Nu citi Developments has raised the bar in the affordable housing market with its new project, Shaft Citi, which will be built on the site of old mine hostels in the Ekurhuleni area.

The development will be a R700m project rolled out in three phases on 17ha of land which used to be residential compounds for mineworkers. Construction will run from next month to next December.

Nu Citi Developments plans to transform the old mine hostel to a modern, environmentally and socially progressive development aimed at young people earning R7 000 R20 000 a month.

“Shaft Citi is the first of its kind in SA in its focus on a sustainable resident community through its mixed-use structure,” said Nu City Developments. It could become a model for similar developments and would “help government to meet its goal of eradicating the housing backlog, and also allow gap housing developments to become self-sustaining or even wealth-generating, attracting private sector investment to close the estimated R102bn funding shortfall of the state”.

Nu City marketing director Anton Hartman said there was a gap in the housing market for the supply of residential property priced below R750 000, and this development aimed to fill that gap.

“Our design is in line with the recent strategies of the ministry of housing, where minister Lindiwe Sisulu talks about ‘integrated, sustainable human settlements where people live close to work opportunities, close to schools, clinics and other amenities’,” said Hartman. “For many years, there has been a focus on ‘low cost’ housing, but unimaginative planning and poor execution often meant an inferior living experience, mediocre materials and little style or substance.”

Paris-based urban planner Bruno Caballe and local architectural firm Pretorius Kruse’s design would revamp existing buildings and add new structures for new apartments.

Shaft Citi would be near major arterial roads for car, bus or taxi commutes, and a railway station for fast access to commercial areas in Germiston, central Johannesburg and the airport. High but unobtrusive security for tenants would be achieved by biometric and monitoring systems.

Studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units would be priced from R150 000 R550 000.

The first phase consists of apartment blocks, with more than 1 000 units. Recreational facilities include a basketball court and a multi-use games room, a playing field and a jogging route; in phase two a gym with a swimming pool and fitness parks will be included.

Hartman said Nu Citi was looking at similar projects in other areas.

Source: Business Day