If there’s anything that we can take from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that anything is possible and constraints do not only breed creativity but also innovation.
Three years ago, you wouldn’t have believed anyone telling you that by now you’d consider joining residents using a stadium precinct as a working space away from your home or office space. While the adaptive reuse of precincts and stadiums has been around for several development waves but the pandemic has shaken up real estate stadiums are being used as friction-free workspace and Cape Town is not lagging behind. The urban trend of converting big, empty sports stadia into friction-free workspace and mixed use environments has spread into the southern suburbs, where the Newlands Cricket Ground development is a one of its kind.
A partnership between developers of the Newlands Cricket Ground, Western Province Cricket Association and Sanlam has resulted in the establishment of Workshop17- a workshop that aims to provide southern suburbs residents the option of working nearer to home or at other Workshop17 locations that serve communities.
This co-working space offers 60 dedicated office spaces, available on both long and short-term lease memberships, and is located on the second and third floors with panoramic views of the entire cricket field from its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. In addition, there are five meeting rooms, two consultation rooms, six call booths, and a mix of hot desks and lounges for visitors to enjoy. All venues are equipped with screens, projectors, high speed unlimited wireless internet and audio. Co-founder and CEO of Workshop17, Paul Keursten, said this new development will not compromise the key role of the property as an international cricket venue.
Located near major main roads, public transportation routes, and a pedestrian bridge that leads to Josephine Mill and Dean Street restaurants, the property also boasts over 800 parking spaces, the new cricket museum, old brewery, cafes and restaurants which are expected to open soon.
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Picture: Eclipse Communications