After nearly 13 years of abandonment and legal wrangling, the City of Tshwane has pledged to breathe new life into Schubart Park, one of Pretoria’s most iconic inner-city residential complexes. The towering flats, once a symbol of affordable housing, fell into disrepair, becoming uninhabitable and unsafe, forcing the city to evacuate its residents in 2012.
The evacuation, however, sparked a legal firestorm. The Constitutional Court ruled the City’s actions illegal, ordering that alternative accommodation be provided for the displaced tenants. But the road to restoration was anything but straightforward. The delay in refurbishing the complex was largely attributed to protracted legal battles with the Tsoseletso Consortium—the developer appointed during the ANC-led administration. When the DA took over in 2016, they contested the legitimacy of the deal, arguing it had been made “outside the scope of council and the law.”
Schubart Park’s fate was entangled in the broader West Capital initiative, a visionary project intended to connect Pretoria’s inner city with Marabastad and infuse millions into the local economy. However, disputes over the legality of the development contract stalled progress for years. It wasn’t until two years ago that a breakthrough was announced: the DA-led coalition government had reached a settlement with the Tsoseletso Consortium, finally untangling the legal knot.
Under the terms of this agreement, 75% of the property was returned to the City, acknowledging its erroneous inclusion in the original deal. This significant concession paved the way for the long-awaited restoration. Kholofelo Morodi, a member of the mayoral committee for Corporate and Shared Services, confirmed that Schubart Park was officially handed over to the developer on Friday.
“This milestone follows the successful settlement agreement between the City and Tsoseletso Consortium, which is now a court order,” Morodi stated. “The end of this dispute opens the door to rejuvenate the West Capital Precinct with an investment exceeding R1 billion for mixed-use housing opportunities.”
The refurbishment of Schubart Park is more than a construction project—it’s a chance to restore dignity to former residents and address the pressing need for affordable housing in Pretoria’s urban core. The redesigned complex will feature four multi-storey mixed-use buildings, offering approximately 1,300 units tailored to accommodate a broad spectrum of income groups. In addition to residential spaces, the development will include 3,500 square meters of retail outlets and recreational facilities, creating a vibrant, integrated community.
Morodi emphasized the importance of collaboration in this next phase: “The settlement terms require ongoing cooperation between the City and Tsoseletso Consortium to finalise their respective responsibilities, ensuring the development’s timely and successful completion.”
Schubart Park’s story is one of ambition, neglect, and ultimately, renewal. Built in the 1970s as part of a government-subsidised rental programme for civil servants, the complex remained a cornerstone of affordable housing even after the City took ownership in 1999. However, years of neglect and poor maintenance led to its rapid deterioration, culminating in the 2012 evacuation.
Now, with legal hurdles cleared and a substantial investment secured, the City of Tshwane is set to transform Schubart Park from a symbol of urban decay into a beacon of revitalisation. For many former residents and future occupants, this marks not just a return to a physical space, but the rekindling of hope for a better, more inclusive urban future.
