BlackBrick is not just about property investment, prime locations, or seamless urban living; it is about creating environments that speak to the soul of a city. Our developments go beyond just property investment; we blend art, culture, and innovative architectural design to create multidimensional living spaces that inspire and engage. At the heart of this approach is our commitment to building a hotel network that reflects local communities, while also appealing to the global citizen.
A Hotel Network With Culture At Its Core
At BlackBrick, we believe that art and culture are the lifeblood of any vibrant community. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to ensure that every BlackBrick ApartHotel is more than just a place to stay. Each building is a cultural hub, where art, architecture, and community come together to create something truly unique. Our vision is not just to create hotels but to create spaces where people can live, work, and engage with the local culture.
We’ve developed a network of ApartHotels that not only offer modern, tech-enabled living spaces but also foster a deep connection with the communities in which they are located. We are passionate about supporting local artists and giving them a platform to showcase their work to an international audience. The BlackBrick Artist Collective is a key part of this vision, ensuring that art is not an afterthought but an integral part of the experience at every BlackBrick development.
The BlackBrick Artist Collective. Celebrating Local Talent
Public art is a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural expression. At BlackBrick, we’re committed to fostering creativity and supporting emerging artists. Through the BlackBrick Artist Collective, we provide a platform for local artists to exhibit their work within our buildings, allowing them to reach a global audience while bringing life to our developments.
Each BlackBrick building features original artworks specifically commissioned to reflect the architecture and cultural significance of its location. From striking murals to carefully curated interior pieces, these artworks are designed to create a rich, immersive environment that enhances the overall living experience.
For example, in BlackBrick Sandton, we collaborated with artists like Fhatuwani Mukheli and Sarah Grace to create pieces that reflect the dynamic, fast-paced energy of Johannesburg’s business hub. In Sandton II, renowned artists Sadie Clayton and Atang Tshikare brought their unique perspectives to the building’s design, adding layers of depth to the living spaces. In our Cape Town Foreshore development, local talent like Farai Samurai and Ian Albertyn have used their art to engage with the city’s rich cultural heritage, while Lazi Mathebula’s work in Gardens reflects Cape Town’s vibrant, creative spirit. By integrating art directly into the fabric of our buildings, we are creating spaces that are not only functional but also deeply connected to the cultural identity of each city.
Architecture That Tells A Story
Architecture is more than just constructing buildings — it’s about creating spaces that inspire and uplift. At BlackBrick, our architectural designs are a response to the local environment, the culture, and the needs of modern, urban living. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter developments; each of our buildings is designed with a unique architectural vision that reflects its surroundings.
Our architectural team works closely with artists, designers, and local communities to ensure that each development is a true reflection of its location. For example, in Umhlanga, the architecture will draw on the coastal energy of the area, with designs that incorporate natural light, open spaces, and sustainable materials. We are reimagining urban living with a focus on both aesthetics and functionality.
The signature breezeblocks, which feature in many of our developments, are an example of how we merge form and function. These blocks not only create striking visual effects but also allow for natural light, reducing the need for artificial climate control. This design element is not only practical but also reflects our commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency.
Here are the words of the BlackBrick Architect:
“Openness. From the middle of the last century, across the Subtropical world from California to Tunisia, the Indian Subcontinent to South Australia, Brazil to the east coast of Southern Africa, enclosing and separating walls have come down. Connectivity between inside and outside has redefined a new kind of social and spatial experience: Openness. The Modern has finally intersected with the Subtropical way of life that emerges from hot and humid summers, mild and refreshing winters, and soaking seasonal rain: the perpetual cycle of natural and creative fertility. Easy tranquillity, slower time, relaxed people, flowing conversation - always in the shade. Bananas, avos, mangoes, guavas, papayas. The sound of insects at night. The smell of rain. The umbrella. The ocean, the cooling breeze that comes off it. The hard external wall has become almost redundant. The roof has transformed into a shading, rain-sheltering Parasol. The distinction between inside and outside has blurred out of focus. So long as there’s a breeze, deep shadow is a welcoming sign of comfort, easy on the eyes and cool on the skin. In this shadow, colour is the delicate exuberance of flowers, butterflies and birds. Of Subtropical food, vibrant printed fabric and balmy summertime music.Black Brick has come to the Subtropics.”- Andrew Makin System Architecture
Art And Architecture. A Perfect Blend
Each element of the design process is carefully considered to ensure that the building is not just a space to stay but an experience in itself. We believe that the fusion of art and architecture can create environments that are more than the sum of their parts. By bringing together talented architects, artists, and designers, we create spaces that are inspiring, engaging, and thought-provoking.
Our Bedfordview development is another example of how we merge art and architecture to create unique living spaces. Local artists like Naledi Modupi and Jay Carso have contributed to the aesthetic vision of the building, using their art to enhance the architectural features and create a cohesive, immersive environment.
In our Gardens development in Cape Town, Lazi Mathebula’s artwork adds a dynamic element to the space, reflecting the creative energy of the city. His pieces are not just decorative; they are a response to the building’s architecture and the community it serves, adding layers of meaning and cultural significance to the living spaces.
A Global Vision With Local Roots
While BlackBrick is a global network of ApartHotels, we are deeply committed to the local communities in which we operate. Our buildings are designed to be more than just places to stay; they are community hubs where people can connect, collaborate, and engage with the local culture. Through the BlackBrick Artist Collective, we are supporting local talent and ensuring that our developments are deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the cities they serve.
Our vision is to create a global network of interconnected ApartHotels, where people can move seamlessly between cities while still experiencing the unique culture of each location. Whether it’s the fast-paced energy of Sandton or the laid-back coastal vibe of Umhlanga, each BlackBrick building offers a unique blend of global connectivity and local culture.
The Future Of BlackBrick
As we continue to expand our network, we remain committed to our core values of culture, community, and innovation. Our developments are not just about providing places to stay; they are about creating spaces where people can live, work, and engage with the world around them. By integrating art, architecture, and community into every BlackBrick building, we are redefining what it means to live in a modern, global city.
As we look to the future, we are excited to bring BlackBrick to more cities across South Africa and beyond. Each new development will continue to build on our vision of creating spaces that are not just functional but also culturally enriching. With every new building, we are adding to a growing network of ApartHotels that offer more than just a place to stay — they offer an experience.
