Urban Lime is an innovative commercial real estate company that transforms and regenerates inner city areas into vibrant communities for people, communities and businesses to thrive.

  • Innovative urban regeneration business operating in London, Cape Town and Durban with R2 billion invested in South African cities
  • One of the leading large-scale urban regeneration specialists in South Africa with 30+ years experience on 2 continents and across 4 cities
  • Invested in the East End of London and Brighton from 1990, Cape Town from 2005 and Durban since 2014
  • Recognised projects in South Africa include the revival of Upper Bree Street, Church Square, the Professional Quarter and Florida Road amongst other
  • Invested in the east end of London from 1990, 2005 Cape Town and Durban from 2014
Our strong international experience spans 30 years and we were founded in the United Kingdom. As pioneers in the 1980s our CEO was instrumental in coining the term urban regeneration through the investment in 20 buildings across the East End of London and over 100 buildings in Brighton.
Today we are one of the leading urban regeneration specialists in South Africa, applying our unique knowledge and skill set and acting as a catalyst for the radical transformation, perception, use and appreciation of South African cities.
In 2017 Urban Lime we were nominated for a United Nations Award by Invest Durban and the eThekwini Municipality unit for promoting inward investment and contribution towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. The Award’s aim is to recognise and disseminate global best-practice in promoting and facilitating foreign direct investment of specific special development goals.
Our Cape Town office is located in the completely refurbished Speakers’ Corner Building on Church Square, in the historic heart of the Cape Town CBD and in Durban we occupy the top floor of heritage-celebrated Durban Club Chambers building (former Nedbank building) designed by Norman Eaton.
We have a strong track record in different cities, contexts and districts in transforming secondary and tertiary properties which have become under appreciated or underrated into prime property.
The business has a depth and breadth of skills in developing appropriate strategies for each building and precinct in line with emerging trends and through acquiring a critical mass of properties is able to have an influence in the area.
Our strategy is implemented through:
  • Strong Skill Sets in Leasing, Property Management, Asset Management and Facilities Management
  • Curating communities, precincts and buildings using art, interior design, placemaking and architecture, tenant curation to unlock their value
  • Creating brand-led developments by selecting an appropriate mix of tenants, food and beverage offerings and unique interiors and public spaces
In South Africa this has been applied thus far in Cape Town and Durban.
Since 2005 our company has acquired a portfolio of over 30,000 sqm in 3 primary precincts. The company spearheaded the regeneration of Cape Town’s CBD at a time when confidence in the CBD was slowly growing through public-private collaborations and initiatives. The precincts are Upper Bree Street, Church Square and Salt River with additional investments in the CBD, Woodstock, Claremont, Maitland, Camps Bay, Salt River and Sea Point.
Commencing in 2014 our company has invested R1.3 billion thus far in the Inner City across 4 precincts totalling 105,000 sqm and today we are the largest private property investor south of the Umgeni River. The key precincts include the Professional

Quarter, a new precinct for the legal profession, the rejuvenation and repositioning of the much-loved Florida Road, 320 Pixley, the largest inner city building by floor space and the Rivertown Precinct located between the Convention Centre and Beachfront.

The company prides itself on being an active collaborator and has built strong relationships and connections in each city with the Mayor's office, key departments as well local groups and associations.