The Divercity Urban Property Fund is investing R2-billion in two redevelopment projects – the Absa Towers Main building and Jewel City – in Johannesburg, as part of its strategy to create thriving mixed-use inner-city precincts.

This investment is the largest into the Johannesburg central business district for a number of years, and was announced at an event attended by Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba earlier this month.

Newly launched Divercity is an investment fund backed by the experience of some of South Africa’s leading property investors and developers.

Divercity’s major shareholders and stakeholders are Atterbury and Ithemba Property, with Talis Property Fund forming a major part in the formation of the fund. Cornerstone investors will be RMH Property and Nedbank Property Partners, subject to Competition Commission approval.

noted that the national and provincial budgets did not have the resources to execute such projects on their own and, therefore, public–private partnerships were integral to boosting development over and above the city’s current project plans for 84 buildings.

He also expressed his office’s support for these two Divercity projects, committing all resources at his disposal to Divercity to execute them.

He emphasised that these projects should be a case study for kick-starting his vision of “turning Johannesburg into a construction site”.

“The city’s support for Divercity will not be exclusive – it should be a case study for further developments, proving to other investors and developers that the city is open for business. These projects are a practical way of boosting our economy – not another talk shop or conference.”

Following a competitive bidding process, Divercity acquired the 30-storey Absa Towers Main building from Absa, conditional on approvals from the Competition Commission.

The currently unoccupied building will be redeveloped into a unique mixed-use building for South Africa, including 520 affordably priced residential rental apartments, a floor of coffee shops, restaurants and recreational areas, retail, child-care facilities, a public park and integrated public transport facilities.

Talis Property Fund chairperson Tebogo Mogashoa emphasised that Divercity was passionate about including art in its projects, and was seeking ways to bring sculptures and the like back into the city’s space.

Absa will also be leasing back nine floors comprising 10 000 m2 of office space in the redeveloped building.

Once completed, the development will be valued at over R400-million.

Mogashoa enthused that Divercity was taking derelict and nonfiscal contributing buildings and developing them for beneficial use, which would also benefit the city’s economy. “These developments will be the next big thing for the city of Johannesburg.”

“We are constantly looking for ways to express who the new Absa is and what we stand for,” said Absa Corporate Real Estate Solutions head Wendy Cuthbert. She indicated that Divercity’s redevelopment plan fitted with the company’s desire to not only develop the necessary space for the company, but also benefit and give back to the community.

Atterbury CEO Wouter de Vos emphasised that developing the “iconic” Absa building was indicative of Divercity’s vision and illustrated Absa’s commitment to remain in the city centre and contribute towards its development.

The project will begin in early 2019, with Absa expected to reoccupy the towers early in 2020. The 20 floors dedicated to residential accommodation and recreation will be launched in various phases.

Besides creating an inclusive new world-class ‘live, work, play’ environment, the project is also designed to enhance the area as a whole. As part of a wider neighbourhood development initiative, a pedestrian-friendly walkway with street furniture, lighting and art will be created from Absa Towers Main all the way to the nearby Maboneng fashion district. This urban intervention prioritises pedestrians and people of the local community above vehicular traffic.

Located between Absa Towers Main and Maboneng is Jewel City, the former heart of the diamond and precious metals trade in Johannesburg, which spans six city blocks that have been closed off to the public for decades.

Divercity acquired Jewel City from Redefine Properties and the property transferred on October 1.

Jewel City will reopen to the public as a mixed-use precinct with a fully pedestrianised streetscape. Its total development value will be over R1.2-billion once fully completed.

The project includes the redevelopment of existing buildings as well as the construction of over 40 000 m2 of new buildings in the precinct.

The rejuvenated Jewel City will include an abundance of amenities such as a school, a clinic, a gym, parking space and convenience retail, as well as fast-food and other restaurants.

It will also include 20 000 m2 of commercial space, 1 200 new residential apartments in Phase 1 and up to 1 000 in Phase 2. The pedestrian-friendly walkway between Absa Towers Main and Maboneng will pass directly through it.

Work on the Jewel City project is set to begin in November.

In the next 18 months alone, with these two projects, as well as R400-million of residential accommodation under development in Maboneng, Divercity will launch more than 75 000 m2 of new residential space in Johannesburg – more than 2 500 apartments in total.

Mogashoa explained that creating affordable rental accommodation in a mixed-use precinct in a central city location gave wage-earning employees the opportunity to live close to work – a rarity by global standards, and in South Africa.