Property management company Citiq has officially opened its Umhlanga Junction Extension, a 75-bed student apartment block in Brixton built entirely from shipping containers.

in Caroline street, the striking building was erected within two months.
“We believe Brixton has amazing potential because of its location and the many historical buildings that lend themselves to repurposing and refurbishment,” Citiq CEO Paul Lapham says.
He adds that shipping containers make “for an amazingly simple module, with the apartment block being erected around the basic living modules”.

“Really creative design is required to make this a truly attractive apartment block and the shipping containers are combined with different materials, cladding and colours to achieve a modern and appealing appearance.
Careful planning [went] into creating a home-from-home environment with top-quality affordable rental accommodation that is secure and convenient and that meets the needs of the modern student. Rentals are inclusive of services, including Wi-Fi.”
Each of the six floors has single and double accommodation with a communal kitchen and dining area, recreation room, lounge and laundry.

Energy efficiency is ensured through double-glazed windows, the provision of hot water by heat pumps and motion-sensor energy- efficient lighting throughout the building.

“The new dedicated cycle lanes in Caroline street that form part of the Johannesburg City Council’s Corridors of Freedom initiative will also [afford] students the opportunity to cycle to their lectures swiftly and safely instead of walking,” Lapham adds.

Citiq is now planning to convert four semidetached structures on the opposite side of the road, next to an existing Citiq student apartment block. Plans are being drawn up, while maintaining the heritage value of the existing structures.

“Brixton is convenient for students studying at the University of Johan-nesburg and we hope to create a village that caters specifically for the needs of students and helps them achieve academic success,” Lapham notes.
Citiq has also built an apartment block in Windsor street and is responsible for the silos conversion at Mill Junction and the 27Boxes shopping centre.