Rosebank is fast becoming a popular choice for young professionals working in and around the suburb. Situated to the north of Johannesburg central, the vibey neighbourhood is in proximity to Sandton as well as numerous amenities including Rosebank Mall, The Firs, and Melrose Arch.
Of the +- 4 900 properties in Rosebank, more than half are sectional title owned by 18-to-49-year-olds, according to a Loom report provided by ooba Home Loans, with an average sales price of approximately R1.8 million during 2024. However, many people who work in Rosebank, travel in via taxi or the Gautrain because they cannot afford to live in the area.
WCB Property Developers have launched Twenty1, an eleven-storey urban oasis offering investors 87 affordable sectional title units that overlook the entire northern and eastern side of Johannesburg with uninterrupted views.
A render of a 1-bedroom unit in Twenty 1 (Unit 1A).
“Our research identified a clear gap in the market for this type of development in Rosebank,” says Wesley Beneke, founder and CEO of WCB Property Developers. “Rosebank is a vibrant area, offering prime access to key amenities and excellent work opportunities. Our unit sizes and premium finishes are highly competitive, yet our prices are 20% to 30% lower per square metre compared to similar offerings in the area. It’s an affordable alternative for those looking to avoid the long commute from Johannesburg’s outskirts.”
Formerly a derelict site, Twenty1 was named after the number in its street, 21 Jellicoe Avenue, with the developer’s intention to phase its three buildings – Twenty 1, Twenty 3, and Twenty 7. It was designed by world-renowned BPAS Architects, offering investors great, liveable spaces in the form of studio and two-bedroom apartments that range between 50m2 and 55m2, excluding balconies.
“Each unit, whether a studio or a two-bedroom, comes with a spacious 10m² balcony,” says Beneke. “We chose stacked doors instead of sliding doors to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living, enhancing the sense of space. We believe Twenty1’s units are three to four times larger than similar offerings in the area, all within the same price range. Plus, balconies are a rare feature in Rosebank developments, making ours truly stand out.”
All units also include fully fitted kitchens with Bosch appliances, engineered stone tops and LED backlights as well as internal built-in cupboards and modern bathrooms with hidden systems.
A render of a Unit 1A kitchen.
What sets Twenty1 apart from its surrounding developments is its proximity to key attractions, all within walking distance and its in-house amenities – a gym, coffee shop, and co-working space. “These design elements were essential to our vision for Twenty1,” he says. “We were very intentional about maintaining spacious layouts, as we didn’t want to compromise on quality by cramming too much into a smaller area just to maximize the number of units.”
A render of Twenty 1’s in-house coffee shop.
With pre-approval from ooba Home Loans, no bond fees, transfer fees or transfer duty, investors and first-time home buyers can enter the property market at a 30% discount with the same valuation as everyone else in Rosebank.
“Twenty1’s net asset appreciation offers significant advantages to investors,” he says.
Investors can expect an 11% yield from Year 1 and an ROI of between 20% and 22%, depending on the unit with comparative rentals for similar units in the area between R12 000 and R16 000.
A render of Twenty 1’s co-working space.
“We believe Rosebank’s property prices will stabilize over time. Rental rates are currently high, but for investors, this presents ongoing opportunities. With Twenty1, WCB Property Developers aims to show that living in Rosebank doesn’t have to come with a high price tag. We’re delivering a premium product at competitive, realistic rates.”
Prices for Twenty1’s studio units start from R999 000 and two-bedroom units from R1.49 million.
For more information, contact David Savage on +27 66 164 3098 or Nadine Pretorius on +27 71 497 0333.
About WCB Property Developers:
Established in 2016, WCB Developers is a 100% black-owned property development and construction company, focused on delivering affordable housing. Their first project, Solaris Crest in Eerste Rivier, brought 342 units to market and was completed in 2023. This was followed by The Wynne in Parow, which saw 309 units on Voortrekker Road sell out swiftly, along with the successful execution of the Rosemary Estate freehold plot-and-plan development. In addition to these projects, WCB is behind the exciting Monarch development in Tygervalley, Cape Town.
WCB Developers has also completed numerous construction projects, further solidifying its reputation as a leader in the industry. With a robust three-year pipeline of over 2 000 units across Johannesburg and Cape Town, WCB continues to shape the future of affordable housing in South Africa.
