THE RUBIK, CAPE TOWN
Abland, one of South Africa’s leading
property developers for over 30 years,
is developing a distinctive mixed use
development in the CBD of Cape Town
in partnership with Nedbank. The Rubik,
which launched last month, is a mixed use
development with retail, commercial and
residential components perfectly situated
on Loop Street.
Designed by dhk Architects, work on the
development is expected to commence in
the latter part of 2019 with the demolition
of existing buildings. Thereafter, bulk
earthworks will take place followed by the
construction of the building which is set for
completion in July 2021. “When this property
came up for sale, we wasted no time in its
acquisition as the location is perfect for a
mixed use development and already had
plans for it. As Abland, we have undertaken
numerous high rise developments in the
Cape Town CBD and are very excited to bring
this vision to life” says Jurgens Prinsloo,
Managing Director, Abland.
With this new development, Abland looks
to create a unique and aesthetically pleas-
ing development with retail, commercial
and residential components without taking
away from the functionality of the building.
The building will have double glazing, an
air-conditioning system that doesn’t use
water evaporation for cooling, energy
efficient lighting and water heating systems
which compliments green star initiatives.
The residential component will offer
an eccentric and present-day design with
residential units that are located at the top
of the building and perfectly positioned
to give residents an amazing view of the
ocean, Lion’s Head and the Table Mountain.
Additionally, there will be separate foyers
to separate the residents from the
commercial tenants.
“The advantage of implementing
this project is the modern and unique
design that compliments the historical
buildings that surround the development.
Considering Abland’s experience in
completing complex buildings; the building
is set to be completed on time with all
the superb finishes and style from the
outside as well as the inside. We have
now received approval for the zoning of the
building,” adds Prinsloo.
ROBBERG BAY ESTATE, PLETTENBERG BAY
Designed by Darryl Croome Architects,
Robberg Bay Estate is a mixed-use project
that integrates an outdoor shopping mall
with a housing estate, which is intended to
provide a vibrant and fresh focal point for the
Robberg neighbourhood in Plettenberg Bay.
The architecture is reminiscent of coastal
vernacular houses within an integrated
contemporary design approach to create
a modern beach village that will remain
timeless. The chosen materials retain a
connection with the contextual palette, with
white walls, charcoal metal sheet-roofing
and low ‘werf’ walls with the intervention
16
of weathered timber elements, light-weight
framed steel and aluminium components.
Bedrooms are situated primarily on the top
floor with the social living spaces on the
ground floor to better achieve an inside-
outside relationship and to make full use of
the north sun. All the house designs have
north-facing, covered patios with built-in
braais, open plan living and kitchen areas. The
use of a neutral palette of colours through
timber vinyl, light grey tiling, and joinery
contributes to a light-filled interior which
presents opportunities for personalisation.
Special details such as reading nooks within
window reveals and floating staircases add
a bespoke element to the interior.
Recently launched, the residential
scheme consists of sixty houses of varying
sizes. The house types range from 109m 2
two beds to 221m 2 four beds. There is a
25m long lap pool with a clubhouse and
showers, outdoor braais, social areas and
a large ‘Village Green’ platform for kids to
play in, all within a twenty-four-hour secure,
private estate. All these additional amenities
along with the convenience mall next door,
succeeds in creating a cohesive scheme
with a much desired ‘Village feel’.
Project Watch