Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa July 2014 | Page 13

UPFRONT

J

onathan Liebmann is the CEO of Propertuity, a South African
real estate development company and the brains behind the
construction of the Maboneng Precinct, a thriving cultural district
on the east side of Johannesburg’s CBD.

JONATHAN LIEBMANN

After matriculating from Crawford College in Durban in 2000,
Jonathan majored in Accounting at Monash University in 2004.
But the bulk of his education comes from hands-on experience and
entrepreneurship. During this time, he also worked in party promotions,
as well as in construction and telesales abroad.

Marital Status: Unmarried

Jonathan’s first personal property purchase was in 2001 in Waverly,
Johannesburg, and preceded a number of personal smaller scale property
purchases up to 2004. His first personal property purchase related to the
conversion of factory spaces was made in 2004. But investing in property
was not all he was up to.
“I’ve been in business since I was 15 years old and I’ve started a number
of businesses,” comments Jonathan. “Each one has been filled with many
challenges and opportunities, but it has all been a massive learning curve.
I had started five businesses by the time I was 24. The fifth is Propertuity,
which has been the most successful one.”
In 2002, he opened a mobile coffee shop, before launching a cleaning
service in 2003. Between 2004 and 2007, Jonathan established a chain
of 17 laundries and dry cleaners, before he founded Propertuity in 2007.

Inner City Success
Propertuity is an innovative property development company that
uses art, design, architecture and cultural activities to set into motion
the transformation of degenerated areas into thriving neighbourhood
destinations. In addition to the redevelopment of the built environment,
Propertuity creates projects and strategies and partners with dynamic
brands to contribute to the creation of unique communities.
In 2008, Propertuity made its first property acquisition in downtown
Johannesburg on the Eastern fringe of the inner city. Collaborating
with architect Enrico Daffonchio, they designed and conceptualised
Propertuity’s first development: Arts on Main, a mixed-use space
providing creatives an integrated live and work offering. With the support
of important artists and institutions, such as William Kentridge and the
Nirox Foundation, the development was completed in July 2009.

Personal Statistics
Age: 31

Children: None

Close-up
Achievements:

Mail & Guardian Top 200 South
Africans nominee
Speaker at TEDxStellenbosch
Attended the 2012 World Economic
Forum as a Global Shaper for the
Johannesburg Hub
Selected as one of the Forbes Africa
Top 30 Under 30
Featured on the cover of
Entrepreneur Magazine
Interviewed for Wall Street Journal,
Forbes Africa and CNBC Africa,
among others

Books:

Lessons from the boot of a car by
Reg Lascaris.

Most significant deal ever:

Propertuity’s most recent deal with
Arrowhead Properties.
What would you still like to
achieve:

A lot! I see myself doing other
interesting things in the future,
but now I