The Playground, a weekly market, opens in Braamfontein

The weekend heart of the city is back and welcomes Red Bus passengers with FREE entry.

Braamfontein’s weekly Saturday rooftop market, The Playground,

When South Africa went into its first lockdown in March 2020 it took with it one of Joburg’s most vital city attractions – the Saturday Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein, a city institution and a magnet for local and international visitors. Since its founding in 2011 the Neighbourgoods market had seen almost 2-million visitors pass through its alleyway entrance, changing the way people experienced the city, and creating a landmark for the district of Braamfontein. This wave also shaped a new generation of city dwellers, who visited the market weekly for the buzz it created, both at the site and at venues throughout the neighbourhood.

The Playground is open at the same location – 73 Juta Street – and again change the way that weekends are spent in Joburg.

Co-founder of Neighbourgoods Market Adam Levy is the force behind The Playground, a creation of his company Play Braamfontein that was started 18 years ago. While The Playground is a new venture, it is shaped by the design values and ethos of business creation that this urban development company holds fast.

“I’ve re-learnt that fulfillment is in the experience of creating, and not in the possession of ideas. Everything I ever wanted to do, but was waiting for the perfect tenancy, I will now undertake to do in Braamfontein,” says Levy.

Levy has brought together a team of specialists to curate every aspect of the experience – combining food, art, design, fashion, and music.

“The market – which will feature everything we loved about the last version, will go further. The Playground will amplify new stories and build new storytellers in this city. It will excite a whole new generation and be a holding place for outstanding talent.”

“The Playground will be the source of everything that is the best of Braamfontein – which is everything that is the best of South Africa.

“I believe that there is an opportunity to break molds, create trends, and open the space up to showcase talent and inspire creative culture. This next iteration will be transformative, and we are intent on The Playground once again becoming a weekly must-visit for its unique energy.”

What is The Playground?

Exactly what its name suggests, a place to spark the kind of joy and connection that Covid almost snuffed out. The Playground is a considered space, playing host to a weekly artisan Market every Saturday with a menu of gourmet street food and cocktails. This is not just a market space – it is as focused on the visitor experience as it is on creating a platform for exceptional young talent in Joburg.

The opening event will be a showcase for the best up and coming young designers in South Africa, the start of a new talent incubator pop-up that each week will bring exciting and surprising elements to the mix. Music is an integral part of The Playground experience and top live music and DJ sets are a part of the weekly musical programme.

Who is joining The Playground?

The Playground showcases a mix of more than 30 food stalls. There is also an emphasis on promoting local fashion and design and showcasing the best up and coming young designers, The Playground also presents a talent incubator pop-up.

Vendors include:

Location?

The well-known space in which the former Neighbourgoods Market took place, at the landmark 73 Juta Street building, with its iconic Edoardo Villa sculpture façade, has been reimagined to create an enhanced visitor experience. The Playground with its spacious, multi-story open-air location, custom-designed performance space, and outdoor decks overlooking the city is the perfect venue for this era.