SA Affordable Housing March - April 2020 // ISSUE: 81 | Page 32

PROJECT
Africrest Properties’ residential
division specialises in converting
office buildings into affordable
housing and middle income
housing. Its model was a little
different in the case of
The Village, Bramley, as the
site was a new build.
‘Affordable’
means fair -–
not inferior
The entrance to The Village, Bramley.
T
he Village had been through multiple owners between
1995 and 2012. At one time it was a bungalow-and
cottage-type retirement village accommodation; and
leased by the Botswana government for student
accommodation for 400 students. After a failed effort to
restore it for general accommodation for the 2010 Soccer
World Cup, it had reverted to normal student
accommodation during which it gradually deteriorated and
fell derelict. Africrest bought the property in 2012, and
completely demolished the existing structures to make way
for higher density accommodation.
The development was done in three phases, starting with
Sparks School – a 3 500m2 private primary school – which
occupies a quarter of the property. Phase 2, the residential
component of 230 units which is complete, and at the time
of the interview the 229-unit Phase 3 was underway and
35% complete.
Once complete, there will be 459 units made up of:
• Bachelor units: 6
• One-bedroom units: 199
• Two-bedroom units: 254
“It was previously a real eyesore,” says Grant Friedman, a
director of Africrest Properties. Our philosophy in all our
developments is to offer facilities and finishes you would find
in high-end Sandton apartments – but at an affordable rental.
Just because you are paying a low rental does not mean you
are willing to accept a shoddy finishes apartment. The specs
30
MARCH - APRIL 2020
SAAffordHousing
Work in progress at Phase 2.
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SA Affordable Housing
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za