Incorporating conscious design principles that strike a balance between work and play – as well as the built space and the environment – Blok has launched its latest development ONE26 ON M, which the developer considers to be its most human centred project to date. Located in Sea Point, Cape Town, within a stone’s throw of the Promenade and MyCiti bus routes, ONE26 ON M delivers on location and lifestyle.
“Off the back of 2020, the needs and priorities of consumers have shifted, and we’ve put the city-based modernist firmly at the heart of ONE26 ON M, our response to the rising need for wellness and balance in every sphere of our lives,” says Jacques van Embden, managing director, Blok.
He explains that, with this development, Blok aimed to create a space of sanctuary with a focus on greening the living environment. “We’re seeing a growing environmental consciousness, igniting a desire to reduce our carbon footprint and make more responsible, sustainable choices.” Over and above standard Blok features like energy efficiency and water-wise fittings, the developer has added solar PV power for common areas, as well as a generator to ONE26 ON M. “We’ve also looked to the natural resources within our immediate environment as inspiration, and paid homage to these through the concept of green living spaces. Our aim was to create a space of calm and stillness that complements the hum of a vibrant city.”
As with Blok’s previous successful development SIX ON N, ONE26 ON M again incorporates mixed typologies, offering a choice of micro, studio, one-, two- and three bedroom apartments, catering to a more fluid model of property ownership and usage. “We recognise that, following a stressful year, more of us are seeking balance, and some people are finding this through spending some time in the city, and some of their time elsewhere. Thus, there’s a demand for a more fluid, agile offering, and this development also answers this need.”
With a resurgence off tourism expected over the next few months, ONE26 ON M was designed to accommodate various ownership models, such as short stay letting. “The amenities that we’ve included are ones that either offer a sense of sanctuary; deliver on sustainability; accommodate the shift to work from home (WFH); or create a sense of community and connection within the development. This past period of lockdown has catalysed a deeper need for social interaction, as people seek to reconnect with others.”
ONE26 ON M’s amenities will include shared spaces such as a roof deck with pool, boardrooms and co-working spaces, as well as high-speed fibre connectivity. It also offers on-site security and retail, and is pet-friendly. The apartments are designed to keep costs low, while making the most of the available space. And with apartments starting from as little as R1,1m, ONE26 ON M is anticipated to be attractive to both investors and first-time buyers – which Blok is encouraging through its proprietary financing models, giving access to buyers who may not previously have had the opportunity.
