The Mandela Presidential Centre and how it benefits Houghton
Category Commercial Property News
Houghton one of Johannesburg's most affluent residential areas has become increasingly popular over the years for so many other reasons. Some may or may not know that the area was also the suburb where one of the most culturally significant icons of the South African and the world, the late Nelson Mandela spent the last remaining days of his life on this planet.
Affectionately known as Madiba, the struggle hero and former presidents home as stated by traveller24.com will be converted into a museum, centre and boutique hotel in honour of his legacy and contribution to South African politics and history. How will this enable the Houghton area to be elevated even further into the commercial property market limelight?
“The late Nelson Mandela’s primary residence in Houghton, Johannesburg is set to be transformed into a "presidential 5-7 star tourism product", The Mandela Presidential Centre. Set to be "a place of reflection", Thebe Tourism Group (TTG) and The Nelson Mandela Foundation have joined forces in the creation of the new offering announced on Monday, 6 November at World Travel Market (WTM) in London”. - www.traveller24.com
According to the Thebe Tourism Group’s website, The Nelson Mandela Presidential Centre features 9 bedrooms and the location is an all round 5-star experience. The property is owned by The Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) who are also the main stakeholders with the functionality of this highly pivotal project which also according to the sought-after tourism group is also a place of “reflection” and not just a museum and information centre but a place that will hopefully do a lot more and provide “sustainable solutions to critical social problems through memory-based dialogue interventions” -http://www.thebetourism.co.za
According to www.museumsassociation.org museums and initiatives such as this pivotal development are highly desirable. 87% of British citizens feel historically significant places are highly important for the “cultural life of the country”. “Cultural institutions provide the glue that binds communities together. Culture attracts people to a place, just as much as good schools, housing or transport and creates an environment in which other industries, goods, and services can grow.” -www.nationalmuseums.org.uk. Equate this to a South African context and this is exactly what The Mandela Presidential Centre hopes to achieve.
According to museumsassociation.org this often has positive repercussions for other sectors of industry and commerce, including the commercial property sector. Leading property specialists OfficePlace sees the value in areas such as Houghton and they have 31 listed properties available for rental in the highly regarded suburb. Some of these properties are within close proximity to this new boutique hotel, museum and information centre and this is why many companies have chosen the Houghton suburb as its highly regarded not just in terms of being favourable within the commercial property market but also within the development of South African history post 94.
Houghton is already a highly regarded area in terms of heritage and upper Houghton is an official heritage area due to the high amount of historically significant houses and buildings located in the expanse. The Mandela Presidential Centre only helps in cementing the region as a highly regarded node for both historical and business reasons.
All of these aspects have made Houghton, top of the commercial property pops within greater Johannesburg. It would seem there really isn’t a better time to invest in this location. Get in contact with one of OfficePlace’s highly skilled brokers today and start your next commercial operation from this regarded area for heritage, residence, recreation, and commerce. An OfficePlace broker is waiting to make your commercial property dreams come true. You really won’t be in better hands.
Author: OfficePlace Commercial Property Brokerage