(Sponsored) Stylish loft apartments in Braamfontein offer the best of metropolitan living and access to the outdoors in a lush inner-city park
Most people don’t think of Braamfontein as affording residents breathtaking views over rolling green parks – but a new urban development on the outskirts of the suburb offers exactly that. The Exchange Lofts has been developed in a building that housed the telephone exchange for Johannesburg, now gutted and renovated to deliver 126 upmarket, industrial-loft-style apartments overlooking the lush greenery of the Enoch Sontonga Memorial Park.
“Braamfontein and the Johannesburg CBD are undergoing an incredible revival,” says David Nijland, co-developer, The Exchange. “Inner-city living in South Africa is catching up with the rest of the world – people want to live where the action is – and Braamfontein is coming alive as an authentic cultural, social and professional district.”
Add to this the fact that Braamfontein and surrounds are home to many leading businesses, including academic institutions, banks, mining houses, government offices, hospitals and medical centres, and it’s clear that the area is earmarked for rising residential desirability.
Position
The Exchange Lofts is a new development offering one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, with lavish open spaces, abundant natural light and modern finishes that are true to their materials – red brick, raw wood and soaring rafter beams all contribute to creating vibrant living spaces. Prices range from R695,000 for the studio apartments, to R985,000 for a one-bedroom, and R1,36m for a two-bedroom.
The Exchange is near the vibey 44 Stanley Avenue development, which means that it’s also close to the Empire Road link of the Corridors of Freedom bus rapid transit system – an artery that connects the area efficiently to other business centres around the city. The Gautrain station is also nearby, ferrying residents to Rosebank, Sandton or even the airport in comfort and convenience. The building’s position near main travel routes, including the M1 highway, means that it’s an easy departure point for any destination in the city.
“Braamfontein has the unique selling point of offering all the lifestyle benefits of the inner-city revival, along with its central position that makes it convenient to just about any destination in Johannesburg’s desirable and commercial suburbs,” says Nijland. “We believe The Exchange is poised to become the premier lifestyle address in the inner city.”
Amenities
The development offers adequate on-site parking for residents and guests, infrastructure for fibre and DStv, an advanced security system with 24-hour access control and an on-site caretaker’s office. The Exchange’s grounds will also expand into the Enoch Sontonga Memorial Park, with secure walking trails and recreational spaces created exclusively for the use of residents.
“We’re particularly excited about this feature – that residents can access the greenbelt, not just overlook it,” says Nijland. “Often, people see inner-city developments as having only street-facing walkable areas, but The Exchange will really have the best of both worlds – a modern, urban lifestyle, but with access to the benefits of an open, outdoor space on their doorstep.”
The Exchange forms part of the Braamfontein Lifestyle Living Precinct, which includes two further planned developments – Network Lofts Braamfontein and Braamfontein Lofts – so the area is set to become a vibrant residential destination for young executives and students.
Investment
While The Exchange’s unique urban living offerings are designed to attract young executives and the parents of university students, there’s a strong case to be made for buying into the development as an investment. Anticipated rentals start from R6,000 a month, depending on the number of bedrooms in the apartment. The development forms part of the Johannesburg urban development zone, which means buyers qualify for an urban renewal tax incentive. This means they will be eligible to write off 30% of their purchase price against taxable income over a five-year period. In addition, the development forms part of the Corridors of Freedom project which will entitle owners to a rate rebate/holiday period.
“The exceptional lifestyle benefits of The Exchange also give it ideal investment potential. In addition to our anticipated young professionals and student residents, we also believe that we will sell a number of units to property investment portfolio managers who acknowledge that this is a secure and lucrative investment opportunity,” says Nijland.
The Exchange is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2018. An on-trend development at just the right time, it delivers on its promise with a set of features to make its residents feel right at home in the city.
The Exchange Lofts
079 312 6618
