One-stop stay
The pandemic has shown that office space and its massive overheads are largely unnecessary in many industries. With work-from-home set to be a fixture for millions around the world once life returns to “‘normal”, facilities like BlackBrick Club – which blend workspaces and lifestyle amenities with an array of apartments – are going to become commonplace, says BlackBrick founder Moritz Wellensiek. Situated in Sandton, BlackBrick is the world’s first “residential members’ club”, a serviced, hotel-like long and short-stay residential community that’s packed with facilities and services in one location – a vertical city of sorts. In future, BlackBrick is to roll out to multiple locations across the country and in cities around the world, Wellensiek says.
Flexibility
This means that working from your apartment doesn’t have to entail setting up your remote office on your kitchen table where you can get easily distracted. In BlackBrick you take the elevator down to the workspace level and get focussed in the day offices, with a fullsized work desk and access to meeting rooms. You can get your printing done, order coffee and lunch – all a mere 60-second walk from your apartment. And if you need a break, take a minute to meditate in the mindfulness garden or ride a bicycle in the open air.
App it up
“By offering cost-effective, flexible rentals (for one day, one month, to one year) that deliver access to an unprecedented array of in-house facilities, services and programmes, we believe the BlackBrick model is a unique and compelling offering,” says Wellensiek. A hotel approach with dedicated on-site staff means access to everything from booking meeting spaces, fitness and meditation sessions, having your vehicle washed, selecting and ordering furniture, design and tech packs from dedicated partners, to grooming and laundry.
Incubating spaces
BlackBrick is also home to the AIR (Accelerator in Residence) programme, which gives members access to a select group of guides who are experts in almost every field from arts; fashion; music and entertainment to business and entrepreneurship; science and innovation; design and architecture, and technology to drive entrepreneurial ventures. AIR will also connect members with local and global funding opportunities.
Try it out
From 1 November you can experience BlackBrick in three ways: Renting to access the full BlackBrick experience (from R8,000 per month) Becoming a club member with access to the AIR programme and facilities (R950 per month)
• A short stay to trial the experience for a week or weekend (R800 per night)