Former ANC Shell House HQ converted into low-cost residential development
Paragon Architects South Africa (PASA), part of the Paragon Group of architecture and interior architecture companies, earlier this year completed the conversion of the former ANC Shell House headquarters in Joburg into a 563-unit affordable residential development for client HCI Properties, part of Hosken Consolidated Investments (HCI).
Managed on behalf of HCI Properties by Mafadi Property Management, the property is currently 95% let. “The reason why such a high occupancy rate was achieved in as little as six months is because the project responds to a real need in the inner city for affordable accommodation,” PASA director Thulani Sibande comments.
He reveals that it took some convincing for the client to accept PASA’s proposal to convert the iconic building into a low-cost residential development, which is in the heart of Johannesburg, directly opposite the Noord/MTN taxi rank, and in close proximity to Park Station.
 Thulani Sibande, director of PASA |
“The building works exceptionally well in its current iteration, especially as we included amenities such as an outdoor gym on the podium, which means that tenants do not have to leave the building to avail themselves of such facilities.
“We also included a play area for children, big enough to accommodate netball and soccer, and with a jungle gym. We even incorporated educational facilities such as homework rooms with writing boards, where children can have a safe and quiet area in which to study, thereby giving their parents’ peace of mind,” Sibande elaborates.
Source: bizcommunity.com
