Located in the Western Edge (Ferreirastown) and within easy walking distance of the Corporate Mining District, this market is ideally suited to cater to the city's office workers, travellers and tourists and also the many suburbanites keen for a vibrant urban experience.
Trading from Thursday to Saturday every week from October-December 2014, this market is sure to take the city by storm. Plans are afoot to operate a permanent marketplace, surrounded by eateries, bars and production spaces in 2015, but the basics of that is already in place for the three-month pop-up market period in 2014.
The set of historic warehouses at 1 Fox Street has recently been refurbished by the Johannesburg Land Company with The Sheds@1Fox as the long-term tenant. The initiative of Gerald Garner of JoburgPlaces (Spaces & Places) and Jan Roode of Happy Me, The Sheds@1Fox is set to become a major attraction in the city. With the help of Green Inc Landscape Architects, Graftink Interior Designers and a set of specialist contractors, the once derelict warehouse complex is being turned into a beautifully-crafted urban space, while the stories of Johannesburg's past is brought back to life.
It is here that Hubert Davies opened mining warehouses in 1893. While most of the buildings on site date from the 1920s and 1940s, the centre part of the main shed is possibly the oldest industrial structure in all of Joburg City. Oregon pine posts and trusses suggest that this part was built before the South African War (Anglo Boer War).
There is much history and legend associated with the location. A liquor license was granted for the Ferreira's Bar on this site in 1893 and for the Good Luck Bar in 1895. One can only speculate that Charles Glass himself peddled his original Castle Larger here.
Located close to the confluence of the M1 and M2 highways, just off the Selby off-ramp into town, and a short distance south of the Nelson Mandela Bridge, The Sheds@1Fox is accessible from all corners of Johannesburg. It is easily reachable by foot from the Westgate Rea Vaya bus station (connecting to Soweto) and from the Chancellor House bus station (connecting from Park Station). A Gautrain bus stop is also nearby in Sauer Street, while a dedicated parking area ensures easy access to the market for those arriving by car or tour bus.
The Sheds@1Fox opens on 2 October 2014 as a pop-up marketplace. Trading from 10:00 - 18:00, Thursday to Sunday every week. The stunning event spaces and two bars may well trade into the night (check operating times before arriving).
Plans are already being put in place to extend trading hours to a daily basis in 2015. Phase 2 also include permanent retail, production and entertainment spaces in the surrounding buildings
