One of Johannesburg's East Rand classics is being reworked. Gillooly's Farm, the 44-hectare park in Bedfordview that locals have used for picnics, walks and lazy lake-side afternoons for decades, is being restored and relaunched as Gillooly's Gardens — a plan that pairs the existing green space with restaurants, markets and live entertainment.
The land has history. It was once owned by James Gillooly, who sold it to the city council in 1944, and the park has carried his name ever since. Today it's known for its lake, birdlife, walking trails, amphitheatre and open lawns — a rare stretch of green surrounded by suburbia and the N12/ R24 interchange. The new operators, a hospitality and events group with more than 25 years in the business (their portfolio includes Katy's Palace, The Ivy and Obscura, among others), say the emphasis is on stewardship rather than commercialisation: the gardens and natural environment stay central, and food and culture are meant to complement, not replace, them.
The headline addition is Gather, a family restaurant curated by the husband-and-wife team Coco & J. J'Something is best known as the frontman of Mi Casa, but he's also built a solid reputation as a chef and restaurateur, while Coco is a content creator and entrepreneur. Their brief is exactly what the park has always done well — getting people together outdoors. They describe the idea as a space that celebrates "good food, good people, community and connection."
Beyond the restaurant, the revival brings a food market called the Good Stuff Market, community events, family-friendly activities and a programme of live shows expected later this year. Dates, artists and ticketing details haven't been announced yet, and more information about the restoration will roll out as work progresses.
Why should a traveller care? If you're passing through Joburg or staying on the East Rand near OR Tambo, Gillooly's is one of the closest proper green escapes to the airport — convenient for a morning walk or a relaxed lunch without heading into the city. Once Gather and the market are up and running, it becomes an easy half-day outing: lake walk, market browse, long table lunch. The risk with revamps like this is that parks lose the very character that made them loved, but the project's stated long-term commitment to protecting the public open space is a promising sign. It's worth keeping an eye on announcements if you're planning a Joburg stopover in the coming months.
The team has also flagged several new restaurant and bar openings in Cape Town for 2026 and 2027, so this Bedfordview project is part of a broader expansion — but for now, all eyes are on whether Gillooly's Gardens can become the regular weekend habit its operators are aiming for.