BELOW : PRESENTATION PLAN
The Public Realm The Jewel City complex has been reintegrated with the existing urban fabric , mainly orientated inwards to create and sustain a new pedestrianised section of Fox Street as its central axis ( further enhancing the link between Maboneng and the Iconic ABSA Precinct ). This urban intervention will help to support a safe , friendly and open pedestrian-focused public environment and urban infrastructure characterised by shared public space . All the buildings along the central axis on either side of Fox Street includes retail pockets to encourage activity along the spine from east to west .
Other interventions are woven into the architectural fabric , which introduces a layer of heritage through artworks , signage , and interpretive panels . The involvement of local artists and artisans has been a priority , symbolically introducing the idea of the city ’ s new era of prosperity being anchored in its people rather than reliance on mineral wealth , while substantiating that theory with an economic injection into the local art economy .
Architects , GASS Architecture Studios , have placed major emphasis on the precinct ’ s public realm . While they have made pragmatic provision for vehicle access at key points around the peripheries of the precinct , where there ’ s safe parking and drop-off areas for deliveries and services off the busy main arteries , the precinct is largely pedestrianised along its central axis .
The landscape can be accessed from six points of entry leading up to the central spine which is Fox Street . Bespoke concrete ribbon seating elements lead the visitor from one end to the other like a golden thread linking the different spaces . All the furniture and public amenities are custom designed and very robust – from bins , bollards , benches , to tree grids . Large amounts of granite cobbles were re-used from the roadway upgrade adjoining the ABSA Tower .
Asphalt is used as the main walking surface almost creating a seamless transition between the roads that cross Fox Street . Areas are demarcated with permeable gravel areas where visitors can sit and socialise . The multi-storey buildings surrounding the landscape give the opportunity
32 Jewel City