Property

New affordable ‘city’ launches in South Africa

Kirsten Minnaar • 28 October 2025

Johannesburg’s newly launched 32-hectare Central Park City development in Newlands/Sophiatown offers over 3,400 affordable, eco-friendly apartments with luxury amenities and lifestyle facilities.

According to Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group, the first units in this new “city” have already sold, and the development is expected to attract significant interest.

The 32-hectare site, located in the heart of the Newlands/Sophiatown area offers close convenience to major transport routes and universities such as UJ and Wits.

This new precinct promises buyers a modern lifestyle in a secure, well-located environment with luxury amenities for an affordable price.

The project is being led by Urban Dev Property Development, whose portfolio also includes the @ first student village in Soshanguve and the Vista Park integrated development in Bloemfontein.

The whole Central Park City site has been comprehensively rehabilitated from a geotechnical and construction perspective, with full environmental management in place. Construction is set to start soon.

It is aimed at first-time buyers both in terms of the accessible pricing and incentives to assist buyers. This first-of-its-kind mixed-use development offers affordably priced units from just R589,000.

Incentives include the opportunity to benefit from a lower interest rate, and a once-off housing subsidy together with lifestyle amenities in the estate which residents might not otherwise have access to.

The development includes over 3,450 modern, fibre-ready apartments located in various blocks in a secure development with parking.

There is a choice of one, two, and three-bedroomed units. The interiors are modern for carefree living and include gas geysers and cooking hobs, along with solar PV systems to ensure residents are prepared up to Stage 4 Loadshedding.

The fully integrated, mixed-use precinct caters for the full life cycle, from young professionals to families and older, empty nesters, Seeff said.

It is especially family-friendly with play areas for children, and provision made for a professionally managed, on-site crèche and aftercare centre, providing peace of mind and essential support to working parents.

A city for first-time buyers

Luxury lifestyle amenities, which would ordinarily be out of reach for first-time buyers, are available at Central Park City at no extra costs.

These include a pool, clubhouse, braai facilities, combi courts (soccer and Pickleball), and an outdoor gym, along with a retail hub with household names such as Pick ‘n Pay and Clicks.

There are plenty of landscaped green areas for leisure and children to play, and a walking trail, everything you need for a fit and healthy community lifestyle, Seeff said.

Residents will also benefit from 24-hour security with biometric access, a guardhouse, electric fencing, CCTV surveillance, and armed response.

They will also have access to 12 months of free WiFi and a mobile Panic App offering emergency medical response, fire support, and search and rescue.

According to Seeff, mixed-use, integrated developments such as this represent the future of sustainable urban living, bringing unprecedented opportunities to the affordable housing sector.

First-time buyers will benefit from the combination of the affordable entry price and incentives such as a once-off First Home Finance (FHF) subsidy.

They can also take advantage of the green loan benefits from the Edge Certification, which makes homeownership more attainable than ever. Mortgage loans are also available.

Aside from purchasing for own use, Seeff explained that these units also present a tremendous opportunity for investors.

The high demand for rentals in secure lifestyle estates, combined with the typical capital growth seen in new developments before occupation, makes Central Park City a compelling investment option for rental purposes.