and has recently undergone renovation.
“There’s also the Pearson Conservatory which is truly stunning and Settlers Park Nature Reserve, which is right on my doorstep, with many hiking trails and the Baakens River to explore,” she says.
For art lovers, St George’s is where you’ll find the GFI Art Gallery and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, with ArtEC, a community gallery, just a short distance away in Bird Street.
Perfect Sunday
As she’s always on the go, Tayla enjoys cooking with her boyfriend on the few occasions she has some downtime.
“Though I’m not really one to ‘chill’, I would say the perfect Sunday at home would be sipping a G&T and relaxing on the balcony,” she says.
“St George’s Park is ideal for homeowners because it’s filled with beautiful greenery and parks. It’s safe, sometimes quiet and, most of all, part of Central. You can get value-for-money homes here and the older apartment blocks have lots of floor space and old-world charm.”
Property prices
You can expect to pay around R825,000 for a typical property such as a three-bedroom apartment, but houses in the area are far more expensive, in the region of R3,4-million.
Most of the properties in St George’s Park are flats (84%) with the balance in free standing houses (16%).
EAT

Savages Fine Foods: home-style, good old-fashioned food;
Natti’s Thai Kitchen: serving up delicious Thai cuisine;
Rhubarb and Lime: upmarket, retro-chic coffee shop;
Food Truck Fundays at Chicky’s Yard: enjoy a variety of foods dished up by the city’s top food-truck vendors;
Remo’s Italian: a touch of Italy in the Baakens Valley.
DO
Enjoy live music and Port Elizabeth’s creative community at Art in the Park.
For the best view of the city visit the Donkin Lighthouse.
Experience a Shakespeare play at the Mannville Open Air Theatre.
Catch a cricket match at the St George’s Park Cricket Ground.
Appreciate local artists at the GFI Art Gallery.
TAYLA’S FAVOURITE PLACES
St George’s Park: a peaceful place for a picnic, walks or to take photos;
Savages Fine Food: great for breakfasts and delicious cakes;
The up-market Hallack Road, just around the corner from St George’s Park: where Tayla’s dream home would be...