FORTY ON L represents a significant evolution for Blok, heralding the first development in our Blok Raw division. In our ongoing exploration of new modes of compact urban living, Blok Raw emerges not only as an evolution of our design principles, but as a response to an increasingly dense city.
Located as it is within Cape Town’s historical Bo Kaap district, FORTY ON L also necessitated a far more considered approach to contextual integration — adding to the character and value of the neighbourhood rather than distorting it.
Blok Raw is a new product that ushers in a fresh design aesthetic whilst carrying Blok’s strong principles of thoughtful design, third and shared spaces, a passion for neighbourhoods and urbanism. Rooted in powerful simplicity, Blok Raw reimagines the urban home in an increasingly dense city.
Bo Kaap is a very convenient location and being high up in the Bo Kaap, FORTY ON L not only has incredible views of the city, mountains and harbour but is also quiet.
The building has a communal entertainment deck and pool with expansive views of Table Mountain, the city & the harbour. Also included on this level is a communal lounge, laundry room and gym.
The investor-friendly nature of this building makes it the perfect Airbnb type of investment as the apartments have a fantastic yield.
Investors can expect a yield of between 6.6% and 10.6% on studio apartment investments. A one-bedroom can expect a yield of between 5.26% and 8.59%, while a compact two-bedroom can expect a yield of between 5.46% and 8.85%.
The considered use and expression of materials is a hallmark of our approach. Blok Raw developments emerge as a harmonious response to the cultural and historical fabric of each locale.
Celebrating urban apartment living as a collective experience, we design with human connection in mind.
As the moniker implies, Blok Raw developments prioritise a sense of materialism, and FORTY ON L is a wonderful example of this principle. Whereas Blok developments are characterised by meticulous finishing and crisp detailing, this flagship development foregrounds its subcutaneous form: wood, concrete, glass, and steel become decorative as well as structural in an unusual harmony between architecture and interior design.
It manifests a bold expression of confidence in the underlying design of the building, as the raw craftsmanship lies bare under the scrutiny of abundant sunlight. For the homeowner, this stripped back aesthetic invites imagination; a spacious and calming minimalist foundation with infinite potential to personalise.
FORTY ON L continues to build on the Blok ideal of shared spaces, promoting connected communal living, counteracting the inherent segregation of a conventional apartment block. A spectrum of apartments are unified around a central communal oasis, where the paths of residents are intended to cross.
Priced from R 1 900 000
Beyond referencing the Bo Kaap in flourishes of colour and idiosyncratic material references, the defining sense of community in this 250 year-old neighbourhood was perhaps the greatest inspiration for the architects.
Living in this culturally rich area, abounding in colours, scents, sounds, textures and stories, gives FORTY ON L a special appeal. A village-like existence on the doorstep of the city really does exist. The trifecta of comfort, convenience, and community make this a rare opportunity to create a dream home in the heart of the most beautiful city in the world.
Raw Materials
The base materials for the interiors are raw, they are the unadorned skeleton. They don’t hide or pretend to be what they are not. The materials used are interesting and rich, adding a natural character to every space.
They not only create an honest backdrop to the thoughtful design elements within each of the apartments but are features themselves.
Building
- Panoramic cityscape views
- Swimming pool
- Entertainment deck
- Gym
- Laundry room
- High speed fibre internet
- Pet friendly
- Security (CCTV)
- Secure parking
- Bicycle parking
All apartments feature:
- Screed flooring
- Exposed concrete ceilings
- Bagged brick walls
- Plaster Walls
- Pine & duco-sprayed joinery
- Interior colour accents
- Feature shelf
- Shelving
- Smeg Cooker
Places of the Bo Kaap
Points of Interest
- The Noon Gun – 1115 steps
- Jordaan Suprette – 301 steps
- Bryant Street Park – 196 steps
- Gallery MOMO – 328 steps
- Cape Bike Travel – 367 steps
- Jason Bakery – 393 steps
- Revolution Cycles – 469 steps
- Arcade Café – 459 steps
- TRÉ Steampunk Club – 535 steps
- Sibling Bistro & Mantra Tattoo – 591 steps
- Raage Mini Market – 641 steps
- Rocksole Shoe & Luggage – 673 steps
- Yogis Barber – 672 steps
- Bocca – 781 steps
- Open Wine – 866 steps
- Clarke’s Bar & Dining Room – 853 steps
- Charango Bar & Grill – 923 steps
- Publik & Ash – 869 steps
- Hanks Olde Irish – 944 steps
- Rose Corner Café – 656 steps
- Bo Kaap Museum – 658 steps
- Atlas Trading – 678 steps
- Tritalia – 789 steps
- The Bo-Op & Detox Health Bar – 701 steps
- Biesmiellah Restaurant – 721 steps
- Upper Leeuwen Road Park – 196 steps
Development team
Jacques van Embden – Blok, Managing Director
FORTY ON L is the first Raw product that Blok is bringing to the market. Raw will evolve and deliver on alternative uses much as the digital market has shifted from desktop to laptop to smart phones and tablets. We need a more diversified product range within our cities that will encourage more to participate in the urban opportunity that is so critical to their success.
Rashiq Fataar – Future Cape Town, Founder
There has never been a more opportune time to address the future development path of our city. Future Cape Town is excited to be a part of this particular development team as it speaks to our core values; that people, knowledge and design are integral to rethinking how we plan, design and build better cities.
Wauw – The Architects
For Erik Janse van Rensburg and Eric van den Berg of WAUW, evolving the next phase of Blok in unique terrain meant truly understanding the Bo Kaap neighbourhood in which their landmark development will live for decades to come. Beyond the familiar aesthetic of the area – cobbled and colourful – they were particularly interested in the relationship between the home and the street, and how people move around this famously communal neighbourhood.
Holly Hamlyn – Interior Designer
Working on the first ever Blok Raw development at FORTY ON L was a refreshing challenge for Holly Hamlyn, Blok’s resident interior designer. Whereas Blok has garnered a reputation for sophisticated, invisible finishings, apartments within the Blok Raw stable are typically more youthful, industrial and more expressive. True to its name, Raw developments place an emphasis on materiality, leaving exposed what is usually indiscriminately smoothed over.
Looks interesting
Please send more info about the different prices and info about location. which flats have views etc.
Absolutely love it. However all that cement … floors and ceiling. It is going to be absolutely freezing .. and electricity is expensive . More so in apartment buildings.
Please give me a call 0825565193
Good Day, I would like an opportunity to market your development to my buyers. It is such a fit with our brand Century21.
Good day
Please sent me more information regarding this development, are there still units available for sale?