A new housing development for students and young professionals is currently under development and set to open in Observatory, Cape Town, in December 2020.
Situated close to the country’s leading universities including UCT, the 98-unit project will offer comprehensive accommodation packages and state-of-the-art security.
The young founders behind 6 on Nansen by Proper Living are British-born South African YouTuber and entrepreneur, Caspar Lee (25), and Cape-Town based entrepreneur Benji Schaffer (23).
Their shared vision for Proper Living is for it to become a contemporary model for 21st century living for the sophisticated youth market in the R6,000 to R11,000 monthly rental bracket.
Residents are not required to be a student to rent an apartment. Both Lee and Shaffer believe young professionals and students should have the option to co-exist and enjoy sophisticated accommodation.
“We never went to university, but we still felt like students and wanted the same things they wanted. To us, luxury should not be dependent on status or price, but rather a high-quality experience. We define Proper Living as a premium alternative to most student accommodation without the inflated prices,” says Lee.
The choice to build the 3848 sqm property in Observatory was due to its proximity to amenities, the CBD and tertiary learning. “It’s central with a variety of affordable transit options to easily access universities and Cape Town city centre. The neighbourhood is youth and socially oriented with convenience supermarkets, trendy coffee shops, restaurants, and bars nearby.”
The project is well ahead of schedule and will over the course of its development create between 200 and 250 jobs. Managed by Heron Square, a property development company specialising in the student accommodation sector, Proper Living will cater for the specific needs of SA youth culture.
The rooms have been designed with space and functionality in mind, and options vary from studio apartments, to two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. Shared communal spaces will offer areas for relaxation and connection.
Smart technology
Safety is a key selling point for the development as Proper Living has introduced a next-level security system which includes 24/7 guarding and rapid response, state-of-the-art surveillance, and biometric fingerprint scanning.
Swift by Proper Living is a holistic digital app platform that has been designed to further facilitate safety, and connects residents, management, and service providers. “Safety is a concern for many South Africans, and not only is the Swift app there to help residents feel more secure, it also makes their lives easier with the best in tech globally.”
Entrepreneurial spirit
Rooted in a tech background, Lee first made a name for himself vlogging on YouTube, and to date has amassed over 7 million subscribers. He is also the co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Influencer, a global marketing platform and an ambassador to The Queens Young Leaders. In 2018 he cofounded Margrarvine Management and is also the cofounder of an Investors Club. It is no surprise then that this year, Lee made it to the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 media and marketing list.
A partner to match, Schaffer cofounded his first company, SchaffServ Transport Services in 2014 while he was still a teenager. The company owns and operates fleets of vehicles and employs drivers to service passengers through Uber. He is also an investor in Influencer.
The two young movers and shakers are determined to build the kind of housing offering that they feel young, ambitious South Africans deserve.
“We hope to make a difference in the lives of young South Africans and further opportunities along the way,” says Lee.
