2012 has been a bumper year for the area with Buchanan Square, one of the landmark redevelopments in the area, continuing to increase its list of high profile tenants. South Africa’s leading model agency, Ice Model Management, is the latest trend setter to set-up shop in this vibrant and cosmopolitan hub, taking prime space in The Hills in Buchanan Square alongside creative tenants like digital marketing specialists, Cow Africa and leading architectural studio, Antonio Zaninovic.
Ice will be joined shortly by 20 Management Model Agency who will also be moving in next door in the Buchanan building at year end joining Francois Du Plessis Interiors and Singer Photographic.
Steffi Freier Acting Head of Ice Model Management Cape Town, says the agency was drawn to the City’s East Precinct and the restored Buchanan Square by the creative and community vibe of the complex.
“The abundance of natural light and space of the interior together with the funky, grungy architecture makes it an inspiring place to work in. The creative compatibility between owners and tenants is also unique and the area has fast become part of a strip of services and retail venues that enhance each other’s trade,” she comments.
Redefine Properties has been instrumental in the areas redevelopment and in 2009 Redefine renovated Buchanan Square according to strict guidelines from the Heritage Department. The resulting development has an urban-chic architectural style that incorporates an authentic heritage feel and already is home to some of the cities trendiest architectural practices, photographers, advertising agents and art showrooms.
“In keeping with the revival of the City’s East Precinct, the development has retained as much of the core structure and raw elements of the building as possible, giving a modern spin to the complex whilst respecting and preserving its heritage value,” says Grant Elliott, Redefine Properties’ Regional Manager, Western Cape. “It provided us with the opportunity to combine a refurbishment with a restoration initiative.”
Previously an old textile factory, Buchanan Square is situated in the old meatpacking district and is made up of three buildings – the Armoury (once used to store weapons), the Hills (an old sweet factory) and the Buchanan which have been converted into R100 million worth of impressive commercial space, reflecting the funky and cosmopolitan revival of Woodstock.
Elliott comments that both the Armoury and the Hills are already fully let and the Buchanan building is filling up fast attracting creative tenants that want to be part of this unique development.
The Buchanan overlooks Sir Lowry Road and has views over the harbour and Table Mountain. The entrance to the building has a London Underground feel about it, but with lots of light and fresh air. It reads as if Charles Holden himself had a hand in the design, with authentic terrazzo tiles and high ceilings retained to lend a grungy edge to the mood of the architecture. The best of the building’s raw, authentic design elements such as the steel doors, face brick exterior and the cobblestone pathways have been retained and the large, open interior lends itself well to companies that require a large, spacious floor plate.
A unique and well-priced find, Buchanan Square joins the eclectic mix of Manhattan-inspired mint apartments and historic Victorian architecture sharing Woodstock’s streets. “We see the Woodstock precinct following the same global trend as seen in London’s East End and New York’s Meatpacking District, where an expanding landscape of creative and entrepreneurial businesses have boosted inner-city development. Within our own developments we will continue seeking to encourage compatibility between owners and tenants thereby adding to the good neighbourly vibe in the precinct,” concludes Elliott.
