“Whilst we are thrilled with the smooth running of this refurbishment we have certainly had our share of surprises and challenges along the way,” says Holtzhausen.

“With a refurb you just never know what is under all the plaster until you begin in earnest with the demolitions,” says Atterbury’s Nico Prinsloo, the construction phase project manger.  “With Mapungubwe we discovered three buildings making up what looked like one, and thus three different building systems had to be dealt with.  This meant that whenever we came up with a solution for one problem we would essentially need to supply three solutions in total.”
          
Construction commenced on April 10, 2006 and will be completed in its entirety by mid May 2007.  The building is now weather-proofed with the roof having been installed during the past two weeks.  Three of the eight floors will be completed and snagged by March end and two of the four lifts are now also operational.   Construction of the swimming pool and entrance lobby are in progress with the external façades scheduled to be completed during the next two weeks.
          
A  total of 91 studio or one-bedroomed apartments form the core of the Hotel with each apartment being fitted with its own fully equipped kitchen, separate bathroom with bath and shower as well as high speed internet connectivity.    The establishment also offers flexibility of choice in terms of catering with a room service facility as well as an on-site themed restaurant.  A comfortable lounge, concierge desk as well as a fully equipped communications and business centre is also available.

In addition, the comprehensively kitted gymnasium and swimming pool make this venue a truly ‘home away from home option’ and the 24-hour patrolled security and CCTV surveillance ensures a safe and secure environment.  A shuttle service to and from the O.R Tambo Airport and the proposed Gautrain station, as well as a ‘shopping-on- demand’ facility are also on the cards.

“In any established city it is crucial to have a mix of income dwellings from the lower end to the middle and upper ends,” says Neil Fraser of Urban Inc.  “Mapungubwe helps to bring this balance to the Jo’burg inner city with its upper income profile.  Whilst plans are in progress for additional four and five star hotels and apartment buildings to be developed, Mapungubwe will be the first of its kind to open in this area.”     
near three Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments is a sectional title scheme that will be managed by reputable hotel operator, Faircity Hotels and Apartments.  This progressive accommodation concept will combine the 91 hotel apartments that form part of an income pool structure, with an additional 37 residential apartments that do not form part of the hotel offering or partake in the income pool system.
           
“Many of the owners of the 91 units at Mapungubwe are ‘absent owners’ who purchased apartments at Mapungubwe for investment purposes and liked the idea of a managed apartment concept,” says Holtzhausen.  “We successfully manage various other hotel facilities nationwide with Faircity Hotels and Apartments and we saw Mapungubwe as the perfect opportunity to bring the concept to Johannesburg.”

The Hotel has been carefully themed according to the Mapungubwe story and heritage.   Icon Tourism Décor Services, a division of Icon Villas and Vistas has been tasked with the enviable decorating contract.  “This commercial to residential/hospitality conversion has been both challenging and absolutely fascinating, says Therese Botha of Icon.  “We are a Villa and Tourism specialist company working in the niche market of the ‘private stay’ arena and have focused on the micro detail throughout the establishment.  Essentially Mapungubwe presents a unique offering through décor.”

Feedback from the sales team has also been extremely upbeat and positive.  “Key corporates based in the area are very excited about Mapungubwe,” says Rod Weinrich.  “Not only does this Hotel reaffirm their commitment to stay in the area when others were leaving 15 years ago, but it offers an immediate alternative to being caught in daily traffic.  People are fed up with spending hours ferrying colleagues and associates to hotels in Sandton and Rosebank.  Soon there will be a Four Star remedy on their doorstep!”              
          
 “We are thrilled with the building progress to date and are excited at the prospect of revealing this jewel to the public when we open at the beginning of July, says an upbeat Holtzhausen.