Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre *Discussion & Gallery*

[dysan1]

This thread will showcase the transformation of the barren land into a high density urban environment, not focusing on individual projects, but the broader development.

Here is where all questions can be asked relating to it

At present (9 April 2006) there are:

2112 Apartments Approved for the Town Centre
593 Apartments are complete

48000m2 of Retail/Commercial Space is U/C (excluding the 15 000m2 Gateway Expansion)

Developments U/C and Crane count

Aurora's - 1
Ridgeton Towers - 2
The Block - 1
7 on Palm Boulevard - 1
Royal Palm - 1
WEST - 1
The Zone - 1
Platinum Towers - 1
Sentinel - 1
The Lighthouse - 1
Crystal Rock - 1
Millenium - 1
Aldrovande Palace - 0
The Equinox - 0
The Edge - 0
7 Commercial buildings - 2

15 Cranes in NTC, 23 in Greater Umhlanga

Here is the Development Layout as of 31 May 2006

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Umhlangaridgedevat31May2006.jpg

[dysan1]

VISION

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre is designed as a safe, convenient and pleasant environment for businesses and people. Built on a planned grid, the New Town Centre is connected by a series of pedestrian-friendly roads, parks and public spaces, which are laid out to facilitate on-street parking and the easy flow of traffic.

The development is planned on a human scale, with a vibrant, active mix of uses, including retail, residential and commercial, and a variety of permutations of these within individual buildings - the emphasis is on the tenants' flexibility of choice.

Moreland has provided an infrastructure and management model that will establish Umhlanga Ridge as South Africa's most modern and globally competitive working environment.

Umhlanga Ridge owners all become members of the management association which assisted by Moreland's experience in managed environments employs professionals to administer centralized services like security, cleaning, landscaping and traffic control.

A 21st century communications network makes the New Town Centre a leader in the information-driven New Economy, connecting individuals and businesses effortlessly to each other and the global marketplace.


LOCATION

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre offers advantages of location that are unique in South Africa and rare elsewhere in the world. It is a bustling business environment, 20 minutes from the centre of Durban, Africa's biggest port and the gateway to Southern Africa.

The Town Centre enjoys easy access onto a network of major roads, including the N2, with Durban International Airport an easy 20-minute drive away.

Umhlanga Ridge is surrounded by some of the finest residential developments in South Africa, from established suburbs like Durban North and La Lucia to planned communities like Somerset Park and Broadlands and prestigious golf estates like Mount Edgecombe and Zimbali.

The Town Centre builds on the runaway success of La Lucia Ridge Office Estate, situated on its doorstep, and encapsulates Old Mutual's extraordinary R1,6 billion Gateway Theatre of Shopping, which has redefined the retail and entertainment state of the art in South Africa.

Developments completed in the area already include the Umhlanga Hospital and Medical Centre, offices housing most of Durban?s blue chip and multinational companies, motor dealerships, the Crescent lifestyle centre, the City Lodge Hotel, residential development across a range of styles and affordability levels, Health clubs, private schools and places of worship.

The area is rich with outdoor leisure activities, and only minutes away from the pristine beaches of Umhlanga Rocks.. The location of the New Town Centre could hardly be more advantageous to tenants.



ARCHITECTURE

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre will become a model for future urban developments in South Africa, not simply because of its revolutionary urban design but because of the beauty, functionality and elegance of its buildings as well.

Moreland has developed a development manual - a set of guidelines to ensure an aesthetically pleasing mix of architectural styles and to define the easy manner in which the buildings relate to each other and to their environment. This code defines an architecture of "good public manners."

There is no obligatory theme - the buildings of the New Town Centre will be contemporary but timeless, dignified and elegant, with an attractive mix of quality natural and high-tech materialsand designed with the convenience and security of their users in mind.

They will be built on a human scale, and will provide the perfect environment for a wide variety of uses for decades to come.



ENVIRONMENT

Moreland is a company, which takes its responsibility to the natural environment very seriously and has an enviable track record of environmentally successful projects.

Wherever possible, Moreland has enhanced the environment, by reclaiming wetlands, reintroducing indigenous vegetation and encouraging bird and animal species to repopulate areas from which they had disappeared.

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre sees Moreland take this policy into a fully urban environment for the first time. The open space in the New Town Centre will serve as a "green lung", providing for healthy outdoor living and tranquility in the midst of the urban buzz.

Thousands of trees and shrubs, of which 85% are indigenous allow the New Town Centre to blend in seamlessly with the beautiful North Coast environment.



PRECINCTS

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre is planned around a series of activities-based precincts along lines of synergy and convenience.
In the financial district, for example, banks, brokerages and related institutions will be located within easy proximity to each other, creating a subtropical Wall Street.

Elsewhere, advertising agencies, photographic studios, print shops and multi-media companies will generate a creative buzz. In the motortown area, car dealerships trade alongside related industries - like fitment centres and car audio specialists. In another part of the New Town Centre, Galleries, Cafes, antique dealers and fashion boutiques will create the feel of a Notting Hill or a Greenwich Village.

Clustered around the hospital, the medical precinct provides world class healthcare in a setting designed to promote well-being. Professional services firms will group in the heart of the Town Centre, thriving on the benefits of being within strolling distance of clients, associated businesses and the amenities of a world class shopping environment.

The prime frontages onto the metropolitan and national highways skirting the development is attracting offices, high-tech assembly and trading operations that will benefit from exposure to passing traffic. Finally, the residential precincts offer the unparalleled convenience of proximity to the Town Centre's amenities - an international Urban lifestyle in a magnificent and tranquil setting.


FAQ's

Who is responsible for security in the New Town Centre?

A Management Association comprising representatives of the tenants and the investors in the new Town Centre has been established to manage critical aspects of the environment within the New Town Centre.

A key function of this body is security, in close liason with the SAPS and Metro PoliceA sophisticated security infrastructure has been developed, including a 24 hour control room and helpline, comprehensive CCTV surveillance system and rapid response units. The New Town Centre enjoys first-world standards of urban security.


How will traffic be accommodated in the New Town Centre?

The Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre has immediate access, without any traffic lights or other delays to the N2 and M41freeways as well as the M12 (Umhlanga Rocks Drive). The roads and traffic system were extensively modeled over a 5 year period and designed for long term traffic demands. The traffic model is regularly updated in conjunction with the local authority and forward planning is carried out to ensure new installations are done ahead of time.

Most of the town's streets have on-street parking along their entire length, and new developments are required to provide parking in accordance with established norms. This, linked to the 7000 plus parkings in Gateway and the active management of all public areas ensures that URNTC offers ample vehicle access.


What Public Transport Infrastructure has been put in place?

Buses and Taxis are an integral part of the public transport network servicing the New Town Centre. Ongoing discussions have been held with the public transport forums representing the taxi and bus industry in the area. A rank is provided on the Gateway Centre property, with a terminal currently in Umhlanga Rocks.

Studies have been done in conjunction with the local authority to confirm ongoing requirements and these are planned and implemented on a rolling planning horizon. We anticipate a well managed and cooperative relationship with the taxi and bus industry leading to an efficient commuter network to, from and within the Town Centre.


Will sidewalk trade be regulated?

The management Association manages and maintains the sidewalks and has a servitude over all sidewalks giving the lot owners a legal right to control activities there.

Linked to an effective management system and security response, this permits us to manage the sidewalk uses. In fact, shops adjoining any sidewalk area are permitted to enter into an agreement with the Association to use sidewalks for appropriate and approved purposes ancillary to their activities. We see URNTC's sidewalks as being vibrant active places


Is property in the New Town Centre affordable?

Numerous businesses, both large and small, have found it affordable to move to the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate, which is adjacent to Umhlanga Ridge. Here, land prices are generally some 20% higher than in URNTC, while levies are approximately three times as high. Residential development is booming and finished unit prices range from levels affordable to middle income families right up to the top end of the market.

As more and more business moves into the area the costs of doing business in the area are decreasing. The question is rapidly becoming "Can you afford to be anywhere else?"


What impact will the New Town Centre have on the greater Durban area?

The Umhlanga Ridge area is one of the major development nodes in Durban that, together with the Durban Point redevelopment, the Riverhorse Valley Business Estate and the planned King Shaka international airport, is helping to improve Durban?s global competitiveness and attractiveness.

The area north of the Umgeni contains 40% of Durban?s people but only 27% of jobs. Clearly, the area surrounding the New Town Centre is under-traded. Durban also remains the least decentralized of South Africa?s major metropolitan areas.

Developments like the New Town Centre and the La Lucia Ridge Office Estate are changing this - the greater commercial activity creates a bigger economic base in the region which increases the market for existing businesses. Increased work opportunities imply more demand for housing and this supports the buoyant and stable residential property market that has become associated with the north of Durban.

The excellent management systems are expected to increase values and benefits of living in the area. The road upgrades improve the already excellent access into the area. Extensive planting, especially of indigenous species enhances the environmental value and general experience of living in the area.


Is there a prescriptive architectural theme?

All developments are regulated by a development manual and by architectural guidelines, and all building plans go through a design review process. This is essential to ensure that developments have "good public manners", engaging with their neighbours and the public domain in a way that enhances the whole area and adds value to all developments in the area.

There is however, no specific architectural theme, and architects are encouraged to exercise their creativity in responding to the guidelines

[dysan1]

Pictures of the Developing Town Centre


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[dysan1]

Construction Update 1 September 2005

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/2005-09-01%20001.JPG

Above: Complete on left = Palm Gate, then Aurora's, The Block and to the right 7 on Palm Boulevard. Hole in the foreground is for Royal Palm


http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/2005-09-01%20008.JPG

Above:To left is Manhattan house, right is Grand Central

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/2005-09-01%20009.JPG

above: left is Grand Central, right is The Zone

[AAS]

HUGE development going on there!!!
It is amazing how much Durban resembles Miami...

[SA BOY]

mike what is the 36000m2 of com/retail development? is this seperate from the office estate? what is it? whi is moving there? Spill the beans
Ta

[dysan1]

mate the 36 000m2 of retail/commercial development is in the new town centre, seperate from the office parks. Its buildings that are built right up to the sidewalk, with direct access off the street like a proper cbd should be.

The space is a mix of stand-alone commercial buildings in the range of 3F-8F and mixed use buildings that incorporate commercial and retail space on the lower floors. Dont have a list of who's moving in, but the majority of firms are advertising, insurance, finance and many many IT firms. Will try find names of companies. But all this space will be complete by the end of 2006 and obviously more will be on stream by then.

All the existing phases of land are sold out. As u saw in the last pics, infrastructure for the new phases are being put in place and those bits of land will come up for sale in Nov.

[dysan1]

CJ Saunders Park


http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/IMGP0634.JPG


The CJ Saunders Park is presently u/c, at the end of the Palm Boulevard. The 2ha park, which will surround a 5000m2 stretch of water, will have slightly undulating grasslands and tall tree's, not unlike some aspects of Durban's Mitchell Park. It will contain a natural amphitheatre where events can be staged.

The water feature, apart from being asthetically pleasing will serve as a holding dam for irrigation purposes and a storm water attenuation facility. There will be a paved walkway around the water and a restuarant will be situated on the waters edge.

Destined to open mid 2006, the park will serve as a massive green lung for the area.

Substantial corporate head offices and top end residential blocks will surround the park. These buildings will be up to 14F high.

The new Legacy Hotel is to be built on land overlooking the park from the south.

"A park address will be unashamedly upmarket," said a Moreland spokesman.

[dysan1]

Plan and layout for Precinct 1 on Palm Boulevard

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/IMGP0635.JPG

From top left going clockwise:

Palmgate
Aurora's
The Block
City Lodge
7 on Palm Boulevard
African Palms
Royal Palm
WEST
Legacy Hotel

This precinct has:

574 apartments
385 hotel rooms
15000m2 of retail space
8000m2 commercial space
1400 under cover parking bays
8 cafes
10 restaurants
3 bars
2 clubs

Commercial Tenents are:

David Strachan and Taylor
HP
Herdbouys
iWisa
New

[datilguy]

WOW....both Umhlanga and the Point sound like amazing projects!

[SA BOY]

is the park opposiet the legacy hotel and wave park place? good to see 14F planned for the area

[dysan1]

yes giles, as i said, the legacy hotel is opposite the park. the wave house is too, they are both on the otherside of the traffic circle.

[dysan1]

Umhlanga Dev Montage


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/UmhlangaMontage.jpg

[romanSA]

GREAT WORK, M!!!! Haven't visited this page in a while. Wow! You're by far the most dedicated Durban poster!! This montage is AMAZING. If I was living outside the city and saw these images I would be (and rightfully so) waaaay impressed! WOW!

[joburg]

WOW what an awesome montage! You should try integrate that into an SSC banner - it's amazing! Would be nice if you also do one for the Point..

[dysan1]

did one for the point at the same time...check the point thread :)

and thanx for saying u liked it :) I try my best...many more cool things still to come...some interactive things....

[dysan1]

Construction Update - 21 November 2005


Construction in Precinct 1 is racing away. The central parkade for all the buildings is nearing completion, and Aurora's, The Block, Ridge Towers and 7 on Palm Boulevard are nearly complete.

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Work on Precinct 3 (the motor and up to 5F precinct) is progressing well. 5 buildings are u/c and all are solely commercial for owner occupiers

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP0719.jpg

In the distance in the above pic is precinct 2 (where the Zone, Sentinel, Lighthouse, Millenium, Platinum towers, 7 on millenium, grand central, the meridian and Crystal rock are situated).

Below...work on Millenium Boulevard

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The completed building above in white is 7 on Millenium.


Below...The construction in Precinct 1 as seen from Millenium Boulevard over gateway. In the entire Gateway Area, there are 13 Cranes.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP0723.jpg

[mike2005]

This is going to be stunning when it is all completed. Durban will then be head and shoulders above anmy other city in south africa. It is such a shame that they did not make century city/canal walk along these lines. Do you know when it will all be done and the new town will be up and running and not just a huge building site?

[dysan1]

The entire project, with over 10000 apartments will be complete by 2012-2015...depending on developers timescales.

All the buildings i have listed on this forum will be complete by the end of 2006 at the latest, therefore the area will be a continuous buildings site for many years...BUT...

As each precinct is completed, work will move onto new areas away from the completed ones, therefore there will be little to no disruption to the completed precincts. All buildings in each precinct have to be completed within 6 months of each other, so that new residents arent disruptted. The work on Precinct 1 (next to the city lodge in front of gateway) will all be compete by Nov 2006.

I totally agree with what u say about Century City. That was a good opportunity to follow the Gateway principle, but alas they didnt, and frankly i feel that it is a loss.

What is being created here in Umhlanga will be the first truely modern, intergrated urban lifestlye in south africa...and it is happening on a grand scale. Those pics dont even capture the level of change...and its only going to get bigger!

[mike2005]

I agree that with the new hotel tower as well as all the other stuff it is going to be truly special. Add to that the pearls on the beachfront and the point and Durban is going to be AMAZING! I still cant quite believe its all happening: it seems too good to be true!! For all those who knock SA and say how backward it is I think a trip to Durbs in ten years time as well as a trip to downtown Jozi will make them eat their words!

BTW: is Pearl Sky tower in the pearls development still being built or have the NIMBYs meant that it has been shelved?

[dysan1]

Pealr sky is still in tied up in zoning application. The land rights were all used up by Pearl Breeze, reef, tides and dawn!

There needs to be an ammendment to the town planning scheme for Pearl Sky to be built, for it more than double the land rights of the site. So its not nimbys holding it up, but EIA's and departmental things. Durban council has said that they want it built and are doing all they can to make it happen.

But the Durban coastline will be very different in 10 years, actually it will be very different in 5 years, for thats when all the present projects will be completed.

[Mo Rush]

love two of them ..esp the one with the cauldron thing on top of the corner of the building..otherwise nothing amazing from the rest...some dissapointing ones.

[dysan1]

Giant Gallery – The Ridge Magazine (December 2005)


December sees the launch of one of the largest art galleries in South Africa, at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

The Kizo Art Gallery, owned by Craig Mark and Natalie Bradfield, is a significant capital investment into the development of the KzwZulu Natal arts industry.

Consisting of 700sq m of retail space the gallery is suited to servicing expanding art demands.

The boom in property development in KZN has provided a huge market for products related to the interior decorating industries. Until now, the majority of galleries in KZN have concentrated on the print and framing markets. Kizo has positioned itself by focusing on top quality original artwork.

‘We have complete faith in the potential of KZN in terms of the arts and feel that a premier gallery space is long over due,’ said Mark. ‘We intend to develop a base from which to market and promote some of the top artists in the country.’

He said they had already recieved much encouragement from various sources and aimed to cement relationships with local business, Gateway management, the media, and KwaZulu Natal tourism to ensure that Kizo becomes a major player in the South African arts industry.

Triple volume ceilings and vast spaces allow for several art exhibitions at the same time. These are to include exhibitions of fine art, ceramics, sculptures and various other art forms.

The downstairs Gallery has been designed to make visitors feel comfortable, encouraging them to enjoy a cup of coffee and to spend some time looking at the artwork, and/or reading an art or home décor book.

While this gallery will host important exhibitions Mark and Bradfield believe it is vital that it remains informal and practical. ‘We want people to feel welcome in the space, to be able to pop in and browse without feeling intimidated.’

The concept involves the providing of a complete art service to interior decorators, architects and home owners – providing art investment advice, sourcing, commissioning and even hanging of artwork to suit different tastes and price brackets.

Artist Richard Scott has agreed to launch Kizo with his exhibition entitled “Red Hot”. This exhibition will run from December 13 until January 13. Scott was named runner up in the 2004 Brett Kebble Art awards out of 2000 talented artists.

[dysan1]

Motor Town Revs Up – The Ridge Magazine (December 2005)


Whatever model you’re looking for, whatever your lifestyle or your motoring passion – Peugeot, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Honda, Alfa Romeo, Chevrolet, BMW, Jaguar, Citroen, Hyundai, Subaru, Landrover, Ford, Mazda, Nissan, Renualt, Kia, Daihatsu, Mini, Volvo, Audi, Volkswagen, Ssangyong, MG, Smart, Toyota, Lexus – They’re all here, and there are more coming…

One of the first motor dealerships to open here, back in 2003, was Nissan Gateway. ‘Business is good here – it always has been,’ says Chris Mathews, from the beautifully stylish Nissan Showroom in the Gateway mall. What’s different about Nissans setup, apart from the superb and cunningly situated mini 4x4 track outside the premises, is that ‘we don’t physically sell from here, its an image building showroom (one of only 4 in the world, and the first outside Japan), where we take the leads and pass them on to our dealers.’

And those dealers are based all over South Africa. ‘Springbok, Cape Town, all along the South Coast… you name it. Guys come in here while they’re on holiday, take a test drive, and if its obvious they like the vehicle, we pass the information on to the dealer in his home town. When he gets back from holiday the salesman is waiting for him.’

The 4x4 track works very well for them, he adds. ‘Essentially we’re forcing people to drive our cars by having the track. Since it opened, there’ve been over 5000 drives on it. And of course there’s the Gateway Challenge – the annual teambuilding series held with various companies throughout the year, with the options of karting, taking on the 4x4 track, challenging the waves at the Wave House, climbing the Rock, and then prize giving afterwards. It’s great fun, and focuses lots of attention on our showroom.’

Its that time of year again, of course, and Mathews says they’re expecting 10000 people to move through their showroom over the December period.

Subaru’s Mike Brunskill believes it was an excellent move opening a branch on the ridge. Although Subaru’s main and best known branch has always been Romic motors in Morningside, Brunskill said since opening in Umhlanga 3 years ago, business had slowly but steadily been increasing.

‘When we first opened our doors, in the space of about 3 hours, 5 cars drove past the showroom. Now there’s one every few seconds. Everyone seems to do there shopping around here now, and the whole motor town is around us, so being here makes good economic sense.’

Would Brunskill ever contemplate consolidating and moving the Morningside showroom to Umhlanga? ‘We might have to eventually. But we’d also need to find much bigger premises…’ Which would be a problem, judging by the rate of growth in the area.

Auto Umhlanga (BMW, Mini), which falls under the CMH umbrella, has been at its uniquely designed premises in Flanders drive for 6 years, and although slightly out of the main Gateway/Ridge loop, has seen enormous growth.

Said dealer principal Trevor Morey: ‘The area is perfect for our product, and everyone knows where we are now. Also, we are the only BMW dealer in town that has what we have – apart from the showroom of new models, we have our Premium Select (used) cars, the full Mini range, Motorcycles as well as accessories like helmets and clothing, a comprehensive parts department, we’ve doubled the size of our panel shop, and recently we introduced a speed shop.’ The latter is specifically aimed at those small panel jobs where you might have just a scratch on your bumper or on your door that you want touched up. Instead of joining the queue of the seriously pranged vehicles, and waiting your turn, you’re in and out much more briskly.

Added Morey: ‘In the past year, we’ve improved sales by 44% and improved our share in the NUR/NJ (numberplates…NUR is the Umhlanga code) market by a massive 107%.’ Now that’s not to be sneezed at.

Commented Mike Deighton, Moreland’s Industrial/Commercial Director: ‘Historically, what’s interesting is that the north was actually not well served with the motor trade, and there was pent up demand in the area for this type of development. The new Town Centre, with its mixed use zoning, was the right thing at the right time.

‘In a sense, there’s a perception that the guys were all clustered around Gateway, but in fact it’s less Gateway and more the office and Residential and gated development, which is where you find the guys with car subsidies, and those who want to drop off the car at the garage for a service on the way to or from work. For substantially wealthy people, there’s a big attraction to this.

‘Also, we’re building a town around Gateway, a new town, and certainly not a motor city. But any good Town would have a motor precinct, so from that point of view we’re quite pleased with what’s materialized. We now have a substantial motor element in place, which gels well with our plans,’

Is everyone – motor dealer-wise – who can be here, already here?

‘Interestingly, despite virtually everyone being here, there is still ongoing demand. Yes, we’ve had inquiries from the opulent executive car type showrooms, and everyone knows that Porsche has been wondering around looking…what is definite is that there’s a new Toyota/Lexus showroom going up opposite the Daimler Chrysler brand campus, that should be opening in April.’

There is also a big Opel dealership coming along, ‘and Renault is upsizing its dealership and moving into its own building in a site directly opposite the existing showroom.’

Renault, he added, would be separating from Kia and Daihatsu etc, and the Imperial group would be bringing in a new Proton showroom.

‘Despite there being so many dealers here already, there still seems to be sustained demand, and we’ll probably see a few more before we’ve finished. What’s encouraging – and we’ve pushed hard for this – is that dealerships today are very different from what they were in the old days, and Sam’s auto lot is a thing of the past. We’re anxious to ensure that the standards – architecture, building design, showrooms – are retained.’

[dysan1]

Gateway Keeps on Growing – The Ridge Magazine (December 2005)


Gateway is just like your typical four old, getting bigger every day. The largest mall in the southern hemisphere is growing at an alarming rate and the expansions are in direct response to this demand. A large new 4500sq m gymnasium is to be built on the north west side of the complex, overlooking the wavehouse, with a 4 storey high glass wall façade, and a further 5500sq m extension is to be built on the South mall, which is likely to accommodate 2 more large anchor stores. Other speciality retail shops are also in line to be housed there.

This year has already seen the opening of the spacious 6500sq m Edgars, along with new concept stores for Boardmans, Sportsmans Warehouse and Game, along with the 1on1 convention centre.

Currently Truworths is adding 2500 sq m of retail and Woolworths, preparing for Christmas, intends increasing its trading area by 3500sq m. Woolworths Gateway has just won the Retailer of the Year award in the National Category

‘Gateway is experiencing an exceptional year,’ says Mike Rodel, who on January 1 is promoted to the role of regional general manager of Old Mutual Properties for KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Adrian Raw moves up to be the centre manager of Gateway.

‘Our foot traffic is up 25% and our turnover is showing 45% growth in our figures to the end of September,’ says Rodel who has seen amazing improvements since Gateway opened on September 27, 2001. During those first few years there were complaints that the centre would be a White elephant and some tenants lobbied in the press as they took on the centre management over rentals and costs. Newspapers carried reports of tenant meetings and legal challenges.

Now, just four years later, it is a far different picture. Gateway management is actually picking and choosing its preferred tenants.

Around the complex a whole new town centre of apartments, shops and showrooms is mushrooming into reality. This explosion of residents seems to guarantee even better foot counts and turnover in the years to come.

Hence improved pedestrian access from the town centre is being planned, new parkades built and existing parking areas turned into new retail space.

With this growing popularity, it is no wonder that the global phenomenon that is Starbucks, has chosen Gateway as the site of its first store in South Africa, to open in the beginning of December.



Total Expansion:

4500m2 - Gym
5500m2 - South Mall
3500m2 - Woolworths
2500m2 - Truworths

Total = 16000m2

Taking Gateway to over 150 000m2

[datilguy]

Sportsmans Warehouse would be great!!!..........exactly what would the gym be used for eh?


And finally....a Starbucks!

[dysan1]

the gym is to be run by Planet Fitness and will be accessed either via the centre or off the main road. It is being built to provide a gym for the residents of the urntc, and will taking space that is presently occupied by the parkade

[SA BOY]

cool is the bucks finally comming to SA? Ill have a white chocolate mocca please -grende size

[mike2005]

Oh god no! One of the great things about SA is the fact that it is not infested with bloody starbucks which is over priced, pretentious and genberally a total waste of time.

[datilguy]

What about if Flying Star came to SA? :)

[joburg]

I've always liked Starbucks.. :)

Go Gateway! :D Best shopping mall in SA.

[AmyW]

This thread will showcase the transformation of the barren land into a high density urban environment, not focusing on individual projects, but the broader development.

Here is where all questions can be asked relating to it

At present there are:

1672 Apartments Approved for the Town Centre
393 Apartments are complete

48000m2 of Retail/Commercial Space is U/C (excluding the 15 000m2 Gateway Expansion)

Developments U/C and Crane count

Aurora's - 1
Ridge Towers - 3
The Block - 1
7 on Palm Boulevard - 1
Royal Palm - 1
WEST - 0
Grand Central - 1
The Zone - 1
Meridian - 2
Millenium - 0
Manhatton House - 0
Platinum Towers - 0
Sentinel - 0
The Lighthouse - 0
Crystal Rock - 0
7 Commercial buildings - 2


Here is the Development Layout as of 27 June 2005

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/Umhlanga%20NTC%20Dev%2027Jun05.jpg
Hi there

I would like to know if you have an updated birds-eye view plan of the Gateway area, and its developments- or if you can tell me where I can find one.

[AmyW]

Hi there

I would like to know if you have an updated birds-eye view plan of the Gateway area, and its developments- or if you can tell me where I can find one.

[GregPz]

Oh god no! One of the great things about SA is the fact that it is not infested with bloody starbucks which is over priced, pretentious and genberally a total waste of time.

Agreed! Hopefully it won't affect the awesome private coffee shops that have sprung up everywhere.

[dysan1]

Hi there AmyW :)

I dont have an updated birds eye view of the gateway area, but i do have an updated version of the one pasted, with markings showing the addtional developments.

I have tried to find a more recent image, but alas i have been unsuccessful, even google earth isnt that up to date.

What exactly are you looking for?

[dysan1]

Hey i was wrong with the Starbucks...it is actually a place called Gloria Jeans...supposedly a chain found in Sydney...but the coffee is rather good :)

[mike2005]

Thank god!!

[romanSA]

I agree. Starbucks just dominates everything in North America. I think its arrival in SA will be the death knell of all the pvt cute and cosy coffee shops all over SA. Hope we don't see them anytime soon.

[datilguy]

Well Starbucks is certainly popular here...but it definately doesnt "dominate". A besides, I seriously doubt a Starbucks in Gateway (even though its not coming) will spell the end of South Africa's glorious coffee. It just gives people choices.

[romanSA]

Have you been to downtown NY (Manhatten) or even Toronto? They are everywhere. Worst is Seattle, the birthplace of Starbucks. They seem LITERALLY around every corner there (even on opposite sides of the same street within eyesight of each other!). Give me pvt coffee shops anyday. But I do agree that their presence will offer wider choice.

[dysan1]

Well gloria jeans...the store that has come...is a very large international chain...check the website...www.gloriajeans.com

They seem very similar to starbucks in everyway! and the Gateway store is real cool

[datilguy]

I HAVE been to Manhattan and Toronto and Seattle................

[dysan1]

KwaZulu-Natal Neighbourhood Watch - Umhlanga Ridge from November Edition of the Property Magazine - KZN edition

Words: Anne Schauffer Photography: Sally Chance


http://www.thepropertymag.com/media/user/images05/UMHLANGAMAINNOV.jpg


It’s like instant coffee. Just add water and stir. No birth pangs. Gateway Theatre of Shopping, La Lucia Office Park Ridge, Umhlanga Ridge and its sizzling hot town centre, New Town, has, to all intents and purposes, sprung up miraculously and promised us a vibrant, fully-fledged café society who live and play where they work. As firmly established as this new world appears to be, according to the those in the know, the landscape and lifestyle is still in its infancy. Forget the existing developments, just consider the stretch of coast between La Lucia and Ballito – around 27 000 upmarket dwelling units are either under construction or in the planning phase. Makes you blink, doesn’t it?

Umhlanga Ridge has not evolved in the traditional, organic way that towns generally do – and for good reason. A decade or so back when Moreland – the property arm of Tongaat-Hulett Group – looked out over the endless sugarcane fields, they, in conjunction with key provincial players, devised a brave, strategic overview for the future of the area as a single entity. Town planning from scratch if you like, but taken to the nth degree. This was a case of looking back while peering into the future, assessing and analysing the applicability of worldwide trends and then creating a far-reaching, long-term vision for this sweet tract of land on the fringe of Umhlanga, the holiday destination for well-heeled Gautengers.

Mike Deighton, director of Moreland’s industrial and commercial development, explained the motivation behind Umhlanga Ridge and its adjacent nodes, as well as Moreland’s role in this property explosion.

‘Briefly, radiating out from Durban’s CBD was what we colloquially term the ‘golden T’: a band of affluence and economic development extending up and down the north and south coasts, and inland up the arterials to Kloof. Historically, that’s the way of many urban systems and metropolitan areas. Following that – once again a conventional city development worldwide – when the metropolitan area reaches a certain scale, it necessitates the development of secondary urban entities within the fabric of the metropole. Umhlanga Ridge fits into that very nicely. Umhlanga is in a band of what is, in American urban design terminology, an ‘edge city’. If you look 15km from the CBD, you’ll find the Pinetown node inland, Isipingo node in the south and the Umhlanga node to the north.’

http://www.thepropertymag.com/media/user/images05/NOVEMBER2005/UMHLANGANOV2.jpg

Moreland, which owned much of this land already, then purchased more in order to realise its vision and created a detailed blueprint for the area based on extensive research into New Urbanism, a concept internationally in vogue for the last 20 years: basically an urban entity comprising retail, office and residential components. In Umhlanga Ridge’s growing New Town – destined to be the town centre – all three components are layered in the same building, creating the ‘mixed use’ concept.

Deighton describes Moreland’s role as ‘interventionist’, but far from having a Big Brother connotation, the fact that they’ve not wavered from their vision has benefited everybody, in particular developers and investors who’ve retained their confidence in a group whose project is not predicated on a buoyant market. There’s no doubt the progression of this node has been as speedy as it’s been spellbinding.

‘We began with a conventional suburban dormitory residential development on a poor piece of land, badly positioned, with no views – yet this development, Mount Edgecomb, turned into one of best golf estates in South Africa. We followed that with the 200 000m² gated office estate – La Lucia Office Park. People said we were crazy, and it wouldn’t sell for 50 years. Ten years later it’s gone.’

Moreland’s doesn’t do any top structure development. They sell pieces of land, supply the infrastructure and then the management structure that continues to make it work. In most of the developments, developers go through a design process and have their plans approved by a panel constituted under Moreland’s management system. The plans are pre-screened before being submitted to the regional authorities.

‘The process is entirely transparent,’ says Deighton. ‘There’s a manual which provides the rules, and they’re the same for every developer. This underpins investor confidence. Nobody has to worry about putting up a big investment, because the guy next door simply cannot erect something which adversely affects yours.’

http://www.thepropertymag.com/media/user/images05/NOVEMBER2005/UMHLANGANOV5.jpg

Umhlanga Ridge New Town is the hottest property belt on the block, but to fully understand its ethos, it’s necessary to turn back the clock four years to Old Mutual’s buy-in to Moreland’s vision for a brand-new town centre for Umhlanga: the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. When mooted, this R1.6-billion shopping centre created massive excitement, controversy and a fair amount of scepticism. It was never envisaged as a stand-alone centre, but the key piece in a master plan. Mike Rodel was Gateway’s first general manager, and he’s still at the helm. He has good reason to be proud, as he recalls the Press calling Gateway ‘a white elephant’.

‘In terms of development and size, we’ve achieved more in four years than Sandton did in 25. We added 12 000m² last year – welcoming in the last big national anchors like Edgars – so we’re able to contain the leakage out of our catchment area to our competitors. Now, with our combined fashion and entertainment components, we’re able to penetrate to a huge degree into our competitor’s markets – our foot traffic has grown between 22-27 per cent this year over a very strong base and turnover growth has risen well above national levels. The centre is doing exceptionally well.’

And for those who wheeze their way from one end of the massive Gateway complex to another, on with your skates. ‘We’re currently finalising our plans for 2006, with further retail extensions of approximately 5 000m² and an additional parking garage plus a major gym with a glass façade overlooking the Wave House out to the proposed landscaped park. The park is phase two of Umhlanga Ridge, where Moreland will be creating a massive 2ha park or ‘green lung’ large enough to house a stage, water features and so on, and where musical concerts holding 500 are envisaged. For Gateway, it’ll be perfect for promotional activities currently too large to be housed within the centre.

Rodel explains Moreland’s standpoint vis-à-vis New Town and its inherent high-density lifestyle. ‘The concept of new urbanism relies on the quality of the public domain. The streets, parks, piazzas, squares and open spaces need to be pleasant, well maintained, clean and secure. By creating the right urban form and management structure – ongoing management, security processes, landscape maintenance – Moreland, and the mechanisms we create, enable us to sustain the vision.’

Attorney and developer Vejan Pillay is deeply entrenched – solely and collaboratively – in a number of mixed-use residential developments in New Town, like the upmarket Meridian and the Millenium, still under construction. He acknowledges his initial scepticism when it came to the mixed-use concept. ‘We didn’t want to build shops or offices, only residential, but Moreland’s panel told me I’d be very thankful one day! And I am – the demand for retail is huge.’

http://www.thepropertymag.com/media/user/images05/NOVEMBER2005/UMHLANGANOV7.jpg

Pillay says the work-live-play New Town concept has been taken to heart, particularly by the younger, aspirant buyers who can’t yet afford a house in the area, don’t need the responsibilities associated with home ownership but want a toehold in the market. Not only that, they also enjoy the young vibe, accessibility to shops, movies and restaurants, as well as the flexibility of the lock-up-and-go scenario. At this stage, a significant percentage of property is being purchased either by local investors or by Gauteng businesspeople or holidaymakers who spend a couple of weekends a month in Umhlanga. And for the older, perhaps retired buyer, who doesn’t require a car, and yearns for security and safety without gates and guards.

Ross Developments – a division of the J.T. Ross Group – is clearly on an Umhlanga Ridge roll, most especially in the commercial field. Grant Smith, director of its development division, describes the new ethos in terms of commercial designs as a single-plan environment. ‘In terms of layout in these new buildings, business aims to create more lateral integration and better cohesion between divisions. They’re achieving that by opening up the space, creating public environments at the front of the building so social interaction can take place – often with a great view – and putting the working environment behind that.’

There’s a definite spatial blurring of work and play and, not unlike the high-density living concept, it’s altering traditional interactions says Smith. ‘If you look at the rejuvenation of Durban’s CBD, buildings or zones which have a view – whether green or water – are those in demand and are therefore the first to be rejuvenated. On the Ridge, that’s effectively been the key focus of the drive: the public environment must have optimal status. No acres of car parks or traffic jams, but rather well-lit security, green areas and hidden cars – Moreland has designated that developments must ‘hide’ 80 per cent of cars in the basement. In short, people’s needs take precedence.’

The high-density aspect of New Town has probably been the most contentious issue with South Africans – particularly affluent ones – unaccustomed to close-knit living conditions and communal facilities. While Moreland acknowledges this as having been the most challenging aspect of their vision for the area, it’s been tried and tested globally and South Africans have grown comfortable with the concept. As Deighton says: ‘Last year, more than R80-million land sales were concluded in the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre – the concept of living and working within the same space is gaining ground. There are more than 1 200 residential units currently being built in the Gateway phase one precinct, and phase two will soon be released.’

http://www.thepropertymag.com/media/user/images05/NOVEMBER2005/UMHLANGANOV9.jpg

David Jelland, Moreland’s residential director, believes that, correctly managed, closer living facilitates an improved social integration. In addition, more people can benefit from the positive natural attributes of an area, be they sea views, parks, green belts or even distant country views. He also feels it broadens the mindset from parochial to global.

‘When densification is correctly planned and executed with political, business and community participation, it has the potential to overcome a host of social and economic urban problems. Increased densification is more desirable than continuing urban sprawl. Apart from being an eye-sore and wasting space, urban sprawl stretches the municipality’s ability to provide resources and services to areas.’

More importantly perhaps, bringing high-density living closer to the confines of the business district paves the way for the café society – the concept that epitomises the existence of boulevards and street-level restaurants and apartments that overlook the scene.

Sally Schenk, one of the principals of Pam Golding Properties in Umhlanga, is excited about developments around New Town, such as Platinum Towers. ‘It’s a quality development situated within easy walking distance of the Wave House at Gateway and in the hub of Umhlanga’s New Town centre,’ she says. ‘And PGP sold 20 out of 30 units within the first few days of it coming on the market.’ Schenk believes the key to sales will always be correct pricing but, having said that, with the market as buoyant as it has been recently she acknowledges that buyers from up-country are still purchasing high-priced homes in the knowledge that, long-term, ‘Umhlanga properties will be extremely valuable’.

The Umhlanga Ridge node has 500 000m² under development. By the time it’s all completed, bank on more than 2 000 000m² – the time frame for this is unknown, but full potential gauged at eight to 10 years.

Deighton considers the launch of phase two of the New Town Centre as a signal of a maturing urban system on the Ridge. The planning emphasis in this phase focuses around the Chris Saunders Park, with corporate offices and the banking district making up the key components.

And while the multiple-use concept of New Town beds down and draws the young and the restless – affordable bachelor pads are becoming more of a norm in developer’s plans – Moreland is gearing up to release more of their plentiful land this time the much-awaited Umhlanga Triangle. (According to Tongaat-Hulett’s corporate documents, it owns 23 000ha of land ‘of which 11 600ha are potentially under urban or tourism development demand’.)

The Triangle is a 140ha site bounded by Umhlanga Rocks Drive, the M4 and the Mount Edgecombe M41 highway, will bring a potential 3 000 residential units and 250 000m² of commercial bulk space to the market via four development areas that enhance the natural attributes of this sea-view site.

An international Blue Flag accredited beach; a stone’s throw from the forthcoming international La Mercy airport; accessibility to office parks; all the motor dealers; the outer ring road (and another in the pipeline); and of course, Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

These are the components of the growing Umhlanga Ridge footprint. But the drawcard for many is the growing sense of a new South African community and lifestyle, one which holds all the promise for a cosmopolitan town which feels like home.

[joburg]

We've got Gloria here on Mandela Square and they've just opened in Eastgate. They WERE going to open in Killarney, but that deal fell through unfortunately. Don't they already have a store open in Durban? On their website, it says they have one on La Lucia Ridge..? In Rydalvale Park. They're got in Roodepoort (Clearwater) and Pretoria (Brooklyn) as well.

Anyway, their coffee and food isn't bad... but I would have preferred Starbucks. I know everyone else seems to get annoyed by them, but I really love them.. It would have been so nice if they had opened in Durbs. :( I've personally got no problem with them being on every corner. :D

Hey.. on the topic of coffee.. What's your favourite coffee joint? I've got to say mine is the Seattle Coffee Co. Rich, strong coffee... it's good, good, good. :)

[dysan1]

Not a fan of Seattle C Co...Spiga on the Run make awesome coffee! Its the offshoot of Spiga D'oro in Florida road.

I would like the Vide e caffe people to open there umhlanga store sooner than march tho!!!

[dysan1]

ya it is kinda sad they didnt open starbucks...wonder why the article said starbucks tho then....? maybe its still to come in the main boulevard?

[Cape Town Guy]

isnt there a starbucks in DBN?Or just Gateway?

[romanSA]

What a great article! Thanks for posting, M. This area will be AMAZING in 5-8 years from now.

[dysan1]

well that block around gateway will be amazing by jan 2007!

[dysan1]

here's an aerial view of the greater umhlanga area...the labels obviously show the different areas that are continually spoken about....now u can see where they are in relation to each other :)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/umhlangafromtheairlabelled.jpg

[romanSA]

Thanks! That's quite helpful.

[thryve]

To reply to Tom's question, Nero Caffe is the best!!! Found in Britain, but based on everything Italian. Very nice coffee!

And for me, the most Starbucks-infested city I've ever been to is Vancouver, Canada where the same intersection will have two across from eachother and every condo seems to have one at the bottom. Perhaps that is Seattle's influence...

[dysan1]

Adding this for continuity in here as well as on the Marriot Thread.

Dealmaker Deluxe – As seen in The Ridge Magazine March-April 2006


When the Marriot people saw the Ridge they were just blown away, says Carl Eaton, youthful chairman and chief executive of the Notae roup – the black economic empowerment component of the Marriot deal.

“International people know Cape Town, they know Johannesburg because they have to land there, they know the game parks, but they don’t know Durban. Durban exceeds all their expectations. When they came to Umhlanga it was like: ‘Wow!’ They looked at the infrastructure here and they felt a sense of value, a sense of comfort.

“These are big players: Dwayne Martin, who has been associated with Marriot for more than 22 years and is critical to the current process, and Connie McKithen, US real estate developer who is also in the music business. They come to South Africa about 5 times a year now, making sure we comply with all Marriot requirements.”

They must be pretty happy right now. Situated around the 150-room hotel are multi-million rand luxury residential apartments and villas, which are already completely sold out.

The Marriot stands on 6ha of land with 80 000 sqm of bulk development overlooking the Indian ocean. It is a $100 million investment and will have a conference centre, a theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre, restaurants, and an upmarket retail centre housing high end labels like Louis Vuitton and Gucci.

Investors can place their residential apartments and villas into the hotel pool, which will be managed by Marriot and will enjoy all of the facilities of the 5 star hotel.

So why did it sell out so quickly? “For investors it was a unique offering,” says Eaton. “The location is right; the pricing is right. We decided not to optimize or capitalize on the boom so our offer, our pricing, was in the right place. We sat down with the real estate agent (Horst Keil of Realty 1 Parsons) only about a year ago, in fact in March 2005. Admittedly it’s the best real estate around but to sell it so quickly, they have done a wonderful job.”

Eaton and his brother Vaughan were born in Durban of humble background. Carl trained as a teacher but ended up in the corporate lending department of a bank, which provided him with a formal understanding of finance.

“We were also in the music business part-time. When a US guy came over I negotiated his contract. He couldn’t believe I was so knowledgable about music. He was Danny Simms, the man who found Bob Marley, promoted Michael and Janet Jackson, Madonna and other stars. We began to work together. I became group executive of a record company and studio in 1994.”

At the time he was just 25.

“Then I worked with another record company but it was acquired by Prime Media. So we started our own business in 1997, in Johannesburg, with investment and property on one side, music on the other.”

As they say in the classics, he’s come a long way. Today the Notae Group has low profile but stylish offices and a recording studio on Umhlanga Ridge. And through their record company subsidiary In Tyme Incorporated, they manage some of South Africa’s biggest selling music artists, including Mandoza and Ernie Smith.

“We’re also looking at another two sites for Marriot in KwaZulu-Natal,” he said, “and hope to make an announcement soon. Our next hotel will be in Johannesburg but we are really aggressive about KZN. We believe we will have tow Marriot resort hotels up and running in this province before 2010, in addition to the Marriot on Umhlanga Ridge. Let’s face it, if you have a choice of where you want to live, there’s little to beat Durban. The excitement of being here and working on the Ridge node is just phenomenal.

“I believe Umhlanga is modeled closely on Beverly Hills USA, the home of the stars, known for its outstanding quality of life. There the streets are impeccably manintained, they are clean and neat, and it is simply great real estate. There’s a great resemblance to the Umhlanga Ridge


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/marriottower.jpg

[dysan1]

A Photo Update of the Development around Umhlanga Ridge - 24/03/2006


First along Aurora Drive.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1372.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1337.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1338.jpg

Work Finishing up on Ridgeton Towers

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1340.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1342.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1349.jpg

Looking between The Block and The Auroras through to Palm Boulevard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1341.jpg

The Block on the left, Auroras on right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1343.jpg

Palm Gate complete, Auroras alongside

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1345.jpg

Palm Gate on left, Horizon views on right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1347.jpg

Horizon views stores and nearly completed Ridgeton Towers

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1348.jpg

Looking at Palm Gate opening onto Centenary Boulevard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1351.jpg



Now the Developments along Palm Boulevard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1356.jpg

Work on WEST, with piling on The Palms nextdoor...Palm Gate behind

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1361.jpg

Work on WEST and Royal Palm

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1360.jpg

Royal Palm

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1362.jpg

Royal Palm, with Auroras behind

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1367.jpg

Auroras on left, The Block and 7 on Palm on right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1366.jpg

7 on Palm

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1365.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1370.jpg

Looking down Palm boulevard, 7 on palm on right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1371.jpg

[GregPz]

Fantastic pics Mike!!! Thanks so much. I'm really impressed.

[dysan1]

^^ no prob Greg! here some more

[dysan1]

Developments along Millenium Boulevard, behind Gateway.

The Zone and The Sentinel

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1379.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1378.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1380.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1384.jpg

And to show that Durban is moving up in the world...the new Ferrari and Maseratti Showroom

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1381.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1382.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1383.jpg

General views from Gateway

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1376.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1375.jpg

[datilguy]

WOW Mike!!! GREAT job!...I LOVE the pics....and very very cool to see Umhlanga! :D

[SA BOY]

cant belive the change since I was there last. Im so looking foward to comming home in September

[GregPz]

This huge residential component is going to make such a big difference. I had been worried that the Ridge would end being something more like an office park lacking soul and vibe.

[dysan1]

it will have an amazing vibe. so far there are 2000 apartments underway in 1km2, so very dense. This will help the masses of ground and secondfloor retail spaces. Come Feb 2007 and all of this will be complete and phase 2 will be well underway around the new town gardens. Already 3 commercial blocks of 14F have been approved for the area around the park, contributing 50 000m2 of commercial space...one building being the new Kagiso HQ.

[SA BOY]

any news on the 14F babies. Ill add them to emporis as approved if I have some info on them

[dysan1]

thats why i have not mentioned them, cos i dont have anymore detail. all i know is that there are 3 approved 14F buildings around the park, as informed by the guys at Moreland. I know Kagiso are moving into one, but know nothing about architects, or anything. maybe some boards will go up

[dysan1]

Crane check today...and giles you wont even believe me!!

Umhlanga Rocks

Pearls - 5
Lighthouse Towers - 1

Umhlanga Ridge - 14

Ilala Ridge - 1

La Lucia Ridge - 2

Umhlanga Total = 23

[SA BOY]

Mike
we need some Pearls crane pics for the U/C part of emporis and what is lighthouse Towers-more than 12F? havent seen anything on it.

Thats 23 cranes just in Umhlunga, must be a record for SA in 1 burb.

[dysan1]

could be a record...i dunno.

Lighthouse towers looks to be 14F, it was the refurb of Hilkon centre, it is now the Lighthouse mall. the tower is being raised 5F.

will get some more pearls crane pics...there are some in the pearls thread tho already

[thryve]

Thanks for this thread, dysan... it's really interesting, seeing the move from empty lots, to a bunch of builder parts, into buildings that people can call home that have character.

I hope you continue to show us photos the area, give us a feel for what a tour around looks like :)

I must ask, what is driving all this growth and development, and what is the population of Umhlanga looking like?

-thryve

p.s. for your own interest, dysan, there is a very similar development in a Toronto suburb called Mississauga, where they are creating a separate downtown for the area... it's also being built around a suburban, mall... they would be smart to follow the Umhlanga way of doing it, although for the most part they are, but it is more highrise, considering the size of the city/suburb and the boom that's happening... just felt like letting you know

[dysan1]

As the area grows i will continue to show the changes that are happening...it is my new home :)

The drive behind the development the slow and structured release of the land, as to the plans of Moreland, the property arm of the Tongaat Hulett Group, which holds over 15 000ha of land that is presently used for sugar cultivation in the northern part of durban, up the coast to Richard's Bay.

Moreland have carefully planned the development of umhlanga, down to the smallest detail. They have set design guidelines, which enforces that all buildings comprise groundfloor retail and at least some commercial space. Different precincts in the New Town will focus on different segments. With the area around the new town gardens being the financial district where all buildings will be greater than 10F.

Its the structured release of land that has built up the demand, and it is the massive security/ surveilance system that moreland has in place that will ensure the area's success. There is no access control, so people are free to enter the area at will, but there is always someone watching, from over 1000 cctv camera's.

The other reason for the growth is the mushrooming of the La Lucia commercial district. At present over 70 000 people work on the ridge, and moreland predict that by 2010 that figure will have risen to 130 000.

I think that the prime reason for the area's growth and success, is the lifestyle that it offers its residents. a lifestyle not readily found in south africa. The New Town Centre is providing a modern, urban, 24hr city. within a safe urban environment. The appeal is great, since many south africans have now travelled the world, and a sizable chunk have lived in London. These returning people have wanted that lifestyle in Durban, but it has not been available. The town centre is providing that on a scale that i promise will blow the socks off even the most jaded joburg resident, that believes durban is so far behind.

The population of Umhlanga was 14 000 in 1998. It's 31 000 now, and with 5000 units coming on stream in the next 18 months, the population is expected to hit 50 000 by mid 2008. Moreland predicts that upon completion of the New Town Centre, The Umhlanga Triangle, and Izinga Ridge, that the population will be close on 100 000. That figure excludes the developments across the highway in Cornubia, which will follow the exact urban principles of the the NTC, however catering for the lower to upper mid market. That area aims to offer lower cost housing for people closer to their work, in a mixed use environment, with the same amenities as the new town centre, in a 6-7F format. Initial plans are to house 100 000 people in Cornubia.

Therefore by 2015 there will probably be 400 000 people in a 10km radius of Gateway.

[thryve]

"I think that the prime reason for the area's growth and success, is the lifestyle that it offers its residents. a lifestyle not readily found in south africa. The New Town Centre is providing a modern, urban, 24hr city. within a safe urban environment. The appeal is great, since many south africans have now travelled the world, and a sizable chunk have lived in London. These returning people have wanted that lifestyle in Durban, but it has not been available."

Very smartly said point- I thought this was probably a driving factor.

"Therefore by 2015 there will probably be 400 000 people in a 10km radius of Gateway."

Holy sh*t!

-thryve

[vimal69]

All the talk of development its good for Durban, but for heavens sake I hope it doesnt loose its character!!! Many big cities have congesion and pollution. Durban is beautiful, I hope developers keep its character in mind...I would like to see development into the Richards bay that helps ease the strain on Umhlanga.

[Durbsboi]

^^Hey another charou, welcome bru.
which part of durbs u from?

anyway welcome to da forum

[vimal69]

from verulam, how bout u?

[romanSA]

Welcome Vimal! Post often!

[Durbsboi]

Reservoir Hills/ Westville welcome again

[vimal69]

Thanks mate sure will!!
I think that somewhere in Umhlanga's Development there needs to be a huge water feature with some bridges and stuff...has a tranquil feel!

[vimal69]

Ur stadium looks like San Siro, good stuff!! what abbout public transport in Durbs?? It better change, to cater for tourists!! any ideas?

[Durbsboi]

^^They already started building new bus stops, in town, in the Grey Str area. not sure if they designed it properly though, bus stops suppose to go into the pavents, these new ones are going into the roads?

[dysan1]

They have a new public transport plan for the ridge, which will use 18 and 32 seater buses and will cover all the office parks, the new town centre and the village. This service will be operational in july in a test phase and thereafter be expanded to meet the demand. It will then have a central station that will enable access to the other buses that service the greater durban area.

regards a water feautre...if you look at the post about the CJ saunders park, it was a massive body of water as its central core. there will also be a waterfall component within the Umhlanga triangle area, and many open parklike spaces to encourage people to get in touch with nature.

Its terribly important that the city doesnt lose its distinct feel, but i dont believe it will. This new development will merely rid us of the bad elements and focus more so on the good.

[vimal69]

They have a new public transport plan for the ridge, which will use 18 and 32 seater buses and will cover all the office parks, the new town centre and the village. This service will be operational in july in a test phase and thereafter be expanded to meet the demand. It will then have a central station that will enable access to the other buses that service the greater durban area.

regards a water feautre...if you look at the post about the CJ saunders park, it was a massive body of water as its central core. there will also be a waterfall component within the Umhlanga triangle area, and many open parklike spaces to encourage people to get in touch with nature.

Its terribly important that the city doesnt lose its distinct feel, but i dont believe it will. This new development will merely rid us of the bad elements and focus more so on the good.



Hi Chaps,
Something I just cannot add up. Great stuff these developments, weve hoped for years now it hs arrived. Question is how do we sustain such living? With average prices picking up by the month, how does one afford mortgages above R20K /month.

I always hoped, we could bring a futures and options exchange to South Africa. Like USA, its exchange is in Chicago and not New York, ours should be in Durban and not Johannesburg, bring in the wealth! Durban would be beyond belief then! Any thoughts on the socio economics of the region, work and play, style living?

[dysan1]

the main impetus for these dev's is the growing commercial sector in umhlanga, with it has brought far greater wealth. and all the apartments are taken. a new dev released last week with 68 apartments sold out in one evening...demand is obviously still very high

[Durbsboi]

& more people still want to buy, the demand is quite unreal, not sure if guys are buying to make the quick buck or for their personal use. But one things for sure alot of people have loads of cash! As for the the developers, they come in heaps, but what I cant understand is the amount of residential units that are going up in the new town sector, a few years back when I was studying, I met some guys from Moorelands who'm should me what they were planning in the New town center precinct, but the bigger picture is still to come, they had planned for a whole new city center, not sure if its still going to happen, this is where I saw a design for 30 storey office building that would be one of many, but maybe they changed they mind & are going to keep this trend going on with their mixed used properties.

[dysan1]

the only real high rise will be along umhlanga rocks drive, but only 3 or maybe 4 buildings. The rest will be 5-14F throughout, but mainly 8-10F. The next phase of 10 stands has been released, its all around the park, called park avenue and will offer the most exclusive address in the NTC

[dysan1]

Just an update on developments in the NTC.

NEW:

Renault Umhlanga Ridge - Constuction is progressing on the new dealership. They have already outgrown their 4 year old site and have needed to expand to meet demand. Their existing showroom will become a Proton dealership once they have moved in September.

The Centenary, A Sectional Title Office Block has been launched by the Elan Group. It offer 15 000m2 of commercial and 2500m2 Retail space. The top floor wil offer apartments. The development will occupy 4 sites and start the northward expansion of the NTC.

StayEasy by Southern Sun - This development (as you will have seen by the render in its thread) occupies a tiny site that the developers have purchased from Gateway's owners, Old Mutual. Work is to start in the third quarter.

Medical suites - An as yet unnamed building is to be constructed opposite the City Lodge and StayEasy hotels and next to Ridgeton Towers. It will offer 14 000m2 of commercial space (mainly for the use of medical related services) and 1500m2 of groundfloor retail. The design is still being formulated.

Umhlanga Hospital will undergo an expansion to increase ward space, additional operating theatres and improved access. This is the first phase of a 3 phase program to double the capacity of the facility.

Investec and ABSA are in the final stages of planning massive new offices on the ridge adjacent to the Marriot complex. Both will offer sweeping views of the coastline to the city. Investec plan to house their East african and indian ocean islands operation from this centre, with joburg focussing on South Africa and the rest of africa.

Design Quarter - Following on the success of the Fourways version, the developers have decided to develop similar concepts in Umhlanga and Cape Town. This development will house similar stores to the Joburg one, but in a more urban setting. They are in negociations to occupy the ground and first floor space of an upcoming 8F commercial building opposite the CJ Saunders Park. The development will have an internal courtyard and direct access to the park.

Ducati - Their lifestlye store has opened in Ridgeton towers and aims to offer the complete range of merchandise under one roof...great coffee too!! And u can visit the great bakery and deli next door.

Slowly, the NTC is rising...

[dysan1]

Ducati Durban - First lifestlye store in South Africa

Ducati launches its first lifestyle store at Shop 1, Ground Floor, Ridgeton Towers, 6 Aurora Drive, Umhlanga Ridge.

In addition to selling beautiful Italian styled Ducati apparel, accessories and motorcycles, the store includes a SegaFredo coffee bar, another international brand hailing from Bologna in Italy, the home of Ducati, as well as other well known brands such as Dainese.

Dealer principal, Philippe Moretonas, says the idea is to have a lifestyle destination store where everyone, whether a motorcycle rider or not, can enjoy the excitement of motorcycle racing over an excellent cup of coffee and good food.

“We will have plasma screens playing MotoGP and Superbike races, and play stations with biking and Formula One motoring games. While we hope to become a home from home for Durban Ducatisti, the wildly committed Ducati enthusiasts and their families, all motorcyclists and wannabe motorcyclists are welcome at Ducati Durban, otherwise known as Ducati Café”, Philippe says.

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00365.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00366.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00367.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00368.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00371.jpg

[dysan1]

Precint 1 Development

All these buildings are nearing completion and this will hopefully show the side alleys and courtyards that will dominate this precinct

http://www.africost.co.za/images/current/gateway.jpg

[thryve]

What a nice showcase you have done of the Ducati lifestyle showroom... very nice... keep it up!

Isn't it refreshing to see colourful, jampacked retail stores fill up empty units when a building is finally completed and tenants move in and give each retail unit an identity... hmmm :)

-thryve

[Durbsboi]

Ducati Durban - First lifestlye store in South Africa



http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00365.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00366.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00367.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00368.jpg

http://www.ducati.co.za/events/durban/launch/images/DSC00371.jpg

OMG I am one of the main designers for this job & I knew nothing about this shop! How embaressed do I feel!

[romanSA]

Looks great! Must check it out! Thanks for posting.

[dysan1]

Durbsboi...i prob know more about what is going on in that building than you do! :) And u are supposed to spill the inside info...

NB: The coffee is GREAT!!

[Durbsboi]

Ya you see you go out alot, I'm stuck in this freeken office!!!!!!!:gaah:

[dysan1]

Meet the Developers

Inframax a key player

Inframax Holdings Regional MD Paul Mulder moved to KZN 5 years ago “To get a toe in the door” as the province nudged onto the property arena.

The national group has already made its mark with properties developed in The Gardens, Mount Edgecombe Estate, Ilala Ridge and the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre and is now a key player in the developments around Centenary Boulevard.

Mulder says there is a strong demand for apartment developments, particularly on the coast, where people want access to the beach without having to pay exorbitant property prices. Apartments offer economies of scale, as well as an entry point to the property market particularly in the bracket under R1 million.

The Zone, The Lighthouse, The Sentinel and The Place are currently under construction in the emerging area around Centenary Boulevard, all of which will be mixed-use residential and commercial properties aimed at enhancing the ability to live and work within the same space. Several more developments; Zenith, Truth Tower and The Regent are in the pipeline. Yet this already means that Inframax has pumped around R200 million into developing the area and changing the urban landscape.

“Moreland has mapped out the precinct with order and precision, making it easy for developers to charge out of the starting blocks,” Mulder says. That means the groundwork and environmental impact assessment studies have been completed and the stage set for transforming a vision into reality.

He believes buyers are attracted by the concept of living and working in a close proximity anchored by Gateway, adding that pure speculators into theirs projects was a low 15-20%. About 30-40% are investors looking to hold on to the property for growth while renting it out, while the balance are owners – those buying for their children, first-time entrants to the market or people from Gauteng wanting to secure holiday accommodation close to the beach and entertainment venues.



Blue Chip projects for Misty Blue

Here’s and attorney whose heart and soul are in top rate development.

Vejan Pillay is an attorney by training, but his heart has been captured by property development. He had seen his clients dabbling in property for nearly 15 years and when the opportunity arose to develop the Grand Floridian on Ilala Ridge, Pillay cut his teeth on the otherside of the fence.

His excitement was sparked by Moreland’s vision for the Ridge area, given property development affords the opportunity to create something that lives on after your time on earth.

Currently, his company misty Blue Investments has developed the R40m Millenium Towers, the design of which was changed 3 times before Pillay was satisfied, and on track with the R150m Aldrovande Palace.

Sited on Millenium Boulevard on the doorstep of Gateway, both buildings are testaments to the mixed-use philosophy inherent in the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre.

Millennium Towers comprises 30 apartments, 5 floors of office space and 3 retail shops. Although in the same block, the office component is separated from the apartments to essentially “create the best of both worlds”.

Aldrovande Palace is a substantial development occupying 3 road frontages, leaving Pillay to proudly quip that “it makes a bold statement”. The building comprises 3 floors each of commercial and residential space, while boasting a modern design for mixed-use development.

The groundfloor is dedicated to showrooms or a larger national retail-type tenant, while the ground entrance foyer houses a water feature flanked by escalators. The first floor offers opportunites for boutique shops, a double volume coffee shop and a restaurant – all of which overflow on to a piazza designed as the buildings focal point.

Pillay believes this innovation harmoniously combines the different elements of the building, cemented by the Italian flavour outdoor experience.

“The Misty Blue motto is to enhance the quality of lifestyle in the new town centre by providing a superb blend of commercial and residential units,” says Pillay.

[dysan1]

Update: CJ Saunders Park

Park Avenue brings to Umhlanga international standards of the same quality as enjoyed by the Park Avenues of London and New York.

The Development is situated overlooking a 2 hectare landscaped park that has been designed around a large feature lake, surrounded by lush gardens, scenic paved walkways and terraced amphitheatre. The park will be the green focus of the new town center and will be surrounded by the most prestige office and retail developments available in KwaZulu-Natal.


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/cjpark1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/cjpark2.jpg

[SA BOY]

this must be the park refered to in t5he park avenue thread. Where exactly is this park?

[Durbsboi]

Ya site plan pleez

[romanSA]

As far as I know its at the end of Gateway, just beyond the wave pool. More specifically at the end of the boulevard of palm trees which starts at the musical fountain.

[dysan1]

Guys you're totally useless!! I told you about this park last year and gave you a map of where it was then! and u forget...tut tut tut, memory is fading old timer...

Spot the park on the map...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/umhlangafromtheair.jpg

[dysan1]

As always...an Update on the NTC...enjoy :)


Work on the Sentinal

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1453.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1454.jpg

Work on the Equinox (centre), Millennium Towers (right) and Grand Central (white paint)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1455.jpg

Platinum Towers

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1456.jpg

The Lighthouse (right), further on The Zone and 7 on Millennium (completed)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1457.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1459.jpg

The Zone

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1460.jpg

Cranes over gateway

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1461.jpg

Royal Palm

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1462.jpg

Royal palm and 7 on Palm in distance

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1463.jpg

7 on Palm nearly complete

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1464.jpg

Ridgeton Towers

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1466.jpg

Aurora drive - The block, then the aurora's on the left...Ridgeton towers on the right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1467.jpg

Looking back at Ridgeton towers from Umhlanga Rocks drive

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1468.jpg

[Durbsboi]

Ahh Ridgeton towers project that I want to forget FOREVER!

[dysan1]

^^Hehe! You guys involved in anymore in the NTC?

[Durbsboi]

yep, got plenty work there, Palms 'legacy' & some other residential/hotel buildings, & I am sure we gonna get more work soon, because some of our jobs are near completion mainly in Ballito the Simbithi Eco Estate, so my boss will want more. As it stands I am busy with 4 projects at the point, Bidvest properties in Maydon Wharf, Fladers drive shopping complex, Ballito lifestyle center phase 2, Oh & I just heard of a revamp of woolies in Kensington. So pretty busy for now

[dysan1]

woolies in kensington??

[SA BOY]

Guys you're totally useless!! I told you about this park last year and gave you a map of where it was then! and u forget...tut tut tut, memory is fading old timer...

Spot the park on the map...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/umhlangafromtheair.jpg
true mate, have a 7 week old baby and aproaching mid 30s I do tend to forget shit all the time :bash:

[vimal69]

Congrads, on the new arrival mate!

[Durbsboi]

woolies in kensington??
well opposite kensington square, details are still sketchy, but we awaiting news from the client.

Hey congrats SA BOY, u shud change ur name to SA DADDY now ;)

Hey vimal havent seen u in a while.

[vimal69]

'Cause I am a dad now as well, my baby is 4weeks old!! been a but busy with work as well.

[dysan1]

well opposite kensington square, details are still sketchy, but we awaiting news from the client.

Hey congrats SA BOY, u shud change ur name to SA DADDY now ;)

Hey vimal havent seen u in a while.

I presume it will be a Woolworths HOME store? it actually would be a perfect spot, since they would be opposite Mr Price Furniture, gotta be right where ur rival is!

Broadway/Kensington are really coming into their own with so many stores and restaurants opening.

[dysan1]

Here's the updated plan showing all the dev...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Umhlangaridgedevat31May2006.jpg

[Durbsboi]

Holy shit Masseratti! now I dont have to import my MC12!!!!

[dysan1]

^^go a few posts back and you will see the showroom with the cars...

[Durbsboi]

how the hell did I miss that! well this is the masseratti I am planning on getting when all my RA's pay up, lol, in about 35 years time!

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/8306/2006maseratimc12corse14nn.jpg

[SA BOY]

by then it will be a vintage car

[Durbsboi]

hey its still a maserati

[dysan1]

NEW DEVELOPMENTS


Park Avenue

A Five star hotel to be operated by an International Operator, plus apartments and commercial space, opposite the CJ Saunders park in the new Parkside area of the NTC.

The Madison

12 000m2 of Commercial space, groundfloor retail and 5 penthouses. Adjacent to Park Avenue in Parkside and also opposite the CJ Saunders Park.

Westford

Commercial building with groundfloor retail. Alongside the CJ Saunders Park, with a 7F central atrium and 8F glass panalling down the front.

Umhlanga Ridge Fire Station

To be developed on Millenium Boulevard in the same modern style as the commercial and residential buildings. Will occupy a site in the municipal quarter, next to the site of the proposed new civic centre, which will be a landmark building.

[dysan1]

Moreland Launches the Second Phase of Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre

Moreland Developments has facilitated more than 1-million square metres of commercial development north of Durban in the past decade, with the latest phase releasing around 50 hectares to the market.

The development, stretching across the Umhlanga Ridge, Gateway and the office park developments, has created the country’s largest mixed-use district as Moreland unlocked value from its former sugarcane lands.

This has been the economic catalyst for around R10bn worth of new development with the Umhlanga Ridge being recognised as the fastest-growing property development node in South Africa.

Parkside, the extension of the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre, will be anchored by the Chris Saunders Park, a 2ha green belt that honours the former Tongaat-Hulett Group chairman. The new suburb to be built on the land between the multi-billion-rand Gateway shopping centre and the Prestondale residential area brings on-stream an upmarket residential and commercial mixed zone comprising four and six-storey buildings that architecturally combine glass and stone.

“In launching the Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre, Moreland introduced the concept of new urbanism to the Ridge that has brought to the market an attractive, safe environment where people can live, work, play, learn and play together by encompassing pedestrian and piazza-style living,” Moreland commercial and industrial development director Mike Deighton said.

Buildings within Parkside would be a blend of traditional and modern styles to create “a distinctive architectural theme”. Deighton said the park would be the focal destination that incorporated water features, ponds, shrubbery and open green spaces and provided residents and visitors a sanctuary within the urban landscape.

He believed Parkside complemented the new developments currently under construction on Palm Boulevard near Gateway.

The park forms part of the group’s larger-scale commitment to environmental issues after Moreland received the internationally-acclaimed ISO 14000 environmental management system certification last November.

The system demonstrates how environmental issues and sensitivities are integrated into Moreland’s business ethos, identifying areas where the company may affect the environment and establishing controls for environmental performance.

The ISO 14000 certification provides an effective environmental management system integrated into the existing systems to create a philosophy of environmental sustainable sensitivity.

As an internationally-recognised certification, it incorporates good practice as a normal part of development, demonstrating an ethos of and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Linked to the environmental ethos is a joint initiative between Moreland, Unilever and the Wildlands Conservation Trust. The Trees for Life programme aims to boost economic livelihoods among rural communities, encouraging the planting of indigenous seedlings for new corporate developments and community greening exercises.

Deighton said the park would utilise the Trees for Life programme by acquiring indigenous trees for the green belt.

[dysan1]

Parkside – A beautiful extension of the town centre

With the launch of Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre, Moreland introduced the concept of ‘New Urbanism’ to the Ridge in the creation of an attractive, safe environment where people can live, work, play, learn and pray together. Phase 2 releases the remaining 50ha of land north of Gateway to autumn Drive at Prestondale. With this new release, the total Ridge development area now reaches over 1 million square metres, making this the single largest mixed-use development in South Africa.

Built around a beautiful 2hs park, the area north of Gateway has been appropriately named ‘Parkside’. The park will be a focus destination with water features and ponds, rockeries planted with indigenous shrubs, rolling green lawns and shady trees. Completely surrounded by decorative fencing and gates, this classic park will provide an attractive, safe sanctuary for residents and visitors. The area surrounding the park will be an upmarket residential and business area comprising 4-6 storey buildings in classic designs, using a combination of glass and stone to blend traditional and modern design in the creation of a distinctive architectural style. This is a prestige address for select offices, elegant apartments and ‘by appointment’ groundfloor uses.

Parkside complements the exciting new developments currently under construction on Palm boulevard, on the Gateway side of the Park. These include the ‘Campanile Court’, named after a tall bell tower that will take pride of place in a charming piazza area featuring intimate pedestrian lanes, open air restaurants, water features, retail outlets, hotels and apartments.

[dysan1]

Here are some pics from my walk about today...everything thing has grown since the last pics...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1684.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1685.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1686.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1696.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1698.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1699.jpg

View from Palm Boulevard, looking back at the Aurora's over the site of African Palms.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1687.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1695.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1697.jpg

work on WEST (left) and Royal Palms (right) looking down to 7 on Palm at the end

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1691.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1692.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1694.jpg

The lighthouse, The Sentinel and completed The Zone

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1688.jpg

Platinum towers (left) and Equinox (right)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1690.jpg

The Block (left), Auroras and Ridgeton towers on right

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1700.jpg

looking towards the courtyard between the City Lodge and The Block

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1701.jpg

The Block

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1703.jpg

Auroras

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1702.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1705.jpg

And my coffee stop...

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1704.jpg

[SA BOY]

wow what a diffence from my last trip. my thoughts are DENSE and major parking and traffic issues in the future when the resident population reachs capacity

[Durbsboi]

U really dig that Ducatti coffee shop, I think I must give it a try next time I go for an on site inspection

[Durbsboi]

Oh & thanx for the pics Dysan!

[mike2005]

mike those pics are superb. Its starting to look like a proper town centre now. Its going to make sandton look rubbish when it is done. I just love the fact it is all based round walkable streets. Are there plans for anymore pavement restaurants/cafes? It would be awsome if the whole place was full of street life!

[SA BOY]

I think the majority of the developments have to have a retail/hospitality component which means you will probably find a cafe/resturant on every block.
New Urbanism rules

[SA BOY]

also Sandton is too insulated and unwalkable due to 1 the hills and 2 that its all standalone office blocks with a wall around it and not enough parking so it looks shit and is not well planned. Howeevr in its defense it wasnent even planned 30 years ago, it just sort of happened.
Melrose arch is the closest thing to NTC. What would be the equivalent in Slap Stad?

[dysan1]

Giles...the complex from these pics has 1800 underground parking bays...and a sizable portion of that is for the public. Moreland doesnt want there to be many cars about, so cars get hidden away.

Regards restaurants...all buildings have ground and mezz retail. This area alone has 12 000m2 of retail...so expect alot of cafes, bars, restaurants, high end stores and other ameneties.

[Durbsboi]

Hmm, so every bight spark is gonna open a coffee shop at the bottom of a devolpment...............let we open a "chaai bar" :rofl: something different

[SA BOY]

its almost a contradition in terms to have a massive mall as well as recreating a high street enviroment. I was in London and Paris last week and its wierd to walk down a street and see all the shops cos here in Dubai its just malls

[dysan1]

i think the idea was to offer large format store premises in Gateway, and smaller boutique stores along the high streets. I can see people like truworths having a few stores spread around the NTC, interspersed with other national and international brands. Would be the perfect launch pad for Starbucks, or starbucks like coffee chains...but i wld prefer less chain stores

[dysan1]

These pics are few months old, but good nonetheless!!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1709.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1707.jpg

[Umhlanga]

Great pictures. I remember my first visit to Umhlanga in 1988. All of that was sugarcane. The only buildings of any size were the Sharks Board and Tongaat-Hulett HQ!

[SYDNEY]

WOW - this is incredible ! it looks great.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1707.jpg

[SA BOY]

fukn ell, thats amazing. I build the 2nd office complex in 1996 and even then there was nothing around, I cant believe this was all cane and the gateway site was actually the municipal rubbish dump

[Durbsboi]

amamamamazing! They have to have a before & after (after its all complete) shot of this place!

[GregPz]

Awesome pics, sent them to some overseas mates.
In today's news MTN is investing R108 million in a call centre on the Ridge - relocating from Jo'burg.

[Durbsboi]

Dont they already have a call center in Mt Edgecombe?

[dysan1]

^^ the Mt Edgecombe one was a feeder regional centre based in their Regional HQ which is Mt Edgecombe. This building will be a call centre only, separate from the HQ.

Regards the pics... they are awesome hey!! I just cant believe the pace of everything...its mad!! and so much more is being built all the time

[p2bsa]

Awesome pics, sent them to some overseas mates.
In today's news MTN is investing R108 million in a call centre on the Ridge - relocating from Jo'burg.

This is the Page One story that appeared in The Mercury yesterday...
It even has Mercury billing/posters in the city saying
"R106m Call Centre for DBN"

>>>>>
MTN invests R106m in KZN call centre
SUREN NAIDOO

DURBAN ambitions to become a call centre hub got a huge boost yesterday when MTN South Africa
announced it was investing R106 million into a new outsourced call centre in the region, which is set to create 400 direct jobs.
The investment is the biggest deal yet in KwaZulu-Natal’s call centre industry and was revealed in Durban by Maanda Manyatshe, Managing Director of MTN South Africa.
The call centre will mainly employ disadvantaged people, recruited and trained to service prepaid clients.
Manyatshe said MTN had partnered of Interaction Call Centres, a joint venture between black empowerment firm Tlhalefang Placements and the soon-to-be JSE-listed call centre specialist Dialogue Group.
Interaction would recruit, train and manage new agents for the call centre on the Umhlanga Ridge.
Dialogue Chief Executive Jason Drew said his group’s alliance with UK specialist Telecom Service Centres had played a key role in facilitating the specialist skills required for the MTN contract.
“This major MTN investment is a great display of the confidence it has in the region as an investment destination, and the fact that Durban has many competitive advantages in the call centre and Business Process Outsourcing sector.
“The region boasts up to a 15% lower cost of living than other major cities in South Africa, a good pool of low-cost labour, and one of the lowest turnover rates in the call centre industry nationally,” said William Goldstone, the Chief Executive Officer of KZNonSOURCE.
KZNonSOURCE is an initiative by eThekwini Municipality and the industry to develop and promote KwaZulu-Natal as a preferred call centre destination to both South African and international businesses.
“This is the boldest step yet by a South African company to invest in the burgeoning KZN call centre industry, in a move out of the traditional stronghold of Gauteng.”
>>>
Source: The Mercury..

UNFORTUNATELY THE DAMN PAPER HAVE NOT UPDATED THEIR WEBSITE!

[dysan1]

Guys i took a leisurely walk around the town today and i cant tell you how great it felt. walking out of gateway, into the town and then back into gateway felt so natural, like there is total harmony in design and function. Walking along the roads, with the high street stores and apartments was a great feeling...this place is truly going to be special!

[Durbsboi]

Ok, I couldnt find the "Legacy thread" to say this, but we've got our self fired from the job, basicaly we couldnt just withdraw, we had to get "fired", the whole job is a complete shambles, the architects drawings are always outdated, Grinaker is building with what ever they have, they'll send us s drawing today, grinaker will start pouring concrete the next day, & uh its chaos, we dont even know what level 7 is going to look like, & the building, we cant go to tender on the place, its worse than Ridgeton Towers! & the place is heading towards the toilet, I mean the buiilding will be built, but there will be ALOT of behind the scenes fighting & court cases, trust me.
thank god we out of that one, so Dysan, if u need info on that place, its best u speak to ur friends @ Epa, cos we outta there.

[dysan1]

^^ LoL ok...

[Durbsboi]

nah, I'd rather just let you know, because........hey bad memory's on that project

[dysan1]

seems like ur firm always finds dodgy projects....or ones that take forever for anything to happen....

[Durbsboi]

Believe it or not, all the dodgy projects we had, had the same client, so maybe we should stay away from him :D.........& I heard his got another one happening soon

[dysan1]

i know the guy u talking about, he hasnt been involved much in property before horizon view and ridgeton...and horizon views quality is just TERRIBLE

[Durbsboi]

True that, he went to the right archtecture firm for this one, but the person they put incharge of it is a total lame brain, & with the interior decor people running wild its not making the engineer's life any easier!

[mike2005]

the mix of mall and high street will be fantastic. As for starbucks please god no! what I love about SA is that there are lots of independently owned and operated coffee shops like in Italy rather than just neros,starbucks etc on every street corner which one finds in the UK/Australia etc

[dysan1]

Major Infrastructure Investments Planned For Umhlanga

The Bugle

Umhlanga residents and commuters to the area will benefit from a planned world class bus service that will later be developed into a tramway system linking La Lucia Mall and Gateway to the Durban CBD. Two new multi-million rand power stations and water reservoirs are also in the pipeline. This was revealed at a presentation by eThekwini municipality where locals were informed of the cities plans to ensure basic service delivery does not lag behind demand in South Africa’s most rapidly developing precinct.

City manager Mike Sutcliffe said it was not practical to immediately build new roads. The city would wait for development to “settle” before taking that step. “It is difficult for Moreland to tell us exactly how many houses will be ready when and how many cars there will be per household,” Sutcliffe said.

“In the short term over the next 5 years we are looking at a public transport system linking the CBD of Durban through the Florida road area to La Lucia Mall and Gateway,” he said.

He said operators would be mandated to provide an efficient service from 6am until 11pm, with buses running on time every 10 minutes. He said the conversion of this system to a tramway was presently being considered.

The city listed pending developments in the area (within 8km of gateway) including:

20 000 residential homes in Phoenix/Gonubie

600 units in Underwood

3600 units in the New Town Centre

4200 units in Ridgeside plus the Marriott hotel Investec HQ, Mr Price HQ and concept store.

2000 units in Izinga Ridge

6000 units, 8 hotels and 70 000m2 commercial space near Sibaya casino

3000 units in the Umhlanga village, excluding the 500 in the Pearls.

[dysan1]

Looking North – And Ahead

The Ridge Magazine – September 2006

With development along the Ridge escalating at a rate of knots, many of us are wondering what the future holds for the area. Peta Lee asked City Manager Mike Sutcliffe what he thinks the next 5 years will bring.

Will the extraordinary growth we’ve witnessed in the north continue, and will it get to a point where Durban’s CBD is essentially transferred to this region and the centre of town is empty?

“Never,” he smiles. “We’ve been able to arrest the situation, so that northern developments will never take away the central business district. We’re now saying no, you cannot develop in the north at the expense of the CBD. As a result of the regeneration in the city, businesses are now saying ‘we don’t need to move to Umhlanga, we’ll stay in the CBD and be quite happy here’.

“In fact, we’re the only major city in the country where the CBD remains an attraction to residents and businesses. You only have to look at what’s happening to the Point and Victoria Embankment…you wont believe how beautiful that will be in 5 years time.”

Sutcliffe said what happened in the northern parts of the city was similar, in some ways, to what had happened in the west, with one difference.

“The Hillcrest/Kloof area has expanded almost too rapidly to keep pace with the infrastructure, but whereas in that region you have a variety of developers, in the north you really only have Moreland. Four years ago Moreland was bigger than the northern council – now it’s not. Then, during the height of economic growth, Moreland just wanted to go out and see, sell, sell… Now we – the city – are engaging better with them, and have a mutually robust relationship.” He reflects that in the 90s, most developments were marketed from an apartheid era viewpoint – security was the first consideration, and people were concerned mainly with how thick their walls were and how high the electric fencing was.

“The environment around them was almost superfluous. Buildings and developments, too, were American in style. Now, there’s a new market emerging and the pace is more in tune with the discerning upper income public living and working there. It’s more European, there are more delis, pavement cafes, piazzas, walkways…people are now aware of their surrounding beyond their walls…and the city is becoming safer, so those walls will come down eventually.”

What can these residents and businesses expect over the next 5 years?

“Public transport is a must, perhaps a light rail system, one which links the Berea to Umhlanga, and the city to the north…you’ve probably noticed we’re already putting in bus stops for the people movers (tram/bus options) and what we foresee is young people, soon, not feeling compelled to buy a car the minute they earn their first salary. Instead, they can hop on efficient public transport, which will run every 10 minutes and take them right to their destinations.” Sutcliffe said no moratoriums would be placed on development in the Ridge area, “but some kind of developers’ levy will probably be introduced”.

“There’s a massive developmental spurt at the moment, and again, if you take the upper Highway area, we don’t want to wake up one morning and sit in traffic for half an hour as we pass through what was once the beautiful little village of Hillcrest, now bursting at the seems with traffic and congestion… We want to be able to tell developers here upfront that they must contribute to a levy which will help expand the infrastructure according to the growth rate of the area.”

In fact, he adds, they’re looking at the idea of imposing a similar levy on developers throughout the city, not just in the north.

“There’re pockets of development all over: in the south for instance. And in Durban itself.”

He grins again.

“Watch this space in five year’s time. It’s going to be just great!”

[romanSA]

Thanks for posting! Great to read about his vision for this area.

I personally don't mind the light railway idea vs. the tram as the former may be faster and able to carry more people. As long as they use new trains and not the current crappy trains used for Metro trains. Also, it would be great if this new light railway service didn't fall under Metro Rail but under the city council or Morelands. Service, quality, and perceptions towards the system would be infinitely better and would encourage people to use the system.

[dysan1]

the volume of development in such a small area is what will make it work!

[dysan1]

This will show how quickly the new sector of the NTC - Parkside - will develop over the next 4 years...its lightning fast if u ask me


Parkside - Umhlanga ridge new town centre

Plans are on the drawing board for new roads and the development of a massive 50 hectares north of Gateway.

In just a few years the Umhlanga Ridge will have a new “feel” to it. A new interchange on the N2 will provide another entrance to the area and the massive 50ha of undeveloped land north of Gateway will become a thriving new suburb of hotels, shops, parks, office blocks and residential housing.

The new Cornubia interchange, to be built on the N2 just north of the existing Mt Edgecombe and Gateway interchange, could be completed within two years, providing a new gateway to the Umhlanga Ridge and relieving pressure on the current interchange. The new suburb of Parkside, in which there has been considerable interest by developers and investors, is likely to be developed within five years, probably sooner.

Key to this is the interchange, vital both for the urban planning of the farm Cornubia on the inland side and essential to ease traffic flows on the Ridge where the blistering pace of development has outpaced any expectations of the road planners.

It is expected that the interchange will be linked to some sort of inter-modal transport for the city.

Umhlanga Rocks Boulevard will traverse the area, parallel with Centenary Boulevard, right through to Herrwood Drive with prime land on either side of it. Major business interest has been expressed in the area.

The city of eThekweni owns just short of 10ha within the undeveloped area, covering a sizeable six sites. The city’s plans are not complete but it seems likely the fire station will be relocated to the town centre area. There is also speculation that the country club could be here.

What is certain is that the construction of the CJ Saunders Park is already under way and that all of the sites edging the park have been sold.

An international hotel, the provincial headquarters of a financial institution, and high class residential and business components will surround the 2ha park with, just off the park, a major tertiary institution, a medical facility and other mixed use developments being planned.

A pilot residential scheme has been proposed adjacent to Autumn Drive. This will comprise double-storey, four storey and six storey developments on a road called Summer Way, still to be built.

David Jollands, Moreland director of residential development, says the pilot development will have underground parking, and buildings with internal courtyard gardens.

“We are awaiting the record of decision from the Environmental Impact Process,” he said. The pilot area is about one and a half hectares.

Once permission to proceed has been granted it would take six to eight months to build the roads, with all of the necessary services, and another year to 18 months to complete the project. This would provide about 150 residential units, from small studio flats to three or four bedroom apartments.

“The roads will be highly landscaped. There will be a managed environment with security cameras, good lighting and buildings right up to the road perimeter, with quieter internal courtyards,” he said.

“We are hoping studio apartments will be in the R500 000 range which will provide a new ‘entry level’ for aspiring residents without compromising standards.

“It will be a huge opportunity for our black development partners. Further down the line, the likelihood is that development will move towards the sea, with 12 storey blocks at the top of the Ridge with sea views. These would probably take three to four years before completion.

“Roads like the planned new Park Lane and the extended Aurora Drive would give direct access to the town centre,” he added.


http://www.keyprojects.co.za/assets/madison/news/pic_1.jpg

http://www.keyprojects.co.za/assets/madison/news/pic_2.jpg

http://www.keyprojects.co.za/assets/madison/news/pic_3.gif

http://www.keyprojects.co.za/assets/madison/news/pic_4.gif

[romanSA]

Saw this in the Ridge Magazine and was astounded at how fast this zone will develop in just 4 yrs.

[dysan1]

^^ it is to be super quick...will be fun to watch

[Durbsboi]

Maybe they should put webcams all over Durbs to track development!

[dysan1]

Since i have not done an update in awhile...here is a short one. will get on my feet and walk around the area this week and get some more "on the beat" shots.

Millenium Boulevard - Buildings from extreme left...7 on millenium, the zone, the lighthouse, Equinox, Millenium towers
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Milleniumboulevarddec06.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1866.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1867.jpg

African palms offices and apartments
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1869.jpg

The palms hotel rising
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1871.jpg

From left - The Block, African Palms, Aurora's
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1875.jpg

From left - City Lodge, The block, Aurora's, Ridgeton Towers
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1877.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1878.jpg

[GregPz]

It's looking good. When I take people there they can't believe the scale of this and how quickly it's going up. Everytime I visit there's big changes!

[Durbsboi]

& theres more to come too!

[dysan1]

^^ yeah new ones launched all the time. seen images of the new tertiary institutions that are coming...look great.

[romanSA]

I took a walk down this street last night and was really impressed by how nicely that strip is coming along. Fully developed, it will be a great addition to the nearby Gateway buzz.

[dysan1]

Here some new overhead shots showing the extent and placement of new development areas

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1952.jpg



The density that the palm boulevard has sprouted

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1959.jpg


And the new interchange to be built into the NTC that will serve as the link and catalyst for Cornubia

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1961.jpg

[Durbsboi]

Finally another interchange! They really needed one, the current one cant cope with the blody traffic, its a nightmare to turn right when coming of the N2, I should head down Mt Edgecombe & take a U turn :crazy:

[romanSA]

Those are great pics, Mike. Very informative. This is the first time I have an idea of where exactly everything is, spacially. Thanks for posting! I just wish the lake at Palmside was bigger.

[dysan1]

^^ the lake bigger? The little lake in the pic is the smaller of the 2 lakes in the park that link into each other. go back and look at the renders of the park to see he finished product.

[dysan1]

The new bank offices next to the park are FNB's regional headquarters. They will be 19 000m2 of office space (with FNB taking 14000m2 with an option for the rest later), and 3500m2 of ground and mezz retail.

[dysan1]

Updated Dev in the Ridge

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/UmhlangaRidgepointmap22feb2007.jpg

[dysan1]

Hey guys i thought an update was in order.

As of today:

34 Buildings have been completed in the NTC
13 others are UC
12 more are approved

There are 1242 completed apartments
A further 415 UC
And 200 proposed

There are 167 completed Hotel rooms
And a further 290 UC

A University (The Walridge Institute) is under construction with an entire campus and residences built into the town fabric and seemlessly integrated as if they were any other commercial or residential development.

Gateway is undergoing a 18 500m2 expansion to take it to way over 150 000m2

Umhlanga Hospital is doubling in size and is also opening a Hi-tech research facility.

Amoungst all of this, public squares, little alleyways, gardens and parks are being created, planted and brought to life by the arrival of a variety of birds, butterflies and other creatures.

Alarmingly the new town is rising very quickly and is changing every day.

Here's a little photo tour of the palm boulevard. The Champanile Square behind the buildings with its bell tower, will open to the public during the course of may. It has many retail stores surrounding it and is full of water features and planted gardens. so much for the senses to take in.

First of we look at 12 on Palm Boulevard

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5986.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5988.jpg

Its internal piazza that links with the city lodge courtyard and Champanile square

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5982.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5981.jpg

view of the City Lodge courtyard from the 12 on palm piazza

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5983.jpg

View down palm boulevard seeing the construction of African Palms on the right, then The Royal Palm Hotel, WEST and The Palms Hotel at the end

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5987.jpg

The Royal Palm Hotel - 5 Star - 94 suites - Three Cities - Opening May 2007

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5995.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5991.jpg

Looking down the boulevard at WEST and The Palms

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5990.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5993.jpg

Looking back in the opposite direction

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5997.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP6000.jpg

And a pano view of the palm boulevard (sorry about my dodgy quality)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/panopalmboulevard.jpg


More to follow shortly on Aurora Drive, Millenium Boulevard and Meridian Drive

[Durbsboi]

Holy shit, is that what I think it is (under construction on the corner) the Legacy Hotel? Man it shot up fast!

[romanSA]

The latest issue of 'The Ridge' features renders (and a write-up) of the imminent R600 m fashion quarter. It sounds and looks great. If someone can scan and post the article, that would be great. All glass and steel and it tumbles down the ridge. This whole precinct will be amazing when it's done. I took visiting 2 North American colleagues on a drive through the area last week and they were blown away. They said exactly the same thing that I've heard others say of Durbs and particularly, that area: "it feels and looks very Southern Californian. Wide streets, design of buildings, palm trees etc".

[dysan1]

i shall try get it up tonight bud. plus the renders for ANOTHER new hotel.

[dysan1]

I heard it wrong. Sheraton wil not be the operator of the Park Avenue in Umhlanga Ridge development.

I now have 100% confirmation from Julian Rankin (the developer) that the Radisson Hotel Group will be running the 140 suite hotel.

That means that Sheraton could possibly be the operator for one of the new ICC hotels.

[romanSA]

Thanks, ferret!

[dysan1]

as always.. :)

[GregPz]

Durban's sure drawing in all the big hotel brands! Shows a lot of confidence in tourism and business growth!

[Durbsboi]

U know, I drove around this place like 15 times yesterday, still in awe ove all the development, esp behind gateway, but I couldnt find that freeken Masseratti showroom! I got pissed off trying to find it! :gaah:

Eventualy I went to the other side of the Millenium bridge to investment cars to look at some Ferrari's

[SA BOY]

I heard it wrong. Sheraton wil not be the operator of the Park Avenue in Umhlanga Ridge development.

I now have 100% confirmation from Julian Rankin (the developer) that the Radisson Hotel Group will be running the 140 suite hotel.

That means that Sheraton could possibly be the operator for one of the new ICC hotels.

or a point beach resort site?

[dysan1]

^^ would sheraton be a beach resort type of hotel chain? you always say its very business oriented. Which sub-brand would be beachy? Le Meridian?

[Umhlanga]

Sheraton operate plenty of beach resorts in Hawaii, Thailand, Mexico, etc.

[dysan1]

ok. just never pictured them as such. whenever you look at beach holidays in mauritius, seychelles, maldives, or in bali you never see sheraton hotels advertised. maybe they focus on the USA market primarily

[dysan1]

Holy shit, is that what I think it is (under construction on the corner) the Legacy Hotel? Man it shot up fast!

Sorry i missed this. Yeah it is and it moving very fast. Its to open in November. As i posted a month or so ago it is now a Protea.

[Umhlanga]

ok. just never pictured them as such. whenever you look at beach holidays in mauritius, seychelles, maldives, or in bali you never see sheraton hotels advertised. maybe they focus on the USA market primarily

Actually, Sheraton have had a place in Bali, but it was rebranded to be part of Starwood's 'Luxury Collection.' As for the other islands you mentioned, I think the lack of Sheratons just reflects the almost total lack of US-based chains from the Indian Ocean area. There are some nice Sheratons in India (I can testify firsthand that the Sheratons in Agra and Delhi are absolutely wonderful, top-notch hotels.), but for the most part the Indian Ocean islands have been off US chains' radars. But as hotels become increasingly grouped together (a la Starwood), I think this becomes less of an issue. Sure, Sheraton don't have a place in Mauritius, but Le Meridien do, so the money still stays in the Starwood family.

Personally, I can envision a Sheraton-branded property at either the ICC or Point. Even ignoring the rest of the Starwood brands, the Sheraton portfolio is so vast that they have the resources and expertise to operate either a beach or a convention hotel.

I think the Radisson will be a great fit for the Umhlanga New Town Centre. Most Radissons are quite nice hotels, but you'd never confuse them with Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. By the same token, however, you'd never confuse a Radisson with a Garden Court. They're business-oriented, but not cheap - perfect for the business node developing on the Ridge.

[dysan1]

^^ i dont think durban is ready for the ritz just yet. but very good that we are heading in an upward direction. and fast too

[dysan1]

http://www.grandhill.co.za/thumbs/bridge.jpg

[Durbsboi]

Ah Millenium bridge,

[dysan1]

Lower priced market entry units planned for Umhlanga


(New Developments) Disconsolate homebuyers isolated from purchasing in Umhlanga by the town’s residential property market entry level of more than R1 million are being given new opportunity by Moreland Developments, the property development arm of Tongaat Hulett, to buy into the upmarket north coast region.

Moreland’s residential developments director, David Jollands, told a recent delegation of visiting British property journalists that it intends introducing high-density development adjacent to the existing Gateway precinct with an entry price targeted at around R500 000. In the main, density would vary between four and six storey apartment blocks and possibly up to 12-storey levels where construction becomes concentrated along Umhlanga’s ridgeline.

The decision to design for lower priced units is in accordance with Moreland’s policy of meeting housing needs across a more affordable price spectrum. He was hopeful that the servicing of the land for these developments would start on the project before the end of this year.

Jollands, outlining Moreland’s current and proposed residential developments for the area, noted a start had already been made on two of the company’s planned three major projects. These were Izinga Ridge Phase 2 and Kindlewood. It was hoped that final approval would be handed down to start the third, the Umhlanga Town Centre’s residential precinct, by the end of the year. The three projects represented a completed value of R 3,1 billion and included a total number of more than 3 000 residential units.

The three projects would create an estimated 7 200 jobs during construction and about 1 000 permanent jobs. These numbers could be further enhanced if development approvals on planned projects in the Ethekwini area are expedited timeously.

Moreland, which has developed more than 1 000ha over the last 12 to 15 years in and around Umhlanga, is also planning a mixed use development on a 2000 ha site about 50 km inland from Umhlanga. This could include an industrial component as well as a full range of other property usages geared towards enhanced lifestyles.

Turning to the major current projects, Jollands said the installation of infrastructure was now under way in the gated estate of Kindlewood with first transfers of properties expected around October. First phase sales in the eventual 600 unit estate were “going well” with stands selling from R850 000 to R1,4 million. The estate required a minimum 120 sqm of building per single residential stand.

The four-phase Kindlewood is based on Moreland’s two earlier Mount Edgecombe golf estates, but without a golf course. This had been determined by research indicating that while people liked the concept many preferred the open space being utilised for a mixture of recreational uses other than a golf course. The same architectural theme of Natal verandah used in the Mount Edgecombe estates would be woven through Kindlewood, but with crisp and more contempory lines.

Expectations are also high at Moreland that a start will be made on the first phase of the 855 ha Sibaya development that already incorporates the Sibaya Casino either late this year or early in 2008. The estate, by far the most ambitious of Moreland’s already impressive development, incorporates mixed property usage, five hotels, and an entertainment extension with emphasis on water facilities and strong conservation and recreation usages.

Sibaya portfolio manager John Cook claims the development is arguably the most exciting catalytic and diverse economic project in the country. Bordered by the N2 and the Indian Ocean the rolling hills site, of which only 15 percent is currently earmarked for development, embraces the Hawaan Forest and Forest31.

Sibaya represents a R1,5 billion to R2 billion infrastructural investment for Moreland with the completed project over an anticipated 10 year horizon expected to top R5 billion.

Sibaya’s first phase includes 1 140 residential units of mixed density and two hotels on an 82 ha portion with extensive sea views. The second phase provides for a further two hotels with the fifth incorporated in the fourth phase. Cook says Moreland is placing high emphasis on Sibaya’s sustainability through natural resources.

Moreland’s third major project is the 140 ha mixed use Umhlanga Ridgeside abutting the Gateway area. The sea-facing elevated site incorporates office parks in the upper area and residential units of variable densities on the site’s lower reaches separated by a major road. A Mariott hotel is included in the project.

* Moreland Developments also report only two remaining development sites in its Mount Edgecombe 2 Golf Estate, launched 12 years ago. One of the sites, originally intended for a crèche, has now been reassigned for a seven-unit residential development in accordance with residents’ wishes. The remaining site is zoned for limited commercial purposes and will include an office to support the running of the estate.


Submitted: 24 Apr 2007

[Durbsboi]

ya R500 000 can buy you half a bedroom with a toilet that has a telescopic shower fixed to

[dysan1]

Not really. Remember when those 2 bed flats on the motor city side of gateway were launched 2 years ago. They were going for R450k, and they arent anything like you describe.

I dont doubt that we can develop apartments for R500k. Yes they will be small, but thats part of the expectation of living in umhlanga.

[Durbsboi]

^^That was 2 years ago, now a 1bed room bachelor flat with no view sold for R750 K in Ridgeton towers! & this flat is hideously small!

[dysan1]

I can still buy 1 bed flats in the area for R650k. These R500k ones will be studio's. The buildings they will be in will have less amenities than the more expensive ones and they will offer 200-300 apartments per building. there are many ways to keep the cost down.

[dysan1]

Work is really steaming ahead on the parkside area north of gateway. 5 new roads are nearly complete and work on the Saunders Park is well underway. Almost all the infrastructure is in place and construction of Raddison Park Avenue, Maddison on Park, Mayfair on Park, FNB and the others in this new area look set to start on schedule in july.

[dysan1]

Here is an overall dev plan for the Umhlanga area. A minimum of 5 hotels are planned for Ridgeside (2 being resort hotels), and a further 5 are planned for the new town centre, in addition to those already announced.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Umhlanganewdevplan.jpg

[SA BOY]

who is chris saunders as in chris saunders park?

[Umhlanga]

Former head man of Tongaat-Hulett. Which no doubt ranks him somewhere slightly below or equal to Jesus Christ Himself on that ridge.

[romanSA]

This overview is great. Thanks for posting.

[Durbsboi]

Former head man of Tongaat-Hulett. Which no doubt ranks him somewhere slightly below or equal to Jesus Christ Himself on that ridge.

I think equal, nice over view plan of Umhlanga Mike

[dysan1]

This is a look at the infrastructural work taking place in the parkside area of the new town centre north of gateway. At present they are building 6 new roads, which will release 28 sites, all of which have already been sold (we know some of the dev's on these sites already - Radisson, Golden Acre, Madison, Grand Hill...). Once this infrastructure is complete, work can start on all the dev's. Which is mid july.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP6145.jpg

[SA BOY]

Mike, is that access off the road that goes from the round a bout at sharks board down to the village?

[dysan1]

The pic was taken from the roundabout at the intersection of Millenium and centenary boulevards in the new town centre inland from the sharks board, opposite the new fire station. If you carry on driving along the road for a good 500m to 1km you will reach the roundabout on umhlanga rocks drive near the sharks board. The sharks board is near where the cell phone mast tower is in the picture.

[Sine]

Hello to you all,

I'm a student of the University of Leipzig in Germany. Together with my fellow students I study African Studies. This term we're attending a course called "Africas Urban Spaces". Within this course we are talking about many different topics/urban issues in different working groups. We will have to present the results of our researches on July the 6th to the whole course.
The working group I take part in prepares a presentation on crime prevention through urban design in Durban. Throughout our searches we found two examples we would like to talk about during our presentation, one is Warwick and the other one Umhlanga. Today I found this great thread, which is very good, because we didn't find very good information on Umhlanga yet.

The first posts in this thread (which are from 2005) appear to sound quite official, but there is no information given on the source they were taken from. Could you tell me where this material came from, so I can quote it as a source in the university presentation?
Do you mind if I quote good information on the Umhlanga-Project which I found in this thread directly?
Are all the pictures private ones or do you know a good internet-page where I can find fotos of Umlhanga before and after? Perhaps we could use some of the pictures shown in this thread for our presentation? (They won't be shown to a wider public, we are only 15-20 students in the course). It would be great to have some pictures to show to our fellow student within the presentation.

Yours,
Sine from Leipzig

[SA BOY]

ah I got confused between this inland site and the one with the Mariott

[dysan1]

Hello to you all,

I'm a student of the University of Leipzig in Germany. Together with my fellow students I study African Studies. This term we're attending a course called "Africas Urban Spaces". Within this course we are talking about many different topics/urban issues in different working groups. We will have to present the results of our researches on July the 6th to the whole course.
The working group I take part in prepares a presentation on crime prevention through urban design in Durban. Throughout our searches we found two examples we would like to talk about during our presentation, one is Warwick and the other one Umhlanga. Today I found this great thread, which is very good, because we didn't find very good information on Umhlanga yet.

The first posts in this thread (which are from 2005) appear to sound quite official, but there is no information given on the source they were taken from. Could you tell me where this material came from, so I can quote it as a source in the university presentation?
Do you mind if I quote good information on the Umhlanga-Project which I found in this thread directly?
Are all the pictures private ones or do you know a good internet-page where I can find fotos of Umlhanga before and after? Perhaps we could use some of the pictures shown in this thread for our presentation? (They won't be shown to a wider public, we are only 15-20 students in the course). It would be great to have some pictures to show to our fellow student within the presentation.

Yours,
Sine from Leipzig

Hi there, of course you can use anything that will help with your presentation. I will send you updated information, links and credits later today.

[dysan1]

Have any of you guys ventured into any of the stores on the inland side of the ntc? along millenium boulevard? there are some kickass clothing boutiques and the best snooker store i have seen. more photos headed later this week

[Durbsboi]

You meant behind gateway? I took a drive there ealry this year, most of the buildings were still being touched up, will have to go there again. Still didnt see that Maserati show room.

[dysan1]

You meant behind gateway? I took a drive there ealry this year, most of the buildings were still being touched up, will have to go there again. Still didnt see that Maserati show room.

how far away from umhlanga do you live??

The showroom is moving to the new site being developed next to investment cars for there lease was terminated. i dont kno the finer details thats all they told me

[Durbsboi]

far!.......... westville :D

[SA BOY]

hey me too west-villa is the spot

[dysan1]

lol, thats a quick drive away, not the 1 hour trek i have to do to hillcrest twice a week

[Durbsboi]

Damn right west is best ;), theres no reason for me to go there (umhlanga) so pre-occupied over the weekends, time gets wasted doing other stuff! well at least I got my Edgars card sorted out now, so I can come to the movies at Gateway instead of Suncoast :crazy:

[GregPz]

lol, thats a quick drive away, not the 1 hour trek i have to do to hillcrest twice a week

Yes, it does take an hour travelling by unicycle :)

[dysan1]

^^ have you not done the umhlanga - hillcrest trek in traffic? A unicycle may be quicker :)

[GregPz]

Probably would be quicker for the trip down to Umhlanga but the trip back up would be a bugger! I usually turn off at Pinetown then take the freeway to Springfield with very little traffic.

[SA BOY]

the back frrway was the greatest thing even built when I lived in Durbs.
Could have too many milkshakes at BONKERS and then make it back to westvilla no worries along blair athol rd

[Durbsboi]

I took that new merc down Blair Athol doing 110kph it handle those bends with eeze!

[SA BOY]

i did in in the early 90s in my mums alfa before they fixed BA rd and it was still a semi donkey track.

[dysan1]

that pinetown road is one of the most speed trapped and roadblocked roads these days guys. have been caught more than 5 times this year in roadblocks there.

[SA BOY]

thanks for the tip might have to use an alternative rd when im home

[Durbsboi]

lol, didnt see them there.well I only use that road on Sunday mornings to go to the gym.

[Durbsboi]

there is prob a thread on this, but I dont know, but whats being built next to Umghlanga hospital, its about 5-6 floors high now, with 1 crane on it.

[dysan1]

oops i never created a thread for it. It is the new Netcare Research and Medical suites centre and it is 8F. It is primarily filling the role of the relocation of the doctors suites from the hospital to free up space for extra wards. It will however house important research facilities, a burns unit and massive pharmacy. It is using some innovative building method whereby they are building up and down at the same time, by starting building in the middle.

its a fantastic glass structure. will create a thread later! oops.

[Upington]

....URNTC shots...

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010285.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010284.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010283.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010282.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010281.jpg

[Durbsboi]

^^old pics, but this is my facourite area of URNTC, I once sat here with a couple of buddys outside newscafe for 5 hours! so relaxing & the vibe is awesome.

[SA BOY]

what they doing on the round about. wasent that a water feature?

[Durbsboi]

It still is, maybe they were re-doing the water proofing or there must have been something wrong with the jets.

[dysan1]

what they doing on the round about. wasent that a water feature?

there have been major problems with it, so they have totally gutted it and are basically redoing it

[Upington]

^^old pics, but this is my facourite area of URNTC, I once sat here with a couple of buddys outside newscafe for 5 hours! so relaxing & the vibe is awesome.

......sorry mate....but these are not old pictures because i just took them with my own camera!!!!....these is the part of the Palm series that is under construction right now from the same collection.....still have more new pics to post....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010290.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010289.jpg

[Umhlanga]

Thanks for the pictures, Upington! It looks great.

[Durbsboi]

......sorry mate....but these are not old pictures because i just took them with my own camera!!!!....these is the part of the Palm series that is under construction right now from the same collection.....still have more new pics to post....



sorry mate, my bad, it looked like the one building next to road lodge was still under construction & I was there 3 weeks ago & there were no LTA fencing around the water feature, as Mike said, they must be having a lot of problems with the thing!

[dysan1]

^^ people speak to me the unhlanga local, seems db visits once a month or so :)

[Upington]

.....i think the real palm trees along this boulavard makes "every shot, a power shot"....a Sharapova moment i guess....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010292.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010287.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010288-1.jpg


...seen both the 2 hour Gladiator and ALPS movies at this IMAX.....


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010291.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010286.jpg

[Pule]

Now those are nice phots, thanks Upington. They are very clear.

[Durbsboi]

^^ people speak to me the unhlanga local, seems db visits once a month or so :)

hey, Im busy... doin stuff.

Nice pics Upington, really shows how colourful the area is.

I see Palms still taking its time to get complete, after its speedy start. Cant wait to see that pool deck below the crown on it.

[Upington]

....side of latest expansion of Gateway......

...opposite the hospital...the building with green roof...

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010300.jpg


....entrance near new garage extension...

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010299.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010298-1.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010297-1.jpg

.....towards Millenium bridge....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010294.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010295.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010296.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010293.jpg

[Upington]

.....filling station near hospital....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010301.jpg


....close to the Crescent.....

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010302.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010303.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010304.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010305.jpg

[Durbsboi]

Fire station is. The area around the cresent looks great!
Equinox looks abit dirty though I must speak to the owner & tell him it needs a new paint job, lol.

As for the Aurora drive picture........brings back BAD memories.

[Umhlanga]

Did you have an accident there?

[Durbsboi]

No, most of the big buggers there we did, & none of them during construction phase went well. Lots of fights.

[Upington]

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010310.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010309.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010308.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010307.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/Oct2007/P1010306.jpg

[dysan1]

The small 1F medical centre that was to the north of Umhlanga hospital is presently being demolished. This site has zoning up to 12F, so we could have an impressive new building rising on this prominent corner. As we have heard nothing on it, my gut feel is that it is either the Express by Holiday Inn or a new commercial development, but not residential.

[dysan1]

While the NTC is now coming into its own, here's an image that shows the broader development area.

The building in Yellow is a new mixed use development (50% commercial - 16000m2 and the balance being reisdential, with the entire groundfloor offering retail. There will be an internal piazza similar to European square (the one behind the royal palm hotel)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/urntcplanview.jpg

[Mo Rush]

is there a rail link/rail station visible in that diagram?

[dysan1]

ummm none i can see

[Pule]

is there a rail link/rail station visible in that diagram?

It will be good to have a rail connection between Umhlanga and the CBD, but again People Mover is the best option for now and I hope that they will consider linking the too by people mover soon. Then I won't have to hire a car when I'm in Durbs :D

[dysan1]

The small 1F medical centre that was to the north of Umhlanga hospital is presently being demolished. This site has zoning up to 12F, so we could have an impressive new building rising on this prominent corner. As we have heard nothing on it, my gut feel is that it is either the Express by Holiday Inn or a new commercial development, but not residential.

An update - This is going to be a 12F retail and office development. 1100m2 of groundfloor retail and 6000m2 of offices above. still no render up on site. good to see the old buildings being torn down and new ones sprouting up

[dysan1]

Shadows are also moving into their new concept store in Royal Palm (they are closing their gateway store to move here - it will be replaced by Mango). This store will also have a Armani specific store within a store, with its own entrance and specific Armani decor and style

[dysan1]

Will put this here until i have renders for a new thread.

Lincoln On The Lake

We are confident that the demand for good quality office space will continue and this confidence is reflected in our decision to commence with the construction in March 2008 of Lincoln On The Lake, a new R100 million premium grade office building of 6,000m2 situated in Parkside, Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre,” notes de Klerk. The development is due for completion in June 2009.

This is being undertaken by Growthpoint properties. Considering its location, it will be another uber glam building like the others circling the new town gardens

[dysan1]

Thought it was time for another montage of the Parkside area, since construction on all these developments is now proceeding

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Parksidemontage.jpg

[Durbsboi]

View of Gateway & the Mellenium bridge from the Toyota Dealership

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Image247Large.jpg

View of the 13th hole at Mt Edgecombe estate

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Image248Large.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Image249Large.jpg

[romanSA]

Thought it was time for another montage of the Parkside area, since construction on all these developments is now proceeding

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/Parksidemontage.jpg

Good work, Mike. Looks great!

[clintonb]

Hi There people in the know !

Hi there Dysan1 ,,quick question that montage you have posted and that area is that the Quartz block i see there and if so are the other buildings going to be all my neighbours ?
Thanks bro its cool getting and seeing all this info and pictures from so far away to rainly England !?
I hope they hurry up and build my flat so I can move in !!

Toot toot !

[dysan1]

yip all those buildings are going to be your neighbours in the new parkside precinct, most of them have started construction, as have the town gardens and amphitheatre.

The architecture for that part of the NTC is great and i cant wait to see it in the flesh...and yeh, it must be even more exciting for you considering you so far away!

[1/4pounderwithcheese]

WTF! some of those buildings are pathetic historicist pastiche. Whats happened to the good architects? No balls.

[SA BOY]

who the fuck invited you

[Durbsboi]

I always hated Mc Donalds