SA Affordable Housing May - June 2020 // ISSUE: 82 | Page 27
PROJECT
income groups in line with global housing trends. There
has proven to be a ready market for the units, as there is
not much other serviced residential stock in the area due
to lack of available land. Wolmarans says applications
have consequently come from all over Johannesburg such
as Soweto, Katlehong and Thokoza once they realised the
commute even to Sandton, Randburg and the CBD was
relatively quick. Most of the residents use public taxis, and
a permanent taxi hub is being established on site, alongside
a taxi association head office. Security is a major element of
the project, and taxi security at the planned transport hub
will be provided by means of biometric identification for all
taxi drivers.
THE SPECS
The houses at Sky City come with Tuscan roofs on the
buildings, stove, floor tiles, burglar bars, security doors,
solar geyser, stand boundary wall, gate, carport and grass.
They also boast unique paint colours only available for Sky
City in order to stamp its unique identity and character.
Phase one of Sky City came prior to The Bronx and included
new houses ranging from 40m² (two bed, one bath) to
99m² (double storey three-bed, two bath) which sold from
R566 000 with a monthly repayment of R6 200. Over the
past three years, the intense process of branding Sky City
has turned it into a highly marketable residential hub, and
demand has subsequently been strong, says Wolmarans,
as by now most people have heard of Sky City. “The value
proposition for residents include a relatively easy commute
to work, as well as the lifestyle they and their families
experience within the development with all the facilities
safely enclosed.”
The Bronx becomes part of the self-contained Sky City
destination with a number of schools, clinics, churches,
crèches, as well as council and social facilities. Targeted at
lower to middle-income groups (R10 500 – R25 000 per
month), the development features an affordably-priced
private schools– the phenomenally popular Royal School
Sky City – already functioning in the first phase of the
development, where provision is made for pre-school,
primary- and high-school learners. Transport is available
next to the school terrain. Wolmarans says the school is a
major drawcard, with the school having already been fully
operational by the time the first residents moved into their
new houses. Apart from the school, the major drawcard is Sky
City Mall, which provides shopping virtually within walking
distance of all residents. Many retail brands have moved in,
with more to come.
The rental units come with fairly luxurious finishes – and
to keep them within the affordable price range, Central
Developments marketing manager Simphiwe Hlatshwayo
explains that every line item is focused on. Affordable
housing is one of the major housing categories of the Cosmo
Central Group and it has established relationships with all
its suppliers. “We’ve been doing affordable housing for more
than 25 years now; we understand this business and achieve
savings through the specifications, the cost of land and the
scale of the project. Over the years we have added more
affordable building methods, techniques and designs, and are
continually improving the affordability aspect of our model.”
While other developers have opted for alternative
building materials, Wolmarans says they have remained true
to ‘bricks and mortar’ and in fact made the building shell
even more robust with thicker conventional 220mm walls.
“This eats into our profits a little, but we want a product with
greater longevity.”
It complies with EDGE requirements, says Wolmarans:
EDGE certification for new homes is implemented in
South Africa by the Green Building Council South Africa, in
partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC). The
EDGE certification can be achieved once a home achieves a
20% reduction across energy consumption, water use and
embodied energy in materials. He says it had become an
imperative for the company to help its customers reduce
BUSINESS TECH
The site prior to the start of construction.
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za MAY - JUNE 2020 25