STUDENT ACCOMMODATION & SOCIAL HOUSING
Building conversions that add value
Across South Africa, there’s a growing need for student accommodation, and the same holds true for affordable and social housing. Closing the gap requires an innovative approach, which should include building reuse alongside greenfield developments, says Sean Kenealy, director and professional architect at STAG African, a specialist proper ty developer. By Alastair Currie
O
pened in March 2021, STAG African’s new student residence in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is a prime example of how a developer can repurpose and add value to an existing building. In this case, the former Summerstrand Hotel has been converted into an accredited 500-bed residence for students attending the nearby Nelson Mandela University
(NMU). The focus is on providing safe and affordable accommodation, particularly for those receiving financial aid. Amenities include self-catering communal cooking facilities for up to 80 students, catered meals, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, and numerous communal areas. Each of the existing 245 hotel rooms has been converted to a double-occupancy bedroom with en-suite bathroom.
Sean Kenealy, director and professional architect at STAG African
48
IMIESA April 2021
An aerial perspective of the new student village at Fort Hare
STAG African’s recently completed 2 047-bed student village for the University of Fort Hare
Meeting the need for university-accredited offsite accommodation is a key priority for NMU. Currently, there are 3 299 beds in universityowned residences; however, NMU currently has around 29 000 students, which means that only around 12% of the total population can be accommodated on campus. STAG African has a 50% shareholding in the property, now known as the Summerstrand Student Village, which was purchased on auction at the beginning of 2020. Building renovations began in August 2020 and the project was fast-tracked for completion ahead of the 2021 university year.
Plan for future running costs “The secret to successful building conversions is based on factors like research, and minimising the number of interventions
