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Remington Court — notorious Joburg building to become student digs in R25m revamp

Remington Court — notorious Joburg building to become student digs in R25m revamp
Occupants of notorious hijacked building Remington Court in the Johannesburg CBD were evicted on Wednesday, 15 November 2023. (Photo: Michelle Banda)
Michelle Banda
By Michelle Banda
9 Oct 2024
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Remington Court, once a symbol of Johannesburg’s hijacked and abandoned building crisis, is undergoing a remarkable R25-million redevelopment to become student accommodation. The project, led by Take Shape Property Management, is part of a broader effort to rehabilitate hijacked buildings and restore the inner city.

Remington Court, once notorious as one of Johannesburg’s many hijacked and abandoned buildings, is being redeveloped into student accommodation. Work on the building located on the corner of Jeppe and Nugget streets is being led by Take Shape Property Management.

It aims to create 200 student units and six retail shops on the ground floor. 

Take Shape managing director Solomon Ramalamula said: “We have invested over R25-million in Remington. The goal is to complete the redevelopment by the end of November 2024.”

Remington Court was one of 57 buildings flagged by the Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association (JPOMA) as problematic. It had been hijacked since 2012, leading to the disconnection of water and electricity by the City of Johannesburg.

Eviction and reclamation efforts


The building’s former tenants were evicted almost a year ago, following an initiative by the owner, who is working with Take Shape on the redevelopment. Many of the occupants had sublet, often exploiting vulnerable foreigners. 

According to court documents, an estimated 517 residents, predominantly South Africans, lived in the building. They were relocated to the Denver Temporary Relocation Area (TRA), a plot initially intended for Joburg metro police vehicle impoundments but repurposed by the City as temporary housing.

Read more: ‘We are being abused’ say evicted residents of dilapidated Joburg building

“What we found in Remington was that the original leaseholders were no longer living in the building. Instead, they were subletting it to others and collecting rent, especially from foreign nationals without proper documentation,” Ramalamula said.

evicted joburg building File Photo: Occupants of the then notorious hijacked building Remington Court in the Johannesburg CBD were evicted on Wednesday, 15 November 2023. (Photo: Michelle Banda)



“The building was in dire conditions, including a lack of basic services like water and electricity, creating a hazardous environment. However, it was structurally sound.

“The City had disconnected the building’s services, which became a big issue. By the time we were awarded the eviction order, the municipality had no alternative accommodation for the tenants. This was concerning because the living conditions were inhabitable.”

Read more: City of Joburg’s bid to provide emergency accommodation highlights housing crisis

According to Ramalamula, Remington was on the brink of disaster, similar to other hijacked buildings that have caught fire, including the Usindiso building where 76 people died in a blaze in August 2023.

“It was only a matter of time before something tragic happened. Luckily, Remington avoided such an outcome, but the risk was always there.”

Joburg’s hijacked buildings


The hijacking of buildings in Johannesburg’s inner-city is a complex issue.

Ramalamula explained that building hijacking occurs in two ways: “Tenants either boycott rent and services but continue living in the property, or a group of hijackers convinces tenants to stop paying rent, often under the guise of representing their interests.”

He said the problem extends beyond individual buildings like Remington. 

“We manage over 100 properties in Johannesburg’s inner city, many of which have similar histories. We have seen buildings threatened with hijacking in Jeppestown, where tenants stopped paying rent and tried to involve organisations like Operation Dudula to prevent evictions or prolong as it would take much longer via the courts, roughly a year and a half.”

Despite these challenges, Ramalamula is optimistic about Remington’s future and the potential for similar projects in the city. 

“We have collaborated with the municipality on multiple occasions, but more support is needed. The City’s decision to terminate services is a major contributor to the hijacking crisis. When tenants no longer have access to basic utilities, they stop paying rent, and the buildings fall into disrepair.”

He added that even though services were cut off at Remington in 2012, the City continued to bill the building.

“When we initiated the eviction, the unpaid services amounted to over R8-million, which we are still disputing,” Ramalamula said.

A hopeful path forward


JPOMA general manager Angela Rivers highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing Johannesburg’s hijacked building crisis.

“When the municipality works with the private sector, good things can happen. We have the experience, the knowledge and the willingness, but the City holds the power to make it happen,” Rivers said.

Remington Court’s redevelopment is part of a broader trend in Johannesburg. In 2020, the notorious Cape York building, once known for fires, deaths and crime, was refurbished and transformed into luxurious student accommodation.

Other hijacked buildings, including Elgin Court and Platinum Place, have also been restored under Ramalamula’s management.

A lesson for Johannesburg’s future


Remington Court’s journey from a hijacked building to student accommodation serves as a case study in reclaiming Johannesburg’s inner city.

It showcases the potential for revitalisation through investment, management, and cooperation between private companies and the municipality.

As Ramalamula and Rivers both emphasise, the key to addressing the hijacking crisis lies in consistent support from the City, ensuring basic services are maintained, and fostering public-private partnerships. DM

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