EDITOR’S NOTE
SALUTING
INNOVATION
IN SA
PROPERTY
S
WRITE TO US
and stand a chance to be
featured in our next issue.
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outh Africa’s roaring property sector is not only offering very attractive
returns to investors. It also offers some of the most innovative developments
that compare to the best practices around the world.
Innovation is a tough challenge, as innovation is not a guarantee of
success. Innovation needs to work in many dimensions. Architectural appeal, energy
efficiency and a good consumer experience must convert into economic viability. It is
indeed a difficult balance to perfect and there are probably many more failures than
success stories.
This edition of Property Mogul looks at innovation in the local property market,
ranging from the best gadgets for your home, to a closer look at two contrasting
success stories.
The first is the pioneering Melrose Arch development that in 1992 took the leap
to establish the first major mixed-use development in South Africa. Today, more than
two decades later, this development continues to expand and remains a blueprint for
other mixed-use developments. It is without any doubt one of the most significant
success stories in the South African property history books.
On the other end of the scale, is 27 Boxes.
This is a brand spanking new “budget” retail centre in Johannesburg’s trendy
Melville area. The R30 million development saw the transformation of 80 steel
containers into a 2 600 square metre retail center in less than two years.
Although the use of these containers is not new for residential developments,
27 Boxes represents a benchmark in the retail space. Only time will tell if the
functionality, innovation and aesthetically pleasing elements of this development will
be financially viable.
This seventh edition of Property Mogul is available in the popular Joomag format,
as well as a more traditional PDF document.
Please feel free to email any comments and suggestions to me at
[email protected]
Regards
Ryk van Niekerk
Editor
2 PROPERTY MOGUL ISSUE 7 – JULY 2015