Forty on L

BLOK RAW’s FORTY ON L brings global travellers and savvy locals a trendy urban lifestyle at a deliberately lower price point without compromising on quality.

The concept

FORTY ON L is a new urban living development from the BLOK stable. The developers are already well known for a number of other urban-specific designs within the city of Cape Town. This one, however, is from a new division: BLOK RAW, which was instigated specifically to design around the challenges of a depressed global economy with the goal of providing sustainable, affordable urban space without compromising core values of quality.

The key concept is unashamedly cost reduction, ultimately opening up access to new buyers and investors previously financially excluded from the high-end property market. This goal has been achieved through a mix of exceptional design, inspired utilisation of space, and focus on the more critical aspects of building quality urban accommodation.

The urbanisation movement

Cape Town – surrounded by water and with a spectacular but somewhat inconvenient mass of wind-sculpted sandstone in the middle – has seen near unidirectional suburban development, resulting in time-consuming commutes and energy-sapping frustrations for many. Perhaps this is reason enough for the city to see growing interest in integrated work-live mixed-used neighbourhoods – a lifestyle many Europeans take for granted, and yet a relatively new idea in the African context. Live and work close to your recreational space, position yourself within walking distance of most amenities, and breathe in the energy that is the soul of city living. Become a resident and participant in your urban space rather than a transient work-only visitor. It is a pragmatic, minimalistic, sustainable and functional choice for many young professionals.

The result

A vibrant, colourful, raw living space, perhaps ‘industrial chic’ would be a fair term. The interior finishes lean toward functionally utilitarian, with Oggie hardwood flooring bringing in an artistic edginess in sync with Cape Town as a whole, as well as the history and look of the suburb that surrounds it. Units are ready to occupy but also allow personalisation over time.

FORTY ON L is suitable for global travellers looking for a safe lock-up-and-go urban base in a sun-drenched summer city, or young professionals enamoured with urban living and the simplicity and efficiency that it brings. With easy access to public transport and a broad array of amenities, both in-house and within walking distance, you may not even need a car. Investors will value the opportunity for short-term rental, which allows for income generation together with capital growth, and summer visitors can subsidise the costs when they are out of town.

FORTY ON L provides underground parking allocated to all units (just in case you aren’t urbanite enough to give up the motor), and communal spaces including a gym, swimming pool and shared entertainment areas. However, although the design is based on collaborative community living, the sloped site and inspired design mean that there is still room for covered balcony outdoor entertainment areas integrally built into one’s own personal space. As a result you can choose to join the crowd or sip wine on your veranda while enjoying spectacular views of Table Mountain and the vibrant city at your feet.

The details

Units: 72
Pricing: From just under R2 million for a single bedroom to over R11 million for a penthouse.
Amenities: Swimming pool, entertainment deck, laundry room, high-speed fibre internet, pet-friendly, CCTV security, secure underground parking and bicycle parking.
Unit specifications: Screed flooring, exposed concrete ceilings, bagged brick walls, plaster walls, pine and Duco-sprayed joinery, interior colour accents, feature shelf, shelving, Smeg cooker.

Bottom line

After decades of suburban expansion, South African cities, particularly Cape Town, are beginning to embrace more communal urban living as a genuine and functional choice, something already well accepted within the global space. FORTY ON L provides a quintessentially modern urban living environment, blended into the existing colourful and vibrant landscape of the Bo Kaap. It offers quality apartment living within walking distance of clubs and coffee shops, markets and music venues, with views to die for, and all at a reasonable price point for the young professional or new investor.