Features inner-city development The remaking of Maboneng? Though portions of the inner-city precinct are to be auctioned off, there is renewed hope for the project now that players with big balance sheets have become involved BL PREMIUM

A few years ago, Maboneng was the place to see and be seen if you were part of Joburg’s hipster set. The inner-city precinct — an ambitious plan to save the city from urban decay — was a hive of activity. It started with Arts on Main, an open-air creative hub that offered Ethiopian fare, craft beer, limited-edition skirts for sale and artworks from around Africa. Then came the entertainment spots: the Bioscope independent cinema, Pata Pata restaurant and, later, Argentine steakhouse Che. On the back of an uptick in tourism, courtesy of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, a backpackers’ establishment opened its doors. In time, the top floor of the 12 Decades Hotel became a venue of choice for trendy soirées. With fresh fruit-and-veg sellers on the street, and barbers and other small businesses lining the roadways, it was reminiscent of London’s Portobello market. Come April 15, however, Maboneng will go under the hammer. About 20 properties — as well as parts of properties — are up for auctio...