Construction World June 2021

PROPERTY

Incorporating conscious design principles that strike a balance between work and play – as well as the built space and the environment – Blok has launched its latest development ONE26 ON M, which the developer considers to be its most human-centred project to date. WHERE SANCTUARY MEETS SOCIAL CONNECTION AND SUSTAINABILITY

L ocated in the buzzing heart of the ever-popular investment destination Sea Point – and within a stone’s throw of the Promenade and MyCiti bus routes – ONE26 ON M delivers on location and lifestyle. Says Jacques van Embden, Managing Director at Blok, “Off the back of 2020, the needs and priorities of consumers have shifted, and we’ve put the city-based modernist firmly at the heart of ONE26 ON M; our response to the rising need for wellness and balance in every sphere of our lives.” He explains that with this development, Blok aimed to create a space of sanctuary, with a focus on greening the living environment. “We’re seeing a growing environmental consciousness, igniting a desire to reduce our carbon footprint and make more responsible, sustainable choices.” Over and above those features that are a standard fixture in all of Blok’s developments (such as energy efficient and water-wise fittings), the developer has added a solar PV power for common areas, as well

as a generator to ONE26 ON M. “We’ve also looked to the natural resources within our immediate environment as inspiration, and paid homage to these through the addition of green living spaces. Our aim was to create a space of calm and stillness that complements the hum of a vibrant city.” As with Blok’s previous successful development SIX ON N, ONE26 ON M again incorporates mixed typologies – offering a choice of micro, studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments – catering to a more fluid model of property ownership and usage. “We recognise that off the back of a stressful year, more of us are seeking balance, and some people are finding this through spending some time in the city, and some of their time elsewhere. Thus there is a demand for more fluid, agile offering, and this development also answers this need. “In addition, with a resurgence of tourism expected over the next few months as the vaccine roll-out gains momentum, ONE26 ON M was designed to accommodate various ownership models, such as short-stay letting.” ONE26 ON M also shows a significant amount of thoughtfulness in the features it offers. “We felt that it was important that we focus our value proposition. As we continue to see a trend of ‘living outside the home’, residents are looking to their neighbourhood to answer their needs, with location and affordability prioritised over a plethora of amenities. “Thus the amenities that we’ve included are those that either offer a sense of sanctuary; deliver on sustainability; accommodate the shift to work from home (WFH); or create a sense of community and connection within the development. This past period of lockdown has catalysed a deeper need for social interaction, as people seek to reconnect with others.” ONE26 ON M responds in kind, with amenities that include shared spaces such as a roof deck with pool, boardrooms and co-working spaces, as well as high-speed fibre connectivity. ONE26 ON M also offers on-site security and retail, and is pet-friendly. Featuring the developer’s signature Blok Raw finish, which is defined by principles of contemporary minimalism, the apartments are designed to keep costs low, while making the most of the available space. The result is that these homes feel significantly larger than their actual footprint. And with apartments starting from as little as R1,1-m inclusive of VAT, ONE26 ON M is anticipated to be attractive to both investors as well as first-time buyers – which Blok is encouraging through its proprietary financing models, giving access to buyers who may not have had the opportunity previously. “With ONE26 ON M we wanted not only to incorporate principles of sustainability and offer a sense of sanctuary, but also to encourage the experience of community both inside as well as outside the home – allowing you to tap into all the benefits the Atlantic Seaboard lifestyle offers,” concludes Van Embden. ▄

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