Sunday Times

‘It’s all about moving in and moving up’

- ADELE SHEVEL

A NEW housing concept that provides “estate living” for lower-income earners has been launched near Alexandra in Sandton.

Live Easy has developed affordable “nano units”, with 15m² apartments — the size of an airport hotel room or a small Manhattans­tyle studio — being rented for between R1 950 and R3 750 a month. Open since September last year, it is 100% let, with waiting lists.

Live Easy has a pipeline of developmen­ts valued at R320-million, which will provide almost 2 000 units. Co-founder Jeffrey Froom said many low-income earners were forced to settle for rooms shared with other people, where the only privacy was a divider or curtain.

“No one is catering for the person able to pay rental of R2 500 a month — that’s a person earning an entryto mid-level salary who wants a safe, clean and affordable place to stay. It’s about moving in and moving up,” he said.

The 135 units making up the first phase of Live Easy’s flagship developmen­t — a converted warehouse in Kew — were pre-let a month before the opening date. Phase two, which is under developmen­t, features a further 123 units. Once complete, the developmen­t will comprise 540 units. The smaller units sleep up to two people, while the larger ones can accommodat­e four people.

The building — in which taps were once manufactur­ed — retains the airy feel of a factory, with high ceilings. Among the tenants are beautician­s, shop assistants, restaurant and IT staff, and Uber drivers.

A laundry is being set up in the complex; a shop will be opened soon and a hair salon and small gym are envisaged.

Each unit comprises a self-contained en-suite bathroom and kitchenett­e. All Live Easy developmen­ts will include spacious common areas — such as a lounge area and café, indoor and outdoor playground areas, free Wi-Fi and DStv access, braai areas, a supermarke­t, crèche, 24-hour biometric and CCTV security, and parking bays for cars and bicycles.

The more expensive units, which will be launched in the coming months, will also include lounges with desks and office space. Each unit has a prepaid electricit­y meter and readable water meters.

Froom said urban dwellers from all over Johannesbu­rg struggled to find places to live that were clean, safe and affordable.

“They are earning entry- to midlevel salaries, but land up living in unsavoury and overcrowde­d conditions, sharing rooms separated only by curtains and where multiple tenants share one bathroom.”

He said it was vital the complexes were close to work and transport.

The pipeline for further units comprises converted warehouses, offices and residentia­l properties in Kew, Balfour Park, Highlands North, New Doornfonte­in, Greswold and Bramley.

Froom said at first the developmen­t had been funded by shareholde­r equity, because banks saw it as risky. “Now, once the developmen­t is operationa­l, it’s easier to raise money.”

 ??  ?? EASY LIVING: The smaller units sleep up to two people
EASY LIVING: The smaller units sleep up to two people
 ??  ?? SAFE, AFFORDABLE: Live Easy developmen­ts will feature play areas and crèches
SAFE, AFFORDABLE: Live Easy developmen­ts will feature play areas and crèches

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