Live, work, play: Mixed-use developments tipped as future of SA’s property market

Mixed-use development is the future for property development in South Africa.

This is according to property media professional Ash Müller, who explains that the idea of living, working, shopping, conferencing, and socialising in one place has become a reality.

Cape Town’s Century City precinct has transformed from a commercial node to a vibrant, livable community that seamlessly integrates residential, retail, and leisure areas.

“Rabi Property Developers just took the narrative and ran with it in the early 2000s, when they started developing and acquiring the land."

Also in Century City, Ratanga Park, once known as the iconic Ratanga Junction theme park, has transformed into a mixed-use space that now holds one of the biggest Parkruns in South Africa.

Müller added that this model is achievable, but more work is needed to connect these nodes and make them accessible to all.

She emphasised the importance of connecting these mixed-use nodes through public transportation.

Though the Century City PRASA train station is accessible, it still requires a walk.

“Sometimes these places are quite premium, I wouldn’t say it's accessible for everyone, and Cape Town operates in silos,” she said.

To listen to Müller in conversation with CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit, use the audio player below: