Derick Tait, MD of WINK Aparthotels
WINK Aparthotels will officially open WINK Aparthotel Saxon Square, its newest aparthotel development in Rosebank, Johannesburg, marking the hospitality group’s expansion into one of South Africa’s fastest-growing urban nodes.
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Located on Oxford Road, directly opposite the Rosebank Gautrain Station, the five-storey development brings 80 apartment-style units to the hospitality market in a leafy residential pocket of Rosebank known for its established trees, walkability and proximity to Johannesburg’s commercial and lifestyle hubs.
The development includes a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, all featuring kitchens and balconies. While the majority of the units are fully furnished for short- and medium-term stays, 20 apartments will remain unfurnished to accommodate longer-term tenants seeking a more permanent residential offering.
Unlike the high-rise apartment developments increasingly associated with urban accommodation, WINK Rosebank has been designed with a more residential and community-oriented feel. “Rosebank continues to evolve rapidly, but there are still very few developments that capture the character of old Johannesburg,” says Derick Tait, Managing Director of WINK Aparthotels. “Saxon Square sits in a quieter, greener part of the suburb surrounded by mature trees and established residential streets. It feels more human and more connected to the neighbourhood than the typical high-density city accommodation model.”
Part of a managed rental pool
The development forms part of a managed rental pool operated by WINK on behalf of private investors and the developer, creating a hospitality-led investment model aimed at servicing the growing demand for flexible accommodation in Rosebank.
Amenities within the development include a rooftop bar, breakfast room, shared workspace facilities, a WINK Café, swimming pool, communal braai area and undercover basement parking.
The group says the property has been positioned to serve a broad mix of travellers and residents, including business travellers, digital nomads, sports groups, project-based corporate teams and longer-stay visitors looking for a more flexible alternative to traditional hotels or residential rentals.
One of Joburg’s strongest-performing mixed-use nodes
Rosebank has increasingly been identified as one of Johannesburg’s strongest-performing mixed-use nodes, supported by ongoing commercial investment, transport accessibility and growing demand for rental accommodation linked to both business and lifestyle migration. The area has also attracted a growing number of major corporate headquarters and regional offices in recent years, including Anglo American’s move to 144 Oxford Road, alongside the presence of companies such as BP, PepsiCo South Africa, Sappi, Coca-Cola South Africa, Sasol and TotalEnergies within the broader Rosebank precinct.
According to WINK, projected rental yields for participating investors are forecast at 8.7% in the first year, with projections increasing to approximately 15% by year five. Investors participating in the rental pool are offered a fully managed furnishing and fit-out solution, allowing units to be prepared and operated within the hospitality environment through a simplified end-to-end setup process.
“The demand for flexible accommodation is no longer limited to tourists,” says Tait. “We are seeing growing demand from professionals relocating temporarily, remote workers, travelling teams and people wanting longer stays without the rigidity of traditional leasing structures. Rosebank is perfectly positioned to support that shift.”
The Rosebank launch forms part of WINK Aparthotels’ broader expansion strategy as the group continues to grow its footprint within high-demand urban, student and lifestyle nodes across South Africa.
