...Johannesburg Discussion

[SA BOY]

Originally Posted by GBees

I took a trip on the Gautrain yesterday and took some photo's from just outside Midrand Station of some earthworks. Has anybody got any idea what this is?
It was on the site of the carpark of the Sanofi Aventis building so may be a new carpark, but it also extends to the adjacent stand.
It's on the corner of Grand Central Boulevard and Bond Street. Sorry for the poor images-they were taken very quickly from my iPhone...
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

land is owned by Growthpoint. A large mixed use project is planned, not sure if this is the start but having heard anything about it. Also expansion of woodmead retail by another 6000m2 on the cards

[joburg]

Hi everyone,

Haven't been here for a while, but honestly it is because I found the forum to be poisoned with a combination of uninformed and debilitating discussion and debate around Joburg, as well as a distinctly anti-Joburg attitude where I constantly felt compelled to defend the city. I don't think I'm the only person to feel this way, when viewed in light of how dead the Joburg forum is these days. A far cry from when the Joburg forum used to meet regularly in person (I miss those days), or when Sydney (remember him!?), SA BOY and I first migrated here from some other skyscraper site almost 10 years ago.

Anyway, I am not here to moan about the above, but to tell anyone who cares that I've taken matters into my own hands, inspired in part by Mo Rush's Future Cape Town platform, which I think is to be highly commended. There is an energy in Joburg like never before, and as such I am attempting to galvanise this energy in an online platform where Joburgers can engage with the city, and what its identity means to them.

Already some of you are aware of my site, but if you aren't, and you want to engage with Joburg, go here:

Follow www.urbanjoburg.com.
Like www.facebook.com/urbanjoburg
Or follow www.twitter.com/tominjoburg

The most convenient method for you may be to perhaps like the page on facebook, as daily updates are posted here.

[Jakes1]

Originally Posted by joburg

Hi everyone,

Haven't been here for a while, but honestly it is because I found the forum to be poisoned with a combination of uninformed and debilitating discussion and debate around Joburg, as well as a distinctly anti-Joburg attitude where I constantly felt compelled to defend the city. I don't think I'm the only person to feel this way, when viewed in light of how dead the Joburg forum is these days. A far cry from when the Joburg forum used to meet regularly in person (I miss those days), or when Sydney (remember him!?), SA BOY and I first migrated here from some other skyscraper site almost 10 years ago.

Anyway, I am not here to moan about the above, but to tell anyone who cares that I've taken matters into my own hands, inspired in part by Mo Rush's Future Cape Town platform, which I think is to be highly commended. There is an energy in Joburg like never before, and as such I am attempting to galvanise this energy in an online platform where Joburgers can engage with the city, and what its identity means to them.

Already some of you are aware of my site, but if you aren't, and you want to engage with Joburg, go here:

Follow www.urbanjoburg.com.
Like www.facebook.com/urbanjoburg
Or follow www.twitter.com/tominjoburg

The most convenient method for you may be to perhaps like the page on facebook, as daily updates are posted here.

Ola! Isn't it fascinating that while the city is teeming with energy and creativity this forum is like the sadsack compendium of "I will believe it when I see it" or worse even "it is bound to fail in any case."

At least some of us still get to see the real city, instead of sipping diet cokes at stripmalls in Midrand.

[Jakes1]

Some news about the continued renovations at Milner Park in Braamfontein. Lovely building, and ongoing developments will make it even better!

http://www.playbraamfontein.co.za/sp...er-park-hotel/

The Milner Park Hotel

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Milner Park is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Braamfontein, and Kitchener’s Carvery Bar on the ground floor is officialy recognized as the second oldest bar in Johannesburg. While the daytime regulars have continued to frequent for years, the building is currently undergoing an exciting transformation. Kitchener’s has become one of the foremost nighttime enterninment spaces under the guidance of Andrew Clements, and the creation of boutique creative offices in the old hotel rooms upstairs have added a rich new chapter to the buidling’s story.

Over the coming months the remainder of the building’s ground floor space will be converted into retail opportunities and a beautiful courtyard will be created that will allow patrons of the pub and offices to enjoy an early afternoon beverage or two in the fresh outdoors.

[Jakes1]

62 Juta, a 6floor building that was sadly neglected for so many years is coming back to life. Tenants are moving in, and while they are there redevelopment is taking place.

http://www.playbraamfontein.co.za/sp...2-juta-street/

62 Juta Street

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
62 Juta Street is a 6 floor building overlooking the majestic Nelson Mandela Bridge. With exciting occupants such as Stevenson Gallery and the French Institute having already made the building their home, and plans to develop a sublime new entertainment venue on the roof well underway, 62 Juta will surely become one of the most prestigious buildings in Johannesburg. The building has been sectionalized, allowing potential owners to invest in this vibrant area. Each floor is approximately 318 square metres in size and is the perfect location for a creative commercial enterprise.

• Ground Floor: Stevenson Gallery
• First Floor: French Institute of South Africa
• Second Floor: French Institute of South Africa
• Third Floor: For Sale
• Forth Floor: For Sale
• Fifth Floor: For Sale

Please contact us should you require any further information or download the information sheet.

[Jakes1]

Of course, some forumers (like Waltjie) would argue that this is merely a tourist attraction. Braamfontein is not representative. In that argument one can then say Cape Town CBD is a tourist attraction, as it is not representative. Of course, such arguments are just plain silly.

[Jakes1]

This is the big one in Juta. Apartments will be anounced soon. It sits on top of the Neighbourgoods Market, with 70 Juta and the Milner Park across the road. Views are different from 155 Smit street (which has a crazy waitinglist of people trying to get their hands on one of the 7 apartments). But high interest in the building. Development will start soon.

http://www.playbraamfontein.co.za/sp...3-juta-street/

73 Juta Street

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The big one – 73 Juta Street holds a wealth of opportunities for the future development of Braamfontein, and we’ll keep you updated on future plans for the building. First up though was the launch of the Johannesburg edition of the Neighbourgoods Market – every Saturday from 09h00 to 15h00 come and enjoy a wealth of indulgences and bask in the Braamfontein sunshine.

[Lydon]

I love what's going on in Braamies! I'll need to get a hold of a list of must-visit coffee shops and cafe's

[Jakes1]

A vibrant new addition to Smit Street, with spectacular views.

http://www.playbraamfontein.co.za/sp...3-smit-street/

153 Smit Street

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
153 Smit Street is 68 Juta’s twin. Facing south this modest 2 storey building shows off the Johannesburg city skyline from an intimate perspective, but the addition of an exciting structure perched atop transforms it into something truly world class, and a fitting home for one of the world’s premier sports brands

[Jakes1]

Originally Posted by Lydon

I love what's going on in Braamies! I'll need to get a hold of a list of must-visit coffee shops and cafe's

A must-visit space is DoubleShot, also in Juta street. Amazing coffee and tea. Great atmosphere, attention to detail and friendly.

Post is great for a bite to eat - great breakfast (rather go for coffee at DoubleShot). The courtyard is beautiful, and then you can stroll through some of the stores that form part of 70 Juta.

The Milner Hotel has the old pub, and then a new space next door.

Narina Trogon is great for dinner - really intimate and lovely.

Velo is good for coffee and art.

Ramen for noodles.

Lamunu hotel for drinks.

[Jakes1]

Something else I have been wondering about. And bound to unleash a lot of debate.

I think middle-income South Africans have been so poinoned by our walled-in, sterile and controlled living environments that we are unable to face reality. We freak out when a wall is unpainted, or when a streetlight has rust on it, because in Melrose Arch EVERYTHING is clean and orderly. I am saying this because I recently took a friend from Italy through greater Johannesburg. As we drove through Melville, he noted on how clean everything was. "Why don't you come here more often? It is so clean and nice. Much better than Melrose Arch!"

My friends from India and Dubai also recently noted that they can't believe the city is so clean. "We expected it to be worse than India." My friend from India (that lives in Dubai) said that she loved the green spaces and the lack of air pollution. A friend from Egypt was absolutely flabbergasted when I commented on how dirty parts of the CBD is that we drove through.

We have become boring mall rats. If it is not plastic and perfect, it just won't do. We shun reality and worship fake facades and worthless recreations that are supposed to evoke images of luxury and wealth. As such, we fail to uncover the real wealth in our city. Its people.

Which brings me to skycrapers. We complain and moan when 70 storey behemoths are not under construction all over. Yet we fail to recognize that a 70 storey building will not solve the issues of the city. Many parts of our city need groundwork. I would rather see a functioning Melville, than another 11 storey monstrocity in Rosebank. We overlook real developments because our eyes are fixed on the BIG developments.

Not that I hate tall buildings. But Johannesburg is cooking at the moment. And we fail to see it because it is not the sterile, predictable and packaged environment that we fell in love with. We hate the city because real people still live here. If you want a perfect world, go and live in an IKEA.

[goliath01]

Originally Posted by joburg

Hi everyone,

Haven't been here for a while, but honestly it is because I found the forum to be poisoned with a combination of uninformed and debilitating discussion and debate around Joburg, as well as a distinctly anti-Joburg attitude where I constantly felt compelled to defend the city. I don't think I'm the only person to feel this way, when viewed in light of how dead the Joburg forum is these days. A far cry from when the Joburg forum used to meet regularly in person (I miss those days), or when Sydney (remember him!?), SA BOY and I first migrated here from some other skyscraper site almost 10 years ago.

Anyway, I am not here to moan about the above, but to tell anyone who cares that I've taken matters into my own hands, inspired in part by Mo Rush's Future Cape Town platform, which I think is to be highly commended. There is an energy in Joburg like never before, and as such I am attempting to galvanise this energy in an online platform where Joburgers can engage with the city, and what its identity means to them.

Already some of you are aware of my site, but if you aren't, and you want to engage with Joburg, go here:

Follow www.urbanjoburg.com.
Like www.facebook.com/urbanjoburg
Or follow www.twitter.com/tominjoburg

The most convenient method for you may be to perhaps like the page on facebook, as daily updates are posted here.

Hi Joburg, so nice to hear from you again. I have to agree with everything you say.
I used to love SSC, there were always lovely updates on our city, with fair, balanced comments from a variety of forumers. Today, I consider this forum worse than news24. Every fucking topic is about the ANC, DA, black or white. Its revolting what some people are doing.
Guys like Jakes, Joburg, Pule, Durbsboi, SA Boy and so many more built this space so that we could enjoy it. I don't come to SSC anymore, like many others and will continue to do so as long as we have the political brigade firing every single fucking time.

[Jakes1]

http://www.eprop.co.za/news/article....dArticle=14951

Mixed property opportunities in Braamfontein
09 May 2012 - eProp - JHI

Intro
In addition to an almost insatiable demand for student accommodationin, Braamfontein is rapidly emerging as a vibrant growth node and experiencing a surge in demand for all kinds of property uses requiring of developers to exercise special foresight

“This area is undergoing a significant turnaround and the escalating demand for property is not as much from an institutional or corporate tenant aspect but is more in regard to realising the potential for the entire development profile of the area, which is transforming into a highly appealing, eclectic mix,” reports David Reid, investment broker for JHI Properties.

“This trend towards revitalisation comes on the back of demand and supply of student accommodation, with old buildings being converted and redeveloped, and is driven by an almost insatiable demand for such accommodation from students attending Wits University and Johannesburg University, as well as a host of other educational institutions in the area. These include Lyceum College, Damelin College, Boston City Campus & Business College and John Orr Technical High School, among others".

“There are further opportunities presented by old civil service type buildings and railway buildings for the conversion into residential – specifically student accommodation. Wits University had the foresight to do this in order to provide accommodation for its students. Over the past 10 years investors have been able to acquire old offices at approximately R400 per square metre for conversion to student accommodation, which is currently rented out at around R2 500 per self-catering unit.

“And as a spinoff to this regeneration, we are seeing an influx or variety of other businesses and activities springing up in the area such as entertainment venues, coffee shops and the like. Coupled with this it is interesting to note the creative way in which the old utility lanes between the tall buildings are being transformed into vibrant outdoor areas.”

Reid says this has come about as astute developers with vision and a discerning eye for the overall aesthetics are taking note of consumer demand, and converting these lanes into vibrant user arcades. A wonderful outdoor city area is emerging, brimming with life and energy and with open spaces for entertainment and leisure activities with huge TV screens, tables and chairs where one can watch sport or socialise – even with chess tournaments taking place. There are also plans for the pedestrianisation of certain streets by developers together with the Johannesburg City Council. He says an ideal street for this purpose is Melle Street, which is typically not an arterial road or through route for commuter traffic to any particular destination.

Today this area presents a diverse of large corporate tenants, educational institutions, art galleries, retail and entertainment activities, which is interspersed with old buildings, some vacant and long been acquired for future redevelopment. Braamfontein is also home to prestigious headquarters of SAB and Liberty Life and combined with an entire street of civic institutions such as the Civic Centre, there are a large number of employees in the area as well as students.

Adds Reid: “It’s not surprising that Braamfontein is now coming into its own – with its wide variety of leisure activities and street-side markets such as the Juta Street Market. It’s also close to Johannesburg Park Station and taxi ranks as well as the Gautrain station, affords good access to the M1, to buzzing Newtown via Nelson Mandela Bridge, while the Empire Road/M1 intersection is a key arterial intersection which provides easy access to Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.”

He says from a development perspective, it is apparent that those who are solely focused on just one building in isolation are not those this area will attract. “It is rather those who have a sense of an entire precinct, the treatment of street-side, vegetation and passing foot traffic, and those who can cater for a tenant mix at ground level which dovetails with this vibrant young market are those for whom this part of Braamfontein has high appeal. Here buildings need to work in conjunction with adjacent buildings and take into account the entire block - which could incorporate various mixed uses such as retail, coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment activities at street level, offices and student accommodation above.”

Reid says there hotel accommodation could also be provided, and where there are buildings with floors at the same levels there are opportunities to create exciting interlinked retail and leisure arcades, to lighten up and open up buildings with atriums which have direct access from the street. This kind of mixed use concept conforms to current trends and is ideal for Braamfontein’s ongoing redevelopment.

“In addition to the strong demand for student accommodation, there is scope for small shopping centres and supermarkets, big brand, hi-tech type retail, art galleries, street-side markets and professional offices for architects. Further to this, there are also office vacancies in Braamfontein with accommodation with very large floor plates, ideal for call centres,” he adds.

[Diggerdog]

Guys, you do realize that if all of you came back to this forum and contributed, it would help a hell of a lot.
Don't leave us 'positive' posters here on our own! We need all the good news and updates and photos that we can get, come on, let's get this part started again!

[SA BOY]

I'm here guys but not much i can add as most of what i do in joburg now is confidential. loving living here and find it a much more real city than Cape Town , now cappies don't get your tampons in a flap its simply my opinion having lived in CT for 7 months and then joburg for 3.
Cant believe I've been home for 10 months

[cthighflyer]

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/ne...t-indaba-2012/

During the annual INDABA tourism marketing event in Durban, the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) looks forward to networking with international leisure travel industry and business associates, media, and stakeholders at their exhibition stand, as well as a networking breakfast to be held at the Hilton Hotel on May 14, 2012.

At this breakfast session, Acting CEO Phelisa Mangcu will also be announcing the winner of the annual JTC SMME Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The first-time recipient of the award, which was launched at INDABA 2011, was Jojo Tsheola of Tsheola Dinare Tours.

A HOT WINTER FORECAST FOR JOBURG

As part of its INDABA activities, JTC will be unveiling its winter campaign. “A Hot Winter Forecast for Joburg!” the campaign forms part of JTC’s marketing strategy to entrench Joburg as a global, year-round business and leisure destination, brimming with special events, attractions, tastes, sights, and sounds to encourage visitors to stay longer, spend more, and enjoy exploring further afield.

Joburg’s amazing calendar of diverse signature events throughout the year provide an ideal platform for DMCs and incentive houses to package offerings. Joburg signature events throughout the year range from the Joburg Open Golf Tournament in January; the Joburg Fashion Week in March; the Africa Cup Polo in July; and Joy of Jazz in August; to Arts Alive, the Joburg Shopping Festival, and Taste of Joburg in October; to Africa Fashion Week and the Sansui Summer Cup in November - to mention but a few.

CONTINUES BELOW

ONGOING TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN JOBURG

“While we work at entrenching Joburg’s position as Africa’s leading business tourism destination, the team at Joburg Tourism Company balances this with an ongoing focus on tourism product development, and the presentation and packaging of leisure offerings to the consumer market,” said Acting CEO Phelisa Mangcu.

“Although Joburg is such a youthful city, having celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, it is a treasure trove of economic, social, political, and anthropological history,” said Mangcu, “The city boasts layer upon layer of fascinating history, development and human interest stories – of course, not forgetting the leisure and lifestyle aspects of entertainment, sports, music, arts, and culture. At Joburg Tourism, we work with both the public and the private sector to publicize the development of city precincts, nodes, sites, attractions, and products which are of interest to both locals and visitors.”

Three recent additions to routes and itineraries promoted by JTC include Joburg’s Nature Route (taking in sites of natural beauty and anthropological relevance in the City), the Indian Route (comprising a history of the Indian community in Joburg, with a focus on Mahatma Ghandi, who lived in Joburg from 1903 to 1914), and the Adventure Route (including some of the high octane spills and thrills on offer in Jozi).

Urban tourism is coming into its own in Johannesburg, with the city seeing an increasing number of visitors keen to explore diverse aspects of the city – from all the exciting developments downtown to the heritage routes and sites in Alex and Soweto. This includes the rejuvenation of entire districts or precincts, along with the development of public street art, pedestrianized zones, heritage sites, and lifestyle activities like the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein and the Sunday market at Arts on Main.

JTC’S BOOKING PORTAL

Joburg’s legendary shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife is complimented by fabulous weather, as well as an astonishing array of facilities like spectacular golf courses, gyms, spas, and wellness centers, which all add to its appeal as a destination.

From a lifestyle and leisure perspective, JTC continuously creates a diversity of packages and options around the city’s calendar of signature events and activities. Aside from the live events feed and gig guide on its website, a relatively new channel in the marketing process is JTC’s booking portal. JTC has partnered with a host of event organizers, hotels, and tour operators to promote signature Joburg seasonal events – enhancing them with special packages and offers.

“This is a convenient, cost-effective ‘one-stop shop,’ giving travelers the means to take advantage of special offers and packages, while making all their travel reservations for Johannesburg online – from flights, car hire, and accommodation, to tour and events packages,” said Mangcu, “As one of the continent’s most accessible and major entry points, its incumbent upon JTC to assist travelers in planning [an] entire trip to South Africa – while showcasing all there is to do while spending time in Joburg.”

JOBURG’S GDS 2040

“In terms of the recently-launched Mayoral Outreach campaign to discuss the city of Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy 2040, tourism remains an economic growth imperative on the city’s agenda. It is an important catalyst to encourage the development of the SMME sector in order to stimulate the growth and development of a vibrant second economy. It is the Johannesburg Tourism Company’s strategy mission to attract visitors to Joburg, encourage them to stay longer, spend more, improve seasonality patterns, and the spread of visitors across the city,” Mangcu said.

In line with these developments and as part of the institutional review process to effect closer alignment with city goals, this year, Joburg Tourism Company is being incorporated into the city’s Communication & Tourism Group. The GDS is coupled to the city’s Integrated Development Plan (IDP), and both are aligned with the National Planning Commission’s New Growth Path.

“Our ongoing local and international promotional campaigns include exhibiting at business and leisure trade exhibitions where JTC shares its plans to maintain, defend, and grow its market share,” said Mangcu, “As the city of Johannesburg’s destination marketing organization, JTC remains focused on positioning Joburg not only as the continent’s leading business hub, but also as an exciting, vibrant year-round destination for signature events, lifestyle, the arts, culture, fashion, sports – and, of course, mega-events.”

Johannesburg Tourism is a member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) www.tourismpartners.org .

[kulani]

Have you guys noticed there is some big changes with street lighting situation in Johannesburg. Thought it would be nice to give some complements where things are improving. I just noticed over the past 2 months that the street lighting in the city has changed for the better since the new leadership took over the city. Driving through the following streets and you will notice that most of the street lights are now working ( i mean more than 90%).

- William Nicol
- Bowling road (fixed since last year)
- Rivonia
- Oxford (was fixed last 2 weeks)
- Empire
- Louis Botha
- M1
- Jan Smuts
- Witkoppen

This also includes some of the smaller suburban streets. The guys working in that dept deserve a lot of credit. Whats is also great, is that those lights that are not working, are being fixed on a weekly basis. So you will notice lots of changes over the coming weeks.

[Nostra]

Heita Kulani. Yes I have noticed. However Witkoppen is a shame and some of the lights as you join the highway, such as Malibongwe over the N1 highway. They've been of for a long time and there''s mothing being done. Have you also seen the upgrade of the M1?? Looking good esp around Buccleugh (sp??) interchange...

[kulani]

Originally Posted by Nostra

Heita Kulani. Yes I have noticed. However Witkoppen is a shame and some of the lights as you join the highway, such as Malibongwe over the N1 highway. They've been of for a long time and there''s mothing being done. Have you also seen the upgrade of the M1?? Looking good esp around Buccleugh (sp??) interchange...

Yes, the M1 upgrade is indeed long overdue and we welcome this. However disappointments such as the one you mention above are still there.

I would like to also point out the horific situation with the R24 to OR Tambo airport. These lights that were installed at the last minute before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicked off are mostly off and not working. This unfortunately means the Ekurhuleni Metro has chosen to welcome every new visitor to South Africa arriving at OR Tambo into a city that spells darkness.

The newly upgraded R21 to Pretoria is amazing and when i drove on this highway with guests last week to a dinner in Pretoria, they were very impressed. Of course until we arrive in Pretoria itself which is to say the least requires a lot of work. The portion of the road on R21 into Pretoria is dark which really is a shame.

[Nostra]

Yes I had forgotten about the R24, very wack considering how well illuminated the airport and surrounds are. R21 is the best freeway IMO in Gauteng, I take that highway when I go home and offramp at the R25 Bronkhorspruit, then head east into M(a)pumalanga, lol.

Anyway I think that highway should be the template for the future PWV9, which will join Sandton and PTA North through the West...