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EYE ON: MABONENG PRECINCT

29 Aug 2012
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The Maboneng Precinct continues to bring Joburgers into the city with colourful new spaces and the perfect shop stop. ELLE’s Jo’burg correspondent Chipo Mapondera shares why:

Art alert:

As a hub of creativity you will find a variety of galleries and spaces displaying art around Arts on Main and Main Street Life. Nirox and the Goethe Institute have outposts at Arts on Main, as does David Krut Publishing, if you want to further educate yourself. Adam Levin has craftily set up ACE, an extension of his 44 Stanley store Imagine Nation, where you will be rummaging around for hours! The creativity spills onto the streets where graffiti, street art and installations that pop up in the most wonderful and surprising places.

Arts on Main

Adam Levin’s ACE at Arts on Main

An installation under the highway

Art at the entrance of 12 Decades Hotel, Main Street Life

Nirox, Arts on Main

Graffiti by Rekso

Hannelie  Coetzee’s open studio

Take it easy:

Sunday is the best day to go and with all the chilled spots at the Maboneng Precinct it’s no wonder that this is where you will find Jo’burg’s It Crowd. The rooftop at Arts on Main maintains its buzz with a fun crowd ready to shake it up before the work week, while the new rooftop at the Main Change is a refreshing spot for sundowners and great music. Its lush hanging gardens and potted plants add a touch of green to the concrete skyscrapers of the city. During the week indulge your body at Cocoon, the new yoga studio and massage parlour and afterwards feed your mind with the Bioscope’s sublime film schedule. Look out for famed Director Michel Gondry’s visit to the cinema in September for The Home Movie Project!

Rooftop at the Main Change

View from the rooftop at Main Change

Main Change

Samba dancing on the rooftop at Arts on Main

The Bioscope

Walk, walk, fashion baby!

Fabulous fashionistas beware: this area is now dangerous territory for your wallet. The Sunday Market has long offered the best vintage finds from Maria McCloy, World of Vintage and Second Attitude, as well as accessories to finish your look at Retro Specs. Black Coffee and Love Jozi were the first of the fash pack to set up shop in what is going to be our favourite destination for everything from bold, sexy prints at Anisa Mpungwa’s Loin, Cloth & Ashes store, to vintage pieces at Ozlo Clothing Store and street labels at Brandz.co.za.

Market on Main

Entrance to Black Coffee and Love Jozi, Arts on Main

Loin cloth & ashes

Loin cloth & ashes

Ozlo clothing store

Eat your heart out!

Arts on Main’s favourite spot Canteen was the forerunner to what is now a diverse selection of eating spots. Sunday’s Market On Main offers all sorts of delicious delights from Mexican food to artisanal teas to take home. On your way to Main Street Life, stop by Uncle Merv’s for coffee or a shake before enjoying the chisanyama (outdoor braai) vibe at Sharp! Braai Corner where House and Kwaito beats make it a party. For a more chilled atmosphere Pata Pata hosts live jazz and other performance, Chalkboard lets you get creative while you eat your pizza or indulge in some tasty treats in the sunshine at Eat Your Heart Out… you certainly will.

Eat Your Heart Out

Market on Main

Uncle Merve’s

Pata Pata

Sharp! Braai corner

Décor finds:

Get something for your house and take home an exotic Mumbai Mat or a piece of modern but rough furniture at Work – trust us décor lovers, it’s worth a visit.

In between the eating, drinking and shopping, Chipo still managed to snap the Maboneng Precinct crew and their mode of transport. Stay streetwise – you never know who’s snapping!