Africa-Press – South-Africa. A previously abandoned and hijacked building in Johannesburg’s central business district (CBD) has been redeveloped into a fully let, affordable student accommodation complex.
On 17 April, property expert Ash Müller revealed that an abandoned, hijacked CBD office building, Remington Court, has been fully transformed into a green-certified mixed-use building with affordable rental units and is fully let.
The building had been hijacked since 2012 and had fallen into severe disrepair after the City of Johannesburg disconnected water and electricity services.
It was among 57 problematic buildings identified by the Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association.
Remington has long been one of the city’s most notorious hijacked buildings, with authorities previously describing it as unsafe, overcrowded and plagued by unhygienic living conditions and illegal electricity connections.
Eight years ago, during a City of Johannesburg raid, officials found residents, many of them undocumented migrants, living in squalid conditions. They reported strong odours, poor sanitation, and food being prepared in unhygienic spaces.
Despite its condition, the structure remained sound, which made redevelopment a viable option. Take Shape Property Management was appointed to take over the R25 million project.
Eviction proceedings were finalised in November 2023, with approximately 517 occupants relocated to the Denver Temporary Relocation Area.
Many of the original leaseholders were no longer living in the building, instead subletting units – often exploiting vulnerable tenants – while collecting rent without maintaining the property.
Conditions inside Remington had become hazardous, lacking basic services and posing significant safety risks.
Take Shape Property Management managing director Solomon Ramalamula said the building was on the brink of disaster, similar to other hijacked properties that have experienced fatal fires in recent years.
He explained that hijackings typically occur either through organised rent boycotts or coordinated efforts by groups that persuade tenants to stop paying rent, often under the guise of advocacy.
Remington transformed
Today, the Remington building has found a new life and will offer Johannesburg students affordable inner-city accommodation.
The mixed-use development comprises 7,191 m2, 133 bachelor apartments, 5 ground-floor retail shops, and 14 parking bays.
It also features a study centre, a gym, a braai area, free laundry facilities, security and access control, and free uncapped wi-fi.
The development achieved strong EDGE certification results, with energy savings of 27.81%, water savings of 22.40%, and a 51.00% reduction in embodied carbon.
These efficiencies are supported by a range of resource systems, including centralised heat pumps, a solar installation, filtered borehole water, LED lighting, low-flow fixtures, dual-flush toilets, and optimised facade glazing.
With rental prices starting from R5,200 per month, Remington offers an affordable housing option to students. The building is also NSFAS-accredited and accepts both bursary and cash-paying students.
“At Remington, we believe in creating a second home for our students, where comfort and care go hand-in-hand,” the Remington website explains.
“Our goal is to provide more than just a place to stay – we aim to foster a welcoming and supportive community where students can grow both academically and socially.”
While many hijacked buildings continue to plague the Johannesburg CBD, this transformation signals good progress for the city’s condition.
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