While the accommodation is privately owned, it will be exclusive to Wits students.
A new private student accommodation is set to open in Braamfontein in January 2020. The accommodation will be developed in the building that was previously occupied by the Devonshire hotel in Jorissen Street.
Zenprop in partnership with Consolidated Urban Corporation (Conurban)’s Campus Africa division will develop the facility which is expected to house over 600 students.
Jeremy Berman, managing partner at Conurban said, they want to provide affordable housing for students.
“The rates will range between R4200 and R5000 per month, depending on the type of room chosen. We have also created over 500 single rooms.
“We want to obtain NSFAS accreditation once construction is done, so that students on financial aid are able to stay here,” Berman said.
Berman also said that they will be liaising with Wits to get a meal voucher system for students in the accommodation.
“We are currently building a catering facility so that students can use vouchers and take meals if they want to. We want to ensure that our students feel they have the same services provided off-campus as students have on-campus,” he told Wits Vuvuzela.
Student leasing manager at Campus Africa, Alex Adeshoye, said that the company plans to provide a free bus service to students.
“A 65 seater bus will transport students from the accommodation to Wits main campus and Parktown.
“There is a Campus Africa bus already in use for our three other buildings and we hope to do the same for this one,” he said. The company also promises services like uncapped Wi-Fi, laundry services, study rooms and in-house dining at the new accomodation which call 49J.
Wits University dean of student affairs, Jerome September told Wits Vuvuzela that the construction of new accommodations give students options beyond the limited on-campus options available.
“We welcome these developments and at an appropriate time will consider recognizing this as an approved off-campus student accommodation in line with our existing recognition policies.
“We are only able to consider accreditation once the project is complete,” said September.
Campus Africa, currently owns and manages three student accommodations in Braamfontein, Braamlofts, YMCA and 80 Jorrisen. Zenprop owns Argyle House near the Wits Education Campus in Parktown.
FEATURED IMAGE: The Devonshire hotel which was sold to Zenprop and Consolidated Urban, is undergoing construction to be converted into a student accommodation. Photo: Molebogeng Mokoka
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