PROJECT
Armond Boshoff , CEO of Atterbury South Africa , adds , “ Jewel City in Maboneng is a blueprint for Divercity ’ s strategy of innercity precinct development that combines commercial buildings with affordable residential space to create inclusive and diverse neighbourhoods , and we intend to complete more developments in the same fashion . Divercity invests in communities , we are here to stay , and Jewel City is just the beginning .”
Derrick Pautz , who heads Atterbury ’ s Gauteng development , confirms the overwhelmingly positive market response to Jewel City , which was well ahead of leasing projections before Covid-19 emerged in South Africa . “ The quality of the product – retail , residential and offices – is compelling and has been met with strong demand from tenants in all sectors . Much was invested in creating a place for people to enjoy , from transplanting 200 large established trees to providing public seating , an interactive fountain for children , public art and more . Jewel City sets a new benchmark for inner-city living and it is our hope that other property investors will join our efforts and embrace this approach .”
The fully-let retail space at Jewel City has attracted major brands including Shoprite , Clicks , Pep , Afrodite Hair and Salon , Roots Butchery and Grill , McDonalds , and Chicken Licken , as well as a Capitec Bank branch , the primary healthcare of Jewel City Medical Centre and the fun of Five ’ s Futbol five-aside soccer fields .
Between all this is vibrant public space , an integral ingredient in any inclusive worldclass ‘ live , work , play ’ precinct . It is also fully pedestrianised with a people-friendly walkway along Fox street . Its pedestrian walkways integrate it fully into the Maboneng precinct . Eight massive murals by local artists adorn the walls of each of the eight buildings that make up Jewel City .
Divercity ’ s assets now stand at over R3- billion . But Divercity does not only to invest in and develop exceptional precincts , it also manages them – both the buildings and the public spaces between them – to the highest standards .
In the case of Jewel City , Divercity has worked closely with the City of Johannesburg regarding cleaning and security in the precinct and its surrounds . By collaborating with the city , Divercity ’ s leading urban management solutions can catalyse superbly managed urban areas for the city .
The official launch of Jewel City in Maboneng took place on 24 September 2020 , Heritage Day , and included everything that makes Maboneng great , with a safe celebration that embodied the sights , sounds and soul of this vibrant precinct – with a public programme of pop-up art , music , markets and more .
“ The quality of the product – retail , residential and offices – is compelling and has been met with strong demand from tenants in all sectors .”
An aerial view of the Jewel City precinct .
Early days of civils work .
www . saaffordablehousing . co . za JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 17