Mace has been selected to lead the delivery of several urban redevelopment projects in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Local property developer Propertuity – the name is a combination of Property and Perpetuity – appointed the UK firm as project manager and cost consultant to regenerate buildings in Maboneng Precinct on the east side of the city’s central business district. In total, the developer hopes to roll out 35 schemes to regenerate the district.
The first project will see Mace transform Hallmark House, a 17-storey tower built in the 1970s, into a mixed-use development including residential and high-end hotel space, due for completion in 2016. The firm will also set up an office in Propertuity’s latest commercial development in the area, Market Up, to ensure the teams are properly integrated.
Mace programme director, Jimmy Hanley, said: “Propertuity’s approach to redeveloping areas of Johannesburg central business district brings a much-needed, exciting and unique approach to regeneration. We are delighted to be working together with the team and hope that Mace can help to bring Propertuity continued success.”
Mace’s first project will be to transform Hallmark House into a mixed-use development
Maboneng, meaning ‘Place of Light’, is a private urban neighbourhood incorporating independent retail, restaurants and entertainment venues, loft apartments, offices, a hotel, a museum and factory spaces.
Hallmark House, previously known as Hallmark Towers, is a concrete and glass office block located just north of the developed areas of Maboneng. It was originally designed by architect Greg Cohen to include light industrial, showroom and office space to meet the needs of the growing diamond polishing industry.
Propertuity bought its first property in downtown Johannesburg in 2008 and converted it into “Arts on Main” a mixed-use space for creative professionals to work and live. It now owns a portfolio of 38 buildings in the Maboneng area and employs a team of 20 at its head office.
More recent projects in 2013 included the completion of Artisan Lofts, Maverick Corner, Curiocity Backpackers, Remed’s View and The Museum of African Design.
In August this year the company launched Propertuity Durban to spearhead the redevelopment of Durban city centre.
“Property is a high-impact industry, it changes people’s lifestyles. At Propertuity we approach this industry with ideas that people say are impossible, that are crazy and won’t work”, said Jonathan Liebmann, CEO and founder of Propertuity. “Partnering with Mace will allow us to continue disrupting normality in a significant way”.
