Making Newtown a new town

Culturally there is the world-renowned Market Theatre, MuseuMAfrica, the Dance Factory, the Newtown Music Centre (formerly Mega Music), the Sci-Bono Discovery centre (previously known as the Electric Workshop), the Workers' Museum & Library, the Bus Factory, the World of Beer as well as several trendy restaurants like Moyo and Gramadoelas.

Commercially Newtown is attracting good tenants at decent rentals into offices like The Mills @ Newton, now home to many advertising agencies, marketing & media companies and other creative entrepreneurs

In terms of social upliftment, the Intel Computer Club was launched in Newtown in November 2002. The club focuses on young people living in the inner city from the ages of 9 to 19, offering an opportunity to learn about computers and technology.

In terms of accessibility Newtown has been made easier to reach with the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bridge and associated Carr Street off ramp.

With all of this focus on Newtown, it is only obvious that a residential component needed to enter the mix. The Premier Milling Head Office is to be converted into a residential redevelopment to be known as 'The NewTown'. The developers have selected Urban Solutions to design the metamorphosis.

Sectional-title specialist homebuyerz property group will market the units for sale. The NewTown will comprise of approximately 30 urban apartments and 7 penthouses, with each and every apartment having views of the Johannesburg skyline. The offices will comprise mini units for rental to small businesses.

The urban lifestyle apartments are being priced from R490 000 - R980 000 and are aimed at urban professionals with a nose for value and a sense of taste and style.

Homebuyerz has had unprecedented interest and haven't even started marketing yet. There is a solid pre-launch waiting list of prospective buyers working in the central business district and Newtown, particularly those employed at large financial institutions and advertising agencies.

The thinking is to bring people closer to their work whilst also providing an up-market and trendy environment in which to live and play.

Work on The NewTown is envisaged to commence in the third quarter of 2005 with completion in mid 2006.