The first phase of the Brickfields housing project, a mixed income residential development in Newtown, is well on course and allocations are expected in June 2005.

Situated at the foot of the Mandela Bridge, the new Brickfields buildings grace the Newtown skyline, a distinct reminder of the swift transformation of this once dilapidated area into a vibrant cultural and tourism centre. Indeed, it is fast becoming one of the city's premier "24-hour shopping, entertainment, business, retail and residential hubs".

Construction of the first phase of the R98-million project, which consists of 650 one to three bed-roomed flats catering for people in the lower, middle and high income groups, began in 2004 and is expected to be completed in April. The development will also provide retail facilities for occupants.

The residential units are expected to have a social impact on the area and crèches are being planned to cater for children living in the complex. Support services, like information technology rooms, will also be provided.

The project, hailed as the largest public/private partnership in residential housing development ever in South Africa, is a joint venture between the Gauteng government and the private sector and is also the first such residential development in the inner city of Johannesburg in 30 years.

Funding for the first and second phase of the project came from an initial investment of R35-million by the Gauteng Housing Department and the Gauteng Partnership Fund. The National Housing Finance Corporation injected R25-million into the development, while the City of Johannesburg provided land.

The private sector chipped in with R70-million, through Anglo American, Absa and AngloGold, to make the project a success.

Dombolo Masilela, head of marketing and communication at the Johannesburg Housing Company, says those who will be allocated flats will be expected to start paying deposits from the beginning of March 2005.

"People are expected to pay deposits on their flats over a period of three months, that is, from 1 March up to the end of May. The deposit will be twice the monthly rental of a particular flat. Processing of applications will also start in March and applicants are requested to bring their payslips, South African identity documents and deposits. They must also remember to bring birth certificates of dependants because only applicants with dependants will be entertained."

The estimated monthly rentals are expected to be:

One bedroom unit (37 - 43m²) - R1 242
Two bedroom unit (49 - 60m²) - R1 566
Two bedroom unit (76m²) - R2 615
Three bedroom unit (64 - 75m²) - R2 376

According to Masilela, clearing of land for the commencement of the second phase of the development has already started and work on the top structures is expected to start as soon as funding is available. The second phase will see a further 350 to 400 housing units being built at a cost of about R100-million.

For more information on the Brickfields development contact Leseba Sekele on 011 630 5000.

Johannesburg News Agency