Living in the city need not mean any sacrifices

CITY living can often mean more compact living, but this doesn’t necessarily require sacrifice, says Jacques van Embden, managing director and cofounder of property developer, Blok, which recently launched a 22-unit apartment building on High Level Road, Sea Point.

TWO16onHL is one of the bigger projects Blok has launched, and the average size of units is smaller than the others in Blok’s portfolio. However, Van Embden is adamant that residents' standard of liv- ing will in no way be compromised, and he sees this as the most exciting part of this launch for the brand.

“Although price is a huge aspect of a property purchase decision, it shouldn’t mean compromise,” he says. “We’ve really pushed the design boundaries in demanding more out of the interior spaces at TWO16onHL as well as the shared spaces of the building.”

He says duality is the magic word when living in the city. Rather than having one room for each function, such as a living room, a dining room and a lounge – who has time for maintenance anyway? – the key is creating spaces that meet more than one need. A home office or a bar that can double as a den or a sleeping area, a lounge with a dining area, a kitchen with additional storage that could free up space elsewhere, or a reading corner or sunbed in the bedroom that doubles as an extra lounging space.

He says it’s important to maximise all unused space in homes. For instance, turn a previously empty corner or area under the stairs into a reading, seating or storage area.

“Appreciate the benefits that living in a city has to offer. Instead of missing that private garden or pool that belongs only to you – and whose maintenance only you are responsible for – visit public and shared spaces in the city and meet your neighbours, experience your environment on foot or by bicycle and make the most of living in a city,” says Van Embden.