Building for the Way South Africa Lives: Orion Real Estate’s Residential Redevelopment Pipeline
South Africa’s residential property market is being reshaped by changing household structures, affordability pressures and a growing preference for rental accommodation. As lifestyles and housing needs evolve, more people are looking for secure, well-located homes that offer convenient access to employment centres, transport routes, retail and essential services.
Against this background, Orion Real Estate is unlocking new value within selected properties by converting strategically located commercial and mixed-use assets into contemporary residential developments. Once completed, these redevelopments will form part of the growing Orion Apartments portfolio, extending its offering of convenient, professionally managed urban accommodation.
A Residential Market Shifting Towards Rental
Rental accommodation plays an increasingly important role in South Africa’s housing market. According to Statistics South Africa’s 2024 General Household Survey, 25.1% of South African households rented the homes in which they lived. The survey also found that 26.9% of households consisted of only one person, reinforcing the need for a broader range of appropriately sized housing options.
More recent analysis from FNB’s review of the 2025 General Household Survey indicates that the number of renter households increased by approximately 1.4 million between 2019 and 2025. Over the same period, household formation grew faster than population growth, pointing to the creation of more—and often smaller—households.
These shifts are supporting demand for well-positioned rental accommodation, particularly in established urban areas. Today’s residents are not simply looking for a place to live. They increasingly value security, digital connectivity, efficient living spaces, manageable utilities and convenient access to the places that form part of everyday life.
Affordability Continues to Shape Housing Decisions
Although South Africa’s residential property market has shown resilience, homeownership remains difficult for many households.
Higher borrowing costs, pressure on disposable income and constrained access to mortgage finance have made it more challenging for prospective homeowners to enter the market. Renting consequently remains an important alternative for people who require greater flexibility or are not yet ready to make a long-term property commitment.
The FNB Residential Property Barometer for July 2026 noted that rental demand continued to be supported by affordability constraints, steady household formation and limited new residential development.
This environment strengthens the case for professionally managed developments that provide secure, practical and accessible rental accommodation within established urban areas.
Reimagining Established Properties
Orion Real Estate’s residential redevelopment strategy is centred on the adaptive reuse of well-located properties. Instead of allowing existing commercial buildings to become underutilised, selected assets are being reimagined to meet changing urban needs.
This approach preserves the value of established properties while introducing residential accommodation closer to transport networks, business districts, shopping destinations and essential services. Where retail or commercial activity remains part of a property, residents can also benefit from a more integrated mixed-use environment.
Orion Real Estate is responsible for unlocking the potential of these properties through redevelopment, while Orion Apartments will bring the residential offering to market. Together, the two brands are helping to create a more connected approach to urban living—one that brings homes closer to work, transport, retail and everyday convenience.
Orion Real Estate’s Upcoming Residential Redevelopments
The current redevelopment pipeline includes four strategically positioned Gauteng properties. Each will offer its own location-specific advantages while sharing a focus on furnished accommodation, security, connectivity and modern convenience.
296 Kent Avenue, Ferndale
296 Kent Avenue is an existing corporate property in Ferndale, Randburg, planned for conversion into a modern residential development.
The redevelopment aims to introduce 200 fully furnished apartments for young professionals, entrepreneurs and commuters seeking secure accommodation close to major commercial areas. The property is positioned within reach of Randburg, Rosebank, Hyde Park and Sandton, with access to public transport, retail and everyday services.
Planned apartment features include private kitchenettes, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, prepaid water and electricity, secure parking, digital access control and 24-hour security.
As part of the Orion Apartments upcoming portfolio, 296 Kent is intended to provide connected Randburg living for residents who want to reduce their daily commute and live closer to employment and commercial nodes.
Northcliff Atrium
Northcliff Atrium is being redeveloped as a residential-led mixed-use destination on Beyers Naudé Drive.
The planned development will combine 117 fully furnished studio apartments with ground-floor retail, convenience services and everyday amenities. Its established Northcliff location provides access to shopping centres, healthcare facilities, education, public transport and surrounding employment areas.
The apartments are planned to include private kitchenettes, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, prepaid water and electricity, secure parking, 55-inch televisions, digital access control and 24-hour security.
With its “Shop, Live and Connect” positioning, Northcliff Atrium will become part of the Orion Apartments residential offering and create an environment where residents can enjoy greater convenience within and around the property.
72 Voortrekker Street, Edenvale
72 Voortrekker Street is an established mixed-use property in central Edenvale where 40 fully furnished apartments are planned.
The development’s location provides convenient access to retail, public services, transport routes and surrounding areas such as Eastleigh, Edenglen, Greenstone and the wider Ekurhuleni region. Existing commercial activity and ground-floor retail will add to the convenience of the address.
The planned apartments will include contemporary furnishings, private kitchenettes, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, prepaid utilities, secure parking, digital access control and 24-hour security.
Through Orion Apartments, the redevelopment will introduce a new residential option for people seeking central Edenvale accommodation close to established business, retail and transport networks.
593 Louis Botha Avenue, Bramley
593 Louis Botha Avenue is planned as a residential-led mixed-use redevelopment in Bramley, Johannesburg.
The project aims to introduce 40 fully furnished apartments on the upper levels of the property, while retail and everyday services will remain part of the ground-floor offering. Its position along Louis Botha Avenue provides access to public transport, major routes and surrounding areas such as Houghton, Alexandra, Rosebank and Sandton.
Planned apartment features include contemporary furnishings, private kitchenettes, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, prepaid water and electricity, secure parking, digital access control and 24-hour security.
Once incorporated into the Orion Apartments portfolio, 593 Louis Botha will offer a connected urban address for residents who value proximity to transport, employment areas and essential services.
Designed Around the Priorities of Modern Residents
Although each redevelopment responds to its own location and surrounding market, several priorities connect the wider pipeline:
- Furnished apartments that simplify moving and settling in
- Secure and professionally managed accommodation
- Convenient access to employment and commercial centres
- Proximity to public transport and major routes
- Reliable Wi-Fi and digital connectivity
- Prepaid utilities that support easier consumption management
- Contemporary interiors and efficient layouts
- Secure parking and controlled building access
- Mixed-use environments with retail and services nearby
These features reflect an understanding that housing decisions are influenced by more than the apartment itself. Location, security, connectivity, convenience and manageable monthly costs all contribute to the quality and practicality of urban living.
Unlocking New Possibilities for Urban Living
South Africa’s changing housing market is creating an ongoing need for diverse rental options. Strong household formation, affordability pressures and the growing importance of rental accommodation are likely to keep secure, well-located urban apartments relevant.
Through the redevelopment of 296 Kent Avenue, Northcliff Atrium, 72 Voortrekker Street and 593 Louis Botha Avenue, Orion Real Estate is giving established properties a new purpose. In turn, Orion Apartments will provide the residential platform through which these developments are introduced to prospective tenants.
The result is a joined-up approach that combines Orion Real Estate’s property redevelopment expertise with Orion Apartments’ focus on contemporary residential living—creating homes that respond to how people live, work and move through South African cities.
Prospective residents can explore the upcoming Orion Apartments developments and register their interest to receive updates about availability, launch dates and viewing opportunities.
Website: www.orionapartments.co.za
