Mixed Use

JOBURG’S NEW VICTORIA YARDS PRECINCT IS LEADING THE WAY IN IMAGINING HOW SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT CAN BE COMBINED WITH COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE IN SOUTH AFRICA’S URBAN SPACES

- Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine

On a sunny Saturday morning, Joburg arts and culture lovers buzz around Daville Baillie Gallery, clutching bubbly and croissants. They are not only here to see the artwork of designer Faatimah Mohamed- Luke and her creative director husband Al, who are exhibiting together for the first time: they are also here to visit an area that has become quite a talking point owing to the rejuvenation taking place in it.

The new Victoria Yards development comprises artists’ studios and artisans’ workshops, as well as a small urban farm and event space. Design-wise, it’s characterised by its numbered old cement buildings, some of which feature exposed brick and others still bearing the peeling painted signs of former tenants. Fauna such as bees, bats and owls have been introduced, and lush young vegetable patches and trees have been planted in between the new pedestrian paving and warehouse plots. The result is a veritable urban ecosystem.

Just a year ago the 30 000m 2 Victoria Yards project was a mere vision in the head of Group 44 developer Brian Green, and now its farm’s fresh produce is harvested every Friday for tenants’ use. It’s also home to the Impi Brewing Co, which offers craft beers and wood-fired pizzas – and will soon be moving its currently Kyalami-based microbrewery to the premises.