Our building crush: Main Street Life

Main Street Life is a new development at the corner of Main, Maritzburg and Fox Streets. Developed by Jonathan Liebmann (the man behind Arts on Main), it has more to offer than the average apartment block.

The 1970s industrial building has been transformed into a mixed use complex offering live/work studios, shops, a rooftop venue and a hotel.

The 12 Decades Hotel is a boutique hotel with 12 suites, each representing a decade of Joburg’s existence. Each suite is decorated by designers from different disciplines such as Black Coffee’s Jacques van der Watt and Love Jozi.

Confectionary Malva and independent cinema, The Bioscope already occupy the retail floor.

For an annual membership fee of R1 000, non-residents can access the rooftop – an event space with a fully licensed bar, boxing and yoga facilities and amazing views – and use rehearsal rooms, the laundromat and internet.

Another hallmark of Main Street Life has been its unique marketing campaign, spearheaded by ad man Russell Grant (the building’s first resident), who chronicled his experiences of city life on www.mainstreetlife.tv.