With just under two months to go before the scheduled completion date, I thought i’d share with you all, some scenes of the building’s development. Property development company Propertuity are hard at work over here, going full steam ahead on what should be an incredible opening in June. Above, are the preparations for the trees that are going to line the Fox Street side of the building.

Already, exhibitions on the floors have been planned, and both Malva and The Bioscope are well underway for opening round the same time.

Almost all sides of the building’s facade have been treated. The process has involved cleaning the cement with a high pressure hose, and then applying a layer of Cemcrete. Then to top it off, painting the window frames black. Its actually been great to see the progress, because the building’s original look has remained, its just now got some slick new clothes!

The roof is currently filled with dudes and blow torches as the whole top layer of old waterproofing has been ripped up and redone. Looking slick, the surface is going to be able to withstand all the features of the roof, such as the bar, plunge pool, boxing gym, yoga mats, look out decks, small pockets of landscaping, and of course Marcus Neustetter’s telescope sculpture!

The beautiful trees on Maritzburg are really phenomenal. Somebody 100 years ago really had some foresight. When completed, Martizburg is all set to house the more day to day stuff like a laundromat, and a grocery store.

Before the Sun Sets is one of the first TV shows to have been developed inside Main Street Life. The series is a great example of how those living inside the building can produce and exhibit their work, a vision laid out by property development company Propertuity from the beginning. Before the Sun Sets sees musicians come up and perform on the roof of the building as the sun sets over the city behind them.

The first performer in the series is Cape Town based singer and songwriter Gary Thomas. Although now operating solo, Thomas first hit the scene as one half of acoustic duo Cabins in the Forrest. Gary took the time out of his busy Joburg tour to film this and we’re proud to see him be the first in the series. Keep an eye out for more.

listen to more of Gary Thomas

Main Street Life is once again used as a location for a top local fashion designer. First we were honoured to host Love Jozi, and today it was Joburg based designer Rozanne Is… Photographer Chris Saunders returned to Main Street Life to do the shoot, after being here one day prior for a story on us for Uk mag Dazed and Confused.

See more pictures from the shoot after the jump

For those in the know, City Outfitters holds an almost  legendary status. Its only place in the city you can get your hands on authentic vintage Converse and Vans. And by vintage, we’re referring to the ever-iconic ‘Made in the USA’ label.  Seeing that the shoe-making industry was moving east in the ’70s, owner and local hero Mohammed Dajee bought up as much of the stock as he could.

Today, locals and celebrities travel from far and wide to the little store in what is now Jeppetown, although it’s quickly becoming part of the newly-established Maboneng Precinct.

43 Mcintyre Street. Jeppestown. 011 614 6793

Just off Gandhi Square in the old part of the CBD, they sell all the right local and international brands from Zulu Boy to Puma, Love Jozi to Nike. In fact they are one of only 30 stockists in the world to stock the new Nike soccer SA range AND only one of two stockists worldwide to stock Love Jozi’s latest TjoTjoTjo tee. Now that’s impressive.

Andile Scotch Cele and his t-shirt and sneaker people are open for business. These might very well some of the coolest people in the city. And their style and events are enough to have shouting out ‘you might just be the dumbest f&%K if you believe Johannesburg centre city ain’t alive!’ Andile has featured on a couple of episodes of Russell’s Bedroom, and was even included as one of the models for the CityBoy range that is soon to be released from Love Jozi.

Find them at 30 Loveday St, entrance on Fox St, nearby the Rand Club.

[check their site out]