Rosebank stands as one of Johannesburg’s premier urban regeneration nodes, where historic tree-lined streets meet contemporary high-rise development. The Rosebank CBD, together with surrounding suburbs such as Parktown North, Dunkeld, Dunkeld West, Hyde Park, and Saxonwold, presents a unique blend of heritage-sensitive and high-intensity development opportunities. Our consultancy brings specialist expertise to navigating the complex planning requirements that characterise this sought-after part of the city.
The Rosebank Urban Regeneration Node
The City of Johannesburg’s Spatial Development Framework identifies Rosebank as a metropolitan activity node, prioritising intensification, transit-oriented development, and urban renewal. The Rosebank Urban Development Framework provides detailed policy guidance, encouraging high-density commercial and residential development within the core node while promoting a transition to lower intensities in the surrounding residential suburbs.
The arrival of the Gautrain station at Rosebank has been a catalyst for significant investment, with the precinct experiencing a wave of new office towers, hotels, and mixed-use developments. The Spatial Development Framework actively encourages higher densities within walking distance of the station, making Rosebank one of the most attractive locations in Johannesburg for transit-oriented development applications.
Common Applications We Handle
- High-rise commercial development - Preparing rezoning and site development plan submissions for office towers, hotels, and mixed-use commercial buildings in the Rosebank CBD, where floor area ratios and building heights significantly exceed those permitted in surrounding residential areas
- Heritage impact assessments - Coordinating heritage assessments for properties in Parktown North, Dunkeld, and Saxonwold that may be affected by the National Heritage Resources Act. Many properties in these suburbs are older than sixty years and require a Section 34 assessment before any demolition or substantial alteration can proceed
- High-density residential applications - Submitting rezoning applications for apartment buildings and luxury residential developments in the transition zones between the Rosebank CBD and the surrounding suburbs, where carefully motivated applications can unlock significant development potential
- Consent use applications - Securing rights for restaurants, boutique retail, galleries, medical consulting rooms, and professional offices in the mixed-use fringe areas around the Rosebank core, particularly along Oxford Road and Bath Avenue
- Gautrain precinct development - Preparing applications that leverage the transit-oriented development policies applicable within the Rosebank Gautrain station catchment area, where the Spatial Development Framework actively supports increased densities and mixed land uses
Heritage and Modern Development in Balance
Rosebank’s planning environment demands a nuanced approach. The area’s heritage resources, including notable residential architecture in Parktown North and the historic Rosebank streetscape, must be balanced against the legitimate drive for urban densification. The Municipal Planning Tribunal expects applicants to demonstrate that development proposals respect the existing context while contributing positively to the urban environment.
Our planning motivations address the requirements of the Spatial Development Framework, the Regional Spatial Development Framework for Region E, the Rosebank Urban Development Framework, and the National Heritage Resources Act where applicable. We coordinate with heritage practitioners, urban designers, and traffic engineers to compile comprehensive application packages.
Key Suburbs We Serve
We handle applications throughout the Rosebank node, including Rosebank CBD, Parktown North, Dunkeld, Dunkeld West, Hyde Park, Saxonwold, Craighall, and Craighall Park. Each suburb requires a distinct planning approach shaped by its heritage status, zoning provisions, and proximity to the Rosebank core.
For property owners and developers seeking to unlock value in one of Johannesburg’s most prestigious nodes, our team provides the specialist planning expertise this complex environment demands.
Contact us for Rosebank expertise.