Architect and Builder Dec 2017 / Jan 2018 | Page 12

PROJECTWATCH
PROPOSED, CURRENT AND FUTURE PROJECTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AND ABROAD
OXFORD PARKS, ROSEBANK, JOHANNESBURG
Oxford Parks is a vibrant expression of
cosmopolitan Rosebank – with new head
office and living opportunities within walking
distance of the Gautrain, Rosebank retail,
hospitality and entertainment. Named
because of its proximity to Oxford Road
and its position in the heart of ‘the parks’ in
Johannesburg, Oxford Parks provides the
perfect position to those aspiring to a location
that provides them with an urban lifestyle
designed to promote their ‘Live, Work, Play’
aspirations. It is bounded by the following
feeding roads: Oxford Road, Rosebank Road,
Cradock Avenue and Bompas Road.
The vision for the Oxford Parks deve-
lopment is one of a vibrant mixed-use
precinct, comprising upmarket green star
rated offices (A & P Grade), apartments &
penthouses, as well as niche supporting
retail and cafés, all situated within an
exceptionally high-quality, privately
managed and walkable public environment,
embracing character, history and archi-
tectural design which combine to offer a
uniquely compelling urban place.
Oxford Parks includes the development of
a new urban form mixing in an open environ-
ment with pedestrian linkages at a human
scale. The medium rise development, with
large floor plates, fosters and supports
corporate community integration, teamwork
and collaboration whilst still affording
selective modulation for individual identity
and team association around business
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units. The building forms an integrated part
of the public environment and is designed
to enhance passive surveillance over the
public areas and active ownership of the
public environment.
Oxford Parks is also one of the pilot
projects of the GBCSA for the development of
the South African Communities
rating tool to be used for the
rating of all future precinct/
community projects. The Public
Realm Manual is testimony
to the exceptional care and
attention given to the design
of the precinct. Oxford Parks
will be a privately managed
city improvement district
and will become a formal
City Improvement District in
due course.
Included in the public infra-
structure rollout will be a new
Boulevard conne