Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa July 2014 | Page 14

MASTER INVESTOR
researched and planned, and I approached people that I
wanted to be part of the community very early on. I was
personally involved in every aspect of the development
and was determined that it would be a success. It was
worth it. The success and popularity of Arts on Main
inspired the development of Maboneng.”
Propertuit y then planned the development of
the surrounding a rea into a connected urban
neighbourhood. In 2009, Propertuity purchased
a second building 500m from Arts on Main at 286
Fox Street and embarked on the major development
of Main Street Life: an apartment building with 194
residential apartments, a boutique hotel and ground
floor retail.
Main Street Life was completed in 2010 and
construction commenced on Revolution House,
The Main Change and Fox Street Studios. In 2011,
Propertuity developed a further three buildings
offering further residential, commercial and retail
spaces. In 2012, Propertuity purchased a number
of new buildings, providing the framework for an
extended expansion of Maboneng: Maboneng 2.0.

2013 saw the completion of Artisan Lofts, Maverick
Corner, Curiocity Backpackers, Remed’s view and
MOAD: The Museum of African Design. As a
result, the Propertuity portfolio grew to a total of 38
buildings in the area.
This year, Propertuity embarked on a number of
major mixed-use and residential projects, including
inclusionary housing, that will see further expansion
and upliftment of the broader community, as well as
embarking on international projects.
In less than 5 years, the Propertuity team has proven
their ability to transform challenging and overlooked
spaces into platforms that inspire ideas, gaining
international recognition. Propertuity’s developments,
Arts on Main and the Main Change received the JDA
Halala award in 2009 and 2012 respectively.

Maboneng Precinct
Once a neglected and deteriorating neighbourhood
housing abandoned industrial complexes, Maboneng
has been transformed by Jonathan and his team into
a vibrant urban mixed-use community complete with

Maboneng at The Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale, now taking place in Venice, Italy,
is an annual architecture event. This year’s theme
“Fundamentals” provided the perfect opportunity
to showcase the collaborative work of Daffonchio
and Associates and Propertuity in Maboneng,
which helps Johannesburg in reconnecting with
the fundamentals of urban areas as it progressively
converts abandoned structures into human places.
Propertuity’s vision for Maboneng is to create
an innovative urban environment to encourage
diversity in terms of uses, races, income, ages.
A large architectural model of The Maboneng
Precinct will be exhibited at the Biennale. The model
was created by students under the direction of
Awethu, an incubator for talented entrepreneurs from
under-resourced South African communities, active in
The Maboneng Precinct. The model will be on view
in The Maboneng Precinct following the close of the
Biennale in November.

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July 2014 SA Real Estate Investor

www.reimag.co.za