CATEGORY WINNER: RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Frank’s Place
Frank’s Place, situated in the Johannesburg
CBD, epitomises contemporary city living and
supports the owner’s strategy of urban renewal in
the Johannesburg and Tshwane CBDs.
Frank’s place, originally known as the ‘Bosman
Building’ was, according to Clive Chipkin, author
of Johannesburg Style: Architecture and Society,
designed in the 1950’s by H.W.E. Stauch & Partners,
along with its neighbour, Medical City, forming a
consistent modern townscape on opposite sides
of Eloff street at the Bree Street intersection (now
Lilian Ngoyi Street).
The podiums of both buildings were under
construction in 1955-6 and the tower portion of the
buildings were built from 1963-4.
The building is of both cultural and architectural
significance in the city of Johannesburg and can be
seen as a monument to the achievements of the
developing property group, African City Properties
Trust (1952) Ltd. that developed the building and
many other in the city of Johannesburg.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the exodus
of businesses from the Johannesburg CBD left the
building derelict and infested with pigeons.
In 2013, City Property Administration, along with
Gass Architecture Studios, embarked on a mission
to restore and repurpose the old, vacant office
building and to convert it into a residential tower
which houses 225 new apartments ranging from
bachelor to two bedroom units.
On the ground level of the building, the retail
component was renewed, introducing new
SAPOA Awards
shopfronts and roller grills. The aim was to improve
the pedestrian experience both during the day and
at night and, the use of roller grills, as opposed to
solid roller shutters, allows light to the street during
the evenings, as well as allowing the pedestrian to
still view the window displays and merchandise.
New lights were installed on the canopy around the
perimeter of the building in order to create safer
environments in the inner city at night.
The development represents the conversion of
the vacant office building into modern apartments
with 133 parking bays, boasting a communal braai
area, basketball court and creatively designed
outside childrens’ entertainment area. Each unit
comes standard with a private bathroom and
kitchen, Telkom line, internet and DSTV connectivity,
as well as quality finishes.
Occupation of the building commenced in June
2015 and was already 77% let by December 2015.
The demand levels being experienced have, once
again, confirmed the owners strategy of continued
investment in the inner city, providing high quality,
affordable accommodation and retail opportunities.
Developer: City Property Administration
Architects: Gass Architecture Design Studio
Quantity Surveyors: SSQS Trading
Structural Engineers: WSP Group Africa
Electrical Engineers: CKR Consulting Engineers
Mechanical Engineers: AConsult
Fire Consultants: Building Code Consultant s
Main Contractor: Tri-Star Construction
13