<<< JOHANNESBURG DISCUSSION >>> closed August 2006 [Archive]

Pule

January 4th, 2005, 02:03 PM

City plans makeover
for Ellis Park precinct
THE Greater Ellis Park precinct, an area housing the city's premier sports complexes, is to receive a multi-million rand facelift over the next five years.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/jan/ellis2.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/jan/ellis1.jpg

January 4, 2005
By Ndaba Dlamini

THE Greater Ellis Park precinct will receive a multi-million rand upgrade over the next five years - a move expected to sell the area as a place that is ready to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup and, hopefully, the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The R2-billion upgrade is also expected to reverse inner city decline and attract investment. According to a report from the City of Johannesburg's development planning, transportation and planning department, the developments will benefit the whole area.

"The Greater Ellis Park area will be a secure, safe, vibrant and sustainable world class, competitive and leading destination of choice for sports and recreation within the City of Johannesburg," says the report.

It will be an integrated inner city multi-nodal area offering "highly appealing and diverse opportunities" in which to live, work, visit, educate, shop and relax, according to the report.

The Greater Ellis Park precinct is home to three international sports complexes - the Johannesburg Stadium, Ellis Park Stadium and the city's premier Olympic-size swimming pool.

The project will also see business offices and the commercial and light industrial areas in Doornfontein, New Doornfontein, Troyeville and Lorentzville being given a facelift. The adjacent residential areas of Judith's Paarl, Bez Valley and Bertrams have also been hooked into the proposed developments.

The City of Johannesburg, through its utilities, agencies and corporatised entities, is expected to provide over R500-million to upgrade engineering services and infrastructure.

The public sector is expected to chip in with over R450-million, with the private sector contributing over R800-million.

The rest of the funding will be sourced from donors, the South African Railway Commuter Corporation and Intersite, a state-owned black empowerment property management and development company.

The utilities, agencies and corporatised entities, the South African Railway Commuter Corporation and Intersite will be involved in specific projects "mainly to provide technical support and other resources".

It has been estimated that R67-million will be needed specifically for the preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. This money is expected to come from central government.

According to the City's development planning department, the 2010 Soccer World Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup - an event South Africa is currently bidding to host - "are opportunities that could be the catalyst to needed change in the area".

"It is crucial that an environment and mechanisms are created that sell Greater Ellis Park as a place that is ready to host such international events and that these events can be managed in a manner that optimises benefits to the local community and that of the City of Johannesburg," the report states.

The project is seen as complementing the Nasrec Development, a R350-million facelift to FNB Stadium, South Africa's soccer headquarters.

Better known as Soccer City, the 94 000-seat FNB Stadium southwest of Johannesburg is expected to host the final of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, with Ellis Park Stadium being the venue for one of the semi final matches.

"Ellis Park is a sports, educational and commercial hub - unlike Nasrec, which is the home of soccer," said Sibusiso Buthelezi, Johannesburg Development Agency development manager, in October 2004 during a presentation of the plan. "The Ellis Park developments are expected to complement the Nasrec developments," he added.

As part of efforts to improve infrastructure ahead of the number of soccer fans expected for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the Doornfontein and Ellis Park railway stations will be upgraded, with a new 20 metre-wide subway at the Ellis Park Station to be constructed at a cost of over R26-million.

Like other inner city neighbourhoods, the precinct has been undergoing infrastructural decline and the City plans to extend its Better Buildings Programme - a project aimed at fixing up city slums - to the Greater Ellis Park area.

A R1-billion physical environment upgrade is planned for the precinct, and during the implementation phase of the project 11 148 temporary and 329 permanent jobs will be created.

In Lorentzville, some R39-million will be spent to improve the environment of the Jukskei River Park, with projects including the realigning of the canal, landscaping, river treatment and the building of recreation facilities.

Improvements of roads, pedestrian facilities, public transport facilities and the provision of integrated parking will be part and parcel of developments. About 10 000 parking bays will be constructed and seven kilometres of road and intersection will be upgraded.

In accordance with the City's housing policy to provide sustainable and affordable housing, 3 215 housing units will be built, 780 of which will be for social housing.

Work began in November 2004 and, according to the department of development planning, will be completed by June 2009, with sub-projects crucial for the 2010 Soccer World Cup being completed in June 2008.

SkylineTurbo

January 6th, 2005, 07:03 AM

Is the carlton centre going to get a renovation?

Pule

January 6th, 2005, 08:23 AM

Is the carlton centre going to get a renovation?

Last time I read on one of the posting, I learnt that there gonna be a shopping mall in Carlton Centre and the hotel will also be re-opened. To anyone who's got an info please repost.

waltjie

January 6th, 2005, 08:50 AM

I agree on that. The Carlton Centre (retail portion) seems to be fully let yes, and Pick 'n Pay recently opened a branch there, which at least means they have some confidence in the area, but I dont really see the Centre being 'upgraded' in the near future. There just isnt a demand for 'fancy' shopping there (yet), and it provides the current clientele with what they need. I must say, I was surprised to find shops like Daniel Hechter and Soviet there...... A hotel is not really what that part of town needs right now, it needs people who LIVE there who would make use of an upgraded Carlton and such facilities. So I vote for residential units within Carlton Hotel :)

hsark

January 6th, 2005, 11:51 AM

here the news of the carlton centre and hotel

Transnet, through Propnet, is the second-largest property owner in SA after government.

Mashinini said his biggest achievement during his tenure was to attract a large number of tenants to occupy space in Johannesburg's Carlton Centre.

He said office space at the 50storey building, which Propnet bought for R32m about four years ago, was being taken up at an unexpected rate. Currently 90% of tenants used the space for offices and the rest for commercial purposes, he said.

Retail store Pick 'n Pay and the South African Revenue Service would soon be among Propnet's new tenants, Mashinini said.

"That alone will boost the (revenue) of the Carlton Centre and the central business district (of Johannesburg)," he said.

The Carlton Hotel is also set for a major revamp in the next financial year.

The 700-room building would be developed into an upmarket residential facility.

heres the juice on the carlton hotel

Company is seeking a partner to run and manage hotel. Propnet is planning to resuscitate the Carlton Hotel. If it succeeds, the project will be another milestone in the revival of Johannesburg's central business district.

Propnet, the Transnet property arm that manages the centre, needs a private partner in the form of a hotel investor to run and manage the hotel, as Propnet cannot do this itself.
Propnet MD Sipho Mashinini says it has a local hotel operator lined up as a partner and the process of reopening the hotel is at an advanced stage. However, he is not willing to name the partner yet.

Property economist Francois Viruly says activity at the Carlton indicates that efforts to revitalise the city are starting to be rewarded, with people beginning to see the central business district in a positive light. 'Urban regeneration can be sustainable only if the private sector plays a critical role,' he says.

Mashinini says the hotel operator's investigation has proved the project viable and approval from Propnet's board is one of the few hurdles left to clear before the hotel is relaunched.
The viability investigation took into account the fact that Carlton Hotel housed world-class conference facilities and was the only one of its kind in the centre of Johannesburg.

This conference facility should be welcomed by Transnet the centre's anchor tenant government departments and big business, like Absa, which is housed nearby, says Mashinini.
The centre's previous owners, the now defunct Anglo American Properties, sold it for a bargain-basement price of R34m two years ago. The maintenance costs in the then almost empty 50storey tower were prohibitive.

After the sale Transnet moved in and was followed by a host of other tenants, boosting occupancy from about zero to 94%.

The turnaround, says Mashinini, cost Propnet about R50m, which was spent on general refurbishment, including upgrading the foyer, office tower and the parking lift lobby and cabling.

Security has been upgraded. The centre is controlled by a state-of-the-art access card and video monitoring system.

The centre's film theatre is also set for upgrading, following Ster-Kinekor's decision to renew its lease.

Mashinini says the relaunched hotel will have 200 hotel rooms. The remaining 400 rooms will be turned into lodge and office accommodation.

Mashinini says the centre has appreciated remarkably in the past two years, attracting inquiries from would-be buyers.

'We are not willing to sell right now,' he says.

'We believe we can add further value to this development through the relaunch of the Carlton Hotel and later sell for a substantial amount.'

plus

Carlton Centre
With the office section at in excess of 95% let for quite some time now, owners Transnet/Propnet have been focusing, with a great deal of success, on the retail component. One of the big problems that the design of the multi-level underground retail has always faced has been the very deep space over three floors on the southern side of the project that originally was occupied by OK Bazaars.

Within the last few months these have all been filled, the lowest level by SARS (5000 sq metres) above them Pick n Pay (2200 sq metres) and, at ground level, the space is now occupied by a gym that appears to be doing extremely well.

A spokesperson tells me that for the first time in years there is a waiting list of retailers wanting space in the complex. All that is left therefore is the hotel and I know that there have been protracted discussions with a number of groups in relation to opening an hotel facility albeit far smaller than previously. With 2010 just down the road, it would strike me that timing is getting critical. Definitely an Orchid

hsark

January 6th, 2005, 11:54 AM

in short you both get what u want the carlton hotel will be high income residential and 200 room 4 star this info is a bit old as they've found a somebody to run the hotel and they should start work on some time in mid 2005

datilguy

January 7th, 2005, 12:57 AM

Joburg needs a NEW highrise hotel. It seems as though there is not too much new office space being built. A couple more skyscrapers in that 400-600 foot range would be nice. :)

joburg

January 8th, 2005, 12:44 PM

Further down Rockey/Raleigh Street an adult entertainment section will be established between Cavendish and Bezuidenhout streets, and investment in a small business hub and support centre will see the creation of a more dynamic business environment.

LOL. Rockey Street is already an adult entertainment area. No need to ESTABLISH one there. Anyway, I don't think turning the street into a red light district will uplift the area.

sa-dreamer

January 8th, 2005, 10:49 PM

ya, that is just silly...

plus, south africa doesn't need that type of thing... that is exactly what it DOESN'T need... plus.. i have morals

sa-dreamer

January 8th, 2005, 10:51 PM

http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/nov/main1.jpg

ps. what is the brownish building on the corner in that picture..? the cut-away-corner architecture looks cool!

datilguy

January 9th, 2005, 02:49 AM

I apparently have no morals! Go Amsterdam, sex shops, bars! (Its my throbbing libido I guess) ;) ........just kidding. Joburg, long time no see.

clive330

January 12th, 2005, 03:14 AM

HirakataShi

January 12th, 2005, 05:11 AM

Red Light District? In the midst of an HIV/AIDS problem, sexual irresponsibility is the last thing the government should promote. Be monogamous, stop spreading diseases everywhere.

datilguy

January 12th, 2005, 06:56 AM

Absolutely for monogamy. It is the foundation of civilization of course (after agriculture). I was just joking. However maybe ( this is a maybe, trying to get people to look outside the box) MAYBE think of it this way. Hollands prostitutes have a union, and are tested VERY frequently. Condom use by pros. in Holland is 99.99999% MUCH higher than everyone else in a country where average condom use is BELOW 46%. There are already lotsa hookers in Yeoville, Berea, Hillbrow. Drug use will always be there (though I think police should be tougher on this subject, I HATE DRUGGIES!!!! Just shoot yourself and quit hurtin other people. So PERHAPS legalised prostitution might encourage condom use among those who seek "proffesional" company (I rewrote that to a more suitable forum version). But monogamy (as long as you find the right one) is the way to go. :)

datilguy

January 12th, 2005, 06:57 AM

Sorry sa-dreamer. Nobody seems to know what that brownish building is.

clive330

January 12th, 2005, 09:00 AM

Red Light District? In the midst of an HIV/AIDS problem, sexual irresponsibility is the last thing the government should promote. Be monogamous, stop spreading diseases everywhere.

Cute.

And I am sure because you think this, every prostitute and john in the country will stop going at it. The lack of regulation and controls is a huge component CAUSING the AIDS epidemic.

Every "moral" country (like SA) that does not take control of the problem has a nightmare on its hands. Every country that realistically tackles it (ike Netherlands or Uganda) seems to have it under control. Spot the pattern?

waltjie

January 12th, 2005, 09:52 AM

It's very nice that we all think safe sex is important but please....... let's stick to the brown building. THIS specific thread is about construction.

joburg

January 12th, 2005, 11:23 AM

I see your point Clive. Prostitution will always be around, and I suppose promoting it in a particular area will isolate the trade, and protect other areas from 'infiltration.' Maybe I'm just being a NIMBY.

But still - I don't think creating a red light district will uplift the social and cultural life of Yeoville. I think it will just continue to be a dirty, grimey, no-go area. And I don't think it will do anything to improve the inner city, since Yeoville is after all a part of the inner city.

I would rather see the area turned into a type of Newtown. It used to be the Bohemian capital of South Africa. Now it's as dodgy as shit.

joburg

January 12th, 2005, 11:26 AM

As for the brown building, I know it's next to that building that was built in 1937, and I can see Jorissen Place there as well, so next time I'm in Braamfontein I'll have a look. ;)

joburg

January 12th, 2005, 11:40 AM

Moved from the Johannesburg Districts thread. Sydney I have deleted the other thread.

ROSEBANK

From http://www.sapoa.org.za

Apartments - TAKE A GAMBLE ON TYRWHITT

By Pauline Larsen

Redevelopment may be the watchword along Rosebank's long-neglected Tyrwhitt Avenue in Johannesburg. But stratospheric asking prices suggest that some developers are trying to put Rosebank into the same price category as swanky Sandton.

Art Deco refurbishment Rose Views, at the top of the avenue, has brought its prime unit on to the market at R1,4m, though average sectional prices on Tyrwhitt are closer to R500 000. Existing rentals are peaking at R5 000/month but these new units can cost as much as R9 900/month.

Asking prices for the 12 well-renovated and stylishly fitted units at Rose Views start at R975 000 for a 100 m² two-bedroom, one-bathroom flat. They soar to R1,4m for a 136 m² two-bedroom, two-bathroom garden flat.

Rentals for unfurnished apartments range from R6 500 to R9 900/month. These rentals will either lift prices along the street or deter buyers altogether.

Architect and developer Mirry Fayman says she priced the units in line with market levels and not the redevelopment cost. Typical building prices are now R10 000/m². "I won't drop sales prices but I will drop rentals slightly, if necessary," she says.

The cost of buying a building in Rosebank is still quite low. And this is what appeals to developers like Fayman. She chose Rose Views because of its location and the fact that it was not sectionalised at the time. "The building was in a terrible state and needed a total revamp," she says.

Fayman has kept a few units as an investment. "I believe in Rosebank's future as an up-market alternative to Sandton."

The first interest in refurbishment of old apartment blocks on Tyrwhitt Avenue was sparked when hotel company The Don Group put self-catering studio and one-bedroom suites on the short-term rental market in the mid-1990s.

Redevelopment is also ahead for The Tyrwhitt, a rental block managed by Trafalgar Property & Financial Services. It was sold to Gateway Property Developments, a consortium of private investors, as part of the failed Habitat fund unbundling.

The building is fully let and Trafalgar director Michael Schaefer says there is a waiting list for units. "These are large one- and two-bedroom units with rentals ranging from R2 800 to R4 200/month."

Schaefer says the tenants are mainly middle-income professionals, many of whom rely on public transport.

Gateway director Adam Marcus says a due diligence investigation is under way at The Tyrwhitt. It's likely that the company will sectionalise the apartments and sell them off, which is what it did at Illovo Mews, a similar property in Illovo, Sandton. "We reckon the ceiling is R500 000/unit," says Marcus. "And we'll probably price units 5%-10% below market for individual sales."

Schaefer says the highest rental achieved by Trafalgar in the past month for a two-bedroom apartment was R5 500 in central Sandton. "My gut feel is that the ceiling in Rosebank is R6 000."

Prices for sectional title units in wider Rosebank average R575 000, according to data from the SA Property Transfer Guide. Along Tyrwhitt Avenue, though, prices remain under R500 000.

At Macedon, a block of flats opposite Rose Views, three units were sold this year. The highest price achieved was R525 000 for a 99 m² flat. The other units sold at R400 000 and R300 000 respectively.

Further down Tyrwhitt towards Jan Smuts Avenue, three units at Harrogate changed hands this year. The average price was R183 333 and the highest was R260 000. The units are about 60 m².

But Fayman may have judged buyers accurately. Even if prices are comparatively high, the market doesn't seem perturbed, perhaps because Rose Views is a visual treat. "On the first show day, I received three offers," says Fayman.

Financial Mail

sa-dreamer

January 12th, 2005, 02:50 PM

hey, Joburg, when you find out what that building is, just PM/IM me, ok? (if ya can)

Thanks!

MyJoburg

January 12th, 2005, 10:14 PM

Rumour has it that a building in Newtown is getting turned into around 50 loft apartments! That sounds nice

datilguy

January 13th, 2005, 05:07 AM

Pule

January 13th, 2005, 09:31 AM

I would love to live in Newtown! I really love the inner city, it done'nt scare me at all (and it should'nt) Sorry Joburg, Yeoville will never become Newtown. So filled with excitement and optimism. And I think that the title of Bohemian capital has gone to Melville. But your right, they need to do something there.

As I promised the newtown will here before the end of this month. Wait eagerly, but I can't post the pics that I took via my digicam on these free picture hosting websites as they complain about space. Gandalf or anybody, can I send u the pics through yo pms so that you post them. I promise you missing a lot. I have deleted plenty of pics as I couldn't post.

SkylineTurbo

January 15th, 2005, 07:04 AM

Which part of Jo'burg is getting most constructions? Sandton?

datilguy

January 15th, 2005, 10:56 PM

Sandton is definately seeing most of the high-rise develoment but their are a few projects going on around the city esp. downtown and newtown. Hopefully in the next five years developers will see the great potential and all of the work the city has ut into the CBD and start new projects and buildings. (Maybe Copper Square will get off the ground. Dont hold your breath.;) )

SkylineTurbo

January 17th, 2005, 12:11 PM

When you look at Jo'burg's skyline, you see like 2 skylines, it is a good thing that most of the developments are in the inner city suburbs.

joburg

January 17th, 2005, 07:35 PM

hey blackadder

Well i don't really think it is good that most of the development is out in the suburbs, as this means the inner city is neglected, and also that there is LOTS of urban sprawl. Motorways become heavily clogged up, the infrastructure isn't available to feed all the development etc...

There have been many power cuts in Johannesburg over the past year, and I think it is not only because our city power compnay runs outdated machinery, but also because there is so much development that the electrical grid can't keep up with the pace!

sa-dreamer

January 17th, 2005, 11:17 PM

clive330

January 18th, 2005, 12:21 AM

Hopefully inner city living will come back. Jobug used to have a very substantial high-density middle class urban population. A new generation of people is going to have to learn the benefits. Most young people that I know live in townhouses scattered across a huge, bland area. There are very few substantial high density "happening" areas.

Hillbrow:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/clive3300/hillbrow.jpg

Instead of trying to "reclaim" Hillbrow from the people who live there now, I think a new high density node should be started. Maybe to the north or the the west of the CBD?

sa-dreamer

January 18th, 2005, 10:26 PM

That photo isn't all Hillbrow... it is mostly of the CBD, and that is where it was taken.

Just so you knoe

clive330

January 19th, 2005, 12:22 AM

The foreground is the CBD (with the big buildings), but the entire background is Hillbrow isnt it?

9462

January 19th, 2005, 08:43 PM

Has anyone got any pictures of the Rosebank hotel?

By dad built most of it!

I come from manchester and my dad used to live there in the early 70's -

Please! i need pics, ive never seen it before and neither has my dad for about 30 years!!

SA BOY

January 20th, 2005, 06:19 AM

the pic is of the old financial district including a part of new town. the "real CBD as defined as the area around carlton centre is to the right and Hilbrow is actually the area at the rear of the picture but on the right side. the rear left is braamfontain

SA BOY

January 20th, 2005, 06:21 AM

rosebank hotel????? Tom you are in the northern burbs a bit, do you know where this building is? cant say I know

joburg

January 20th, 2005, 10:49 AM

Yeah it's around the corner from the Rosebank Mall, tucked away amongst all the apartment blocks in the area. Very pretty area. And the hotel is considered, not the flashiest, but one of the nicest in Joburg, and they have the best Chinese Restaurant in Joburg IMO.

Pule

January 20th, 2005, 11:26 AM

Subway at Ellis Park? Is it a separate thing from the GauTrain?

Pule

January 20th, 2005, 11:50 AM

SANDTON Central, the city improvement district born in June last year, is growing: Wierda Valley, with its prime office space and restaurants, has come on board - boosting the area's chance of becoming one of the city's hot spots.

January 17, 2005
By Anish Abraham

SANDTON Central has extended its reach to include the Wierda Valley Management District - increasing its capacity to turn the area into one of the city's hot spots.

The council officially passed legislation supporting the creation of the Wierda Valley Management District in October 2004. Since then the board has chosen to join the city improvement district of Sandton Central.

"The Sandton Central marketing committee decided last year to add Wierda Valley to the management district, making the management district bigger," says Sandton Central's business manager, Lindie Human.

Sandton Central, the city improvement district that was launched in June last year, is steadily making inroads into upgrading the area.

Formed through a partnership between the Sandton City and Convention Centre Improvement District and the Sandton Business Improvement District, Sandton Central supplements the council's services.

The inclusion of the Wierda Valley Management District will add prime office space and restaurants to the wide variety of activity in Sandton Central, Human says.

The chairperson of the Wierda Valley Management District, Steven Scott, says: "It's obviously much more beneficial to be part of a larger entity."

Each district under the Sandton Central umbrella works towards a common purpose, but each body retains its independence and makes its own decisions about levies and expenditure.

City improvement districts are geographic areas in which the majority of property owners determine and agree to fund supplementary and complementary services to those normally provided by the municipality.

Supplementary services might include those offered by public-safety ambassadors and by cleaning and maintenance personnel - such as pavement cleaning, litter collection, the maintenance of public space and the removal of illegal posters.

The three districts will make collective use of Sandton Central's cleaning and maintenance crews, and its branded security. They will also be part of broader marketing initiatives.

The ties will remain in place for three years, after which property owners will decide in which direction they want the management district to progress.

This new development will mean the boundaries of Sandton Central extend down West Street and across Katherine Street, as well as along Wierda Road East and West, up to the intersection of Katherine Street and Rivonia Road.

joburg

January 20th, 2005, 01:25 PM

I think the subway is indeed a seperate thing from Gautrain. Got this from JDA:

"As part of efforts to improve infrastructure ahead of the number of soccer fans expected for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the Doornfontein and Ellis Park railway stations will be upgraded, with a new 20 metre-wide subway at the Ellis Park Station to be constructed at a cost of over R26-million. "

So I think all they're going to do is 'sink' the station. Personally, however, I think they should use that R26-million to improve the entire metro system, which is the complete shambles. Hardly tourist friendly!

Pule

January 21st, 2005, 08:07 AM

I agree with you full, there are very few Metrorail stations that are up to standard. They are a total mass.

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 03:30 PM

The following is interior design at its best. This is the interior of the Babcock building in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/bab_big_02.jpg

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/babcock_2.jpg

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/babcock_4.jpg

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/babcock_5.jpg

SYDNEY

January 24th, 2005, 04:04 PM

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 04:06 PM

Jozi locals might not have the big blue ocean or impressive mountains to brag about, but with all the investment and development underway in Braamfontein, Newtown and the city centre, we will soon be boasting the finest in entertainment, public artworks and culture, as well as an array of new and fully restored buildings.

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/jozi_08.jpg

The completion of the Nelson Mandela Bridge last year marked a real beginning of transformation for Jozi that was quickly followed by a host of new developments, including a new Moyo pan-African restaurant at the Newtown Market Theatre; a R42 million taxi rank upgrade in the city centre; the landmark establishment of Constitutional Hill; the relocation of a once mishap arrangement of muti-vendors into the Faraday Muti-Market complex, and the initiation of a much-needed city grounds clean-up.

Commercially, the re-development of old buildings into modern office spaces has already been revitalising the city, drawing millions of economic investment into the area. And nowhere is this aspect more evident than in Braamfontein. Dubbing it The Braamfontein Regeneration Programme, a body of private businesses and city initiatives have joined forces and budgets, and the result of their effort is incredible: new parks and walkways with decorative paving, an abundance of covered parking, cleaner streets and better security are all part of the massive upgrade under the guidance of the Central Johannesburg Partnership (CJP) and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).

With a pledge not to move out of the CBD, large private corporations – with the likes of Sappi, Liberty Life, Gensec, The JD Group and ApexHi – committing themselves to the JDA mission of creating a world-class city by 2030.

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/jozi_06.jpg

Already, Sappi has upgraded their office spaces with the construction of a stunning triple-volume atrium, and has invested over R1, 2 million into the multi-faceted construction of a double-storey dance studio for the South African Ballet Theatre, designed and conceptualised by local architectural firm Grosskopff Lombart Huyberecehts and Associates in conjunction with RFB architects; a new park area directly outside The Civic Theatre as well as eight new levels of parking below the theatre and the Sappi building, and a magnificently landscaped piazza with fountains, greenery and natural stone paving.

Creating a space for public interaction, the piazza connects the Sappi buildings, the Civic Theatre and the new Dance Studio, whose double-volume glass façade gives passers-by the opportunity to pause alongside one of the water features of the piazza and admire the oh-so-gorgeous ballet dancers as they rehearse.

Also contributing to the overall improvement is The Civic Theatre, which has certainly not sat on the sidelines sapping up the benefits of the regeneration. American born Bernard Jay, CEO of the Theatre, has spent the past four years redefining the Theatre and believes that the only remaining problem is the public perception of Johannesburg. “Braamfontein is a vibrant and exciting place to go to these days – especially at night when the city jives up with a variety of social venues from jazz clubs and sumptuous restaurants to trendy nightclubs or live performances at the theatre,” says Bernard.

Though not the arts and culture type, Bernard has done much to assist the development of the local arts industry, letting space within the theatre without charge to the new Premises Gallery, a simple exhibition space between the theatre parking and foyer as well as to the Actor’s Centre, a meeting point for professional actors created out of the conversion of one of The Civic’s smaller theatres.

Such developments have lead to Braamfontein, Newtown and the CBD being grouped together as the ‘Cultural Arch of South Africa’ – an attraction far more entertaining and stimulating than a cable-ride up a mountain. The outcome of the entire investment will surely be a solid change in the public’s obsolete perception of Johannesburg as a place of degeneration and decay

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 04:18 PM

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/miele_02.jpg

It has taken just one decade for home grown architects and designers to set the appearance of South African cities in a new direction. The concept of African modernism is becoming as much a genre of architecture as the longstanding traditions of Europe, Asia and the East.

A sure sign that this is so is the new Miele showroom in Bryanston, Johannesburg. The century-old German home appliance company has opened its new showroom doors on African ground with a conscious recognition of its environment. Though it stands aloof, partially hidden from William Nicoll drive, the busy main road connecting Sandton, Bryanston and Fourways, this new building seems to grow straight out of the African soil.

Concept architect, Errol Pieters has created a showroom that effectively breaks away from the mundane and provides a welcome contrast to the gaudy, glazed showrooms so prevalent in urban Johannesburg. Instead, Pieters has put aside the expanses of glass so typical of showroom design for an immense and concealing facebrick façade.

Though the building stands some distance away from the main road, its massive eight-meter high brick wall, which boasts the enormous steel lettering of the Miele logo, demands the attention of passers-by. And for those of us able to appreciate good architecture, there is nothing excessive or pretentious about this building; it achieves, as it intended, an image of corporate solidity with straightforward simplicity.

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/miele_05.jpg

At night, the imposing façade is most appealing as the signage is backlit, articulating not only the enormity of the logo but also the persuasive arc of the building’s face.

The solid façade influences the style of the showroom to the extent of creating a modern art gallery ambience. It masks the entrance, which adds yet another refreshing change to the worn-out ideal of transparency in design.

http://www.iemagazine.co.za/miele_08.jpg

This is a building that intrigues and then reveals – the sheltered entrance unexpectedly opens up to an airy, double-volume display space. The showroom is flexible and quite generic with a tiered step down from the centre of the room, breaking the monotony of the open area. The modest industrial finish, granolithic floor, red facebrick walls and exposed steel structure, create a neutral – though certainly not bland – backdrop for the exhibition of Miele’s ultra-mod appliances.

An internal dynamic has been brought to life by the unrestricted space planning and articulation of that space with the varied exhibition pods. Fortunately, the inclusion of the glazed eastern façade alleviates any sense of darkness within the interior that could have resulted had the design relied too heavily on solid walls.

From the outside the building might look somewhat like an elegant corporate building, but inside, the cellular offices for staff and management tuck neatly into the design without distracting from the building’s primary function.

The transition from the main floor to the workspaces has been designed with subtle intention. Whilst the sales offices are visible and easily reachable, access is broken by a waiting area that tiers off behind the reception area as well as by a floating stairwell that leads to a mezzanine office space.

The use of floor-to-ceiling glass walls enclosing the sales offices contributes to the sense of lightness. As a result natural light, which pours in through the office windows, is able to filter into the display area.

All spaces were designed to have natural light from both sides as well as cross ventilation, which once again will limit electrical consumption. The main exhibition area was designed to act as a cooling device during the hot summer months by taking advantage of the thermal movement of the air to cool down the adjacent spaces. This was intended by installing adjustable louvers low down to suck in cool air early in the morning and venting the space at the upper levels also with adjustable louvers to act as exhausts for the warmer air.

No air-conditioning was designed for the office showroom and workshops, and climatic control is regulated by complying with a few basic principles. All northern glazing is shaded from direct sun exposure during summer, allowing the sun’s heat to enter the building only during the winter months. The entire western façade is without any exposed glazed areas, and were designed with a heavy mass to act as heat retaining trombe walls during the cooler evenings. The southern exposed windows were supposed to have had vertical sun shading devices but were unfortunately never installed.

This is not a glitzy, pretentious building despite the ‘in your face’, high-tech attitude of the stainless steel Miele lettering. In fact, the mere simplicity of the branding design achieves a sense of balance between the European concept of the company and the earthy Africanism of the building.

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 04:23 PM

^^ Sorry Pule, I disagree - that is one of the worst interiors I have ever seen - if you want to see Interior Design at its best (in Jozi) go to the restaurant 1886. Cape Town is an interior designer's dream - just go to Hemisphere or Manolo's - WOW !

Where is restaurant 1886 located Gundulf, but I must say the this desing stroke me. I wouldn't disagree nor agree as I'm not much into the entirior design, but I'm eager to go check the one you talking about.

:yes:

SYDNEY

January 24th, 2005, 04:38 PM

Where is restaurant 1886 located Gundulf, but I must say the this desing stroke me. I wouldn't disagree nor agree as I'm not much into the entirior design, but I'm eager to go check the one you talking about.

:yes:

1886
Shop 8, 24 Central
Cnr. Fredman Drive & Gwen Lane
Sandton

http://www.eating-out.co.za/ftp/Maps/1886SandtonMap.gif

It is very interesting - they have taken the Baroque style and given it a South African feel - they also have a painting of a black Jan Van Riebeek (an interesting twist)

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 04:41 PM

Bejazzed: an investment of over R5-million, set up in the heart of Rosebank, one of Jo’burg’s top-end social scenes, with an absolutely-no-expenses-spared interior design using only the most lavish claddings and furnishings as well as state of the art sound, lighting and visual media – in short the ultimate project. And the ultimate venue too, open not only six nights a week as a live entertainment jazz dinner club, boasting an eclectic menu of African, Asian and Cajun cuisine, but also open for early breakfasts, bistro lunches and afternoon coffee rendezvous’.

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http://www.iemagazine.co.za/bejazzed_31.jpg

Pule

January 24th, 2005, 04:49 PM

The New Constitutional Court @ Constitution Hill

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Pule

January 28th, 2005, 10:58 AM

WORK is to begin on the building of permanent houses for people living in informal settlements, says the Gauteng housing department - and Johannesburg will be one of the major beneficiaries.

January 24, 2005
By Bafana Nzimande

PEOPLE living in corrugated shacks in Johannesburg's informal settlements will soon be provided with brick-and-mortar houses.

Construction of houses in the identified settlements will start in March, according to the Gauteng housing MEC, Nomvula Mokonyane. She visited five informal settlements around Johannesburg on Thursday 20 January.

"We have moved from the planning stage and now it's time to deliver all our promises to our people by providing them with proper houses and better housing developments," said Mokonyane.

The MEC - accompanied by provincial housing officials and Johannesburg councillors, including the mayoral committee member responsible for housing, Strike Ralegoma - braved the cloudy weather to tour the Chris Hani, Lawley, Thembelihle, Weilers Farm and Thulamtwana informal settlements. All are in the southern regions of the city.

"This tour is mainly meant to assess progress made within these identified areas with regards to the formalisation of informal settlements, but more importantly to also share ideas with its dwellers about ways of developing some of these areas," said Mongezi Mnyani of the Gauteng housing department.

Last year the City of Johannesburg approved a consolidated list of 189 informal settlements and housing projects around the city, the first step towards achieving its target of formalising informal settlements within the next three years.

Mokonyane - wearing a blue tracksuit emblazed with the slogan "Building Sustainable Communities" - stopped off at the Chris Hani informal settlement on the outskirts of Kliptown. She walked through the muddy streets, surrounded by tiny shacks.

Development has already begun in Chris Hani, which has been included in the City's plan to eradicate all informal areas surrounding Kliptown.

According to the Gauteng government's website, construction had already begun at 8 000 stands and more than 1 112 stands had already been fully serviced.

The department of housing is expected to spend R201,8-million completing the development process. By May, more than 5 700 stands will have services.

Mokonyane's visit to the settlements was unannounced, catching residents by surprise. The MEC stopped at a tiny house, finding resident Abram Adonns having lunch.

"It really shows that they really care about us," Adonns said.

He went on to tell Mokonyane: "My only wish is to see our government providing us with brick houses and relocating us away from these shacks."

The entourage then moved on to Lawley informal settlement to "send the message of hope" to its residents.

Preliminary engineering and design work has already been completed in Lawley Extensions 3 and 4, and the department of housing has approved a budget of R90,7-million to upgrade services in the area.

Mokonyane stood on a soccer field and spoke to residents about the importance of registering title deeds. She urged them to report any corruption.

"Please report any house-administration corruption that might be present in this area and also register for your house title deeds so that the government can assist you further," she said.

An anti-corruption unit had been set up to deal with any corruption in the administration department, Mnyani said.

"We are aware that people have been complaining about nepotism and corruption with regards to the issuing of houses and title deeds, but those involved in such activities should know that their days are numbered."

The visit was met with mixed emotions: some residents appeared to be looking forward to the promised developments; others complained about the slow pace of delivery.

"I have not seen any service delivery in this area," said Nhlanhla Masuku.

"From last year we were promised better water services for each household, better toilets instead of buckets, but I have not seen any of that happening."

Mokonyane also made short stops at Weilers Farm, where 871 stands will receive water and 1 345 stands will receive sewage services, and at Thulamtwana. She then visited Thembelihle, where she met more than 100 residents - also on a soccer field.

Most of those gathered to hear the MEC were women - some with babies on their hips; some carrying umbrellas to cope with sun or rain.

They greeted her visit with songs and clapping, and responded to her address with shouts of "viva".

Thembelihle informal settlement has been identified as an area whose residents will be allocated Reconstruction and Development Project (RDP) houses - part of a citywide programme, according to Mnyani. The housing department plans to move the residents of Thembelihle to Vlakfontein, where more than 3 000 houses will be built.

Residents were informed they would be moved to houses elsewhere. Mokonyane said: "We want to build factories in this area and you will all be relocated from these shacks into RDP house that will be erected on better, safe land."

But not everyone was pleased to hear this. "We are not moving from this area," shouted one of the residents.

Mokonyane, however, urged residents not to stand in the way: "If you oppose development, please don't influence others that willingly wish to cooperate with government to create better housing and job opportunities for all."

Pule

February 3rd, 2005, 08:14 AM

Police target Joburg beggars by IOL
February 03 2005 at 07:33AM

Things are getting better by the day, Johannesburg is sky rocketting

Beggars at major intersections in Johannesburg will be pulled off the streets on Thursday, metro police said.

Inspector Edna Mamonyane said police planned to pick up as many beggars as time permitted in greater Johannesburg, including Randburg, Sandton and Roodepoort, between 9.30am and 2pm.

Local beggars would then meet representatives from the Gauteng department of social sServices to determine whether they qualified for social grants.

The metro police and the department of social services would also plan what steps to take should the beggars return to the streets, Mamonyane said.

Illegal immigrants would be taken to shelters prior to repatriation.

The pick-up was part of Operation Token Days, aimed at ensuring the city's bylaw requirements were adhered to.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 11:26 AM

Ekurhuleni Business Initiative (EBI) is embarking on a drive to get property owners in the East Rand repaint their rundown buildings

January 31, 2005

By Anna Louw

In a bold new move, the Ekurhuleni Business Initiative (EBI) is embarking on a drive to get property owners in the derelict East Rand central business districts to repaint their rundown buildings in an effort to uplift the declining city centres.

Donations for paint have already started filtering in.
The owner of the Constantia Theatre in Benoni is the first to put the idea into practice by revamping the theatre in Cranbourne Avenue to the tune of R2,3-million.

Next on the programme is a facelift for the building housing the Benoni Publicity Association.

Chris van Biljon, the chief executive officer of the EBI, said it had been decided that drastic measures had to be taken to upgrade the dull and declining CBDs in time for the 2010 World Cup.

"We simply cannot sit back and have our CBDs slip into slums."

"The EBI and business, with the blessing of the Ekurhuleni metropolitan council, must take the initiative and do something to brighten up our region.

"We are situated right next to Johannesburg International Airport and we want to attract visitors and business."

The clean-up campaign will kick off in earnest in March with the painting of buildings in the Benoni, Boksburg and Kempton Park CBDs, followed by the other Ekurhuleni CBDs.

On Friday, Van Biljon received a R1 000 donation from Pieter Teitge, the owner of Ranch Auctioneers, who issued a challenge to other local businessesto contribute to the "drive to paint our CBDs".

Teitge said he was also prepared to hold a promotional auction of all redundant goods from the metro and local businesses, and would give a significant percentage to the EBI’s upliftment programme.

Van Biljon added: "We want all our CBDs, in the cities and in the townships, to represent a freshly painted rainbow."

The aim of another exciting project, which is expected to get off the ground soon, is to improve the image of Ekurhuleni’s taxi drivers by providing them with bright and colourful uniforms, and by giving them road-safety and customer-care training.

Van Biljon and members of the local taxi council will launch a special initiative late next month: travelling by taxi and assessing the way taxi drivers treat their passengers. "Ekurhuleni’s taxis will be a step ahead of the rest by the time we have to accommodate visitors for the 2010 World Cup, but our initial focus is our own people. They deserve to feel safe as passengers and to be treated as good customers," said Van Biljon.

He has also invited business people from Ekurhuleni to attend the EBI’s meeting at Caesars tonight at 6.30pm, where Tunisian ambassador Ali Goutali is guest speaker.

He will talk about the development of trade links, starting with Ekurhuleni – where Tunisia is also establishing an office – and then moving further afield to South Africa’s other major centres.

Johan Coetzee of Safta, an international division of Pathfinder Management Inc USA, one of the largest sourcing agencies in the world, will also be giving a presentation tonight to inform local business people about business opportunities that exist for them in the US.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 11:32 AM

Melrose Arch to add to the mix
2/3/2005

Business Day - Business Day

Developers pounce on opportunity

DEVELOPERS are queuing up to get a slice of the action at mixed use precinct Melrose Arch as the new owners get ready to roll out new development plans.

Owner Southern Palace, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cape Town-based Property Partners, will soon announce its development partners for the planned residential and retail component at Melrose Arch.

In the biggest property transaction to date in SA, Southern Palace announced in December that it had acquired Melrose Arch for R1,27bn.

Melrose Arch had been on the market since December 2003 and had an aborted sale in November, when a company that had won the bid to buy it, Atlantic Corporate Finance Property Consortium, failed to raise the cash.

Southern Palace said in December it would buy the Johannesburg landmark using funding from Standard Bank Properties, as well as local funds from Property Partners' own balance sheet.

Property Partners CEO Stuart Chait said at the time that his firm placed the most value on the undeveloped land at Melrose Arch.

He said there was about 20000m² of residential land ready to sell to a developer.

Chait also said they were looking to offload between 20000m² and 30000m² of retail bulk to a developer.

"We've got a queue of developers wanting to take up the residential offer,"

he says. Of the about 20000m² of residential space available at Melrose Arch, 8000m² is currently being developed. This equates to 47 upmarket apartments.

"We want to maintain the standards and the quality of the aesthetic integrity of the scheme," Chait says.

He says they are also looking at establishing a "very upmarket" boutique style retail complex, which will form the "nucleus" of Melrose Arch.

Property Partners will probably enter a joint venture with a developer for the retail and residential components, says Chait.

"We will announce in four weeks who our development partners will be for the residential and retail component.

"We are looking for skilled, experienced developers with good track records."

Chait says that once they have finalised the retail and residential components, they will start to offload the office bulk on the site. Of the 250000m² land for development at Melrose Arch, 200000m² has been zoned for offices. "We have a few large potential tenants interested in part of this bulk."

Chait says that they have potential tenants wanting space from 12000m² up to 30000m².

"One attraction (for the tenants) is Melrose Arch's logistical position.

It's positioned at Corlett Drive and the M1 and this makes traffic flow easy," he says.

Melrose Arch is also a security gated estate and people feel safe walking the streets, Chait says.

"They can live, work and entertain in the complex. We will also be bringing in a lot more restaurants, coffee shops, cinemas and a couple of top grocery stores to the area."

Property Partners says that if they feel comfortable with the developers interested in the office bulk, they will also enter into joint ventures with them.

Chait believes the timing of the purchase of Melrose Arch "is spot on. From a logistical point of view, especially where the residential and retail markets are at the moment, we feel we will be able to move the retail and residential components quickly."

Once these components have been completed, Melrose Arch will become a true mixed-use scheme.

"It will have the critical mass of people and foot traffic to be able to enhance large office users and stimulate the retail centre."

Chait says there is R5bn worth of development "waiting to happen" and that the potential for job creation is huge.

SkylineTurbo

February 4th, 2005, 11:38 AM

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 11:43 AM

Old nodes with the potential for revival are beginning to be snapped up by developers

By Pauline Larsen
Developers are discovering the pleasure and profit of reviving old urban precincts instead of building new ones such as Johannesburg's Melrose Arch and Sandton's Illovo Boulevard.

Milpark, sandwiched between trendy Melville, high-density Braamfontein and up-market Westcliff, is one example. Two years ago, Lifestyle Lofts MD Ricky Polack developed 19 loft apartments in the area. Starting prices at The Refinery, corner Owl and Stanley streets, in 2002 were R240 000/180 m².

The next two phases of the project are under way, and all 15 remaining lofts are sold. "We discourage buy-to-let investors," says Polack. "So most of our lofts are owner-occupied."

The highest price achieved to date is R1,15m for a four-level unit. "The owner has already been offered R3,5m for his loft - three months after he bought it," says Polack.

Today, other investors are flocking into the node.

Milpark Mews, corner Barry Hertzog Avenue and Empire Road, has 324 apartments, two-thirds of which are sold out, says David Green, MD of Pace Properties, which is marketing the project. Construction hasn't started yet and new units will not be available for occupation until late in 2005.

Prices at Milpark Mews are staunchly middle-income. All the studios, at R295 000 each for about 30 m², are sold out. Two-bed units are around 63 m².

"We've priced units at R10 000/m² but this includes attorney fees and transfer costs," says Green. "Don't forget that these are today's prices for units that will be available in a year's time."

Buyers, he adds, are less concerned about the size than the cost of the units. A deposit of R25 000 secured their pads.

"For a student or a young professional, the bond repayments are cheaper than renting a cottage in Melville," says Green. There's the potential for capital growth, too.

Polack is a little concerned, though. He chose Milpark for its bohemian and avant garde vibe, but he says new supply is mass-produced. "A 30 m² unit is the size of a double garage."

Nor is it just the residential option that is capturing the imagination of developers in Milpark.

Funky minimall 44 Stanley Avenue was the next success in Milpark. An unusual collection of shops, galleries and trendy hang-outs, the redeveloped industrial quarter has proven popular with students, lecturers and shoppers in search of out-of-the ordinary goods.

Hot on the heels of 44 Stanley, developers saw a gap for more shopping facilities, especially as the residential population began to grow.

Milpark Galleries shopping centre was mothballed in the early 1990s and remains a sad and empty reminder of more festive days at restaurants such as Late Nite Al's.

But The Gallery, as it is now called, is to be redeveloped into 6 000 m² of shopping space, anchored by a national supermarket. It will form the second phase of the Milpark Mews residential project.

The fate of the adjacent Holiday Inn has seemed gloomy in recent years. But the lease has been renewed for 10 years - and the hotel group (Southern Sun) has committed to a R30m revamp.

Office vacancies are dropping steadily, according to data from the SA Property Owners' Association (Sapoa). From 8% a year ago, vacancies in Milpark now stand at 6,1%. A-grade vacancies are a mere 0,5% compared with 6,5% a year ago. But there's no new office development on the go, says Sapoa.

Polack also sold six sectional-title commercial suites at Turbine office park in adjoining Cottesloe at R2 000/m² for an unfinished shell. An additional residential development of 23 lofts forms part of the project, and Polack says he has waiting lists of up to 200 would-be buyers.

Green says that people who work at Naspers, the SABC, Absa Call Centre and Auto & General in the area have bought at Milpark Mews. So have Muslims who want to be close to the new Greenside mosque, which will be completed early next year.

Financial Mail

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 11:47 AM

This should bring down crime.

I agree with u 100%.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 11:49 AM

Randburg gets dusted off

CBD TO LET: The Randburg CBD is a shadow of its former self. Many buildings are standing vacant, including the civic centre Picture: KATHERINE MUICK

THE crumbling Randburg central business district is to get a multimillion-rand face-lift aimed at attracting business and making it commercially successful.

The Joburg council this week approved an urban design framework for the business district which will address many issues, including grime, crime and traffic congestion.

Ursula Ntsubane, development manager of the Randburg CBD for the Joburg Development Agency, said the council had already allocated R5-million to the project. The three-year project, set to commence in the coming weeks, will need R40-million.

"The aim is to revitalise Randburg, retain businesses and market the place as safe and clean in order to attract new investments. We want to make the civic centre a one-stop government centre where people will be able to get licences, ID documents and passports," Ntsubane said.

DA ward councillor in Randburg Christo Botes, said: "Over the years the council has produced plans that gathered dust and we hope this will not happen again."

He said Randburg suffered from "analysis paralysis" which had seen a number of plans drawn up to improve the area, none of which had ever been implemented. However, Botes said he was confident a partnership between the council and the private sector would revive the once-popular business district.

The council has identified six projects aimed at revitalising Randburg. These include a physical upgrade, social development, marketing, urban management, environmental interventions and economic development and empowerment.

The proposal includes plans to upgrade the civic centre and to redevelop the taxi rank.

The revival is expected to reduce vacancy rates, increase the value of property, and create 4000 jobs.

In the past few years many businesses have left Randburg for commercial developments in Cresta and Sandton. The urban decline has been accelerated by the closure of the Northern Metropolitan Local Council offices following the restructuring of local governments.

Rosemarie Bennett of the Bordeaux North Residents’ Association said the association welcomed council’s plan to revive the business district, but said it failed to address problems outside of the CBD.

"There is a lot of crime in the area and the negative perception people have about Randburg does not help. There is also a problem with traffic congestion due to illegal taxis operating on the streets," she said

Joel Kgopa of the North Rand Taxi Liaison Committee said that the council needed to enlarge the taxi rank and improve the roads servicing it in order to reduce traffic congestion.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 12:01 PM

The first phase of the Brickfields Housing Project, in Newtown, is almost complete, with the first allocation of flats expected to take place in June

By Ndaba Dlamini
The first phase of the Brickfields housing project, a mixed income residential development in Newtown, is well on course and allocations are expected in June 2005.

Situated at the foot of the Mandela Bridge, the new Brickfields buildings grace the Newtown skyline, a distinct reminder of the swift transformation of this once dilapidated area into a vibrant cultural and tourism centre. Indeed, it is fast becoming one of the city's premier "24-hour shopping, entertainment, business, retail and residential hubs".

Construction of the first phase of the R98-million project, which consists of 650 one to three bed-roomed flats catering for people in the lower, middle and high income groups, began in 2004 and is expected to be completed in April. The development will also provide retail facilities for occupants.

The residential units are expected to have a social impact on the area and crèches are being planned to cater for children living in the complex. Support services, like information technology rooms, will also be provided.

The project, hailed as the largest public/private partnership in residential housing development ever in South Africa, is a joint venture between the Gauteng government and the private sector and is also the first such residential development in the inner city of Johannesburg in 30 years.

Funding for the first and second phase of the project came from an initial investment of R35-million by the Gauteng Housing Department and the Gauteng Partnership Fund. The National Housing Finance Corporation injected R25-million into the development, while the City of Johannesburg provided land.

The private sector chipped in with R70-million, through Anglo American, Absa and AngloGold, to make the project a success.

Dombolo Masilela, head of marketing and communication at the Johannesburg Housing Company, says those who will be allocated flats will be expected to start paying deposits from the beginning of March 2005.

"People are expected to pay deposits on their flats over a period of three months, that is, from 1 March up to the end of May. The deposit will be twice the monthly rental of a particular flat. Processing of applications will also start in March and applicants are requested to bring their payslips, South African identity documents and deposits. They must also remember to bring birth certificates of dependants because only applicants with dependants will be entertained."

The estimated monthly rentals are expected to be:

One bedroom unit (37 - 43m²) - R1 242
Two bedroom unit (49 - 60m²) - R1 566
Two bedroom unit (76m²) - R2 615
Three bedroom unit (64 - 75m²) - R2 376

According to Masilela, clearing of land for the commencement of the second phase of the development has already started and work on the top structures is expected to start as soon as funding is available. The second phase will see a further 350 to 400 housing units being built at a cost of about R100-Million

SA BOY

February 4th, 2005, 01:22 PM

R2376 for a 75m2 3 bed flat, thats too small to live in

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 02:18 PM

Small, but I must say that they also paying less. When I passes there the other day, I saw the building being painted with yellow that looks more of Gold. I wasn't impressed with the colour.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 04:45 PM

THE Johannesburg Roads Agency is to spend more than R40-million during 2005 on replacing underground cables, installing new traffic signal controllers, and replacing traffic signal heads on arterial roads.

February 4, 2005
By Thomas Thale

JOHANNESBURG has instituted a multi-million rand programme to upgrade its traffic lights during 2005, to combat problems caused by vandalism, heavy rains and ageing machinery.

Construction teams are already at work along Johannesburg's main arterial roads, replacing cables, installing new traffic signal heads, waterproof controllers and fitting new lamps.

Recently the city has seen a number of traffic signals not working, particularly during recent heavy rains, causing traffic snarl-ups at many of the city's intersections.

The city has some 1860 intersections controlled by traffic lights.

According to Barry Botha, operations manager of mobility network support at the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), rainwater can easily penetrate faulty cables or control boxes, causing short-circuits. Other reasons for the faulty signals including an ageing infrastructure, vandalism and electricity outages.

"The cable network is old and it is easy for water to penetrate the cables," says Botha. Cables could also have been damaged due to excavation undertaken by other parties, enabling water to penetrate old or damaged cables, causing the controller to trip, he adds.

The aluminium parts of the traffic signals are a favourite of thieves, who sell them to scrap dealers. The new equipment is made of different materials that have little value to scrap dealers, Botha says. "In all the controllers replaced, we have had no problem. In fact, theft has come down by approximately 70 percent."

JRA will spend R41,5-million upgrading traffic signals in the current financial year, up from the R33-million spent last year refurbishing the infrastructure, according to Botha.

The money will be spent on replacing underground cables at 267 intersections, installing new traffic signal controllers and replacing traffic signal heads on some arterial roads, Botha says.

Intersections currently being upgraded include major corridors such as William Nicol Road, Republic Road, Louis Botha Avenue, Booysens Road, Jan Smuts Avenue, Ontdekkers Road, Hendrik Verwoerd Road, Hans Strijdom Road, Kliprivier Road and Kingsway Avenue.

Botha expects that the project focusing on the intersections along main arterial roads will be completed by June this year.

Thereafter, Botha says, attention will shift to other intersections, continuing until all 1 860 intersections have been upgraded. But that will require a cash injection, he adds. "It will be ongoing as long as we get capital."

Botha estimates that to replace all the cables, controllers and other upgrades will require some R400-million.

Since last year JRA has erected 124 traffic signal controllers and is busy installing a further 351 units, says Botha. Two hundred and twenty-three more units have been commissioned, bringing the total number to 574.

In addition, JRA has also installed 7 000 metres of traffic signal cables, with an extra 91 000 metres due to be fitted.

During the same period JRA installed 1 020 traffic signal heads, and is ready to install 2680 more units, says Botha.

JRA is in the process of replacing 43 000 lamps and revising 155 phasings, often changing traffic lights from two-phase to three-phase intersections.

The roads agency endeavours to fix all malfunctioning traffic lights within three hours, Botha says. However, complications arise when a controller or a cable has to be replaced.

"If an intersection has been vandalised, then it will take long to fix because we have to get a replacement and then have the controller programmed and installed. This could take some time."

Similarly, explains Botha, if there is a cable fault and the cable has to be replaced, this might require drilling, which could take a few days or if a pole needs to be replaced as a result of an accident, it could take up to three days to have it fixed.

Pule

February 4th, 2005, 04:51 PM

ONE of South Africa's most important archaeological sites, the Sterkfontein Cave, opens upgraded new facilities next month to offer a livelier visitor experience

February 1, 2005
By Lucille Davie

STAND by for the opening at the end of March of the new-look Sterkfontein Cave and a new experience at South Africa's most important archaeological site.

Previously, visitors parked within 30 metres of the cave entrance, bought a ticket at the nearby café, did a very brief whip-around of a shabby single-room display, took a half-hour tour of the cave then went home.

Now the experience promises to be much more exciting. A new visitors' area and building is nearing completion, at a safe distance of 250 metres from the sensitive site, greatly enhancing a visit to this World Heritage destination.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/feb/cradle1.jpg
New visitors' centre at the Sterkfontein Cave, at far left (Photo: Charles Corbett)

The broader Cradle of Humankind site consists of 47 000 hectares, with numerous caves, the most famous of which is the Sterkfontein Cave. Three million years of human activity have taken place in and around the cradle, including man's earliest-known mastery of fire. Forty percent of all the world's human ancestor fossils have been found here.

The experience will consist of visits to two sites: Sterkfontein, and eight kilometres northwards, Mohale's Gate. Sterkfontein focuses on the scientific aspect of the site, while Mohale's Gate will be a more hands-on, educational experience.

The R163-million project involves a consortium consisting of Furneaux Stewart GAPP Consortium, Wits University, and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation, Environment and Land Affairs, which has supplied the funding.

A monolith at the roadside (just off the R563) marks the entrance to the visitors' centre at the Sterkfontein Cave. This leads to a flat, low single-storey building housing a restaurant, an auditorium, curio kiosk and a hominid exhibition hall with interactive exhibits. Once visitors have taken in the exhibits and bought their tickets, they'll walk up to the cave near the top of a koppie, where they will go on a half hour tour.

Once out the cave, visitors will follow the path back down to the car park past a small building where scientists will be working with fossils, visible to visitors as part of the experience.

The area is mostly grassland, scattered with trees, shrubs and rocks. The area around the visitors' centre will be planted with indigenous grasses, giving way to the indigenous plants and trees around the top of the koppie, where the cave lies.

Eight kilometres down the road is Mohale's Gate, the showpiece of the project. It is positioned up the side of the koppie, where ancient rocky outcrops will mark the setting of a huge burial mound, referred to as a "tumulus". This is a partly-disguised grassy mound 20 metres in height and 35 metres in diameter, in a teardrop shape, to be constructed of steel, glass and concrete.

The tumulus consists of four storeys, with the basement level consisting of an underground lake, which visitors can explore by means of explorers' boats on a delineated path, moving through a time line. From the underground lake visitors will enter a square tube cave, moving out from the teardrop structure, gently curved around, taking a 150 metre long walk through another time line.

Along the way visitors will be able to admire the original Mrs Ples skull and other original hominid fossils. The cave is designed to resemble a spine, with vertebrae protruding above ground, becoming the focus of the walk back to the building.

The rest of the building will consist of a conference centre, offices, a 5-star restaurant and observation deck, affording visitors views of the surrounding site. West of the tumulus will be a 5-star hotel in the form of explorers' tents, consisting of 24 units. South east of the tumulus an amphitheatre for 5 000 people is taking shape.

Mohale's Gate is to open at the end of the year. So far, the lake and amphitheatre have been excavated and the offices are at roof height. About a third of the construction is complete.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/feb/mohalesgate.jpg
Foundations laid at Mohale's Gate (Photo: Charles Corbett)

Mohale's Gate is to form the first part of the Cradle of Humankind visit, and from there visitors will move on to the more formal Sterkfontein visitors' centre and cave.

Wits University and the Gauteng Department are pleased with the progress, and the sensitive handling by the construction team of the Sterkfontein site.

SYDNEY

February 5th, 2005, 08:15 AM

joburg

February 5th, 2005, 11:05 AM

Just seen in the paper today that the final 20 apartments are nearing completion, selling between R2.5-million and R7.5-million.

sa-dreamer

February 5th, 2005, 08:54 PM

So expensive... oh kak ;(

dysan1

February 5th, 2005, 08:58 PM

do you know what the per m2 rates are?

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 06:51 PM

I am a moral person but I think controlled red light districts are an extremely positive thing. It keeps the sex / drugs / freaks etc out of the normal areas. YOU CANNOT STOP SEX AND DRUGS FROM HAPPENING.

As in Amsterdam, Hamburg and Soho in London - these areas will almost certainly become tourist attractions in their own rights with immensely high status and property values. 99.99% of the people visiting Amsterdams red light district are completely normal people who go there simply to giggle (not just cos of the cookies;)) and then go back to their average lives. Its not a bad thing so long as it is controlled sensibly. I am not advocating a freeforall.

Also SA is a free and liberal country and I believe consenting adults can do what they like so long as it doesnt limit the rights of others. Joburg needs more things to see and do that are not shopping centres. Go Rockey Red Light District!

I agree - you can't stop sex and you can't stop sex shops (aka red light districts). Demarcate a certain area for them but make it a SMALL area. It will be kept under control. At the same time make it illegal to open sex shops anywhere else except in the demarcated zone. They always becum (oooh excuse the spelling ;) ) tourist attractions in their own right.

I must also add that there is a very clever little "plot" taking place in Cape Town's little red light district - as soon as a sex shop vacates, a fancy coffee shop or boutique moves in and in this way they are pushing the "non-desirables" out of the city. I for one don't think that they belong in downtown Cape Town but in light Industrial areas.

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 06:56 PM

Red Light District? In the midst of an HIV/AIDS problem, sexual irresponsibility is the last thing the government should promote. Be monogamous, stop spreading diseases everywhere.

Maybe the Government should start with AIDS CAMPAIGNS AND START ACKNOWLEDGING THE FACT THAT IT EXISTS. Stupid Mbeki has the SUPER DUMB believing that it is a disease "created" by white men to stop blacks from breeding.

Maybe people should also start using more than one brain cell. They are not babies that need baby-sitting. This Country has far too many babies who hang on every word that The ANC has to say. Make me President and I will kick some serious BUTT ! It is time for South Africans to THINK and create their OWN destiny.

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 06:59 PM

Which part of Jo'burg is getting most constructions? Sandton?

Jozi has actually got 5 skylines - CBD, Sandton Central, Bedfordview, Randburg and Auckland Park. It will be nice to get skyline shots of each of these areas.

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 07:03 PM

OMG true... there are SO MANY opportunities for renewal and brownfields developments in the inner city... I think it is silly how everyone is getting so obsessed with the suburbs... doesn't anyone miss the days of wonderful innercity living?

Yes - I do. Especially Hillbrow :) I experienced inner city living again for 15 Months - downtown Cape Town - until the street urchins and The ANC came along. Now I am living in a gated community and I have alot of respect for gated communities now.

I would love to get back into the city again but it is too expensive now. I would also wait for a few more years before I ever go back (if I am still here of course). The Mayor has said that street urchins will be off the streets by June - yeah right ;)

But I do miss Jozi's inner city.

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 07:09 PM

SYDNEY

February 6th, 2005, 07:54 PM

This is definitely an exaggeration and smacks of sour grapes ;)

"Such developments have lead to Braamfontein, Newtown and the CBD being grouped together as the ‘Cultural Arch of South Africa’ – an attraction far more entertaining and stimulating than a cable-ride up a mountain."

Mo Rush

February 6th, 2005, 08:01 PM

braamfontein hahahaaha!!!

dysan1

February 6th, 2005, 08:47 PM

i dont think i can ever really see jozi being a mega tourist centre. by all means go for all these tourist related projects, but lets hope they turn out for the best! time will only tell. maybe one day jozi will decide to dig up the m1 and make a river....:)

joburg

February 7th, 2005, 12:21 AM

"Such developments have lead to Braamfontein, Newtown and the CBD being grouped together as the ‘Cultural Arch of South Africa’ – an attraction far more entertaining and stimulating than a cable-ride up a mountain."

OK I would certainly not say Braamfontein, Newtown and the CBD is more stimulating than the cable ride. Gawd that idea is rather laughable. I would not, however, laugh at Braamfontein (or Newtorn), as it has become quite the cultural place these days.

As for the Cultural Arch of South Africa... I'd say that's a very close competition between the entire Gauteng and Cape Town.

Gauteng, for instance, you can easily make it from Bedfordview to the State Theatre in 30 minutes (I did for Phantom of the Opera). You can also reach the Cradle of Humankind in 40 minutes. Hartebeespoort in an hour. Sun City with it's fake beach in 2. Or in Joburg, you've got Museum Afrika, the Apartheid Museum, Newtown, and Braamfontein in the centre... You have Montecasino, Broadacres, Sandton, Rosebank, Greenside circle, Grand Avenue and Rivonia Boulevard in the North... Provided you have a car in Gauteng, you can do loads of things. It's really just one huge mutha-fucka city.

joburg

February 7th, 2005, 12:24 AM

maybe one day jozi will decide to dig up the m1 and make a river....

Oh we have a river... It runs underground, and it's made of gold. ;) Joburg simply wouldn't have existed without it.

clive330

February 7th, 2005, 03:09 AM

Jozi has actually got 5 skylines - CBD, Sandton Central, Bedfordview, Randburg and Auckland Park. It will be nice to get skyline shots of each of these areas.

Does Germiston have a skyline? Its meant to be quite a considerable minicity within the metro.

Isnt Auckland Park just the SABC tower or is there something out there now.

I have never even heard of Bedfordview. We need pictures! C'mon Gautengers...

SYDNEY

February 7th, 2005, 08:07 AM

Does Germiston have a skyline? Its meant to be quite a considerable minicity within the metro.

Isnt Auckland Park just the SABC tower or is there something out there now.

I have never even heard of Bedfordview. We need pictures! C'mon Gautengers...

Auckland Park has The Sentech Tower, SABC Tower, Milpark and a few others clustered around it ..... Bedfordview has got about 3 towers. I would also like to see more pics ..... :bash:

clive330

February 9th, 2005, 01:56 AM

So thats a "no" on Germiston then? There are no pictures of this place on the net, although I am sure I remember it looked quite big when going through on a train ages ago.

joburg

February 9th, 2005, 06:45 PM

Germiston is a pondockie on the east rand, without a great deal of character at all. There is no skyline at all - maybe a little 10 floor building here and there. It's really nothing wow.

Bedfordview has quite a few scrapers, mostly apartment blocks.
Randburg has one or two office blocks.
Kempton Park also has one or two.
Milpark/Auckland Park has the tower and some other highrises.
There is actually a little break between Joburg and Hillbrow, so they can be counted as seperate.
Sandton of course has a booming skyline.
And Rosebank has a short skyline, but it's prominant.

As for photos.... soooooooooooooooooooon. ;)

hsark

February 13th, 2005, 09:16 AM

hey remember this apartment block didn't look too fab or tall at the time when we first looked at it, but damn! from other angles its coming along very nicely and adding beauty to the sandton skyline

as u can see the Michelangelo is still under construction and will be the king of the skies for the mo and it will be between the sandown and sandton city for 2nd place
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/exterior1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/exterior3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/exterior4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/exterior2.jpg

SA BOY

February 13th, 2005, 09:29 AM

wow , it looks awesome, Much better than the origional renders.I know the plot well as I lived just down the road when I was seconded to Joburg a few years ago.Sandton is getting a little city feel about it now, pity the traffic is such a mare

SA BOY

February 13th, 2005, 09:29 AM

Harsk , is this actually U/C?

SA BOY

February 13th, 2005, 09:32 AM

Also I need any companies assosiated whith this tower
ta

hsark

February 13th, 2005, 09:06 PM

hsark

February 13th, 2005, 09:07 PM

well it has to be completed by 2006 im guessing march april seems a good bet for construction to start

joburg

February 13th, 2005, 09:15 PM

Construction for The Sandown hasn't started yet... But we still need more scrapers! :)

clive330

February 14th, 2005, 12:07 AM

Even though it has plenty of midrise, Sandton will always look unimpressive from a distance without 20+ 20 storey towers (or bigger). I hope the current trend for hirise continues, but if the traffic is bad now, its going to be a real problem in the future.

Has anyone considered introducing 'Park and Ride's ? or is not that bad yet?

joburg

February 14th, 2005, 06:42 AM

Has anyone considered introducing 'Park and Ride's ? or is not that bad yet?

Oh please. ;) Telling Joburgers to get out of their cars and jump on a bus is like telling Manto that potatoes won't cure AIDS.

It seems Joburgers worship their Tuscan dwellings out north/east/west/south, and just adore either leaving for work at 5:30am or sitting in traffic for an hour.

datilguy

February 14th, 2005, 06:48 AM

Like me ;) hehe

SA BOY

February 14th, 2005, 06:49 AM

the development is by Kagiso Intaprop are being done by sales Montagu Property Group
and the architects areGrosskopff Lombart Huyberechts & Associates its all on the site
http://www.thesandown.com/ as for whether its u/c im not sure :P but i'll find out soon
At 3.6 floor to cieling plus services and slab you are looking at4,3-4.5m times 23 floors gives you 101m, pretty good for a mid rise scraper (lower than 25 floors).
Could anyone contact the architects (same guys who did Ponte) to get a height????? pretty please.
Ill ammednt the tower to approved and add the new renders on emporis
Cheers

Developer

Kagiso Intaprop
2nd floor, Kagiso House
16 Fricker Road, Illovo Boulevard
Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa

PO Box 1341
Parklands 2121
South Africa

Tel: 27 11 537 0750
Fax: 27 11 537 0751

E-mail: info@kph.co.za

SYDNEY

February 14th, 2005, 11:11 AM

WOW ! It is gorgeous and it really extends the Sandton skyline ... I love this pic :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/exterior2.jpg

I don't think that Sandton Central will have a "city" feel because it lacks high street shopping. Everything is in shopping centres, bridges and tunnels. What will be lovely is when they join the "nodes" together with one huge pedestrian mall and high street shopping ... boutique style shops (nothing huge).

SYDNEY

February 14th, 2005, 03:51 PM

:redx:

Pule

February 18th, 2005, 08:39 AM

Joburg gears up for Soccer World Cup

PLANS are being put in place to host the soccer world's biggest event. The city is setting up groups to deal with specific tasks, integrating the work across its various departments. But the real work should start by the end of June.

February 17, 2005
By Lucky Sindane

WITH five years to go, plans are under way to ensure Joburg is up for the challenge as a host city for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Preparing the metro involves high-level organisation and world-class technology. To keep everyone informed of developments so far, the department of development planning, transportation and environment has presented a report, "Interpretation of 2010 World Cup Strategy and Preparations", on the City's current state to the council.

Erika Naude, the department's deputy director of special projects, said: "The City will set up institutional structures to oversee developments and, hopefully, by the end of June all the plans will be completed and can start to be implemented."

Safa, the South African Football Association, in November 2004 asked Johannesburg to provide information about facilities, accommodation, transport, banking facilities and security. The report is a response to this request.

According to the report, groups will be set up to focus on specific areas and to ensure that the detailed plans are implemented. These groups will cover stadiums, transport, infrastructure, economic development, safety and security, and services.

A joint operating committee made up of representatives from the mayoral committee, the city manager, and the relevant council agencies and utilities, will oversee the preparations.

Stadiums
Johannesburg has two main venues, the FNB Stadium in Nasrec and the Ellis Park Stadium in Doornfontein, that are likely to host important matches, including the opening game, some of the semi-final and quarter final matches, and the final.
According to the report, the city should prepare at least four world-class training venues to accommodate teams that will be based here. They may need night lighting so the teams can train in the evenings, which will have implications for City Power.

"We also have to prepare Orlando Stadium and Rand Stadium as training venues and there is still a lot of work to be done," said Naude. "[But] the plans are there; we just have to implement them."

The Johannesburg Property Company has developed a precinct plan for Orlando Stadium that included the upgrading of the stadium and the addition of two training fields, Naude added. A precinct plan was being developed for Rand Stadium.

Jomo Cosmos, one of the Premier Soccer League teams, have approached the Johannesburg Property Company about leasing the facility when it is fully developed.

Transport
The public transport infrastructure and any investments involved should contribute to the city and benefit all its residents.
The minibus taxi industry will play a significant role, transporting spectators to and from the various venues, and it is vital to bring the industry on board to ensure proper accreditation, vehicle safety, routes and fees.

"We are in the process of forming a Transport Authority and we have been talking to the national department of transport," said Naude.

With such an authority in place, the city should be better able to provide improved transport services to the public and to interpret and plan for the needs identified for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Power Supply
The event will take place in winter, when demand for electricity is at its highest. However, the report points out, Joburg is busy upgrading its power supply network and substations.
"The upgrade will ensure that most of the network and reticulation system is modernised," said Naude.

At previous international events in Johannesburg, City Power provided emergency power to facilities through generators. Generators should be able to cater for capacity crowds at each of Johannesburg's stadiums, particularly at the FNB Stadium.

Security
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) will play a significant role, alongside the South African Police Service, the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service.
"The security issue is a provincial confidence," said Naude, pointing out that when Johannesburg hosted the World Summit Sustainable Development "the South African National Defence Force, the South African Police Service, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service assisted us".

Metro police will be important in by-law enforcement and creating a climate of safety within the city. The enforcement of the event traffic management plans will also largely depend on metro police.

Information technology and telecommunications Appropriate infrastructure needs to be in place to cater for media requirements at all of the stadiums, as well as at the media centre.

Environmental management
This includes the beautification of the city, but there is much more involved. Johannesburg must ensure all environmental health issues are dealt with, such as waste management, food control and testing, prevention of communicable diseases and control of environmental pollution.

Financial
"We are looking at entering into partnerships with relevant stakeholders because the city on its own will not be able to fund all the upgrades and infrastructure from its own budget," said Naude.

Economic development
Various industries will benefit from hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup and these should be supported. They include bed and breakfast establishments, traders and manufacturing industries that will make items carrying official World Cup logos.
The event will create jobs and help alleviate poverty, according to the report. In addition, it will attract investors, which will have an economic benefit through various spin offs.

Other departments involved in drawing up the plans included:

transportation planning and management;
social development;
arts, culture and heritage;
development planning and facilitation;
environmental health;
the economic development unit;
the Johannesburg Roads Agency;
the Johannesburg Development Agency;
the Johannesburg Tourism Company;
City Parks; and
Metrobus.

Pule

February 18th, 2005, 09:47 AM

The Innovation Hub (TIH) is being established as the first internationally accredited Science and Technology Park in Africa as an initiative to enhance the innovative and growth capacity of high-tech companies in the local economy. It is creating a cluster of knowledge-intensive industries that will also provide a strong foundation for the creation of intellectual property and its commercialisation. This supports the broader development of smart industries within the Province that, by definition and as the result of international pressure, must continually improve and innovate. Hence, if Gauteng is to develop as a smart Province, the first step is to ensure that a pipeline is created to foster innovation and drive the development of business activity linked to new intellectual property.

For the local market, TIH facilitates a strong interface in a networked community between entrepreneurs, academics and researchers on the one hand and the private, public and parastatal sectors on the other.

For small and emerging local companies, TIH offers flexible leasehold accommodation, commercialisation support services, incubation, linkages to venture capital, networking opportunities, shared facilities and other value-added services.

For larger, established local firms, The Innovation Hub offers the opportunity to locate in lease – or free-hold accommodation, state-of-the-art shared facilities, facilitated access to academic and other research agencies, as well as links to new intellectual property emerging from smaller companies at the Science Park and partnering institutions.

For international firms, the Science Park offers an ideal location to access cost competitive R&D facilities and staff, as well as a platform to engage with local networks and markets and bring new technology solutions to Southern Africa and beyond. Broadly, The Innovation Hub is creating a unique environment where cutting edge technologies can be developed, piloted and demonstrated, and where participants can build meaningful alliances, networks and partnerships to release the full potential of a knowledge-driven community.

http://www.blueiq.co.za/images/photogallery/img_tih5_big.jpg

http://www.blueiq.co.za/images/photogallery/img_tih6_big.jpg

http://www.blueiq.co.za/images/photogallery/img_tih8_big.jpg

SYDNEY

February 18th, 2005, 01:45 PM

"The minibus taxi industry will play a significant role, transporting spectators to and from the various venues, and it is vital to bring the industry on board to ensure proper accreditation, vehicle safety, routes and fees."

:hahaha: :rofl:

dysan1

February 22nd, 2005, 12:35 AM

any news on GAUTRAIN? (those train tracks got me thinking....)

waltjie

February 23rd, 2005, 05:16 PM

THE two best offers for the planned rail link between Joburg and Pretoria are on the table, says Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, and the preferred bidder should be announced by the end of April.

www.joburg.org.za

dysan1

February 23rd, 2005, 10:25 PM

when will any construction actually begin? they still sure it will be ready by 2010? they better start working alot quicker!!!

joburg

February 24th, 2005, 07:13 AM

They were supposed to start in June, but the date is now set for October.

I smell lots of red tape.

clive330

February 24th, 2005, 07:56 AM

Its a big project involving many stakeholders - delays like these are inevitable. I think the original timetable might hvae been a bit optimistic.

London has been in the process of planning and implementing its CrossRail project for something like 20 years and it will take another 10 to finish at least. And the CrossRail is simply a 3km long subterranean connection from Paddington to Liverpool St. Cost? a cool 10 billion POUNDS.

The Gautrain is doing fine and its cheap!

waltjie

February 24th, 2005, 09:58 AM

The preferred bidder will be chosen based on their ability being able to finish the project in time for the World Cup (amongs others)...

dysan1

February 24th, 2005, 05:50 PM

thanx.

But will it prove a success? i think its a good idea and should work, but people love their cars. also the stations dont seem to be in the most user-friendly area's

clive330

February 25th, 2005, 12:35 AM

They can turn the screws to MAKE it a success. I would.
- Endless roadworks on competing freeways
- Tollways on competing freeways, higher prices at rush hours
- No further extensions or additions to competing roads
- Big fines for breaking down in rush hour on competing freeways
- Many more things if you get creative!

dysan1

February 25th, 2005, 10:55 AM

so basically be disruptive?

waltjie

February 25th, 2005, 02:08 PM

Yes! People will surely get pissed off if they have to start paying a daily fee for driving on the same highways they used to. It will work, for sure. I live in Rosebank and work in Sandton, about 5.5km apart. Most mornings it takes me 40 minutes to get to work.... that is ridiculous. If I could use the Gautrain, I would definitely!

dysan1

February 25th, 2005, 03:15 PM

but the side that need to be discussed, is how easy is the system going to be, that it will encourage people to use it. you are still going to be expected to drive in your car to the various stations, that will mean that cars will still on the roads. then you will need to provide parking garages to cater for all the cars. it seems like alot of infrastructure will be needed just so people can use a train "for ease of use". Jozi is a very spread out place, and nowhere near as dense as durban. this fact means that within the direct precinct of each station there will be very few people within walking distance of them. there will need to be other means of transport to cater for this problem.

Then there is the problem that occurs once people arrive at their destination. how far will they have to walk to get to offices and the like? or use another form of transport again? if this becomes the case, then there is little incentive for people to use the system. if you then intend to punish people for not using the system, you may have a massive public outcry on your hands. It seems the practicality of the system has some flaws.

It sounds great, but i f for example there is one station in sandton. and you work in grayston drive. you could have a huge walk to your office! its not london, where stations are basically at every corner and convient.

joburg

February 25th, 2005, 05:52 PM

Exactly my sentiments dysan! What it all boils down to the uncontrollable pace of development around Joburg. The other issue is that business nodes are not centralised at all. There might be a train station in Sandton, but what about Sunninghill or Randburg or Bedfordview or Edenvale... and hell, inbetween all these places are loads of pathetic office parks. Unfortunately with all this urban sprawl, Joburg just isn't made for public transport. The most efficient mode of public transport are the taxis.

dysan1

February 25th, 2005, 09:55 PM

very true indeed. its not a city that was planned, it just exploded and people decided to build here there and everywhere, without thought of the repurcussions. The council should have not let things get into the position they are today. Its a city destined for traffic problems forever, because of shocking planning

waltjie

February 26th, 2005, 09:50 AM

For far less than what the Gautrain will cost at the end of the day (and they don't want to comment on the costs at this stage!), they can rather implement an excellent BUS service comparable with what one can get in let's say, London. Lots of people make use of the Metrobus in Johannesburg, but let's face it, its not really sufficient.

hsark

February 26th, 2005, 01:11 PM

ya new buses wud be cool but they'll go for the train coz its flashy :P ,but what about combining the two in some sort of structure system that works for everyone think thats what they want to do

dysan1

February 26th, 2005, 01:15 PM

Just to give you guys a comparisson.

In Joburg, a far larger city than Durban in area, you have only 854 buses operating.

In Durban we have 2800 on regular predefined routes. The city has also spent R500m on a whole fleet of new buses, so that there is greater frequency as well. On top of this, on the tourist routes, they have implemented 50 luxury buses to ferry tourists around the blue lagoon, beachfront, point, icc and cbd area's. This is in preparation for the propesed monorail that will run on these routes.

I beleive that something does need to be done about public transport in jozi, but i'm not confident that the gautrain proposal will solve any problems, unless its implementation is concurrent with an improvement in other area's (ie buses, taxis and general rail)

Makes one think....

datilguy

February 26th, 2005, 06:33 PM

Dysan, you use a lot less smileys in the Joburg forum. :(.............hehe

Well, like it has been said before Jozi is destined to have a traffic prob. forever. Just like ABQ, but they really need to think on cost effective ways to relieve congestion. No sense spending millions and millions of rand on an arm candy project if no ones gonna use it. It sounds really great, but surely there are better ways yes? What about improving the current rail system? I mean that wont really help with northern congestion but it will help with trafficfrom east-west right?

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 08:20 AM

Ah... look, more suburban bliss:

Bedford Square on course for completion by mid-2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bedford Square, east of Johan- nesburg, will be fully oper- ational by the middle of 2007, a confident Raymond Abrosie tells Engineering News.

The square, best described as an upmarket cosmopolitan ‘city’ for want of a better word, epitomises luxury living and is budgeted at about R800-million.

At the start of the new year, 40 town-houses were under construction by the housing division of Group 5.

Some 40% of the townhouses were expected to have been roofed by the end of January.

The townhouses will be differen-tiated from other developments through a cosmopolitan look, part of which is to design the façade so that it appears to be a collection of different build-ings.

This includes a staggered roofline to give the townhouses a different aesthetic quality from the norm.

The townhouses will be sold by auction, and will be complete when they go under the hammer.

Of the decision not to sell off plan, Abrosie says: “We want to attract people who want to live there – not speculators.” He adds that the market will deter-mine a fair price.

“We are prepared to take the risk of a profit or a loss.” Excavation of the second phase was almost complete by New Year’s Day, says Abrosie, a principal shareholder in the development.

This phase is to house three five-storey apartment buildings comprising 105 apartments. Office space for blue-chip companies will also be made available.

A luxury five-star hotel with 200 rooms is to be constructed on the peri-meter of the square, facing inwards. Piling is expected to be completed during the first quarter of this year, while the main contractor should be on site by the beginning of June.

“About 18 months from then, the site should be fully operational,” Abrosie adds.

As a development, Bedford Square will be one of the biggest – if not the biggest – in Bedfordview, he says, explaining that, while Eastgate is bigger, it straddles Johannesburg and Bedfordview.

The hotel includes a shopping area, as two levels will be retail space, to be filled with upmarket deli-style speciality stores, complete with coffee bars.

Abrosie even visualises a bottlestore specialising in fine wines attached to a pub.

Also on the two levels will be a theatre, a cinema along the lines of Cinema Noveau and a chapel.

Four levels of parking in the parkade will provide space for some 1 800 cars, while open parking will accommodate a further 800 cars.

The square, open round the clock every day, will be open to the sky – although a retractable roof provides shelter in the rainy season.

The services that will be offered by the hotel include a conference centre which can seat 1 200 people in its 21 000 m2 area.

Additionally, a banquet hall which can seat 1 000 and an à la carte res-taurant will be open 24/7.

International travellers will be able to continue their fitness regimes at the gym or the indoor swimming pool.

“We have substantial confidence in the hotel,” says Abrosie, in response to questions about the suitability of the location.

He believes that the area justifies a five-star hotel, pointing out that Bed-fordview is close to Johannesburg International Airport and is surrounded by industrial areas. “Five-star hotels are doing very well in Sandton, and we are losing out on international tourists, many of whom have family here,” says Abrosie.

An unusual aspect of the hotel which he cites is its integration with other aspects of living areas, such as shops and residential units.

The 82 000 m2 development has justified a total of 15 specialist con-sultant firms. For example, there will be two quantity surveyors on site, with one dedicated to the hotel, says Abrosie.

Other firms involved in “getting it as close to perfect as possible” are an interior design firm; architects; construction, electrical and sound engineers; water engineers; and two firms of mechanical engineers.

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 08:23 AM

On the other hand... good news that Biccard House and Castle Mansions in the city are now apartments!

"Convert and rent!" is the cry of inner-city developers who realise that the huge demand for rental accommodation more than covers redevelopment costs.

By Pauline Larsen

"Convert and rent!" is the cry of inner-city developers who realise that the huge demand for rental accommodation more than covers redevelopment costs.

Developers have snapped up Biccard House in Braamfontein and Castle Mansions in downtown Johannesburg, to convert office floors into residential accommodation. Long-empty Biccard House on Biccard Street was, until recently, a six-storey office building with a Telkom service centre on the ground floor. It was once the headquarters of Permanent Bank.

Today, the building offers 54 studio and one-bed apartments for rent. They aren't big, at about 40 m², but even at R1 500-R2 000/month, tenants aren't complaining. "The building is fully let for five years," says developer Richard Rubin of Aengus Property Holdings.

The cost of redevelopment was about R2 000/m² but Rubin points out that this included new lifts and a plumbing overhaul.

He predicts the developer will sectionalise and sell units when demand for buying is strong enough. Aengus wants to exercise its option to buy the building from listed fund ApexHi and talks are under way.

Castle Mansions, on Eloff Street, was sectionalised and the 10 office floors sold off to the Affordable Housing Company (Afhco).

The seller, ApexHi, elected to retain the ground-floor retail space. "There are 126 units and the conversions cost on average R70 000/unit," says Afhco's Renny Plit. He says they target tenants with household income of up to R7 500/month. The building is fully let. Rentals range from R1 150 to R1 800.

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 08:40 AM

But back to public transport...

I agree that busses would seem the most viable option ito public transport. But would everyone use it? Most people with enough money to affords cars will use their cars, because their perception of anything public in Joburg is dodgy. Who wants to use a bus where you could very easily face the chance of being mugged?

Joburgers have retreated into their safe gated neighbourhoods and stuffy shopping malls, because it's simply too dangerous to share a space with other people.

It's really quite sad, but crime is essentially the reason behind all of Joburg's problems: thanks to crime, urban sprawl has happened; thanks to urban sprawl, traffic congestion is on the increase; inner city rejuvination is lacking because of the dodgy perception of the city; and worst of all, Joburg's worldwide reputation is pretty screwed because of crime.

I don't mean to be negative here, but Joburg's problems just seem soooo insurmountable. :(

dysan1

February 27th, 2005, 05:26 PM

I think people in joburg have a serious mental complex about crime!!!!

I think that you build things completely out of propoetion to the reality of the situation and as such make perceptions your reality.

Crime in SA cities is bad, but it seems like you talk and worry about it far more than the rest of us do. In umhlanga and durban in general it is rare to see electric fencing, for most people belive that it is unneeded. But up in jozi its everywhere! it feels like a god damn prison sometimes. Thats the main reason that i try to keep my visits up there as short as possible.

"joburg" you mention that people their wouldnt use the buses cos they feel they'll get mugged, tell me then why on earth they'd use a train then? seems like they wont use anything.

Alot of people in durban use public transport. i for one use cabs when i go out, for parking in morningside is such a problem and then at least you can enjoy urself without worrying about the never-ending roadblocks! Even during the day, buses run so frequently on the berea that getting around is easy. Not that i use them, but they are always full with a very diverse cross-section of the population using them. Would that not work in jozi at all? seems rather sad :( :( :(

Maybe people there need an something to happen to force change, for the future growth of the city, i believe, will be negatively affected by transport problems.

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 05:55 PM

Do you think Joburgers like have high walls and electric fencing? Why do you think people barricade themselves in estates and block their streets? Maybe in Durban it's not a necessity, but here I'm afraid it is.

I'm not building things completely out of proportion to the reality, because the reality isn't good. Just last week monday my wallet was nicked out of my bag. And that's nothing. I can tell you stories that will make your blood curl.

Maybe it was a bit far-fetched for me to say ALL people (with enough money for cars of course) will refuse to take public transport. But I'd bet that many people will avoid public transport because like I said, the perception of public places isn't a good one. And that perception is unfortunately not flawed. Unless this perception is changed, there will be tough times ahead for Jozi.

I'm still proud of my city, and I'm not going anywhere, but there are many, many problems which need to be fixed up. I was simply discussing them here.

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 06:06 PM

Here's some good news for Joburg. Stuff like this is needed to enhance the reputation of Joburg.

Heart of Sandton buzzing with activity

SANDTON CENTRAL, the urban management team responsible for upgrading Joburg's key business district, is going from strength to strength. New weekend markets, public spaces and informal trading stalls are just some of the developments planned for 2005.

February 25, 2005
By Anish Abraham

THE area around Sandton Drive and Alice Lane is a beehive of activity with construction workers busy modifying the intersection, creating a new access road to 1 Sandton Drive, the new location of the US Embassy.

This is just one of the developments taking place in Sandton Central - as the business district is now known.

Sandton Central is a management district set up by local businesses to improve the area, support the work of the City of Johannesburg, and encourage investment.

Set up in 2002, Sandton Central aims to turn the area into one of Johannesburg's main financial, commercial and entertainment hubs.

Goals for 2005 include the establishment of a Disaster Management Forum, an increased focus on green spaces, and improved management of informal traders - including designing stalls.

Sandton Central also plans to increase landscaping projects within the district, focus on clear signs helping demarcation and way-finding, and continued Public Safety Ambassador training.

Sandton Central is also planning to boost weekend activities in the area. The first phase of the plan will see the launch of the Village Walk Shopping Centre weekly Sunday market on 13 March.

According to Cara Reilly, brand manager, vendors at the market will offer exclusive and handmade goods, fresh produce, African art works, crafts, esoteric fare and organic products.

Some of the challenges facing Sandton Central in the upcoming year, says Reilly, include "ensuring the goals of the improvement district and those of the City of Johannesburg are in line with each other and ensuring members focus on Sandton Central as a whole and not only on their own agendas".

As part of building closer relationships with various partners, Sandton Central plans to take an active role in the establishment of the Sandton Station planned as part of the Gautrain development linking Johannesburg and Pretoria with the Johannesburg International Airport.

In 2004 Sandton Central established the brand and ensured its visibility around the district, created an urban art programme, which led to the Maude Street mural, renovated an obsolete fountain on the corner of West Street and Rivonia Road, and set up a website at www.sandtoncentral.co.za.

The Public Safety Ambassador training programmes were also implemented - putting visible security guards on the street on bicycles. According to Reilly there had been a drop in 10 of 12 crime categories in the last six months of 2004.

Public Safety Ambassadors, she says, assisted on average 200 people a month.

The urban management team also arranged for cleaning crews to pick up a total of 145 000kg of refuse over the year.

Continuing to grow in influence, Sandton Central's management team will be moving to new offices in the RMB Properties building at 3 Gwen Lane on Tuesday, 1 March.

dysan1

February 27th, 2005, 06:46 PM

ok no problem. maybe the situation there is as bad as you all make it out to be. if that truely is the case, then i really dont feel that jozi has a bright future at all.

joburg

February 27th, 2005, 06:58 PM

if that truely is the case, then i really dont feel that jozi has a bright future at all.

Look it still is a live-able, fun and interesting (albeit complex) city, but with tough times ahead. As for a bright future... that's where I come in. :D

dysan1

February 27th, 2005, 08:30 PM

well you better bring about the change :) :) :)

sa-dreamer

February 27th, 2005, 09:09 PM

Guys, the thought of Johannesburg and public transport put together is a little bit scary haha

Even here in Toronto we have had a young girl shot on a bus with her mother, people getting beat up/shot on buses... it happens everywhere, but right now in johannesburg, everything ties in with crime control. Hopefuly Joburg gets a good handle on its crime.

anyways, joburg, can you get us those suburb photos? i keep getting requests but im in toronto!!!

datilguy

February 28th, 2005, 03:55 AM

I dont know. I dont think Jozi and public transit is as big as a hurdle as some make out. (Of course I'm no expert) ;) I think Jozi can and WILL do it. Johannesburg just might surprise us in the next 5 years. :)

clive330

February 28th, 2005, 06:32 AM

No city has ever ground to a halt for more than a day or so because of transport problems. Jozi will muddle on one way or another.

Hamish1

March 2nd, 2005, 01:38 AM

Have been following the information and the progress of CT since I was last down there (10 months ago). Just have a question. If any of you were looking to invest in a small property (say R700k) where would you recommend? Would it be CBD, Claremont, Green Point or another "up and coming area"?
Do you think Durban will catch up in the next year or two?

SA BOY

March 2nd, 2005, 05:20 AM

hamish mate 700k was 2 years ago, I bought in big bay just over a year ago for 750 times 2 and each is now worth 1,2mil, and that is what the entry level is for a decent 2 bed 2 bath place.
I did however buy a place in morningside in Durban just last month for 735 so there are sort of deals like that in Durban at the mo.
good luck and hope you get something, maybe look at the great info Dysan has posted under the durban construction threads for some info and tips

waltjie

March 2nd, 2005, 01:14 PM

For all of you lucky enough and being able to see the Sandton skyline, have you all noticed that they have started construction on the 'dome' atop the Michaelangelo?? They've put up the centrepiece that will support it from the inside... :)

dysan1

March 2nd, 2005, 05:27 PM

For hamish, property in durbs at 700k:

New Developments:

You'll be lucky to get a one bed room flat for that price. in umhlanga one beds are at R1,5m entry and at the point it was R900k a year ago, but now +/- R1,1m.

There are some developements on umhlanga ridge around gateway on the market for R700k, but they one bed, 49m2. They originally sold for R500k in may 2004. So the prices are picking up.

Up and coming areas in durbs would be north beach, around the suncoast casino. Prices doubled there last year, and you can still get a good 2 bed with sea view for R700k. Other area's would be the new estates abutting mt edgecombe, but prices there are rising fast. +/- R700k too. Another development that might suit you is on ilala ridge. Its between umhlanga and la lucia (2km from the la lucia ridge). A development called kiara cove is selling apartments and townhouses from R650k. All development is +/- R14000m2, but there are wonderful sea views the whole way along the coast to the bluff.

Hope it helps :)

As SABOY said, there is plenty more on the durban thread.

dysan1

March 2nd, 2005, 05:29 PM

oh and durban has almost caught up...and soon will pass... :)

datilguy

March 5th, 2005, 06:52 PM

WOW!!! Sounds fantastic. :) Its good to see some development going up in SouthWest. I love big projects like this. Does anyone have a clue on how far this project is gonna be from Protea mall which I think is under contruction?

joburg

March 7th, 2005, 10:56 PM

Let's hope we get some office scrapers soon!

23 February 2005 - Office developments to take centre stage

THE big property trend in Johannesburg in the next 12 months will be the development of new offices.

David Green, MD of commercial property brokers Pace Property Group, says the availability of quality office space is diminishing rapidly in Johannesburg’s northern areas of Bryanston, Fourways, Sunninghill and Lonehill. There will be a shortage of quality office space in the next year, he says.

At the same, time a residential property oversupply is looming in these areas.

“There have been scores of investor buyers (in the residential market) and there may not be sufficient numbers of tenants to satisfy the supply that we would expect to come on stream towards the second half of the year,” says Green.

Green says that there is no sign of the residential property market slowing down in other popular residential nodes in Johannesburg.

Many sites in Fourways, Sunninghill and Lonehill, which were previously zoned for office developments, were rezoned for residential purposes — which has led to a shortage of zoned office sites.

Green says there has also been a substantial drop in office vacancies in these areas. He says Sunninghill has a total of 309000m² of office space available, of which only 8,7% is vacant. About a year ago, as much as 18% was vacant in the area.

Fourways has experienced a similar situation, with only 10,8% of the available 86000m² office space vacant. A year ago, 14% of office space there was vacant.

Although there have been reports from property commentators saying there are other areas in Johannesburg where there is still a major oversupply of offices, Green says it is important to keep in mind that much of the space available in certain of the office nodes is low grade, and will always remain vacant.

He says this vacant space cannot even be converted to residential units because it is not suitable. The vacant offices will remain “white elephants” even if the office property market starts booming again.

There is a shortage of A-grade office space in Johannesburg, and most of the new development will be tenant-driven and not done on a speculative basis. There are already new office buildings under construction in Johannesburg.

The Sandton central business district (CBD) has 1,174-million square metres of A- and B-grade office space and, Green says, another 50000m² is under construction there. “That is the largest amount of space being built in the country.”

Fourways has 16000m² under construction.

The Cape Town CBD is also experiencing a similar trend with a shortage of offices because of large-scale conversions of office buildings to residential units.

Green says many of the remaining CBD buildings in Cape Town are being upgraded as office accommodation, and certain buildings are being turned into sectional-title office accommodation offered at a premium to market value due to their desirability on the part of smaller office users.

There is 13000m² of office space under construction in Cape Town’s CBD, while in Bellville about 9200m² is being built.

Property economist Francois Viruly, of Viruly Consulting, says that he would prefer to see the office property market in Johannesburg “moving upwards” first, before any more development takes place.

Viruly says that even if new office space is being filled, it is often as a result of companies shifting from one area to another part of Johannesburg, rather than new companies seeking premises.

“What we’ve done over the past decade fairly successfully is to cannibalise one node to create another,” he says.

“We have to be very careful that we don’t carry on with that trend with a continuous oversupply in the market, with little scope for rental increases.”

Green supports this view, saying history has shown that when new trends emerge in the property market, all players enter the race without taking into consideration what competitors are planning, often resulting in a situation of oversupply a few years down the line.

“Oversupply of a particular property commodity, be it commercial, industrial, retail or residential property, then takes approximately five years to normalise. If this is coupled with a rise in interest rates or a downturn in the economy, the effects are exacerbated.”

Business Day

datilguy

March 8th, 2005, 07:23 PM

I agree 100%. SA def. needs some more office towers. Hopefully the postmodern trend will hit Johannesburg. ;) Downtown needs some office space too yes? Hell, convert the Highpoint. (shudder).

Pule

March 10th, 2005, 02:41 PM

TRAVELLING to work may soon be a whole lot easier, faster and cheaper for Soweto commuters if Johannesburg goes ahead with plans for a direct route from the township to the business centres in the northern suburbs.

March 10, 2005
By Thomas Thale

SOWETO commuters could soon be boarding taxis and buses travelling directly to suburbs north of the city, following a recent council resolution to create a direct public transport link between Soweto and the northern suburbs.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/mar/transport.jpg
Shelters of this kind for both taxi and bus passengers will become common in Johannesburg, part of a massive new transport plan to make travel across long distances cheaper, quicker and more reliable.

At present, commuters travelling from Soweto to the northern suburbs have to catch connecting taxis in the city centre, as there is no public transport linking the township with the suburbs. This increases their transport costs and creates unnecessary delays. "This is forced movement. Not all commuters want to be funnelled through the inner city," said Bob Stanway, the director of transportation planning and management for the City.

The City has already approved R22-million to kickstart the plan in the current financial year. The measure to create new routes linking north and south underscores the City's efforts to promote the use of much improved public transport to relieve pressure on the roads.

Solly Nyambe, executive member of the Gauteng Provincial Commuter Council, which represents commuters who travel by bus, train and taxi, welcomed the initiative, saying it would make life easier for commuters. "We welcome that very much. Commuters experience problems having to transfer to another taxi in the city centre. It is costly. The queues are always long, making people late for work. If we could have taxis travelling from Soweto to Sandton, it would be appreciated."

At present, taxi commuters have to pay R4,70 from Soweto to Johannesburg, and then an extra R5,50 for a taxi to Sandton.

But the taxi industry has issued a word of caution. Eric Motshoane, the chairman of the Greater Johannesburg Taxi Council, which represents taxi operators, described the idea as "brilliant", but warned against putting some taxi operators out of business.

"When you talk transportation, you talk economics. This proposal should therefore not be a recipe for conflict. Our business works through a feeder system. That's what makes it viable. We must work out a way to make up for the losses which will be incurred by associations that rely on the Soweto-Johannesburg route."

Link to Integrated Transport Plan
For the plan to be realised, the City will first have to provide the necessary infrastructure and agree with public transport operators on the mechanism of implementing the resolution, which is informed by the City's Integrated Transport Plan (ITP). The ITP is a five-year City plan that recommends the creation of a Strategic Public Transport Network, 325km "of grid-based corridors along mobility spines, linking main residential and economic nodes in line with the Spatial Development Framework (SDF)".
The plan commits the City to the construction of a direct north-south corridor, linking Soweto, where many workers live, to the northern suburbs, where many employers are based. Another corridor linking Roodepoort in the west to Alexandra in the east, through Randburg/Sandton, will be opened up in due course.

The 2010 Soccer World Cup has added some urgency to the plan, as the FNB Stadium in Nasrec must be accessible from hotels in the northern suburbs. "It is a requirement of the 2010 Soccer World Cup that there should be priority public transport corridors between hotels and stadiums," Stanway said.

He said a preliminary design had already been done on roads stretching from Regina Mundi Church in Soweto to Parktown. The City had established from surveys that a large proportion of commuters wanted to go to the north, Stanway said. "We must provide the quickest, most effective routing."

In the current financial year, the City had set aside R22-million for constructing lanes and stops and creating priority measures at intersections to facilitate the free flow of public transport, he said, adding that contractors to upgrade the first 5km of the road linking Regina Mundi to Orlando West were to go on site soon.

The pilot phase of the project will be the construction of a special, coloured lane reserved for public transport from Soweto. The lane is intended to speed up travelling times for vehicles carrying the bulk of commuters.

"The road surface will be red to distinguish it as a public transport lane. The intention is to make it prominent. Eventually, buses and taxis will mostly run on this network," Stanway explained. "We'll also be putting up public transport priorities in the form of special stops, transfer points and shelter to protect commuters waiting to board transport. This will help make public transport quicker, more regular and less subject to sporadic delays."

The corridor will be extended progressively, until it covers the 325km of the designated public transport priority routes. Other measures being developed by the City to tackle peak hour traffic are to encourage motorists to establish lift clubs and to have variable working hours. Stanway said the City had met business owners from Sunninghill, "to expose them to the objectives of the City with respect to piloting carpooling and variable working hours" in that suburb.

dysan1

March 10th, 2005, 07:22 PM

good plan... surprised it has taken so long... thought u could get direct taxis or buses to the north long ago. Sandton has been around for years...

Umhlanga has been there since '97 and it already has these services, but good to see that its now happening in jozi

Pule

March 11th, 2005, 01:52 PM

THE OLD Europa Hotel in Hillbrow is to be refurbished, and an estimated R5,8-million has been set aside to turn the building into residential units and an emergency shelter.

The funding comes from the Johannesburg Property Company's Better Buildings Programme, the City of Johannesburg's housing department and the Gauteng department of housing. The Better Buildings Programme is Johannesburg's flagship programme to clean up the inner city's slums.

The building was shut down in 2003 and since then there has been no interest from anyone in investing money into upgrading the building, says George Chauke, Propcom's project manager for the Europa Hotel.

Built on the corner of Claim and Smit Streets in Hillbrow, before it was closed the Europa Hotel was a strip joint, a drug den and a haven for prostitutes, particularly under-age girls.

"The renovation started in January 2005 and will be completed at the end of July 2005," says Chauke. The former hotel will be turned into an emergency shelter and a temporary relocation home with communal facilities.

Four floors will be for communal living, with not more than four people staying in one sleeping unit. Residents will share facilities such as bathrooms, kitchens, lounges and dining areas.

Two floors will be set aside for residents staying a longer period, with not more than four people staying in one permanent unit. Each unit will have its own bathroom and kitchen facilities.

"People will start moving into the building in August and will not stay there for longer than two years," Chauke says.

Madulammoho, or communal living, the housing association, was appointed to manage the transitional housing shelter on behalf of the City as owners of the building for 20 years.

In terms of the lease, Madulammoho will provide total management and rental accommodation for basement parking and storage, the ground floor, floors including the Old Razzmatazz night club, emergency housing, administration, retail, sporting and training facilities, four floors for communal living and two floors for permanent living.

It will also take care of operational costs and income. "All financial processes and the write-off all outstanding rates and taxes and the transfer of the property have been done," says Chauke.

Pule

March 11th, 2005, 02:16 PM

Buy a bad building and fix it

Gandalf check the highlighted part as per what I posted earlier today. To be specific the Noord area

By Bongani Majola

THE City's housing department will call for proposals in September from individuals, tenants and private developers interested in investing in buildings identified as "derelict". The invitations are part of the Better Buildings Programme, aimed at regenerating the inner city by attracting private sector investment in refurbishing buildings.

In a "back to back" arrangement, the City undertakes to buy the buildings and cancel the arrears due. The City then invites interested parties to put in money to refurbish, then manage the buildings. "This way," says programme manager for institutional housing, Skhumbuzo Ndumndum, "the council avoids the route of litigation."

The Stock Conditions Survey, commissioned by the City in November last year to identify buildings that posed a health and safety risk in the city, has produced a database of 81 dwellings, including hotels and flat blocks. From the database, the City can determine which buildings need extensive repairs, minor improvements, or need to be demolished.

"We want to recover outstanding arrears from some of these buildings, and at the same time promote investment in residential property," says City of Johannesburg media liaison officer Nthatisi Modingoane. No matter what arrears are due, Modingoane says, the city will undertake to write the debt off. Prospective investors will be required to make significant investment in refurbishment, and will have the option of buying the buildings over a period of up to 10 years.

Modingoane says the programme is also open to tenants who are able to mobilise the resources to buy, repair and manage the buildings in the long term.

The 81 buildings are located mostly in the inner city and the surrounding Hillbrow, Yeoville, Doornfontein, Berea and Jeppestown areas. They include the previously infamous home of drug dealers and prostitutes,the Europa Hotel in Hillbrow, now a shelter for the homeless, the Mark and the Sands Hotel in Berea, an alleged source of drugs; and the Harley Chambers in central town, erstwhile home of some of the city's best doctors. Other buildings that might ring a bell in old memories include the Chelsea Hotel, Cosa Nostra, Olympia Mansions and Stone Acres.

In the second phase of the inner city regeneration, the City has identified another 75 buildings for inspection by a professional team who are expected to report by the end of the month. It is hoped, says Modingoane, that the inspection will assist the City in determining which buildings are to be demolished. The 75 buildings stand between Wolmarans and Hancock in the city centre, and Claim and Wanderers near the Noord taxi rank, encompassing most of Joubert Park.

During repairs, it is anticipated that tenants will have to temporarily relocate to other buildings, and may return to the refurbished buildings under new management, and on new terms and conditions.

datilguy

March 11th, 2005, 05:48 PM

Hell, Im tempted to do that myself. :) Buildings there are so cheap!! Wasnt Carlton Center sold for like some $3 million US dollars? A whole skyscraper, the tallest building in Africa!!!! Amazing. :)

joburg

March 13th, 2005, 10:58 PM

Stuff like Heritage Hill really irritates me. There are LOADS of little estates like this popping up all over the north. All they do is contribute to urban sprawl and contribute to the already hectic gridlock that is Joburg. I believe these devlopments are hurting Joburg in the long run. Bring on the skyscrapers, for goodness sake!

waltjie

March 14th, 2005, 08:13 AM

i agree Joburg. what these people don't seem to realise is that they will still have to make use of the f#cking N1 highway, which means more and more and more blockage... AND, its not as if they are going to build more on-/offramps.

dysan1

March 14th, 2005, 02:19 PM

to be it is typical gauteng attempt at making a false reality. They say its this wonderful mixed use envionment, with all these amenities, but its locked up behind fencing! Not really real is it?

Compared to the urban environment they are creating afresh, free of fences and the like at the Umhlanga ridge new town, the joburg developments (melrose arch and this one) seem to be sticking to the caged in formula, instead of embracing the surroundings.

Do you believe that you are safer with all that fencing and closed off roads? if someone wants to get in they will, and with that environment they will tend to be more agrressive.

I believe that joburg developers should go back to the drawing board, look at what moreland are doing, and in some way try to follow the same principles. For the free movement of people in a 24 hour mixed use area, acording to moreland, provides a far safer environment than one that tries to isolate itself from the rest of society.

Precincts should use the cctv and patrols that umhlanga ridge uses... and there is yet to be an incident in the area. NOT A SINGLE CAR HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM GATEWAY... EVER...

Just a thought... :)

joburg

March 14th, 2005, 08:20 PM

Gay Games bid to be ready next week

THE JOBURG Gay Games bid committee is working flat-out to finalise a bid to host the 2010 Gay Games, and has won the support of the City of Cape Town and South African sporting heroes.

March 11, 2005
By Lucille Davie

THE JOHANNESBURG bid proposal for the 2010 Gay Games is to be submitted on 15 March 2005, and the bid company is working flat-out to finalise the minutiae of the bid.

A Section 21 company, the Gay Games VIII Johannesburg Bidding Committee, was formed to make the bid, and James Mathias, one of the board directors, says there is a number of factors the board is hoping will win Johannesburg the games.

"The bid is for South Africa, not just Johannesburg. The city will not look the same in 2010, with the infrastructure in place for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. South Africa's constitution is the first [in the world] to recognise the rights of gays. And lastly, previous games have lost control of the budget, we will be sticking to the core costs."

Mathias says the other bid cities, Cologne and Paris (Berlin has dropped out of the race), will not be able to compete with the low costs of facilities such as the Ellis Park swimming pool, the cost of employing security guards or the low cost of hotel rooms, compared with those in Europe. "The budget is designed to win the games," he says.

KPMG, the auditing firm, has been brought on board to work out the budget, and it calculates that a surplus of about $500 000 (almost R3-million) will be achieved, with R100-million as financial spin-off benefits to the city.

The Gay Games began in 1982 in San Francisco; South Africa participated for the first time in 1994 in New York, when 14 athletes entered the stadium carrying the new South African flag, to a standing ovation from 25 000 people. In 2002 more than 50 South Africans travelled to Sydney to compete in the sixth Gay Games. The next games take place in Chicago in 2006.

Athletes do not have to be professional to enter, the only restriction is a minimum age of 18. The games will take place over eight days, whereafter the athletes will travel to Cape Town to participate in cultural activities like choir festivals and costume parties.

Events will take place in Johannesburg at a range of venues, including the Ellis Park sports stadium, the Randburg sports complex, the Royal Johannesburg Golf Course, the Hector Norris Park, Cresta Shopping Centre (10-pin bowling) and the Eldorado Park soccer club.

Cultural activities will also take place in Joburg. Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown will be converted into an Ubuntu Village, with beach volleyball, wine tasting and craft activities. There will also be a band festival, a cheerleader competition and a rainbow run, a memorial run to commemorate people who have died of Aids and breast cancer.

"We will be turning Newtown pink," adds Mathias. Former sporting champions will be offering their support - those already committed are Hlongiwe Buthelezi, who won seven medals at the Sydney Gay Games, former rugby player Francois Pienaar and golfer Ernie Els.

Letters of endorsement have been received from Southern Sun Hotels, the City of Cape Town, the Treatment Action Campaign, Judge Edwin Cameron, Cape Town Pride, the Equality Project and Cape Town Tourism.

Although Cape Town is seen as the gay capital of the country, it has happily endorsed Johannesburg as the games venue, knowing it will get visitors once they have finished the sports events. The closing festival is planned for Cape Town.

Plans include charging South African athletes half price and securing sponsorships and scholarships for African athletes. There are 22 core sports at the games and the host city is free to include eight additional sports. It is likely that cricket, rugby, bowls and field hockey will be added if South Africa wins the games.

Participants will be asked to donate their equipment afterwards to local disadvantaged communities. They will also be required to pay a $10 carbon levy fee (caused by the pollution created by their planes landing at the airport), which will be used to plant trees in Soweto and other townships.

After the bid has been submitted next week, site inspections will take place in July, August and September, and the final decision will be taken in November. The games are likely to be held in October 2010.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/mar/gaygames1.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/mar/gaygames2.jpg

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/mar/gaygames3.jpg

http://www.gaygamesjohannesburg.com/

joburg

March 14th, 2005, 08:22 PM

I like the third logo. I really hope we get the games! There's nothing like being in Joburg when gay fever hits the city. :) :) :)

dysan1

March 14th, 2005, 10:16 PM

i personally like the second one!!! would be great as long as it is not too soon before/after the soccer world cup... need some space in between :)

Mo Rush

March 14th, 2005, 11:07 PM

they stole my idea!!! with the first logo!!!

Pule

March 15th, 2005, 07:48 AM

I share the same sentiments Mo Rush and u should be proud of yourself. The games will be coming dowm South. Joburgers must just prepared for them as Joburg is gonna win the bid.

hsark

March 18th, 2005, 12:46 PM

Shopkeepers wary of Diagonal revamp

3/14/2005

Sunday Times - Sunday Times

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Developers’ plan to revive area leaves traders edgy

KAREN VAN ROOYEN

13 March 2005

BUILDING ON OLD ROOTS: Plans are underfoot to revamp Joburg’s Diagonal Street and the area surrounding it

DIAGONAL Street, with its colourful traders and Victorian broekie lace, is the latest target of efforts to spruce up downtown Joburg.

But the proposed revamp has made tenants — some of whose families and businesses have been there for eight decades — jittery about their future.

The upgrade is being driven by developers of luxury apartments on the street. One of them, Alfonso Botha, said this week that a Section 21 company had been set up to oversee the upgrade. Because the plan was still in its infancy and sensitive, he did not want to give much detail.

"We are trying to restore the area to its original state, to be a culturally rich area. We really have some great and interesting shops — [it’s] an area with a lot of competition for the [Oriental] Plaza," he said.

Diagonal Street — the address of the Joburg Stock Exchange for 22 years — was once home to a thriving Indian community that existed alongside some of the country’s top companies.

But on Friday some shopkeepers expressed nervousness about the future, claiming the rehabilitation of the area would rid it of its history.

A trader who asked to be known only as Ibrahim referred to the plan as "forced removals, but of a different kind". "They told us they want to give shopkeepers bigger shops, but that means pushing the rent up."

Imtiaz Limbada said he was not opposed to development as long as rents stayed reasonable and it revived Diagonal Street. His book and gift shop had been in his family since his grandfather opened it in 1920.

"I am not against progress, but obviously to be moved out of something that you’ve built over 80 years in one month... The guns [in the community] will come out," he said.

"It’s more than a lifetime, it’s a couple of lifetimes."

Eric Itzkin of the Joburg council’s heritage services said the shopkeepers and residents of Diagonal Street were "what really makes the area".

Pule

March 18th, 2005, 02:48 PM

dysan1

March 18th, 2005, 02:58 PM

i think they are moaning for the sake of moaning...they must accept that if the area is changing, that they must change too, or be gone

SA BOY

March 19th, 2005, 07:21 AM

just some joburg news, I have confirmation that Michelangelo towers in Sandton is now 153 m tall to the tip of the dome, making it the 3rd tallest building in SA after carlton and ponte. Not bad at all for a burb.

joburg

March 20th, 2005, 11:02 AM

I think it's a good idea for them to move the gallery from Joubert Park, because it would be pretty impossible to create a city improvement district in Hillbrow. Hillbrow is and will remain a mess for a very long time. Rather, they should concentrate on improving Newtown and the city centre. They shouldn't move the gallery into the Turbine Hall, but rather should build a brand new gallery (akin to something like the Sydney Opera House) that will be an icon of Joburg. If this is created in Newtown, you can bet your bottom dollar that the area will truly start to shine.

Art gallery may move to get away from crime
Council proposes R110m relocation project

ISRAEL MLAMBO

20 March 2005

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/mscsthumbnail.aspx?refId=247255&refRef=img

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to move the Joburg Art Gallery from Joubert Park to the Turbine Hall in Newtown was revealed this week.

The R110-million project to move the gallery to a “New African Museum for a New African City” was proposed by the Joburg council at its monthly meeting on Thursday.

This comes as the mining giant AngloGold Ashanti confirmed they would take over part of the boarded-up Turbine Hall as its head office.

The gallery, a national monument, has been home to an impressive collection of international and African art. However, in the past few years it has been hit by a spate of thefts.

In its proposal, which was accepted in principle, the council stated security concerns and the deteriorating state of the building as the main reason behind the plan to move the gallery.

“The current location of the art gallery presents issues of security, and the financial implications of ongoing costly maintenance work, particularly water leaking into the exhibition area during the rainy season, upgrading the air-conditioning, humidity systems and the CCTV equipment are a major concern,” the report said.

“In addition, the environment is not conducive for visitors and tourists due to the high crime rate, vandalism, hawkers blocking the pavements and taxis blocking the entrance to and the exit from the gallery.”

The proposal said a wing of the building in Joubert Park would be retained for “historical collections, as well as a migration museum and a visitors’ centre on the history of the Joburg Art Gallery”.

According to the proposal, the project, including the relocation, would take about three years to complete.

Sheila Blackman, a spokesman for AngloGold Ashanti, confirmed on Friday that the company would move to Turbine Hall — sharing with the gallery.

Clive Kellner, the director of the gallery, declined to comment.

However, Christine Walters, a member of the mayoral executive committee in charge of community development, roads and parks, said: “We are very excited about it and we don’t see it as a negative project.”

Residents and art experts this week expressed surprise and some concern at the proposal to move the gallery.

Some said they were worried about what would happen to the Joubert Park building, while others raised concerns about whether relocating to Newtown would be of any major benefit to the gallery.

Mike Moriarty, the DA leader in the council, said that “moving the gallery would create a no-go zone in the area and allow criminals to take over. They [the council] should create a city improvement district to improve the area.”

Alan Crump, chairman of the gallery’s purchasing and loans committee and a professor of art at Wits University, said although he was not opposed to the proposal, he had concerns about what would happen to the Joubert Park building, and about lack of space at Turbine Hall.

“The Joburg Art Gallery building is the most beautiful building in Joburg and a precious national monument. What would happen to it?”

“The proposal is a good idea, but what benefits are there in the end? It’s not a good idea if there is no increase in space.”

Crump said the gallery, which houses the best collection in Africa, had no space to display all its paintings. “It also has the best print collection, including Rembrandts, but they can’t be seen as there’s no room for them.”

In December last year, an 1863 canvas by Johann Barthold Jongkind called A Normandy Beach, valued at R300000, was stolen. The Apostle Thomas, a famous oil painting by El Greco, was stolen in July 2002. It was worth millions of rands.

The gallery was designed by world-renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens — the only building he designed in South Africa. Lutyens was an associate of Herbert Baker, an architect who pioneered Edwardian architecture in Joburg.

hsark

March 21st, 2005, 09:03 PM

hey joburg any news on that goverment development area in the cbd ??? though the joburg cbd has been having alot of good media attention (ads,newspapers,tv shows,even soapie ie scandal,isdingo,generations,hardcopy,egoli) way more than other whats really going on down there?

dysan1

March 21st, 2005, 09:36 PM

funny that its only joburg life that we get to see on tv...even backstage had to move from ct to jozi... do tv people think all we wanna see is jozi? sorry my bitch for the day!

But yeah whats going on down town? how often would people really go there?

joburg

March 21st, 2005, 10:55 PM

do tv people think all we wanna see is jozi?

Yeah they do. :D

As for downtown, a casual drive through downtown doesn't reveal a helluva lot. It is cleaner, it is safer, there are more people during the day, but there isn't nearly as much development downtown as there is out north.

I don't know what Urban Ocean is doing these days (can anyone share any light?). http://www.urbanocean.co.za hasn't been updated in yonks. They don't return emails. But they still tell the Property Magazine how wonderful the inner city is becoming. I really don't see this though.

I think we can be thankful to the government for still having faith in the city. Many of the buildings are increasingly filled with departments. Amos Masondo is really doing a good job.

Newtown is still coming along. It's image is greatly improving. Carfax is always having parties (there's a big Therapy party soon... YAY!). The Market Theatre and Moyo's still continue to pull people into the city. Brickfields is almost done, I'll get some photos soon.

The new Standard Bank parkade is done, which looks quite impressive from the highway. The pedestrian bridge is also completed. The South Western Improvement District (ie Anglo American and Main Street) is still looking good.

But generally speaking though... the Joburg CBD is still quite sad IMO. :( The Carlton Hotel is a very, very sorry sight, and I get depro whenever I go past it. The Carlton Centre area is just a plain mess. And people still see the city as a place to avoid.

joburg

March 22nd, 2005, 09:10 PM

Excellent news! Let's hope this leads to a future trend in Joburg! Good on ya Adam Levy....

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/mar/adamlevy1.jpg

Up-market residential units on cards for Braamfontein

March 22, 2005
By Lucille Davie

THE first up-market residential development in Braamfontein is about to take shape - in an eight-storey building on the southern edge of the suburb, overlooking the city and the Nelson Mandela Bridge.

Property developer Adam Levy has bought 155 Smit Street, which has stood empty since February 2004, and has sold each floor to a separate owner, selecting each one carefully. He has taken the top one-and-a-half floors.

"I want to bring people in who want to be here. I want to avoid selling to developers who won't live in the building," he says. Residents include artists, gallery owners, filmmakers and antique dealers.

Levy, originally a lawyer, says he is motivated by a driving force to get people back into the city. He prefers the title "cultural reformer" to "property developer", claiming he is more interested in the inhabitants of the spaces rather than the spaces themselves.

Each owner will have his or her own architect, and Levy hopes the creative juices will flow. Construction of the flats will start in March and take about six months. People will move into their new homes in September.

Each floor offers ample space for individual designs, consisting of a long, open space of about 30m in length and 10m in width. Both sides of the flats are filled with metal industrial windows, the north overlooking the skyscrapers of Braamfontein, the south overlooking the city.

Levy wants to develop a coffee shop and art gallery on the ground floor of the building. He will secure the building with gating and a guard, and there is parking for residents in the basement. There will also be on-street parking.

Levy has also bought the corner building at the end of the block of De Beer Street, and plans to turn it into "different office space consisting of a cultural and creative hub", with art-based tenants.

But it does not stop there: Levy is spreading his wings further in Braamfontein. Though he will not give details, he is looking to take over "a more prominent building" in the suburb, and convert it into a half-residential and half-commercial and retail venture.

Levy's aims tie in with those of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo. In September 2002 he announced a plan to regenerate Braamfontein, to complement the regeneration of the Old Fort complex and Newtown, creating a cultural arc running into the city.

datilguy

March 23rd, 2005, 12:33 AM

GREAT news!!! Sounds terrific. :)

Pule

March 23rd, 2005, 12:33 PM

THE Heartlands area of Braamfontein, traditional centre of gay nightlife in Jozi, is to get four new party venues, in line with City plans to create an entertainment area here.

March 23, 2005
By Lucille Davie

FOUR new clubs are to open next month in the area known as Heartlands, on one of the oak-lined streets of western Braamfontein. The area, just across the railway line from Newtown, has been earmarked by the City as an entertainment node.

Husband and wife team Peter and Stacey van Rijn of PlatinumX Entertainment, have dusty boots inspecting the building site on the corner of Juta and Henri Streets in Braamfontein, where they intend opening four new entertainment venues by 29 April 2005. The renovations started on 17 January.

The new venues will be Sugar Reef, a live student music club open from 7am to midnight; DCM, a club that opens twice a week at which international DJs will appear and which will be available for rent for events and photo shoots; Cruise, an up-market gay club with expensive finishes like crystal chandeliers, open seven days a week; and Rhino Bar, a cocktail bar with a large outdoor area with a martini pool, braai facilities and canopies shading an open lounge.

Heartlands has traditionally been a gay area. It is located immediately south of Wits University and encompasses about four city blocks. The four venues, all located in one building, replace a nightclub and restaurant called Therapy and Seamen respectively in the same building, which have become rundown and disused.

Stacey van Rijn says a club in Randburg called Bitch recently closed down, and she and her husband felt the city needed a new gay venue. She says they have received the City's support through the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).

Paul Arnott-Job, the JDA project manager for Braamfontein, says there are big regeneration plans for the suburb in the pipeline, largely centred on turning it into an area known for its people and entertainment, with new branding - similar to what has been done in Newtown and Sandton.

Van Rijn has also spoken to the South African Police Service and a satellite police station will be opened on the corner of Juta and Henri Streets. One already exists in central Braamfontein.

They have also put in an offer on the building directly behind the one from which they are now operating; if they buy it they will consider converting the ground floor into a restaurant and work their way up the building.

In September 2002 Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo announced a plan to regenerate Braamfontein, to complement the regeneration of the Old Fort complex and Newtown, creating a cultural arc running into the city. Already there have been changes to the eastern edge of Braamfontein: last September the newly created Theatre Gardens was opened, just below the Civic Theatre. It is a private sector initiative.

Imaginative, reed-shaped, green fencing now contains the area, previously a grassy patch crisscrossed with paths. It has paved walkways, newly planted trees, a raised central, circular podium, elegant lighting and a water feature trickling down from the theatre entrance. The development cost R1,8-million, and with 24-hour surveillance, the space has been transformed.

joburg

March 23rd, 2005, 09:55 PM

replace a nightclub and restaurant called Therapy and Seamen respectively in the same building, which have become rundown and disused.

:lol: Seamen, a restaurant??? Heard the Spotted Dick was really good there. :D :D

As for Therapy... tomorrow night it's gonna be kicking!! I can't wait!!

joburg

March 25th, 2005, 10:42 AM

23 March 2005 - Melrose Arch to be developed to maximum

THE new owners of popular mixed-use precinct Melrose Arch plan to develop all the available bulk on the site within two years.

Stuart Chait, CEO of Property Partners — the owners of Southern Palace, which owns Melrose Arch — says the timing for the development of available bulk land could not be better.

“Property is about position and timing. Melrose Arch has the best logistical position in Johannesburg for what it is,” says Chait.

He says the low interest rate environment and rapidly expanding South African economy augur well for retail, office and residential development plans at the site.

He says companies want to expand because of the strong economy, and newly established companies are looking for space at Melrose Arch.

Retailers, both national and international, are looking to set up new concept stores, he says.

In the residential market, units being developed on the site are selling for R2,65m-R7,5m a unit and Property Partners is keen to see developers now build units priced between R1m and R2,5m.

Property Partners purchased Melrose Arch for R1,27bn in December last year, and said last month that developers were queuing up to get a slice of the action at the node as Property Partners prepared to roll out new development plans.

Chait says all the guarantees have been put up for the acquisition and only Competition Commission approval is still required to take transfer of the property.

There is about 20000m² to 30000m² of residential bulk ready to sell to a developer, and Property Partners is looking to build a 25000m² retail centre.

About 190000m² has been zoned for offices.

Chait says Property Partners will sign agreements with prospective developers only after the development launch on April 5, where the “methodology” behind the Melrose Arch development will be revealed.

The group plans to expand the mixed node’s “super-basement” across the entire site and build all new developments on top of this.

Meanwhile, Pam Golding Properties says it has achieved prelaunch sales of about R100m in a residential component of Melrose Arch.

Ronald Ennik, chief operating officer of the real estate group and MD of its Gauteng division, says that the 47 units in the residential node range in price from R2m to more than R6m. They have been bought by both local and overseas investors.

Business Day

joburg

March 26th, 2005, 10:02 AM

Good news for Newtown. Newtown really has the potential to become a 'loft area,' because there are loads of disused factories. Just needs the right investment I guess!

Retail component for Newtown apartment block

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AN APARTMENT block that includes a retail component is to be developed on Wolhuter Street in Newtown, Johannesburg, at a cost of R60m.

The developer of the block, which will be situated next to the Market Theatre, is a joint venture between black empowerment group Motseng Investments, architects Kate Otten & Associates and the Pace Property Group.

An existing building is being refurbished.

David Green, MD of the Pace Property Group, which is marketing the available retail component, says a 2700m² retail centre will form part of the building and will be anchored by Nandos, as well as upmarket restaurants and other retailers.

The residential units will be marketed by Pace Rez, a division of the Pace Property Group.

Green says the apartment block will consist of 90 apartments ranging in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, and priced from R400000.

Construction is expected to begin by midyear and the completion date has been set for early next year.

“We have already got some considerable interest from investors,” says Green. Interested parties are mostly people working in the central business district, particularly those employed at large financial institutions.

According to an inhouse Pace Property Group publication, the project is to retain all the historical facades and ambience of the “old world”.

The apartments are aimed at the middle-income buyer.

Green says the average Johannesburg employee spends 25% of his monthly income on transport to and from the workplace. “The idea is to bring people closer to their work environment and provide an upmarket environment in which to live and play.”

sa-dreamer

March 26th, 2005, 09:41 PM

I am amazed and really joyed to hear that in Johannesburg, retail and restaurants are being put at the bottom of everything that is primarily commercial and residential. It makes for a much better experience if you are a pedestrian walking the streets. Vancouver, (British Columbia,) Canada is like that and it rocks!

Johannesburg is really getting developed the right way other than its suburban development/sprawl. I really do hope that Jozi gets the attention it deserves some day.

sa-dreamer

March 26th, 2005, 09:44 PM

The Carlton Centre area is just a plain mess. And people still see the city as a place to avoid.

Shit.

dysan1

March 26th, 2005, 11:05 PM

the question is: will the sprawl in jozi ever stop? You dont tend to densify or build up that much, its more the estates and the like

Pule

March 31st, 2005, 11:00 AM

BRAAMFONTEIN is starting show signs of life as the district's regeneration project gets into high gear, with shopkeepers sprucing up their shop fronts and even extending their hours of business.

March 30, 2005
By Lucille Davie

THE regeneration of Braamfontein has had a ripple effect on shopkeepers along Jorissen Street - they are sprucing up their shop fronts, extending their hours, and in some cases, bringing tables and chairs out on to the pavements for outdoor eating.

The Braamfontein Regeneration Project is being managed by Monica Albonico, project manager and urban designer of Albonico & Sack Architects and Urban Designers, in collaboration with the City.

The project began in 2002, with planning continuing throughout 2003. Implementation started in 2004 and should be finished by the end of 2005. A Section 21 company has been created to oversee the process.

"Property owners have responded very quickly - they're fixing up their buildings," says Albonico.

Whereas Jorissen Street previously had many vacant shop fronts, now chain restaurants like Nando's and Kentucky Fried Chicken have taken up the space, and are helping to turn the suburb into a friendlier place.

Braamfontein is bordered Ameshoff Street in the north, Joubert Street in the east, Smit Street in the south, and Eendracht Street in the west. It includes the imposing Metro Centre on one end and Wits University at the other. It also has a mix of office blocks, several private colleges, warehouse space, and restaurants and corner cafes.

Like the city centre, it has seen an exodus of businesses, and over the past decade has become rundown and untidy.

The project proposes changing the look of the streets by planting rows of trees, inserting new lighting, placing benches along pavements, and creating focused, linking areas by means of new paving.

Seven distinct districts have been identified, some already completed.

The Wits Gateway
The idea is to open up the south-east corner of Wits University, which presently houses the Wits Theatre and the arts department, to the public.
"The plan will allow access but maintain security," says Albonico. The lighting and landscaping will continue along this corner, in keeping with the new look for Braamfontein.

The Heartlands District
This area, consisting of four blocks immediately south of Wits University, has traditionally housed gay clubs, two of which, Therapy and Seamen, recently closed.
A private initiative, led by husband and wife team Peter and Stacey van Rijn of PlatinumX Entertainment, sees the conversion of the defunct clubs into four new clubs, nearing completion on the corner of Juta and Henri Streets.

The other buildings in Heartlands, largely offices and warehouses, are being accessed, says Albonico, as potential student accommodation. A parking garage on the corner of Melle and Juta streets, needs to be re-activated - at present only one floor of parking is being utilised.

The lighting and street furniture will continue into this side of Braamfontein.

Bertha Street
Bertha Street has undergone transformation as an extension of the Nelson Mandela Bridge, at the bottom of Braamfontein. The ugly Absa bridge on the ridge of Jan Smuts Avenue has disappeared, and the triangle of pavement space has been converted into a pleasant pedestrian area with trees, benches and plinths creating interest.
The street has pedestrian paving crossing it, into the campus, continuing the theme of walkways through the suburb.

Corporate district
Another area that has been completed is the upper end of Ameshoff Street, where Sappi has created an attractive garden outside their headquarters, complemented with equally attractive paving forming a circle.
Sappi has also sponsored the upgrade of the former grassy patch below the Civic Theatre, now called the Sappi Theatre Gardens. Now imaginative reed-shaped, green fencing, paved walkways, newly planted trees, a raised central, circular podium, elegant lighting and a water feature trickling down from the theatre entrance, offer the office worker and pedestrian a relaxing respite from the traffic and stuffiness of their offices.

Juta Street
Juta Street is at present the residential street of Braamfontein, with privately owned buildings jammed with university students. Albonico says efforts are being made to upgrade the accommodation, and create more upmarket accommodation in the area.
Property developer Adam Levy is in the process of converting a former office block in Smit Street into luxury apartments overlooking the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the city centre.

Civic Precinct
The Metro Centre, at the top of Rissik Street, is a 1960s apartheid government building, often reviled by Joburgers as a monstrosity. Albonico says that it's very difficult to make the building more attractive. The possibility of re-cladding it was considered, but cost considerations discounted that option.
Instead, plans being considered are a "safe corridor", running from Joubert Street in the east to Loveday Street in the west, with paving and lighting demarcating it, and safely guiding the pedestrian through the adjoining buildings. The corridor will display public art, and possibly become an exhibition space.

It has been felt for some time, says Albonico, that the building has not been easy for residents to find their way around and get answers to their queries. To answer this, a new building, on the south-west corner of the site, will be constructed.

"This will be a reception centre, with a forecourt, a gift shop, a coffee shop and a retail component," says Albonico.

It will have "a transparent front" facing Loveday Street, and interface with the public in a more positive way.

The rates hall, presently in Jorissen Place, will move closer to the Metro Centre, in Simmonds Street, in keeping with making services more user friendly. These interventions will only begin towards the end of the year.

Queen Elizabeth Bridge
On the border of Braamfontein, plans for the bridge include creating a "Ponte Vechio", or old bridge, containing small vendor stalls. Originally two rows of stalls were envisaged but Albonico says it's only going to be possible to create stalls on one side of the bridge.
This will link with an open market space on either side of Biccard Street, tying in with the Rotunda bus terminal, and the Park Station bus point.

Toilet facilities
A perpetual problem of Braamfontein (and the city centre) has always been a lack of toilet facilities. As a result, the alleyways of the suburb have been used as open-air urinals, with the accompanying smell polluting the area.
Albonico said after accessing the situation, it has been decided to close off some of the alleyways (with gates created by local artists) and place toilets or pissoirs in others, in all placing 13 toilets in the area. One has already gone up, in an alley off Reserve Street.

"It is visible, transparent, simple to maintain, and because the head and feet show either end, it is safe to use," says Albonico. It is made of metal, and makes good use of an area that previously was a dumping ground for garbage.

Emerging contractors
Albonico says they sub-contracted the regeneration work to 10 emerging contractors, and although there have been some delays as a result of having to carefully monitor the work to ensure standards are maintained, it has been "a worthwhile experience". They have even managed to stretch the budget a little further to accommodate more contractors.

Costs
The City has contributed R25-million to the project, with private sector involvement at R10-million.
Albonico says the private sector has been concerned to maintain the correct balance of residential, office and retail space in the suburb.

Security is never from any city dweller's lips - guards are already in place along Jorissen Street, and north of it. Once areas south of Jorissen Street are complete, guards will be introduced there too. A satellite police station was opened six months ago, on the corner of De Korte and Station streets.

joburg

March 31st, 2005, 07:53 PM

Looks like the feasability studies have been re Africa The Park, and hopefully by 2008, we should have another theme park in Jozi. yeeeeha! With thanks to Platinum Planet - may they continue to make SA an awesome country.

http://www.platinumplanet.co.za

R4bn African Theme Park

By Anelie Reid
The Citizen Thursday 24 March 2005

A R4bn Afican theme park resort is to be built just outside Kempton Park, and should be completed in 2008.
It will boast, among others, three hotels, an entertainment section with exciting rides, Africa market, a shopping mall and residential areas.

A feasibility study conducted by Stewart Scott International, KPMG South Africa, eight South African companies, and involving a team of 43 professionals, gave the green light for this project.

The resort will be built on the border of Kempton Park on the R25 and will be the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

About 63% of the funds for the study was granted by the government of the Netherlands, while the rest was secured from local sources.

This theme park, showcasing Africa, is the dream of Hielke van der Maal, chairman of Latar Entertainment Projects, the developers.

Mr van der Maal said the study showed that the catchment area for the customers was bigger than anticipated. People living two hours travel from the park, as well as those entering the country via Johannesburg International Airport, would visit.

It is anticipated that an average of 2,5 million people a year will visit the park.

Van der Maal said the resort would provide work for 6 000 people directly and 24 000 indirectly.

He said it was anticipated that the park would open in October 2008, just in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The master plan is now being drawn up and should be completed in October, when the corner stone will also be laid at the site.

By mid-2006, the residential area will be completed, followed in October 2007 by the water park and Spaceport Africa.

Spaceport Africa will offer visitors a voyage of discovery in interactive science and travel.

A four-star hotel with 200 rooms and suites, two three star hotels with 250 rooms each, as well as conference facilities are planed. - CNS

joburg

March 31st, 2005, 07:55 PM

Some more info on Africa The Park...

African theme resort for Kempton Park

A DISNEY-style African theme park resort worth about R3,8bn is being planned for Kempton Park.

The development, which will be called the Africa Theme Park Resort, is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Dutch-born Hans Deuze, of Pretoria-based Latar Entertainment Projects, the developer of the project, says a feasibility study funded largely by the Dutch government has been completed.

The resort, which will be situated close to Johannesburg International Airport, will consist of three different areas: Africa The Park, Spaceport Africa and a water park.

The plan also includes three hotels, an “Africa” residential estate complex, a conference and convention centre, a health spa, and 51ha of retail facilities and private housing.

Among the companies conducting the feasibility study are Dutch engineering firm DHV and South African firms Stewart Scott International, Africon, Rock Environment, Tino Ferero and Smit Sewgoolam.

According to DHV’s in-house publication, the feasibility study covered the environmental, structural engineering, financial and economic aspects of the project and concluded that it was viable in every respect.

Deuze says the project was the brainchild of Dutchman Hielke van der Maal who has been based in SA for 20 years.

Van der Maal initiated the project in 1997 and Deuze came to SA in 2003 to work on the project.

Previously Deuze lived in France, where he worked for Disneyland Paris.

The theme park will cover an area of 613ha.

He says the project has to be ready by 2008 so that it can “gear up” for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and obtain the necessary crowd control experience.

“This project will generate 6000 direct jobs and 24000 indirect jobs,” says Deuze.

He says an economic impact assessment conducted by KPMG indicates that 140000 permanent jobs will be generated through the project.

“We are very close to Tembisa so we have a labour source next door,” says Deuze.

Although the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a boon for the resort, it will not be dependent on foreigners to make it viable.

He says foreign tourists were excluded from the original business model for the project.

“We based the business model on the local tourism market (which) will carry the project. Foreign tourists and the Soccer World Cup are the cherries on top,” says Deuze.

Africa The Park will consist of three areas called African Nations, African Adventures and African Experience.

All 53 African country cultures will be represented in the African Nations area with their cultures, music traditions, fashion and food being showcased.

The African Experience area will showcase Africa’s riches including its minerals and the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, while African Adventures will provide entertainment in the form of amusement rides.

Spaceport Africa will feature all things astronomical but focus on travelling, exploring and living in outer space.

The water park will feature a wave pool for children.

Deuze says the resort will also focus on underprivileged children and AIDS orphans by allowing them special access.

He says all three parks will be centred on a night-life entertainment centre including bars, restaurants, cinemas and live stages, among other things.

Deuze says Latar Entertainment Projects is in negotiations with local developers.

Construction of the theme park is expected to begin towards the end of this year

Business Day

joburg

March 31st, 2005, 08:41 PM

Facelift for Joburg's Carlton hotel

Thursday March 31, 2005 14:24 - (SA)

Door knobs are being polished, elevators and toilets fixed up, and 1970s style furniture and decor brought back to parts of Johannesburg's Carlton Hotel - empty and unused since 1997.

The hotel, part of the ambitious 1970s Carlton Centre complex in Johannesburg's city centre, will now be used for the launch of a new Volkswagen product, a VW spokesman said on Thursday.

"We are trying as hard as possible to make it look exactly as it did in the Seventies - including the doorman and the guy who offered a shoeshine service downstairs," said spokesman Songezo Zibi.

The Carlton was once one of the most prestigious hotels in the city - hosting people like Henry Kissinger, US Secretary of State in the Nixon era, and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In later years, singer Whitney Houston and veteran rockers The Rolling Stones stayed there.

When the African National Congress won the first democratic elections in the country in 1994, the Carlton Hotel was the venue for the party's ecstatic victory party. However, when business moved out of central Johannesburg, the hotel faced bankruptcy and it closed in 1997. The building is now owned by Transnet.

Zibi said the first and third floors of the once plush hotel would be restored to their original condition, and the 35th floor would be redone in a more modern in style. "We are hoping that this will provide yet another boost to the Johannesburg inner city."

However, he did not know whether anyone was seriously considering re-opening the hotel.

The present Carlton Hotel replaced an older 1906 building, the brainchild of mining magnate Barney Barnato. It was modelled on a hotel in London and formed the centre of social life in early Johannesburg, according to the book "Meet me at the Carlton" by Eric Rosenthal.

In 1972 Anglo American built the luxurious Carlton Centre and Hotel as an African imitation of the Rockefeller complex in the USA. In the late 1990s the building began to fall into disrepair and was mothballed in 1997.

"The Carlton Hotel and the Johannesburg city centre setting are the ideal venue for .. (our function) on Wednesday next week," said VW general manager for sales and marketing Mike Glendinning.

The company has chosen to keep all information on the product launch a secret at this stage.

joburg

March 31st, 2005, 08:44 PM

http://www.africathemepark.com/

Seems like this dudes dream is going to come true... :)

SYDNEY

April 1st, 2005, 08:08 AM

Entire buildings routinely hijacked in central Joburg:

April 1, 2005

'It's safer to invest in property in Zimbabwe than it is in the inner city of Johannesburg."

So says a property consultant acting on behalf of 28 building owners, who would not be named because of constant death threats he receives from building invaders. In the past three years, all 28 owners' buildings were invaded.

The consultant currently has three buildings which have been invaded by the same group of people - Registry House, Chawhaw Chambers in Jeppe Street, and Ebbosy House in Market Street. He has spent R12-million in the past three years on legal and eviction costs, and other losses

Police often refuse to help, saying it's a civil matter. All three buildings were sealed and guarded. But Registry House was invaded this week for the third time.

"It is the easiest thing to invade a building. The operators, who are two brothers, arrive at the building with a bus-load of people who threaten the security guards with guns."

"What can they do?" "Each eviction costs between R200 000 and R366 000, depending on the number of people who have to be moved," he said. "Until the ringleaders, who are making a lot of money on the hijacking of buildings, are locked up, there is no solution to the problem."

Police often refused to help, saying it was a civil matter, and in certain cases have arrested security personnel guarding buildings. The City of Johannesburg was also to blame, he said, for refusing to cut off services and frequently opening accounts for the invaders.

"It is only now that Region 8 (the inner-city municipal area) is bending over backwards trying to help us rid the city of this scourge, which will lead to the destruction of the inner city if it is not curbed," he said.

The Johannesburg Housing Company, which has successfully renovated 17 inner-city buildings, has also expressed its frustration at the illegal invasion of Stanhope Mansions in Hillbrow.

The organisation, a Section 21 company specialising in social housing, says it has spent close to R1-million in legal and eviction fees since it purchased the building in 2003.

Another office building in Main Street, City and Suburban, was hijacked last year. Sean Borrill, the agent for a property owner who lives in Australia, said the building was empty because it had been renovated. The invaders simply broke the locks and moved in.

Borrill applied for an urgent eviction order in the Johannesburg High Court in November last year, because the owner's insurance company cancelled coverage of the building.

However, the judge found that the matter was not urgent and dismissed it with costs. Borrill was ordered to pay R27 000 in legal fees to the hijackers, but he has appealed against this.

In the meantime, the hijackers are collecting rental of R20 000 every month.
City of Johannesburg's Region 8 spokesperson Sean O'Shea said the Inner City Task Team completed an investigation yesterday on the three buildings, and was working closely with police to address the re-invasion of Registry House and to bring the perpetrators to book.

SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Sanku Tsunke said charges had been laid at Johannesburg Central police station by the security guards at Registry House against the invaders, who had pointed firearms at them.

"No charges of trespassing were laid. We will assist the sheriff in carrying out the eviction if we are asked to do so," he said. Regarding claims of police inaction, he said that all charges laid were being investigated.

Pule

April 1st, 2005, 08:52 AM

Hey guys, I went to Carlton Centre yeaterday and I must tell you that the place is getting life. I went to buy myself noodles for lunch :( at Pick 'n Pay and was impressed by the changes they have made on that side. Hope the whole of Carlton Center and will be renovated soon.

Pule

April 1st, 2005, 08:59 AM

SYDNEY

April 1st, 2005, 09:04 AM

I went to see a photo exhibition of HILLBROW in the South African National Gallery a few days ago and I must say that Shock is an understatement. I never realised that it was so bad. To think that I visited friends in some of those buildings and back then they were luxurious apartments.

I agree Pule, it is Nigerians .. the have started doing the same thing in Cape Town.

dysan1

April 1st, 2005, 11:52 AM

Question!!!

What is going to make this new theme park succeed where Gold Reef City has failed? GRC has been around for years and still fails to be successful. Ratanga Junction Flopped, and uShaka is too new to tell what its long term effects are going to be.

I just dont see a full scale theme park in the true sense of the word getting in the numbers they need on a regular basis. As i said before, if GRC has failed, what says this new one wont as well?

joburg

April 1st, 2005, 12:16 PM

What is going to make this new theme park succeed where Gold Reef City has failed?

GRC has failed? I don't have facts in front of me, but from what I've seen, GRC does extremely well. They've just opened a new rollercoaster - The Jozi Express - http://www.goldreefcity.co.za/press_office/jozi_express_farmyard.asp and people blow money like crazy at the casino. I think Africa the Park will do just as well as GRC. It's a well-known fact that South Africans don't save their money, and I believe ventures like these will just fuel the amount of disposable income they spend.

joburg

April 3rd, 2005, 11:03 AM

From http://www.sundaytimes.co.za

Green Scorpions see red
New provincial task force prepares to sting developer ruining a wetland

ISRAEL MLAMBO
03 April 2005

GAUTENG’S “Green Scorpions” are closing in on a top property developer that has repeatedly ignored orders to stop destroying the environment.

M&T Development is illegally building two country estates — Bishop’s Glen and Savannah Views in Midrand — damaging a sensitive wetland on the Rietfontein River. The provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment has vowed to stop the projects.

The department has also issued M&T Development with a warning against the “illegal” construction of a development called Crescent Wood Country Estate, also in Midrand.

The company’s website bills some of its properties as ecological villages where residents can “live at one with nature”.

“They have levelled out portions of the wetland and are building smack bang on it,” said Umesh Bahadur, the environmental officer for the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, who investigated the sites.

“In the long term the whole portion of the area will be degraded,” he said.

The Green Scorpions are a team of environmental officers and lawyers set up last month to protect the environment. The team is officially known as “the S24G Unit” — named after a section of the amended National Environmental Management Act.

Numerous attempts to contact M&T Development were unsuccessful.

The company has ignored two warnings from the department to stop construction along and on the wetland, as well as a court order. Now the department is pursuing a criminal case against it.

The Green Scorpions found that “the current work being done is undermining the ecological integrity of the wetland, and the development would ultimately reduce the size of the wetland”.

The unit warned that the wetland being damaged was an important habitat for the endangered giant bullfrog and that construction activities resulted “in the disturbance of an existing ecosystem and a loss of biological biodiversity”.

On Thursday Metro visited the two developments and found that a heap of rubble and sand had been dumped into part of the wetland. Also, reeds and grass appeared to have been flattened by bulldozers.

Nearby, bulldozers and tipper trucks were digging and hauling away sand around the wetland.

The department said the developer had failed to submit an environmental impact assessment report and had failed to obtain the necessary town-planning approval from the Joburg council.

Following investigations in November and December, the developer was issued with a warning “pre-directive” on January 10. It gave the company a chance to comply with the regulations and apply for approval.

However, this was ignored, and on January 26, a directive was issued instructing the developer to stop all construction. When this was also ignored, the department obtained an interim court order from the Pretoria High Court. This instructed the developer to stop building within 50m of the wetland.

But the company continued construction activities in this area.

Frances Craigie, deputy director of enforcement and compliance at the department, said the developer would face charges related to various environmental regulations and laws, as well as contempt of court.

The company could also be made to pay to rehabilitate the wetland, Craigie said.

dysan1

April 3rd, 2005, 12:11 PM

GRC has failed? I don't have facts in front of me, but from what I've seen, GRC does extremely well. They've just opened a new rollercoaster - The Jozi Express - http://www.goldreefcity.co.za/press_office/jozi_express_farmyard.asp and people blow money like crazy at the casino. I think Africa the Park will do just as well as GRC. It's a well-known fact that South Africans don't save their money, and I believe ventures like these will just fuel the amount of disposable income they spend.

When i say that it has failed, i mean that it has never reached the targets that it set itself. I dont have the article here, but i read all this about 3 weeks ago.

Pule

April 4th, 2005, 02:41 PM

NINE buildings have been earmarked, with seven already undergoing renovation, as part of the Johannesburg Property Company's Better Buildings Programme to regenerate the inner city.

April 4, 2005
By Lucky Sindane

THE JOHANNESBURG Property Company's Better Buildings Programme is in full swing, with seven buildings being renovated and work soon to start on another two.

"Despite many unforeseen obstacles, we have had significant progress. This programme has created a lot of excitement and we believe it is a fundamental building block in the process to reach our goal of Johannesburg becoming a world class city by 2030," said Geoff Mendelowitz, the programme manager.

"The private sector has invested an estimated R40-million in the refurbishment of these nine buildings [which] will be homes for 700 lower to middle income families."

The nine are Mimosa Hotel, Rondebosch, Stanhope, Sunley, Witberg, Waterford Court, The Lloyd, Polly Lodge and the Europa Hotel. The programme was launched in 2003 to attract private sector investment to refurbish buildings in the inner city, which were poorly managed and not maintained properly.

The number of derelict buildings has increased over the past decade as businesses have moved out of the inner city to the northern suburbs, leaving some buildings unoccupied. The problem was compounded when some owners emigrated or absconded, some sold their buildings to slumlords, and others abandoned their properties, allowing squatters to move in. Some buildings became havens of criminal activity.

The property company identifies and prioritises buildings for the programme when the money owed in arrears to the City is more than the value of the building and legal action to recover the debt has not been successful.

"One of the least understood hurdles in our programme is that these bad buildings are not owned by the City of Johannesburg. We have not 'repossessed' them or taken transfer of them even if they are indebted to us," Mendelowitz said.

Rates write-off
The Better Buildings process includes writing off old debts to pave the way for a rates clearance certificate, thus ensuring the transfer of the property as well as a legal "obligation agreement" spelling out the developer's detailed programme.
"More than 200 companies and individuals have registered thus far in the Better Buildings Programme," Mendelowitz added.

To date, of the 52 buildings listed in the programme, 40 are in various stages of the process and have been allocated to investors through proposal and adjudication calls.

An officially constituted adjudication panel made up of city officials from various departments evaluates the proposals, which are scored on a point's basis using criteria agreed by the panel. The main criteria used for evaluation include the price offered, the upgrade details, proof of funding for the purchase and upgrade, and the ability to manage the rental of the building effectively after renovation. Proposals from previously disadvantaged groups are given extra points.

Once work on all 52 buildings has been completed, it is estimated that R116-million worth of rates will have been written off by the City. An estimated reinvestment amount of R130-million will have been made by the private sector back into these buildings, about 3 100 residential units will have been renovated and the City will be generating income from rates and service charges of about R2-million a month. The current income is almost nothing.

"There is an ongoing response to our call and submissions for registration documents indicating to us an interest by prospective investors to take on the challenging role of upgrading bad buildings and becoming an owner or landlord in Johannesburg," Mendelowitz said.

joburg

April 4th, 2005, 10:29 PM

More info re the Carlton Centre refurbishment. Sounds exciting!

VWSA gives Carlton Hotel new lease on life
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Carlton Hotel, once known for hosting international celebrities and heads of State, and subsequently mothballed in 1997, is once again teeming with activity from a most unlikely source – motor vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen.

The company is restoring the ground, 3rd and 35th floors. The ground floor is being restored to its original condition, including the doorman and the guy who offers a shoeshine service downstairs once again reoccupying their pride of place.

Volkswagen South Africa will use the Carlton for a major event this week and says that the Carlton Hotel and the Johannesburg city centre setting are the ideal venue for communicating what will come to a head on Wednesday.

Volkswagen's general manager for sales and marketing, Mike Glendinning, says the company is also hoping that its restoration and use of the Carlton Hotel will give the Johannesburg inner city yet another boost after the rebirth of the Newtown precinct in recent years.

"Over the last few years, many businesses have headed back into the inner city, making substantial investments in the process. While it may not yet be back to its original glory, we decided to take a bold step and highlight the many opportunities that are provided by what remains a world-class city. We can't reveal what will be happening during the course of next week, but those who watch the Johannesburg city centre skies very early on Sunday (April 3) just might get a further hint of what is afoot," said Glendinning.

He says the restoration effort has been ongoing for the past two weeks and is now almost complete.

"The final result will be revealed to the several hundred invited guests who will visit the Carlton Hotel during the course of next week, and we have no doubt that they will be left in awe of what they see," he concluded.

Volkswagen South Africa is using the Carlton Hotel for the second time, having launched the Golf 2 there in 1985.

The Carlton Centre and Hotel were built by the Anglo American Corporation in 1972 and meant to be the Rockefeller building of the African continent.

The complex was later bought by Transnet. The hotel remained mothballed, however, until now. With so many multinational and other companies having moved to Sandton and Midrand, among others, the building was beginning to fall into a state of disrepair.

datilguy

April 6th, 2005, 02:08 AM

WHOOPEE!!! I really hope they can turn Carlton Centre around. Its one of my favourite buildings. :)

clive330

April 6th, 2005, 02:53 AM

Very bad, I must say that the guys who have spent their money for evictions must be compensated. Even though I disagree with you on money points, I must tell you that they guys who are doing this are Nigerians who occupies buildings illegally.

Did you see the date was 1st April on the article?

Pule

April 6th, 2005, 08:18 AM

Eish, you got me there. I never realized.

clive330

April 6th, 2005, 08:29 AM

Thank God it wasnt true :eek:

datilguy

April 7th, 2005, 07:08 PM

SYDNEY

April 7th, 2005, 08:12 PM

Thank God it wasnt true :eek:

I am afraid that it is true -

Contented tenants the best defence against building invasion:

4/7/2005
Business Day - Business Day

OWNERS who keep their buildings in the inner city well maintained can prevent building invasions from taking place, says Neville Schaefer, CEO of residential property managers Trafalgar.

He was reacting to a newspaper report that said entire buildings were routinely hijacked in central Johannesburg.

The report in The Star quoted a property consultant acting on behalf of 28 building owners who said that in the past three years all 28 buildings had been invaded.

The consultant — who was not named — said that in the past three years, losses as well as legal and eviction costs had added up to about R12m.

He said he had three buildings currently occupied by hijackers, and was quoted as saying that all of them were sealed and guarded.

There are fears that building grabs will harm the City of Johannesburg’s inner-city rejuvenation plans and make potential investors in the inner city nervous.

But Schaefer says Trafalgar, which manages 2400 residential units in Johannesburg’s inner city, does not have any problems.

He says that if a building is well maintained and secured, tenants in the building are "possessive" about their units even if they do not own them.

"If the tenants are not happy they will organise a rent boycott and this creates an ideal situation for hijackers to move in," Schaefer says.

He says a "scruffy, rundown" building also attracts vagrants.

Gerald Olitzki, CEO of Olitzki Property Holdings, which owns a number of office and retail buildings in Johannesburg’s inner city, says he has a "sense of frustration at the attitude of the SAPS (South African Police Service) and the authorities when they consider this (building invasions) to be a civil matter".

"Here you have a clear case of criminal conduct," he says.

"What is the difference between someone having a gun and taking your car from you, or using the same methods to take a building from its rightful owner?

"The civil remedy is very expensive and rather complicated, and it is a relatively simple matter for the SAPS to go in and arrest the culprits."

Olitzki concurs with Schaefer, saying "the better run your buildings are, and the better quality your level of maintenance is, the less likely it is that your building will be hijacked".

"Badly maintained buildings tend to by definition go hand in hand with the absence or semi-absence of the landlord.

"And of course, once the landlord is not around, the invasion is that much easier," he says.

************************************

There are approximately 258 uninhabitable buildings (slums) in central Johannesburg.

clive330

April 8th, 2005, 07:33 AM

Joburg's New Spin

Ten years after apartheid released its choke hold on South Africa, a new generation is breathing life into the country's largest city. The economy is booming, crime is falling, and now Johannesburg—not Cape Town—is South Africa's promised land.

by Douglas Rogers

It's lunchtime at the zone, an American-style shopping mall in the once whites-only Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank, and I'm sitting in a glass-walled café on the second floor checking out the mall rats. Black teenagers, cell phones to ears, are wandering marble aisles, past glittering boutiques, wearing the baggy jeans and sneakers hip-hop uniform of American kids but with African twists: brightly colored floppy hats pulled low over the eyes to make them look like township gangsters; designer T-shirts by local fashion icons Magents and Stoned Cherrie, with political slogans referencing South Africa's past struggle. DieSel, one reads, a play on the clothing label and the Afrikaans words for the cell; it has a picture of Nelson Mandela's jail cell on it.

A popular gathering point in the mall, outside the YShoppe and YFM Studio, is next to the café. YFM is the Joburg youth music radio station—set up after the deregulation, in 1997, of the formerly state-controlled airwaves—that first brought kwaito to the people. South Africa's hip-hop, a thunderous fusion of slowed-down Western dance tracks overlaid with lyrics rapped in the dozen languages that make up the expressive street slang spoken in Soweto, kwaito hit the mainstream in the townships soon after the election of Mandela in 1994. Its songs are less about race or politics than they are the confident assertion of a new young black identity. "Nee baas,"—no boss—Arthur Mafokate sang on the first major kwaito hit in 1995, "Don't call me Kaffir." Today YFM's audience is almost 2 million, Joburg's youth are known as the Y Generation, and kwaito's biggest stars and producers, once penniless township kids, are millionaires with their own TV shows, fashion labels, and record companies. How far have things come? I'm about to order when a tall black man in a Nike tracksuit cruises up the escalator in front of me and two white kids in baseball caps ask him for his autograph. It's Oscar waRona, superstar producer and big name DJ at YMF—the Dr. Dre of the scene.

It's been 10 years since I lived here, and the culture has changed so dramatically it's barely recognizable. I cut my teeth here as a reporter in the early nineties, and back then Joburg was a scary place. At the epicenter of the struggle against apartheid, I reported on escalating township violence between rival political factions; I was even shot at while covering the gun battles between warring taxi gangs in the inner city. The swearing in of Mandela was a miracle for South Africa, but it didn't make Joburg any safer. The inequalities of apartheid remained, and the city buckled under a crime wave. Business abandoned the city for the suburbs, and many whites fled for the European-style civility of Cape Town.

Which is not to say that it wasn't a manic thrill to live here. Joburg made the heart race. There was a nihilistic energy like nowhere else. We called it "the jol"—the party—and we drank as if there were no tomorrow, partly because, given the political violence and level of gun crime, there might well not be. DRIVE FASTER, LIVE LONGER read a popular bumper sticker at the time, and Joburgers lived foot-to-the-pedal fast. But there's only so much adrenaline one can take, and in 1995, I confess, I packed up and left. By the late nineties, I and everyone else in the media had written off Joburg as the murder capital of the world, the most dangerous city outside a war zone.

And that's how most Westerners still regard it today. American tourists flooding into South Africa prefer the boutique safari lodges of the veld and the pristine beaches of the Cape, where the only black people they come across are those carrying their bags or pouring the Pinot Noir. They're sadly missing out on the new South Africa. Joburg is the beating heart of African life, an energetic town where cultures from every nation collide and the old prejudices are fading fast.

South Africa's biggest city and the continent's one true metropolis, Johannesburg is an urban sprawl of more than 3 million people in a 635-square-mile area (almost twice the space that New York City's 8 million residents inhabit). The headquarters of the country's vast gold- and diamond-mining companies, industrial giants, and media conglomerates, it has been an African El Dorado since 1886, when the rock under the Highveld ridges over which it spreads turned out to be the richest reef of gold on earth. Empire builders and fortune seekers from Europe, Australia, and the United States settled here, and between 1890 and 1920, it was the fastest-growing city in the world, a Wild West on the African savanna. By the 1950's mine shafts plunged a mile down, skyscrapers reached for the clouds, and townships of urban black poor, most famously Soweto, grew up on the edges of the city, providing cheap labor for the great capitalist machine. Given this vulgar disparity of wealth and such close proximity of rich and poor, the crime wave of the last decade was perhaps inevitable.

And yet for all its perceived dangers, a remarkable thing is happening in Joburg. Whisper it, but the city is not so frightening anymore. In the past two years, the economy has boomed, and the free-market and black-empowerment policies pursued by the ANC government are producing a burgeoning black bourgeoisie. Crime is falling, too—you can feel a careful calm on the streets, thanks to a strong police presence that has helped reel in the bad guys. Whites, meanwhile, instead of fleeing, are buying apartments in the former no-go zone of the inner city. And the opposite is also happening: middle-class blacks are moving to the suburbs. As a result of this cross-cultural exchange, mixed-race relationships are common in every enclave.

Of all the transformations, though, it's the emergence of a vibrant black youth culture, inspired by kwaito, that I find most astonishing. From ghetto-fabulous music videos to glossy magazines and cutting-edge fashion shows, there's a creative energy in Joburg today that is as dynamic as anything in London or New York—but entirely homegrown. "This is the renaissance," says Ephraim Molingoana, 33, one of the country's rising fashion designers. "Once we used to look to America and Europe for our influences, but now we're coming up with original African arts. Now this is the most exciting city in the world!"

I talk to Ephraim over caffè lattes at Primi Piatti, a Rosebank café with a sassy black waitstaff, where he bounded in wearing a Louis Vuitton cap, Romeo Gigli shades, a skintight suede jacket, and flared patchwork jeans based on the hand-embroidered clothes of Zulu mine workers. Born in Soweto but raised in rural South Africa, Ephraim returned to Johannesburg in the late eighties and was snapped up to be the Face of Africa model for Diesel jeans. He traveled the world, his image appearing on billboards from Paris to Tokyo, but back home he could never find the streetwise African clothes he wanted to wear. So he started designing them himself. "I like this funky cross-pollination of African and Western styles," he says. "Armani suits with cheap white sneakers; African-patterned denims with shoes by township cobblers. This is the mix of tradition and modernity we see all over Joburg."

Through his label, Ephymol, he tailors handmade suits for South African soap opera actors and kwaito stars. He headlined a show at July's South African Fashion Week, which featured 45 local designers and attracted buyers and journalists from London and Paris. He takes me on a tour of the Zone's boutiques. First up is Stoned Cherrie, a design collective that references the retro, jazz-inflected street style of Sophiatown, the demimonde Joburg township demolished by apartheid police in 1955. Next we go downstairs to Sun Godd'ess, which offers women a more traditional African queen look: earth-toned dresses made from ethnic fabrics and cut to the African woman's shape of small waist and large hips. Hottest of all is the Space, a boutique stocked entirely with pieces by young designers, their witty names reflecting African empowerment: Craig Native, Darkie. Native recently made an entire wardrobe for Lenny Kravitz; Darkie, Themba Mngomezulu, recycles vintage and African fabrics into punky street wear. His label turns an old white insult for blacks on its head, much as kwaito star Arthur Mafokate reclaimed the word kaffir.

For all the glitz of the suburban malls, though, Ephraim finds inspiration in traditional Africa; and this being Joburg, we do not have to go far to find it. We speed off in his red Mazda sports car southeast over the ridge to Yeoville, the same high-rise suburbwhere I lived in the early nineties. Back then, Yeoville was one of the few mixed-race areas in Joburg; today it's home to the new migrants: Congolese, Ethiopian, Nigerian, and Zimbabwean émigrés who in the past decade have relocated to the city seeking freedom and fortune, just as the white gold rush pioneers did a century ago. We are only a few miles from Rosebank Mall and its label-obsessed crowd, but in Yeoville, check out the colorful suits, tribal headdresses, and kente cloth robes worn in the cafés: we could be in any of a dozen African capitals.

A more extreme culture shock is our next stop: Mai Mai, a traditional Zulu market in a recently rebuilt mine workers' hostel on the grim eastern edge of the inner city; this is where Ephraim comes to get the Zulu pata-pata sandals that will be worn at a viewing of his latest collection. If that sounds bizarre, there can be few more surreal snapshots than this: the Zulu cobbler who makes them works next to a traditional healer dispensing baboon skulls and snakeskins, while above us a neon sign flashes ads for cell phones. "I grew up in rural South Africa, so these traditions are part of my culture, too," says Ephraim as we head back to his car. In an instant I recognize that he is the typical New Joburger: someone as at home in rural Africa as he is in a first-world mall.

My old playground was Melville, a pretty tree-lined suburb of rambling tin-roofed Victorian houses just west of the inner city. These days it's called Little Hollywood and is home to many of the city's filmmakers and actors, so I decide to revisit my favorite haunts. Seventh Street, once a slightly seedy strip of bars, now has a refined stylishness to it. Coffee shops, retro-clothing stores, and vegetarian delis have sprung up and the gorgeously groomed blondes dining at pavement tables with their black work friends in designer labels remind me more of Los Angeles than Africa. "We are living for our lives, not running for our lives," says Ananais Roberts, a biracial sculptor I meet at Six Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, a hip, art-filled lounge opened last March by two South African-Indian entrepreneurs who would not look out of place in New York's SoHo. Greenside, just to the north, was a bland white suburb when I lived here. It's suddenly become the city's foodie district—all sushi bars and minimalist eateries, chefs in toques creating plates of braised ostrich and kingklip (eel) on arugula.

The Joburgers I meet are still up for the jol. I end the night at Color Bar, an industrial-style nightclub near Melville where most of the barmen are white, half the customers are black, and interracial couples are the norm. No one notices except me. Color Bar is color-blind. I can appreciate the beauty of the suburbs more now than I did when I lived in one of them. Six million trees, more than in any other city on earth, have been planted in Johannesburg since the Boers settled these plains two centuries ago. Most are in the northern suburbs, and the best view of this sprawling green forest of jacaranda, oak, and pine is from the pool deck at the Westcliff Hotel, an icing-pink set of villas built into the cliffs above the Johannesburg Zoo. I'm certain this is the only city where you can sip a martini by a swimming pool and listen to lions roar.

Joburg darling Charlize Theron stayed at the Westcliff on her recent post-Oscar-winning homecoming. After a drink there, I head to a sultry Parisian-style lounge called La Suite, a few miles east of the bohemian suburb of Norwood, to meet a polyglot mix of New Joburgers and discuss the city's fresh dynamism. For black filmmaker and historian Palesa Letlaka-Nkosi, who trained under Spike Lee while in New York in the mid eighties, the candor of Joburgers on the topic of race is refreshing. "It's the most integrated South African city, yet people talk freely about where they come from, their culture, their history," she says.

Her friend Jenny Andrew, the white contributing fashion editor at YMag—the popular street-culture magazine, owned by YFM radio—believes that South African President Thabo Mbeki's vision of an African renaissance is actually happening, on a smaller scale, in Joburg. "You can feel the energy," she says. "Only in Joburg could I shoot a fashion story for our 10 Years of Democracy issue, which presents South Africa's 11 official language groups, in a prison where an icon of the 20th century was incarcerated—and have the image come across as a symbol of reconciliation!"

For all its remarkable progress, Joburg continues to face enormous problems. Migrants from rural South Africa and the rest of the continent stream into it all the time, setting up shantytowns on the outskirts of the city. There might be a growing black middle class but it isn't accessible to these people. While crime is declining, Johannesburg can still be a dangerous place. The week I flew into town, a member of the Irish touring company of Lord of the Dance was shot dead while walking back to his hotel after dark in Braamfontein, on the edge of the inner city. And the AIDS epidemic, which threatens to wipe out an entire generation of South Africans, is always in the news.

Where Johannesburg is fortunate is that its artists, brought up in tumultuous political times, have a powerful sense of social responsibility. Unlike their American hip-hop counterparts, kwaito stars do not glamorize violence, thug life, or the abuse of women. They come from ghettos more dangerous than South Central, yet they sing about banning guns and respecting women. One kwaito megastar, Zola, fronts his own television series, Zola 7, in which he uses his influence to improve people's lives; on one episode, for example, he takes an overworked AIDS counselor on a holiday. Designers like Ephraim, meanwhile, not only source local materials, he and fellow fashion gurus such as white Afrikaner Black Coffee have even relocated their studios to the old blighted garment district downtown, slowly rejuvenating what is now being called the Fashion District.

I want to see this regeneration for myself, and the day after meeting Ephraim, I drive there on my own, cruising over a gleaming symbol of urban renewal: the Nelson Mandela Bridge, opened last year. The journey downtown used to make me nervous—the bridge spans the very railroad tracks where I took cover during that taxi-war gun battle in 1992. Now I feel none of the old jumpiness. I even feel safe enough to park my car on a street just over the bridge, crowded with market stalls and blaring township taxis, and to walk around.

I wander to Newtown, the arts district. For years the famous Market Theatre and Kippies jazz bar were all there was to visit down here. Today it's a thriving cultural precinct, once-derelict red-brick Victorian warehouses and factories turned into science museums, nightclubs, a crafts center, and cafés. The Market Theatre did poor business during the urban blight of the nineties, but it now attracts stage fans from the suburbs and theatergoers from the townships and has an upscale Pan-African restaurant, Moyo, in its foyer, charging resolutely first-world prices for its couscous and cocktails.

I walk east, down grid-blocked streets to the crowded, grittier part of town untouched by gentrification, yet I feel safe here, too. The concrete canyons are reminders of Johannesburg's Golden Age, the 1930's, when South African architects visited the great Art Deco buildings of America and came back to create mini-replicas. Astor Mansions on Jeppe Streeteven has twin plaster spires modeled on the Chrysler Building. These piles are in terrible disrepair, but international restoration groups and local urban planners hope to designate them architectural landmarks and fix the façades. I walk down Commissioner Street, once the Park Avenue of Joburg, where outside the beautiful 1904 Edwardian Cornerhouse building, former headquarters of the monied white mining magnates, I am stunned to see a doorman in top hat, tails, and white gloves, looking like a transplant from Manhattan. He tells me that the Cornerhouse is home to the offices of Urban Ocean, a group of young developers who have bought nine buildings downtown and are turning them into loft apartments. The Cornerhouse will become the inner city's first boutique hotel, set to open well in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The biggest soccer event on earth is coming to South Africa and the finals will be in Johannesburg, further evidence of the city's arrival.

By now, I am filled with such enthusiasm for Joburg that it comes as quite a shock when I return to where I parked my car and discover it has disappeared. Gone! Stolen! My heart sinks, I feel crushed, and I curse myself for not being more careful, for trusting Joburg too soon, for not parking in a secured space in Newtown. Then a young black kid in a red floppy hat and T-shirt runs up to me. "Hey, sorry my brother," he says. "The police towed your car away. This is a no-parking zone." Police? Towing cars in the inner city? The law is back in Joburg and the City of Gold is gleaming again.

datilguy

April 8th, 2005, 09:30 AM

Great article :)

dysan1

April 8th, 2005, 10:19 AM

yeah an impressive read :) (but those fashion designers they mentioned from the space are all durban designers...and the space is durban owned...but great nonetheless :) )

hsark

April 8th, 2005, 01:48 PM

bloody hell is that a article or essay but very nice

Pule

April 8th, 2005, 03:51 PM

Has anyone been down on Main Street lately? I was there a couple years ago and loved it (but i LOVE CBD's of all sorts). Apparently it has experienced a major revamp. Now I think parts of it are pedestrianised right? It certainly gives Johannesburg a "big city" feel I think. BTW a restaraunt called "Ninos" was showcased. Is it any good? :)

I have been there and love it like crazy. I went to one of our clients in Anderson street and I decided to pop around and see what everybody is talking about. The street is a different thing all together, its got nice tree, the streets are paved in such a way that it encourages people to walk around. Yes Ninos is there and I was told by one friend of mine that the ground floor of one of the buildings will be turned into a cofee shop and a resturant. The lights, the materials the use to create the mining environment, I mean you have to go there and see for yourself bro. That is magnificent.

datilguy

April 8th, 2005, 06:33 PM

I would LOVE to. :) Downtown Johannesburg has so much potential IMO. Now if they could just do something with Joubert Park.

hsark

April 9th, 2005, 03:01 PM

yup pule is a 100% correct others are also noticed the change

New-look Main Street: haven from the hustle
MAIN Street has become a peaceful and rather beautiful haven from the hustle and bustle of the inner city. Meander down the mall before sitting under the dappled shade for a tasty bite to eat.

April 7, 2005
By Lucille Davie

DINERS sit outdoors eating at Nino's, shaded under sunlight dappled by plain trees, mosaic paving strips and street artefacts create an artistic atmosphere, a cobbler sits in his broekie-lace-lined kiosk, pedestrians idle by - a scene from the northern suburbs? Far from it - this is Main Street Mall in the city centre.
http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/april/mainstreet2.jpg
Main Street has been radically overhauled in the past year and, in keeping with the profusion of mining houses in the road, has been given a distinct mining look. Mining artefacts dot the eight blocks that have been refurbished. The historic mining headgear has been moved to the street from Langlaagte (where it was vandalised), together with mounted coco pans and underground coaches.
http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/april/mainstreet3.jpg
http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/april/mainstreet3.jpg
The street has become a delight to stroll down, even on the weekends when it is quiet, and safety is guaranteed with a street guard for every block. It is now a place of attractive respite from the hustle and bustle of the CBD.

Very much a people place now, the focus is on the two enclosed blocks of Hollard Street; a square has been formed where new paving criss-crossed with mosaic strips, unusual lighting columns, concrete benches, trees and the towering headgear, make it feel like any themed inner city area of any international city.

On the square sits The Hollard Street Cobbler, James Bela, cheerfully ensconced within his small, corrugated iron and broekie-lace kiosk, amid piles of shoes. Half-a-block eastwards is the Shop around the Corner, a busy takeaway and coffee shop that has been in the same spot for almost 25 years.

Architectural gems
Looking down protectively on these activities are some of the city's architectural treasures: Art Deco buildings, the Chamber of Mines at the magnificent 44 Main Street and London House on Von Weilligh Street - in all an area of 12 city blocks.
The western end of Main Street underwent refurbishment some time ago and is now only open to pedestrians. Manicured beds of variegated ground cover sit alongside the restored Impala Stampede, an impressive arch of 17 jumping impalas created by Herman Wald. The arch was originally in the Ernest Oppenheimer Park behind the Rissik Street Post Office, but it was moved because of vandalism.

One of the buildings overlooking the square is Billiton, at 6 Hollard Street. Three years ago it received the Colosseum Award, an architectural award, for heritage conservation, sponsored by the Johannesburg Heritage Trust.

Overlooking the diners on the square is the impressive "Joburg Man", an enlarged artwork by Arlene Amaler-Raviv and Dale Ydelman of a worker striding through turn-of-the-19th-century Johannesburg. The work is one of 35 that went up on city buildings in 2003, from a competition sponsored by cellphone operator Cell C as its contribution to the revitalisation of the city centre.

Trees, water, coco pans, clean pavements . . . the Main Street Mall

The eight blocks of Main Street have been repaved and the street has been given a zigzag shape. It is now a single-lane one-way road, with extended pavements, interesting bollards, water features, raised flowerbeds and additional trees.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/april/mainstreet1.jpg
Street guards
Peter Kaplan, the senior manager at Nino's, says the restaurant has only been open since November last year but is packed to capacity each lunchtime. It is open for breakfast and serves meals until 6pm. On Fridays it opens until 11pm, with live music and a DJ.
"We have around 150 people on Fridays - we take all the tables outside, to enjoy the summer evenings," says Kaplan. He is hoping to double that number, with preparations for winter evenings - a tarpaulin enclosing the outside area - well under way.

The private sector has invested R13-million in Main Street, with a City contribution of R2-million. The private sector pays for the street guards and has formed a Section 21 company to oversee the maintenance of the street.

this is so cool because its also close to gandhi sqaure and its all mostly being powered by the private sector i'm certain this is not the last we hear of mainstreet

joburg

April 10th, 2005, 06:23 PM

Good stuff!! Joburg can to be a little bit rocking.

:okay:

Pule

April 11th, 2005, 11:55 AM

THE healthcare precinct being set up in Hillbrow has received a cash injection of R17m through a partnership between the Johannesburg Development Agency and the University of the Witwatersrand.

http://www.joburg.org.za/2005/april/health.jpg

THE Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the Reproductive Health Research Unit (RHRU) at the University of the Witwatersrand have struck a R17-million deal to give Hillbrow's medical facilities a facelift.

Through the health partnership, a Hillbrow health precinct will be set up. The streets will be revamped and health centres and dilapidated buildings in the vicinity upgraded. The health precinct is bordered by Kotze Street in the north, Smit Street in the south, Klein Street in the east and Joubert and Rissik Streets in the west.

King George and Esselen Streets are being transformed into more accessible and safer places. Already street lighting is being improved and walkways and pavements along the two streets are being refurbished, part of phase one of the project.

"The development will be a centre of excellence for primary health care, which will benefit the local community," said Agmat Badat, the JDA development manager.

Hillbrow is one of the most densely populated areas in the inner city and the project should give it a new lease of life. Badat said the primary focus of the partnership was "to deal with HIV/Aids in the inner city and other sicknesses".

Phase one of the development started in 2002, when the Wits research unit and the City jointly upgraded Esselen and King George Streets. The JDA joined the partnership 18 months later, to provide primary health care in the region.

The project is influenced by other developments in the inner city, like Constitution Hill, the upgrading of Braamfontein, Park Station and Joubert Park, and the Pietersen Street Residential Development. As part of setting up a healthcare precinct, the Johannesburg Mortuary in Hospital Street has been given additional parking space.

Upgrading the dilapidated buildings in the area will take place during phase two of the project, which is expected to be completed by December 2006. Phase two will incorporate refurbishing the Community Health Centre (CHC), to be completed in June 2005.

Once completed, some of the facilities offered at the Esselen Street Clinic will be accommodated at the CHC. "The upgrading of the centre will benefit the community and will offer better and up-to-standard medical facilities," Badat said. Funds of R5-million from the JDA and the City of Johannesburg have already been spent on the project.

The CHC will continue to provide basic healthcare facilities, treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, family planning and other related services.

Also earmarked for development in the healthcare precinct are a dilapidated heritage building, the Hugh Solomon building, and a district health hospital.

joburg

April 11th, 2005, 08:46 PM

Some more news on No. 1 Central Place in Newtown.

In December 2003, the JDA embarked on a greenfield development on the corner of Goch and Jeppe Streets - the 4 700m² mixed-use building consists of approximately 3 850m² of office space, with approximately 926m² of retail space (on the ground floor). A two-level parking basement will provide public parking for 440 vehicles.

LOCATION

Central Place Newtown is bound by Jeppe Street to the North, Goch and the M1 motorway to the West, President to the South and Bezuidenhout Street to the East. No 1 Central Place is located on the corner of Jeppe Street and Goch Street / M1 Highway.

The new Carr Street interchange with the M1 Motorway provides easy access to and from the highway, and the Nelson Mandela Bridge is the new gateway to the Johannesburg CBD in the north.

Public transport is easily accessible at the Metro Mall complex situated 500m away on the corner of West and Bree Streets, the main bus terminal is under 1km away on Ghandi Square, and vehicular access from the north, south east and west, is directly via main arterials and highways.

THE SITE

The total site area of No. 1 Central Place is 3 875m², and total building area approximately 4 700m². The building covers 3 storeys, with 926m² of anticipated retail space in the east wing on the ground floor.

Central Place consists of a number of proposed subdivided erven, set amongst existing buildings and infrastructure.

http://files.photojerk.com/chief/Centralplace.jpg

TENANTS

Gauteng Tourism Agency has taken all three storeys on the west wing (1 870m²) of the building (nearest to the M1 Motorway).

Local radio station Kaya FM has taken the top floor of the east wing for offices and broadcasting.

There is approximately 955m² of space available for another office tenant, however, should they tenant require larger premises, part of the ground floor retail can also be incorporated.

Concorde Travel / Rennies Foreign Exchange has taken space on the ground floor retail section. We are also finalizing deals with a restaurant / coffee shop and a book store. There is approximately 630m² of retail space remaining.

CURRENT PROPERTY RIGHTS

The current property zoning is Industrial 1, and provides for a multitude of primary rights including offices, low density residential and retail. The property will be re-zoned Commercial.

CITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN NEWTOWN (CID)

A mini-CID is in place, providing security and basic cleaning. As the critical mass in Newtown increases, so will the provisions and services of the CID, with the objective to finally manage:

· Security
· Cleaning
· Common area maintenance
· Hawkers
· Marketing of Newtown and Management of Cultural Events Program
· Aesthetic control
· Monitoring and implementation of tourism-based initiatives
· Public Parking

ADDITIONAL SITES TO BE DEVELOPED IN NEWTOWN

Old Mutual has a building on Becker Street, and one on the corner of Bree and Wolhuter, both of which will be converted into a mixed-use development according to demand. Turbine Hall and Boiler Houses will be developed privately in the near future. Two further sites owned by Propcom, namely Wolhuter Street Precinct, off Bree Street, and Pimm Street South, on Bree Street, will be ready for development in due course.

dysan1

April 11th, 2005, 09:30 PM

interesting stuff mate!

Whats happening in the neighbouring streets though?

joburg

April 11th, 2005, 10:17 PM

Well after my first visit to Carfax about two weeks ago, I've discovered that the area on the other side of the motorway is actually quite awake at night. The Songwriters Club and Carfax succesfully pull people in at night, although the people I know still perceive anything related to the city as dodgy and a place to avoid. But I think we'll get there.

Other than that, Brickfields is almost complete. But still the area has room for a great deal more improvement! I really think Morefields should come up here and spread their magic. Blue IQ, the JDA and the Joburg city council all have good intentions as to the rejuvination of the city, but the only way the city will really take off is if the private sector butts in.

dysan1

April 11th, 2005, 10:53 PM

Thank god we have Moreland down here...they are magic boys!!!!

Some of their upcoming plans are amazing. Glad u enjoyed ur umhlanga visit once again :) My wknd is a blur... but could have walked past ya :)

joburg

April 11th, 2005, 10:59 PM

"My wknd is a blur... "

Yes unfortunately these things happen. The important thing is to remember the blur. As long as you know there was a blur, you know you weren't stuck in some time warp. Something did actually happen. :)

Only went to Durban on the friday. Also went again to Shaka World to visit all the fishies and Gambit, the 32-year old stud of a dolphin. The rest of the time I was down in Leisure Bay. Also went up to Oribi Gorge, and I'll post some of my pics soon. Such a gorgeous place!

dysan1

April 11th, 2005, 11:05 PM

oribi is awesome...i have abseiled there many times.

Love ushaka, was there on sunday, could hardly walk the place was so packed.

Well guess this umhlanga boi needs to get out and take some more photos of my own..to spread the love :)

datilguy

April 12th, 2005, 06:26 AM

32 yo? Fvck, how long do dolphins live? Anyway, woowee Brickfields is almost done.:) Is there any news about the Highpoint? Is it filled with Congolese? Not really all that impressive of a building but its got some height to it. Perhaps it could be refurbished, Im not aware that it has been bought out or scheduled for redevelopment by the city has it?

hsark

April 12th, 2005, 12:07 PM

Studies advance for big Joburg government precinct
The environmental-impact assessment (EIA) and the heritage-impact assessment (HIA) for the Gauteng government project to convert part of the Johannesburg inner-city into a provincial government precinct will be concluded in May, says the head of the public–private partnership (PPP) unit within the Gauteng Treasury, Jack van der Merwe.

Following approval of the HIA and EIA by the South African Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment respectively, the tenderbox for the R2-billion to R3-billion PPP project will open later this year.

The project includes 22 inner-city buildings, already the property of the Gauteng government.

The project, which is expected to be completed in phases and in full by 2007, is in need of a consortium which includes a facility manager, building contractors and financiers to enable transformation from inner-city decay to a bustling precinct.

Six of the 22 buildings will be demolished to make way for a public park, Beyers Naudé Square – a move which is the main thrust behind the HIA and EIA, to determine the significance of these buildings in terms of architecture and historical importance.

The project will include the demolition of the earmarked buildings, modification of some of the 22 buildings and the construction of a tunnel specifically for motor vehicles.

This tunnel will run under Market street, beginning at Sauer street, and emerging just after Harrison street, making way for what will eventually become Beyers Naudé Square.

The buildings that will have to be demolished to permit the construction of the square include the New Library Hotel, the Rand Water Building, Customs House, the Absa building on Market street, and Thusanong House.

The borders of the precinct include Main, Pritchard, Rissik and Kort streets.

Sauer, Simmonds, Market and Commissioner streets will form the perimeter of the square.

Van der Merwe says the Gauteng government wants to ensure mixed land use within the precinct, which is why some buildings are to remain in private hands.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/hsark2/PPPQ14_1.jpg

hey joburg to u have any of the plans from the other joburg thread ??

dysan1

April 12th, 2005, 02:26 PM

interesting images in that post mate. The buildings look rather good and futuristic

Pule

April 12th, 2005, 02:31 PM

Previously they said the outside will be glowing with colourful globes like New York's Time Square and will contain resturants, coffe shps etc for night life...Is the plan still like that

mike2005

April 12th, 2005, 07:00 PM

Looks awsome. I must pop down next time Iam in Jozi. Good to hear about the health precinct too. Braamfontein was looking much much better last time I was there. Does anyone know if the old Ernst and Young building is still being done up on diagonal street?

hsark

April 12th, 2005, 09:03 PM

yup i'll try find more info thats a update from www.engineeringnews.co.za the project was first released to the press a year ago so it seems there making good progress the guy in charge (Jack van der Merwe) is also the head of the gautrain project so his sitting on top of a good 10 billion rand +

hsark

April 12th, 2005, 09:09 PM

just in great news for newtown mining giant Anglo Gold Ashanti is going to set up its head office in the Turbine Hall which is certainly going to have a postive effect on joburg innear city thats not all the jazz club Kippies in Newtown is not going to be demolished but turned into a heritage site

joburg

April 12th, 2005, 10:39 PM

"32 yo? Fvck, how long do dolphins live? Anyway, woowee Brickfields is almost done. Is there any news about the Highpoint?"

Yah boet.. old Gambit is a big boy. Weighing in at 520kgs. Can still do back flips like a pro though. Highpoint, like the rest of Hillbrow, is still filled with dodgy people. Looks pretty decent from the outside though.

"big Joburg government precinct"

hsark, thanks so much for posting those photos! They look awesome!! I've still got the original design for the precinct, can be found here: http://www.chief.co.za/Joburg/developments_govpret.htm
The New Library Hotel sounds fabulous! Will try get some more information about this. Since the Rissik Street Post Office is in this area, I assume that will also get upgraded. Would make for an awesome entertainment venue.

"Previously they said the outside will be glowing with colourful globes like New York's Time Square and will contain resturants, coffe shps etc for night life...Is the plan still like that"

I'm sure that'll come once the precinct gets it's ass off the ground. Unfortunately though the pace doesn't seem as quick as the pace of development up in the 'burbs!

"Does anyone know if the old Ernst and Young building is still being done up on diagonal street?"

Who actually knows what the hell is happening with Urban Ocean???Their websites haven't been updated in yonks, and I emailed the contact person a while ago to find out what's happening, but no reply. For your info though, Mike, http://www.thefranklin.co.za is supposedly still under construction. The last update on the website was August last year! Maybe Waltjie can share some info - I know he did a tour there a while back?

Pule

April 13th, 2005, 09:58 AM

Nine buildings have been earmarked, with seven already undergoing renovation, as part of the Johannesburg Property Company's Better Buildings Programme to regenerate the inner city

By Lucky Sindane
The Johannesburg Company's Better Buildings Programme is in full swing, with seven buildings being renovated and work soon to start on another two.

"Despite many unforeseen obstacles, we have had significant progress. This programme has created a lot of excitement and we believe it is a fundamental building block in the process to reach our goal of Johannesburg becoming a world class city by 2030," said Geoff Mendelowitz, the programme manager.

"The private sector has invested an estimated R40-million in the refurbishment of these nine buildings [which] will be homes for 700 lower to middle income families."

The nine are Mimosa Hotel, Rondebosch, Stanhope, Sunley, Witberg, Waterford Court, The Lloyd, Polly Lodge and the Europa Hotel. The programme was launched in 2003 to attract private sector investment to refurbish buildings in the inner city, which were poorly managed and not maintained properly.

The number of derelict buildings has increased over the past decade as businesses have moved out of the inner city to the northern suburbs, leaving some buildings unoccupied. The problem was compounded when some owners emigrated or absconded, some sold their buildings to slumlords, and others abandoned their properties, allowing squatters to move in. Some buildings became havens of criminal activity.

The property company identifies and prioritises buildings for the programme when the money owed in arrears to the City is more than the value of the building and legal action to recover the debt has not been successful.

"One of the least understood hurdles in our programme is that these bad buildings are not owned by the City of Johannesburg. We have not 'repossessed' them or taken transfer of them even if they are indebted to us," Mendelowitz said.

The Better Buildings process includes writing off old debts to pave the way for a rates clearance certificate, thus ensuring the transfer of the property as well as a legal "obligation agreement" spelling out the developer's detailed programme.

"More than 200 companies and individuals have registered thus far in the Better Buildings Programme," Mendelowitz added.

To date, of the 52 buildings listed in the programme, 40 are in various stages of the process and have been allocated to investors through proposal and adjudication calls.

An officially constituted adjudication panel made up of city officials from various departments evaluates the proposals, which are scored on a point's basis using criteria agreed by the panel. The main criteria used for evaluation include the price offered, the upgrade details, proof of funding for the purchase and upgrade, and the ability to manage the rental of the building effectively after renovation. Proposals from previously disadvantaged groups are given extra points.

Once work on all 52 buildings has been completed, it is estimated that R116-million worth of rates will have been written off by the City. An estimated reinvestment amount of R130-million will have been made by the private sector back into these buildings, about 3 100 residential units will have been renovated and the City will be generating income from rates and service charges of about R2-million a month. The current income is almost nothing.

"There is an ongoing response to our call and submissions for registration documents indicating to us an interest by prospective investors to take on the challenging role of upgrading bad buildings and becoming an owner or landlord in Johannesburg," Mendelowitz said.

Johannesburg News Agency

Pule

April 13th, 2005, 10:05 AM

REGIONAL shopping mall Westgate Shopping Centre in Roodepoort is set to undergo a major refurbishment.

REGIONAL shopping mall Westgate Shopping Centre in Roodepoort is set to undergo a major refurbishment.

However, Westgate centre manager Gerda Visagie says the refurbishment is "definitely not a response" to the newly opened middle-to-up-market R500m Clearwater shopping centre in Roodepoort.

According to Visagie, the Westgate refurbishment has been in the planning stage for four years. Construction work on Westgate, which is located on Ontdekkers Road in Roodepoort, will begin next month. The project is scheduled to be completed in October.

The cost involved has not been disclosed.

Areas to be upgraded include all six entrances, which will see some architectural changes, as well as some landscaping.

The paid parking decks, lighting in all external parking areas, external directional signage and lighting levels on the lower level of the centre will also be upgraded. Tile cladding will be applied to all freestanding mall columns.

Management says a number of new tenants will also be included to enhance the centre.

Pule

April 13th, 2005, 10:14 AM

AN APARTMENT block that includes a retail component is to be developed on Wolhuter Street in Newtown, Johannesburg, at a cost of R60m.

AN APARTMENT block that includes a retail component is to be developed on Wolhuter Street in Newtown, Johannesburg, at a cost of R60m.

The developer of the block, which will be situated next to the Market Theatre, is a joint venture between black empowerment group Motseng Investments, architects Kate Otten & Associates and the Pace Property Group.

An existing building is being refurbished.

David Green, MD of the Pace Property Group, which is marketing the available retail component, says a 2700m² retail centre will form part of the building and will be anchored by Nandos, as well as upmarket restaurants and other retailers.

The residential units will be marketed by Pace Rez, a division of the Pace Property Group.

Green says the apartment block will consist of 90 apartments ranging in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, and priced from R400000.

Construction is expected to begin by midyear and the completion date has been set for early next year.

"We have already got some considerable interest from investors," says Green. Interested parties are mostly people working in the central business district, particularly those employed at large financial institutions.

According to an inhouse Pace Property Group publication, the project is to retain all the historical facades and ambience of the "old world".

The apartments are aimed at the middle-income buyer.

Green says the average Johannesburg employee spends 25% of his monthly income on transport to and from the workplace. "The idea is to bring people closer to their work environment and provide an upmarket environment in which to live and play."

hsark

April 13th, 2005, 03:57 PM

woah this took me quite a long time to get again but this is how it should look like add to the update (2005/04/08 www.engineeringnews.co.za) i already posted
enjoy !! :)
New square focus
of Gauteng precinct
By Lucille Davie

THE Gauteng provincial government has finalised plans for its proposed new precinct in Johannesburg's CBD, centred around a new square to be created alongside the Beyers Naude Square.

The precinct will encompass a street underpass, skywalks joining buildings, underground parking, and the focal point, a square called the New Heritage Square, to the south of and adjoining the present Beyers Naude Square. The square, to be created from the demolition of 10 inner city buildings, will contain an amphitheatre, a multi-functional Tswana homestead and a symbolic obelisk and "Orientation Wall".
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/govt2.jpg

Gauteng government offices at present

The precinct is to be called the Kopanong Gauteng Provincial Government Precinct, and a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) report outlining the plan, is presently lodged with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) for approval, and consideration and comment by the public. The reason for this is that five of the 10 buildings proposed for demolition are older than 60 years and therefore need SAHRA approval prior to demolition.

At present the Gauteng government's departments occupy offices stretching across the city, with some departments being split among different buildings.

The proposed plan brings those departments together in central area focused around the new square.

The location of the future GPG Precinct

The precinct, designed by NOA Architects, is an effort "to ensure the democratisation of the urban environment whilst securing the historical significance of the CBD".

The precinct is to bordered by Pritchard Street in the north, Fox/Main streets in the south, Kort Street in the west and Rissik Street in the east, in what is referred to in the HIA as Complex 7.

Complex 7 is one of four options suggested by NOA, which they say offers "the highest overall ranking" in terms of the criteria stipulated by the province:

the need to locate provincial government departments closer to one another for better communication and service delivery;
the desire to remain within the city as an expression of confidence in the CBD; and
the desire to "encourage property and business interest and confidence towards commercial/retail and inner city residential developments".
At present the GPG occupies eight buildings within the vicinity of Beyers Naude Square. Two of these buildings, SA Perm (People's Bank) and Litorn House, both in Commissioner Street, are to be demolished. Three additional buildings - Library Gardens Chambers, the Old Mutual Building, the Old Reserve Bank Building (a national monument) - are to be refurbished and occupied by the GPG in the future.

Demolitions
Two buildings owned by the GPG and presently vacant - Clegg House and SARB House on the corner of Simmonds and Commissioner streets - are to be demolished and replaced by a new building, to be called the Matlotlo Extension.
Another eight buildings on the edge of Beyers Naude Square are to be demolished to make way for an adjoining square, an effort to revive the present square and extend it to expand open public space in the inner city. The report indicates that at present only three percent of space in the CBD is open public space.

In total 10 buildings are to be demolished, in terms of the HIA.
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/randwaterboard.jpg
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/newlibraryhotel.jpg
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/inner3.jpg
The report makes it clear that the architects are sensitive to the historic and architectural value of the buildings, but at the same time they need to acknowledge the "previously marginalised" who need to have their identity recognised in the city.

"Another complexity is how one introduces the values and identity of those who had no role in the defining and making of the urban environment without devaluing or erasing elements of historical significance or undermining the heritage of those whose values and identity makes up the existing built environment."

If demolition permission is granted, the SA Perm (People's Bank), the FNB Building, Litorn House, the Absa building, and Volkskas building between Market and Commissioner streets will be demolished. In addition, three buildings on the adjacent block - the New Library Hotel, the Rand Water Board building and Custom House - will also be demolished.

The façade of the Rand Water Board building will be preserved and become the façade of the new Matlotlo Extension, on the corner of Simmonds and Commissioner streets. It was recommended in 1976 that this six and a half storey building be declared a national monument, but this never happened.
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/inner6.jpg
The façade of the Volkskas building (now Absa) will also be retained, to remain where it is while the rest of the building will be demolished. The façade has engraved marble panels and bronze door panels, and the building is considered to be the "first major piece of architecture to be erected in Johannesburg by the emergent forces of Afrikaner finance capital . . .", according to renowned architect Clive Chipkin in his Johannesburg Style, Architecture and Society, 1880s-1960s.

New square
The new square will be called the New Heritage Square, and with the extension of Beyers Naude Square across Market Street, the new, larger square will have six heritage facades facing on to it. These will be: two facades of the Central Library, two facades of the historic Corner House on the corner of Simmonds and Commissioner streets, the Harrison Street façade of the City Hall, and the reconstructed Rand Water Board façade on the corner of Simmonds and Commissioner streets.

New Heritage Square
Click on the image for a better view

The new square will contain "indigenous heritage" in the form of a Stone Age Tswana homestead, constructed in steel and glass, "reminiscent of the pyramid located outside the Louvre in Paris", to be called the New Heritage Complex. A "New Heritage Bridge" will link it to Nedbank Place, on the corner of Market and Sauer streets.

"The building will be designed as a grand gateway or entrance on to the square from the underground parking," according to the report.

The building will have several functions: art and culture-related uses on the ground level, while the "upper levels will form a series of cascading terraces, housing restaurants and cocktail bars". Street trading will be allowed under pergolas around the complex.

There'll also be an amphitheatre just off centre of the new double-size square, with a 13-storey structure such as "an obelisk or column or feature within a fountain". Alongside this will be "an Orientation Wall" designed as "a link between the old and new facades" which will function as "a window of transparency, opening from government on to the urban community".

Near to the amphitheatre street vendor stalls will be constructed.

The ugly walls and non-functional kiosks surrounding the entrances and exits to the present underground parking of Beyers Naude Square will also be demolished to open up the square to the surrounding streets and proposed street cafes and restaurants.

The Nedbank Place wall facing the square will display digital advertising screens and billboards, "animating the square reminiscent to Time Square, New York". Seam lighting will be placed on the north-facing buildings, and restaurants and cafes are to be encouraged along this side, to allow a natural flow from the buildings on to the pavement and the square.

The square will be dotted with trees.

It is hoped that the new square will be used for a variety of events, including parades, religious gatherings, outdoor exhibitions, sporting activities and weekend markets.

Underpass, gateways and skywalks
Under the new square there'll be parking, and an underpass (to replace the four blocks of Market Street that will be incorporated into the square), which will begin before Kort Street to the west, and exit after Harrison Street in the east. The architects acknowledge that the underpass will "acquire sophisticated and innovative architectural and engineering approaches" to ensure that it "acquires conservation significance and be acknowledged as a heritage for future generations".
In addition, there'll be two gateways on to the square. The first is the Fraser Street Gateway, a decorative gateway on to the square from the Fraser Street entrance on the north side of the square. It will consist of a wire and perspex shelter, to be used by street curio traders. The second is the Market Street Close Gateway, and marks the start of the square from the west. The gateway will be defined by three rows of trees between Kort and Sauer streets, in contrast to the "hard materiality" of the Fraser Street Gateway.

The plan also includes four skywalks, linking buildings on the four corners of the enlarged square. The skywalks will consist of three floors, three storeys above the street level. Two of these skywalks will be enlarged to form two gateway towers, the Bank of Lisbon Tower and the Corner House Tower, both buildings on the western corners of the square.

These towers or skywalks will protrude over Market and Commissioner streets and will join the Corner House and the Avril Malan building, and the Bank of Lisbon building and Nedbank Place. They will consist of a triple volume open-air terrace with cafes, cocktail bars and restaurants overlooking the square. The facades of the towers will contain billboards and digital screens for advertising.
this will be the end product
http://www.joburg.org.za/2004/jan/govt6.jpg

clive330

April 14th, 2005, 03:09 AM

great. when is this going to be started / complete?

SA BOY

April 14th, 2005, 08:19 AM

wow chack out all the skybridges. Looks like a radical improvement to the city. 1 question why isint Standard bank in their tower anymore?

joburg

April 14th, 2005, 11:19 AM

Looks really good! As far as I know, Standard Bank is still in their tower? Correct me if I'm wrong.

joburg

April 14th, 2005, 11:13 PM

Look! Urban Ocean is still alive!

15 April 2005 - Development - CORNERING A NEW CITY MARKET

By Pauline Larsen

The first show unit, designed by architects Leck & Emley, at Johannesburg inner-city apartment conversion Corner House was opened last week. All 15 units have been sold and the first resales have gone through.

It is the first building to bring upscale loft apartments onstream in the CBD proper, rather than in Newtown or Braamfontein.

The building is on the corner of Harrison and Commissioner streets, close to the new 150 000 m² provincial government precinct.

Top prices for the 15 apartments reached R9 000/m² for the shell only and resales have been reported at R1,5m for a three-bed unit.

Developer Alfonso Botha of Urban Ocean says that Corner House will also offer 52 boutique hotel units. These will be up and running by the end of the year and be managed by Urban Hip Hotels, a 50-50 partnership between Urban Ocean and a group of former Sun International and Southern Sun executives.

Financial Mail

SA BOY

April 15th, 2005, 05:42 AM

thats strange as corner house and standard bank tower are listed as government occupied buildings. Maybe they only have some floors?

datilguy

April 15th, 2005, 10:04 PM

WOW. Sounds like quite a project. So the government is gonna occupy Standard Bank? Damn. I like the idea for Nedbank tho :) :).

hsark

April 17th, 2005, 09:51 PM

dont sights like this is south africa make you feel so excited ? i know it makes me jump all over.. look how the michelango stretchs way above the sandton city building
http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbLandmarks/Skyscrapers/MichelangeloTowers8.jpg

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbLandmarks

dysan1

April 17th, 2005, 10:32 PM

ummm...it stretches way above cos of the angle of the photo! but yeh it is impressive to see :)

If only Sandton werent so chaotic and haphazard in its development. And that there was some more height amoungst the mish mash of clashing designs

clive330

April 18th, 2005, 12:25 AM

Pule - if you are now occasionally in the Joburg CBD, cant you add a few more buildings to Emporis's poor total of 131?

Pule

April 18th, 2005, 09:05 AM

I will try my best bra, I walked from Bree street to Westgate and back yesterday. I just love Jozi's cleanliness, except the Hillbrow area. I wish that I had my camera with me to take pictures. I see plenty of people are taking pictures around Joburg this days, sometimes I wonder if some of them are not part of this group.

The Red Ants are on duty again to remove illigal occupants in Jozi and mostly in Hillbrow. The renovation at Marshall post office has started and I remember that last time somebody mentioned that there was gonna be renovations there and the post office will be faced out. What is it that is gonna be built?

The other thing I heard in an effort to get rid if the shacks, is that they are gonna be bar coded. Everytime I complain it seems like the government listern and they always come up with something new to impress me.

clive330

April 19th, 2005, 12:26 AM

Barcoded? I dont understand - please explain.

thryve

April 19th, 2005, 02:55 AM

Good news:
Newtown Development (http://www.joburg.org.za/citichat/2005/april18_citichat.stm)

"The development of these two sites will result in 20 000 square metres of mixed use, the first fully mixed use development in Newtown offering retail, commercial and residential space. It will include two cinemas, restaurants, a gym and other retail as well as extensive parking.
C-Max Investments comprises the well-known developer, Zenprop, together with BEE partner Ikamva Labantu Investments. Their development will have a dramatic effect on the skyline of Newtown. The upper income residential component is spread over four tower blocks 23, 16, eight and four storeys in height set on a double storey podium. "

joburg

April 19th, 2005, 08:59 AM

The upper income residential component is spread over four tower blocks 23, 16, eight and four storeys in height set on a double storey podium. "

WOW - about time! I have just emailed Zenprop for some information, will see what we come up with!

Pule

April 19th, 2005, 10:07 AM

Barcoded? I dont understand - please explain.

Clive, u owe me...Here' your answer, you should have went to sunday times website.

SHACK-A-TAG

Huge drive to bar-code 600000 informal homes

ISAAC MAHLANGU

17 April 2005

Print friendly Send to a friend

‘I’m very hopeful. The process is fast. We’ll be moved to a better place’

MORE than half a million shacks in almost 400 Gauteng squatter camps are to be bar-coded.

A R15-million project being carried out by the Gauteng Housing Department — to register all shacks in the province — aims to curb the rapid growth of informal settlements.

Gauteng has about 600000 shacks in 372 informal settlements.

As the province’s population approaches nine million, housing officials are battling to stop the spread of informal settlements. The government plans to do away with them by 2014.

Since November last year the provincial housing department has already stuck bar-coded stickers on 422 176 shacks. The department still has 197000 shacks to tag. It hopes to finish the project by June.

Any shack without a bar-code sticker will be considered illegal and could be demolished after a court interdict is obtained.

Housing spokesman Mongezi Mnyani said his department wanted reliable information on the number of people and shacks in each informal settlement.

“This process will also assist us in curbing the spread of informal settlements because we can monitor movement or expansion through the use of technology,” he said.

The bar-code stickers were being placed on “visible” areas of shacks, mostly on doors, Mnyani said.

While they affix the stickers, officials are also collecting information. This information includes the shack owners’ identity numbers, how long they have lived there and their status on a housing waiting list.

“The information will be used for planning purposes and to determine what resources are needed, such as water and sanitation,” Mnyani said.

The information will also help to determine which squatter camps are suitable for development into formal settlements.

“Those in areas that are not suitable for development will be moved to alternative areas,” Mnyani said.

About 100 people have been hired to count, register and put the stickers on shacks.

This week data capturers armed with pocket computers made their second visit to Rabie Ridge in Midrand and Ivory Park, on the East Rand, to check that all shacks in the areas had in fact been registered.

Francina Mnisi, 54, of Rabie Ridge said the bar-code sticker on her shack represented hope.

She had even put transparent adhesive tape over the sticker to “protect it from rain and wind”.

“This sticker gives me hope. My only wish is to get a house,” she said on Friday.

Brenda Maisha, 38, also of Rabie Ridge, was similarly excited about the project.

“I’m very hopeful. The process is fast. We’ll be moved to a better place,” Maisha said.

Provincial Democratic Alliance spokesman on Housing Glenda Steyn welcomed the new system but emphasised the importance of ensuring that the information collected was accurate so that the province could draw up housing plans for the next decade.

“It is going to take a lot of hard work to try to get accurate information but I think it’s positive,” Steyn said. “But a lot of people who would well qualify for housing subsidies and housing assistance aren’t knowledgeable about how the system works.”

Mnyani said the department was now working on a “small-scale” operation revisiting shacks that were locked or whose owners had not been traced.

“We are going back to those shacks, especially after hours and on weekends because some people were working when we first visited them,” Mnyani said.

He added that even if bar-code stickers were lost, the information could still be obtained through occupants’ identify numbers.

Orange Farm is the largest informal settlement in the province with 18004 shacks. Diepsloot is the second biggest with 16417 shacks and the informal settlement in Atteridgeville is the third largest with 15301.

Mnyani said councillors and communities had started the process of monitoring the construction of new shacks.

“We have told people that if they let others move in they will suffer because this will mean that it will take longer to develop their areas,” he said.

SA BOY

April 19th, 2005, 11:29 AM

WOW - about time! I have just emailed Zenprop for some information, will see what we come up with!
Ill add them to emporis as proposed towers. give me info as soon as you get it

hsark

April 19th, 2005, 03:55 PM

Soweto yesterday was the site of the launch of an R400-million development project that aims to uplift the area, and merge heritage with retail convenience.

The Orlando Ekhaya project in Orlando, launched by the city of Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), will be developed next to the landmark cooling towers of the now moribund Orlando power station..........................Erf 252 could be developed in the form of a conference venue of a hotel.

Vista koppies will be developed into an environmental attraction, adds Pitjeng.

The final construction project named yesterday, Orlando Wedge, is to be situated on the corner of Nicholas street and Old Potchefstroom road.

Due to the prominence of the site, it will be developed as a high-rise landmark building.
another high-rise in joburg?? seems so :)

waltjie

April 19th, 2005, 06:19 PM

"Does anyone know if the old Ernst and Young building is still being done up on diagonal street?"

Who actually knows what the hell is happening with Urban Ocean???Their websites haven't been updated in yonks, and I emailed the contact person a while ago to find out what's happening, but no reply. For your info though, Mike, http://www.thefranklin.co.za is supposedly still under construction. The last update on the website was August last year! Maybe Waltjie can share some info - I know he did a tour there a while back?[/QUOTE]

Havent been there in a while, but read recently that the second half of apartments in the Franklin was apparently being launch now sometime.....

Pule

April 20th, 2005, 10:12 AM

Multibillion-rand development planned at Joburg precinct
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The owner of Melrose Arch, in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, last week revealed its plans for the rollout of the Melrose Arch development node, valued at between R4,5-billion and R5-billion.

Melrose Arch currently comprises upmarket offices, retail shops and a five-star hotel.

The new development proposes additional retail space, offices, about 360 residential apartments, a new six-star international boutique hotel, public areas that reflect the urban fabric of the area and a superbasement with 10 000 additional parking spaces.

The site development plan will expand the size of the precinct from 88 044 m2 to nearly 350 000 m2. Property Partners CEO Stuart Chait said that a new shopping centre of 28 000 m2 will be at the heart of the development.

He says that the shopping centre will aim to attract upmarket international brands and boutiques not previously established in South Africa.

“We believe that it will create confidence in South Africa as a destination for international retail invest-ment.

“Once these shops have established a local presence, they will most likely expand to other retail complexes,” Chait added.

A 10 000 m2 six-star boutique hotel will be built on top of the new international shopping centre.

The residential part of the precinct will be enlarged from 11 050 m2 of the bulk area currently used, with the addition of 37 968 m2 of apartments.

The average price of apartments is about R2-million.

However, Pam Golding Properties has sold the luxury penthouse apartment on the top floor for R7,5-million. The penthouse offers 255 m2 of living space and 140 m2 of roof terrace and a pool deck, three undercover parking bays and a storeroom.

Pam Golding chief operating officer and MD of its Gauteng division Ronald Ennik said that the company has already sold 29 of the phase-one units, raising about R100-million.

Only 17 of the residential units to be developed in the first phase have not been sold. The largest component of the new Melrose Arch development node is office space.

Currently, office space in the precinct comprises 54 772 m2 of bulk area.

Another 172 190 m2 will be added, bringing the total bulk area of office space to 226 962 m2. Chait said that Property Partners expects office rentals to double in the next 18 months.

“Higher land and steel prices are pushing up development costs which, in turn, dictates the rent required to give investors a return on their investments.

“We are confident that, with a strong economy, businesses will continue to expand and take up more office vacancies,” he said.

Pule

April 20th, 2005, 10:17 AM

Guys, I must say that we missing a lot of news updates in Johannesburg. I have seen plenty of buildings being constrcuted and haven't heard about them. Does anyone in Joburg know which source to contact so that we can get up to date?

By the way I passes by Killarney Mall and its beign renovated.

thryve

April 21st, 2005, 12:03 AM

"By the way I passed by Killarney Mall and its beign renovated."

Again? Holy crap- that mall has a HISTORY of additions and reno's... not that im complaining ;)

joburg

April 21st, 2005, 07:24 AM

LOL... yes Sp!re, AGAIN!!! I work at the Exclusive Books there, so I'm there almost daily. And the construction is intensely annoying. They're going for the whole modern retro white look, thereby trying to attract a younger crowd as opposed to the old Jewish ladies from the flats in Killarney who spend their Goldstein millions there.

But there are some cool stores coming along. Edgards is going to open, as is Foschini. And there is talk of a Primi Piatti opening. Should hopefully provide some good competition to Rosebank and The Zone up the road.

Pule

April 21st, 2005, 08:30 AM

I must say that I only went there once and the more is flippin boring, my woman liked it as for me I don't like it. I think the new looks you talking about will bring life there.

Pule

April 21st, 2005, 12:28 PM

A DISNEY-style African theme park resort worth about R3,8bn is being planned for Kempton Park.

The development, which will be called the Africa Theme Park Resort, is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Dutch-born Hans Deuze, of Pretoria-based Latar Entertainment Projects, the developer of the project, says a feasibility study funded largely by the Dutch government has been completed.

The resort, which will be situated close to Johannesburg International Airport, will consist of three different areas: Africa The Park, Spaceport Africa and a water park.

The plan also includes three hotels, an "Africa" residential estate complex, a conference and convention centre, a health spa, and 51ha of retail facilities and private housing.

Among the companies conducting the feasibility study are Dutch engineering firm DHV and South African firms Stewart Scott International, Africon, Rock Environment, Tino Ferero and Smit Sewgoolam.

According to DHV’s in-house publication, the feasibility study covered the environmental, structural engineering, financial and economic aspects of the project and concluded that it was viable in every respect.

Deuze says the project was the brainchild of Dutchman Hielke van der Maal who has been based in SA for 20 years.

Van der Maal initiated the project in 1997 and Deuze came to SA in 2003 to work on the project.

Previously Deuze lived in France, where he worked for Disneyland Paris.

The theme park will cover an area of 613ha.

He says the project has to be ready by 2008 so that it can "gear up" for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and obtain the necessary crowd control experience.

"This project will generate 6000 direct jobs and 24000 indirect jobs," says Deuze.

He says an economic impact assessment conducted by KPMG indicates that 140000 permanent jobs will be generated through the project.

"We are very close to Tembisa so we have a labour source next door," says Deuze.

Although the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be a boon for the resort, it will not be dependent on foreigners to make it viable.

He says foreign tourists were excluded from the original business model for the project.

"We based the business model on the local tourism market (which) will carry the project. Foreign tourists and the Soccer World Cup are the cherries on top," says Deuze.

Africa The Park will consist of three areas called African Nations, African Adventures and African Experience.

All 53 African country cultures will be represented in the African Nations area with their cultures, music traditions, fashion and food being showcased.

The African Experience area will showcase Africa’s riches including its minerals and the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, while African Adventures will provide entertainment in the form of amusement rides.

Spaceport Africa will feature all things astronomical but focus on travelling, exploring and living in outer space.

The water park will feature a wave pool for children.

Deuze says the resort will also focus on underprivileged children and AIDS orphans by allowing them special access.

He says all three parks will be centred on a night-life entertainment centre including bars, restaurants, cinemas and live stages, among other things.

Deuze says Latar Entertainment Projects is in negotiations with local developers.

Construction of the theme park is expected to begin towards the end of this year.

datilguy

April 22nd, 2005, 07:31 AM

Well, I hope it gets off the ground, mostly for the reason of job creation. Plus it will give Gauteng YET ANOTHER source of income :) No wildlife park? Quite surprised at this, but of course proximity to the Lion and Rhino park. Silly me :P

joburg

April 22nd, 2005, 03:01 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!! This is terrible news for Sandton! The Sandown Isle and The Sandown have both been shelved! :bash: :bash: :bash:

22 April 2005 - Apartments - FLAT PLANS FALL FLAT
By Pauline Larsen

Buyers lose out as the residential sector takes a blow from rocketing building costs

An unprecedented jump in building costs, combined with a sudden shift in sentiment to offices, has scotched two high-profile, high-rise residential developments in Sandton.

A third has been stopped because of objections from commercial property owners.

This halves the supply of new flats and could push both rentals and sales prices up.

Shocked buyers of off-plan apartments at Sandown Isle in Rivonia Road and The Sandown off Grayston Drive discovered this week the apartments would never be built. The buyers will, however, get their deposits back.

Sandown Isle was planned at the Mercedes-Benz dealership site. The 196 units, ranging from R900 000 to R4m, were sold out shortly after the launch in November last year. Residential rights were in place and the developers were ready to proceed. But then they couldn't find a contractor who could build at the prices estimated in the original feasibility study.

Now the land will be used for a 10 000 m² commercial development.

The Sandown, a luxury high-rise planned in park-like surroundings, was also sold out before the developers realised the project wouldn't work financially.

"We knew that contractors' fees were going up and we made contingency plans," says Tim Middleton of developer Kagiso Property Holdings. "But it just wasn't enough. The rise in costs was too high."

Luckily, he adds, Kagiso maintained its office rights on the land and will go ahead with a commercial development instead. "But we're still smarting at having to cancel a project that we put a lot of passion into over the past year and a half." Middleton says the project could have been feasible at sales prices of around R25 000/m² to offset contracting fees of R10 000/m².

The difference between sales price and building fee is made up of professional fees, financing and land costs and escalations. But since The Sandown had already been sold out at between R15 000/m² and R23 000/m², the numbers simply did not stack up.

Thirty years of property decline have left SA with no major residential developers who have the financial muscle and knowledge to take on high-rise apartments. "They are just not prepared to take the risk," says a commentator.

Independent analyst Llewellyn Lewis believes developers pitched their prices too low, which is why they sold out so quickly. "Obviously, they didn't do their feasibilities properly. The consumer is well-informed."

Typical building costs for a luxury apartment block are between R3 950/m² and R5 600/m², according to the annual Davis Langdon Farrow Laing building cost report. Contractors say this is very conservative.

Group Five Building MD Paul le Sueur says R7 000/m²-R8 000/m² is a more accurate rate for an up-market apartment block. "Escalating prices caught everyone by surprise," he concedes.

One quantity surveyor admits his estimates were out by a dramatic 30%.

But in defence of the building industry, Le Sueur says a dearth of skills, full order books and rocketing materials costs have pushed prices over the edge.

"In the past year," he says, "the price of reinforced steel for high-rise apartments has gone up 57%."

What's more, apartment blocks require intense supervision and the multiplicity of owners can make for time-consuming interaction.

Le Sueur believes price ceilings are having an effect. Johannesburg peaks at a sales price of around R10 000/m², while Cape Town - especially the V&A Waterfront - can swing prices as high as R46 000/m².

Analysts agree that the building industry is making up for lost time after a long period of being depressed.

"Let's just say contractors are making hay while the sun shines," says building analyst Johan Snyman.

Official statistics from the Bureau for Economic Research show building cost increases were 15,2% for the first quarter of 2005.

"Building contractors' profit is running at about 7,2%," says Snyman.

He adds that private investment in residential property was R21bn in nominal terms for 2004 - a rise of 24,3%. An additional R5,1bn was invested in public-sector projects.

A sudden turnaround in favour of offices has also hit the market hard after several years of apartment demand. The Axis on Grayston was cancelled earlier this year because of a negative reaction to residential projects. Its 330 units were already sold out when Growthpoint Properties, owner of Investec Bank's head office across the road from the site, quashed the Axis project. Growthpoint raised its objections with the city's development tribunal, arguing that the high-rise apartments would devalue its commercial building.

The FM has learnt that though Investec was unhappy about the earlier Westpoint development, on the corner of Grayston Drive and West Road South, opposite Investec, it did not object at the time.

The developers are applying for commercial rights on the land earmarked for The Axis.

"We had to inform the buyers, refund their deposits and try to find them alternative investments," says a frustrated Jarod Kolman, who handled the marketing of The Axis on Grayston and Sandown Isle on a risk basis.

"All the professionals invested time and money in projects that have now been shelved, with no potential for realising their fees," he adds.

Perhaps the only silver lining for Sandton is that the widely predicted bubble in the apartment sector isn't likely to materialise. The 2 000 units of new supply estimated six months ago (Property October 1) is now half that.

Prices on existing flats could rocket, say quantity surveyors, as supply tightens in the node.

And, add analysts, there could be a risk of other cancellations in other nodes and sectors until the market corrects.

Financial Mail