Woodstock is the creative heart of Cape Town
When the Woodstock Improvement District campaign was first mooted in 2005, no one could have imagined just how successful the transformation would be. Woodstock is now firmly positioned as the creative heart of the of the city's media, design and art culture.
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.
Heritage value was preserved
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, regional manager of Redefine Properties in the 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.
Views of harbour and Table Mountain
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.
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.
