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Hijacked buildings in the inner city identified for a makeover have had their occupants moved to temporary accommodation across the city.
Police outside Hillbrow’s Vannin Court in January. Picture: X / @CityofJoburgZA
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has finalised its plans to deal with decaying buildings in the CBD.
A revitalisation plan was approved by the mayoral committee in late March as a coordinated effort to reclaim the inner city.
While the rehabilitation of properties is a priority, the city will also identify properties that could potentially be sold off to private investors.
Inner city rebuild
The rehabilitated properties will be rented out in the hope of stimulating growth, opportunity and investment within the CBD.
All the buildings identified for rehabilitation had previously been declared uninhabitable by the courts, and subsequently had their occupants relocated to temporary accommodation.
The city is envisioning a grand partnership between investors, property owners and community organisations.
“Johannesburg’s inner city holds immense potential, but many buildings have been neglected or underutilised for years,” stated MMC for Economic Development Nomoya Mnisi.
“As property owners, you are key partners in reclaiming, revitalising, and reimagining our city.
“Through the Johannesburg Property Company, the city is committed to working with investors and property owners — not against them — to unlock value and drive economic and social development,” said Mnisi.
Properties for revitalisation
Among the first buildings to receive their much-needed makeovers will be ones already in the process of having their occupants removed or who have recently began their rebuilds.
Notable properties on the list include:
- A building once used by the Memorable Order of Tin Hats near the corner of Loveday and Sophie de Bruyn Street which was cleared in December.
- The notorious Vannin Court in Hillbrow which was cleared in January
- Wimbledon Court in Wolmarans Street
- A former subsidised old age home located at 37 Soper Road in Berea
- Remington Court in Hillbrow which is near the completion of a student accommodation conversion
- 45 Edith Cavell Street
- 65 King George Street
“Urban renewal is a shared responsibility, and through collaboration, we can restore Johannesburg’s inner city to its former glory,” Mnisi concluded.
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