Tony Vaughan, publisher of The Property Magazine says, "Since it was declared a 'white' area 38 years ago, it was bulldozed to dust over a period of 12 years and 60 000 families lost their homes. All that remained were a few houses on the outskirts, a church and two mosques.

"Until recently, all development proposals of this priceless property have been stymied at every turn. But the latest residential addition to the old Chapel Street heralds the first phase of rejuvenating this area. This pilot project has seen nine families comfortably ensconced in the spacious, three-bedroomed double-storeyed townhouses.

"But this is just the start- business, tourism and the property sector is excited about rejuvenating the area and wants to do it quickly."
Vaughan adds: "The regeneration of District Six is of critical importance to the central city. It will raise property values for the Eastern City precincts, including Salt River, Woodstock and the city centre. The positive implications for regeneration are very clear: a stable, long-term suburb almost in the city would have tremendous value by uplifting the retail aspect of the Eastern City as people need to be able to shop close to home to provide for home.

"The impact on offices would be dramatic, especially as people moving in would be relocating whatever businesses they have from wherever they are, closer to home. At the moment, 70-80% of total vacancy in the office component of the East City is in the Eastern City precinct - that's 50 000sq/m of empty space - so adding full offices and busy shops would have a major impact on the property value of the area, and Woodstock would benefit too, which would have a double-whammy effect."

"The more economically active people we bring back to the city centre, the less strain there would be on public transport service. Another benefit to repopulating the area fast is the added tourism incentive. Already, even in that depressed property market, tourism is picking up, and redevelopment will do wonders for it; the Museum is doing very well, and with District Six regenerated, that ethos will spread."

Vaughan notes that commercial development is also on the cards.

"Hanover Street, for one, is to be 'reincarnated', with shops, banks, chemists and others in the pipeline. The idea is to recreate as much of the former character of the old District Six as possible. Council has already agreed to revert to the old street names and resume old roads. It will take years but the spirit of the old District Six will be much more than a fond memory."