http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b4/zuidafrica/Notae.jpg

NAME: Marriot Hotel complex
LOCATION: Umhlanga
STATUS: Approved
FLOORS: 5 to 20+
HEIGHT: ???
USE: Mixed Use (Residential, Hotel, Retail and Commercial)


UMHLANGA is poised to get a huge R660 million leisure and entertainment resort boasting a 150-room, five-star international hotel. This is part of one of the biggest foreign direct investments in the history of South African tourism.

About R1.6 billion is to be injected into a black economic empowerment South African-based leisure group, Notae Resorts, by a United States-based hedge fund for the first three developments in South Africa, which are part of 17 developments in Africa over the next 14 years.

Notae Resorts is a joint venture spearhead by Durban businessman Carl Eaton, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Notae Group. The group is an international entertainment, development and investment company with offices in Durban, Johannesburg and New Jersey, US.

Eaton said the 150-room Umhlanga hotel development would be unique. The complex would include apartments, luxury bungalows, a private residency club, conference facilities, upmarket high-end fashion retail outlets and an arts centre.

“The arts centre includes a world-class theatre, art gallery, audio and audio-visual studios, including an outdoor amphitheatre, a school of excellence for hospitality and entertainment training, a tourism centre and a mix of family and fine dining restaurants,” said Eaton.

He said the 80 000m2 resort in Umhlanga, near the McDonalds restaurant at Gateway, would be the first of its kind in Southern Africa and have some of the world’s biggest players involved.

Washington DC-based Marriott International, one of the largest hotel groups in the world, has signed a letter of intent with Notae Resorts to manage the hotel.

Joop Demes, Managing Director of Golding Hotel Investment Consultants, has been appointed by Marriott to facilitate the process.

“Marriott is extremely bullish about entering the South African marketplace and is treating this exciting project in Umhlanga, Durban, as a priority,” said Demes.

Eaton said he expected to break ground on the development in early 2006 and for it to be launched before the end of 2007. He said the group was in the process of finalising zoning and approvals from the various authorities and obtaining SA Reserve Bank approval.

“Notae Resorts Umhlanga will be a destination of distinction, something that is not available on the African continent, and at the cutting edge of hotel development worldwide,” said Eaton.
He said the retail stores would include international brand names like Gucci, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and an exclusive jeweller for the high-end market.

“The retail component will also house Africa’s largest wedding design store, providing the consumer with a one-stop destination for all wedding requirements,” said Eaton.

“The arts centre will be comparable to the world’s most unique destinations of entertainment, like those in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, providing world-class entertainment and facilities.”

The facilities would include a world-class theatre and post-production audio and visual studios.

Eaton has worked in the South African music industry for more than a decade, producing and managing some of the country’s biggest artists with his brother, Vaughn. The pair have built close relationships with giants in the American music industry which will help them to attract superstar artists to the complex.

He said the Notae Group was delighted about the prospects in Southern Africa and had made a commitment to spend a minimum of R660 million on its first development.

“Our investment optimism is fuelled by South Africa’s well-balanced economy, the country’s growth history over the past couple of years, KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism market and South Africa hosting the biggest single sports event on Earth in 2010,” he said.

“The city of Durban’s economic development goals, sound financial control and the tremendous vision of the leadership has been instrumental in the realisation of this venture.”

KZN Tourism Minister Narend Singh was exited about the development.
“It is an expression of international confidence in both KZN and more importantly Durban"

Very very very VERY kewl... :) So is it going to be the Marriot Durban or the Marriot Umhlanga? It's great that Marriot is enterring the SA market. Exciting stuff!

Shall we guess how many meters?.........I'm gonna take a gander with.........80-90?

sounds about right, I have added at 22F

could some one crop the picture ( so no text and only a picture) as I cant edit the pics with my new computer and then I can add it to Emporis
Thanks sweeties

the dome and spire add a good 30m+ to the height excluding the 22F.

So if 3.5m per floor, double volume ground, we are looking at 100m maybe or close to!

The residential apartments are also incredibly interesting. There are 150, starting at R1.9m for a one bed, going up to R23m for the top one. So far before the november lauch already 60 have been taken...even at those prices!!!!

But their view will NEVER be interruptted, so the value will only skyrocket in time! That view is TOO WOW!!!

So cartier, prada, louis vuitton and gucci? hmmm...we getting all the top brands here in durbs all of a sudden!

IT IS MEGA COOL HEY...

They might change it... but the hotel will be called "MARRIOTT HOTEL @ NOTAE RESORTS, UMHLANGA"

Notae has lured ($250 million) about R1.6 billion in FDI from the US. This first development will get the lion's share of the funding $100 million. The other $150 million will go to other Notae Resorts in SA... very likely one in Jozi and one in Cape Town. But this project is the primary focus of the developers for now.

The Arts & Entertainment aspect of this developement is what will set it apart from other developments in South Africa. It will have a world-class music recording studio... so KZN music talent don't have to trek to Jozi to get recorded...


Very very very VERY kewl... :) So is it going to be the Marriot Durban or the Marriot Umhlanga? It's great that Marriot is enterring the SA market. Exciting stuff!
MARRIOTT NOTAE RESORTS, UMHLANGAIT IS MEGA COOL HEY..IT IS MEGA COOL HEY...

Very exciting. Between Anand Singh's R300 m film studio and this megabuck music studio, Durban will soon be rocking in the entertainment scene.

what the total size of the area looks huge from the rendering .....is there a website or is it word by mouth at the mo?

its all been in the papers here, but no images in the paper and from what i can gather, no website on anything yet

looks very durban

A gr8 development str8 from the drawing boards in Dubai ;) I think that we should lay the money on the table .. I am willing to bet that Durban will be South Africa's pride & joy within 20 Years AND I am willing to bet that Cape Town and Jo'burg will strive to be like Durbs !

hmmm...interesting comments from u enigma! I do think that the city has finally begun on its path to the big time! only time will tell how far we get!

Its been given approval from council from what i read the other day, and looks like construction is to start in March

Ooooh March..............I cant wait...are they aiming for an opening date of Summer 07`?

Looks interesting!!!!

They want it to be ready by October 2007...so yeh, it will be ready for the summer crowds! But i dont think the whole project will be complete by then. Been looking over the CGI images of the Umhlanga Triangle area (this project falls within it) and the whole area looks great...will try put them up soon...it will all be totally pedestrianised!

off da hizzel Fershizzle my nizzle

Umhlanga is going to be so so so good when all this is done. Iam so excited. Dysan thanks for doing such a great job in keeping us up to date with it all. I really appreciate it.

Well thanx for the kind words! Now if only i could get a good job doing this..... :)

We'll toyi-toyi for you until you get the chief urban planner post in Durbs, Mike!!!

hehe....no need to toyi toyi....wld much rather work private than for a governmental org....unless they give me the R1,2mil that mike sutcliffe gets :)

to be honst Sutcliffe actualluy knows what he is doing. He may be a liberal left wing party man but he know the basic acounting logic of only spending what you afford.
I read many years ago that Durban was one of only a few debt fee cities in the world, and that thier property portfolio is huge in places like Joburg and CT. There was a tresaurer many years ago who diversified the city structure to generate additional long term revenue.
Great article and makes you wonder if the currenbt fiscal policy still respects that legacy

didnt put the man down...he can do his job...he just really doesnt have any people skills, and constantly pushes the party line, even tho he is supposed to be impartial. Also, and i know this from personal experience, he is rather against any form of white led idea's to sort out some of the cities problems, often saying the people involved are trying to bring down the government....so a bit paranoid too!

And dont forget that those property purchasers by the city were back in the 70s and 80s....

This is DAMN impressive!


Agency records R360m 14-day sales burst in Umhlanga

from www.rodneyhayter.com

(New Developments) Ballito’s Realty1 Parsons in Ballito has started 2006 on a high note by being awarded the sole selling mandate to market the recently announced R1,6bn Marriott / Notae Resorts development in Umhlanga on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast.

This development is the first of 17 African developments by Marriott/Notae Resorts in South Africa and forms part of that group’s investment program in the country.

Pre-launch anticipation of the development has accounted for more than R360 million worth of apartments and villas being sold within two weeks of release even though the project has yet to be advertised.

According to a press release the 80 000 sqm development includes an International 5 Star Hotel, executive residential in the form of apartments, luxury villas, a private residency club, conference facilities and up-market high end fashion retail elements.

There will be an Arts Centre, which includes a world-class theatre, Art Gallery, Audio & Visual Studios, including an outdoor Amphitheatre, a school of excellence, a tourism centre and a mix of family and fine dining restaurants.

The project is to be officially launched early this year with a complete sellout of the more than 300 apartments and villas expected within months. Price of units range between R1,75 million and R7,5 million.

Horst Keil, MD of Realty 1 Parsons, says the development is a first of its kind in Southern Africa and involves some of the world’s biggest players. Marriott International, which is the largest hotel group in the world, according to the release, will manage the hotel.

The development will be built on the prime site in front of MacDonalds on the seaside of Umhlanga Rocks Drive with apartments offering spectacular sea and Durban Bay views.

Keil says the public will be able to purchase apartments or luxury bungalow as either an investment or a live-in home. Owners can also elect to enter their flat into the hotel letting pool.

Each apartment will be fully furnished to Marriot 5 Star specifications and have access to the hotel facilities. This includes room service, concierge, airport shuttle, housekeeping and all the facilities of a 5 star hotel.

since this aint been advertised for sale it is a massive sign of the develpment swing towards durban and umhlanga!

since this aint been advertised for sale it is a massive sign of the develpment swing towards durban and umhlanga!

That's because the Eaton Brothers are trying to lure BIG NAMES in the entertainment industry to buy into the development.


If all goes to plans looks like they'll be putting Durban on the International Map!!!!

yeh...but what difference does it make if big names buy apartments there? they arent the biggest apartments in the world....actually in terms of size they are smaller than the apartments in the pearls

p2bsa....

Anymore news on this...renders? or any new dev news in general?

contractors are moving on site...

lets see some pics mike

ok...i'll jump in my chopper and fly over the site...there's no way i can get near it from the street!

no project sign boards, no views of the equipment on site etc? this is in my mind the most important project in Durban at the moment from a credibility point of view as it is a massive investment that will spawn a big drive intop the serviced appartment world

explain what u say above please...

i will find a way to take a pic of the board, but since there are no stop streets there i will have to do it while driving around the traffic...hmm...no wonder there are accidents!

where exactly is the site and how will the project be accessed? I have in my mind its below the road in front of the hospital which if I remebre is quite a steep site. is it closer to the hospital or south towards the freeway and edgecomeb office park

its on a relatively flat site, the steep area u are thinking of is reserved open space land. it borders the open space

Giles i think is something you will enjoy most of all!!!



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


The apartments and villas (look very hi-tech modern designs)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/marriotcomplexresi2.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/marriotcomplexresi1.jpg

fuck me that view of the render with the bay in the background is awesome. This is my new favourite project in Durban.
Mike did you say that are moving onto site? who is the main contractor?
we need more info on this
my guess is a 20F tower like that with spire will give us 100m

:eek2: drop jaw impressive! I hope our company gets their hands into this! It looks amazing!

Oooh, yummy! Thanks for posting, Mike! Great to hear all those positive comments about Durbs and the quality of life here. I especially liked this part:

"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."

that is stunning real estate and will only skyrocket in value. One of the villas bought for R7m has been resold for R10m and nothing has even started yet! Amazing stuff. Those views are simply some of the best anywhere.

i dont know who the contractor is but i will be doing my all to find out! I agree with u giles, this is defo a seriously significant development. what is even more important, is the neighbouring R2 billion development that moreland says will blow the socks off everyone in South Africa...but what will it be???

I'm also highly excited by the fact that Marriot will be opening 2 other resort hotels in KZN before 2010. I personally believe they will go for either the Pavilion site, or one of the Point beach sites...and there other dev could be one of the 4 beach hotel resort sites to be launched by moreland in umhloti!!! those will be surrounded by natural forest and have private beaches!

I dont want to sound negative but there seems to be a plethora of hospitality developments and dare I say an over subsccription to developing them in Durban at the moment. looking at this thread and the other on Durban hotels and reading the great article on hospitality in the ciuty, I cant help feeling that there is an overkill and and a throwback to the late 70s and early 80s when Durban had more hotel rooms that JHB and CT combined but with occupancys in the 60 and 70% range.
Its always tempting to strick when the iron is hot and see the revpoars and occupancys at record highs and thing , great Ill develop a hotel but the reason is cos this sector has been ignored for nearly 20 years in Durban cos of the burn fingers the major players had.
Its good for the city and the economy but I cant see the "boutique "18-50 keys developments surviving against the established brands when push comes to shove and we face the oversupply which seems to be looming.
Either that or at least 50% of the propsed wont happen due to cold feet.
Any thoughts?

^^Good points, Could be a reality

But now since we have a backing of the world cup, maybe some of them wont get cold feet, it did happen many times in the past, whereby many investors wanted to build state of the art hotels, but could see the reason for it, cause our tourisim here in Natal was overshadowed by CT, but now since the tourist has to vist KZN due to hosting a semi-final game, there will be a greater chance of most of these proposed idea's turning into reality.

also dont forget that only the 1600 odd are confirmed! the others are merely planned sites available for development, not necessisarlity going to be developed.

At this point in time Durban Occupancies are running at 82%, compared to 64% in Joburg and 61% in Cape Town.

Our room rates are the same as Joburg, but marginally lower than Cape Town.

some more info from www.notaegroup.com

The development division of the company has received the most amazing results over the last year. The first of the 17 Hotel Resorts that the company will develop was launched, Marriott Hotels & Resorts will manage the Hotel at Notae Resorts, Umhlanga.The company also successfully sold R609 million of Residential property at the Notae Resorts Umhlanga in it’s first month of going to market.

The company continues to pursue opportunities and is presented with sites daily to continue with the development of further Resort properties. The next developments are in schedule for South Africa and we are pursuing cities all over South Africa, Countries across Africa and two international destinations, one in Mexico and the other in the Bahamas.

The Marriot Hotel will comprise:

150 Luxury Hotel Suites, including a 2 Bedroom Presidential Suite, 1 Bedroom Premier Suite, 8 Executive 1 Bedroom Suites, 80 King Double Rooms, 50 Twin Rooms & 10 Family Rooms


Villas

Luxury Homes

Size 355 m sq

Description 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, Lounge, Family, Dining Room, Swimming Pool, 3 Car Garage

Priced from R6,5m

http://notaegroup.com/images/luxury_homes.jpg

First Floor
http://notaegroup.com/images/luxuryhomes_a_firstfloor.jpg

Ground Floor
http://notaegroup.com/images/luxury_homes_a_ground.jpg


Apartments

Variety of Sizes
2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (TYPE A)
3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths (TYPE D)
* 4 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths (TYPE F)
All apartments have a Lounge, Dining Room, Modern Kitchen, Outdoor Patio, 2 Car Garages and are all Fully Furnished.
* Has a Theatre


http://notaegroup.com/images/apartments_sketch_low.jpg

http://notaegroup.com/images/unit_A_low.JPG

http://notaegroup.com/images/unit_D_low.JPG

http://notaegroup.com/images/unit_F_low.jpg

what are the costs of the appartments?

Looks nice:)

they started at R1,55m through realty one parsons www.realty1parsons.co.za

[QUOTE=dysan1]
i dont know who the contractor is but i will be doing my all to find out! I agree with u giles, this is defo a seriously significant development. what is even more important, is the neighbouring R2 billion development that moreland says will blow the socks off everyone in South Africa...but what will it be???
QUOTE]


Did I miss something here? What R2 billion development?

Im also wondering what is up morelands sleeve. How big is the site and im sure its the crown jewel as far as views are concerned

Moreland have been in negociations with a Dubai and London based firm for the development of something big...but no one is saying what it is!

SA BOY I'm sure you can find out something? since you in Dubai & all. Well if it has Shieks from Dubai involved you know its gonna be big!

we can hope!!!

I have heard that EMMAR and DIP(Dubai internationl properties-government investmant arm and soon to be biggest developer in the world) have been in SA of scouting trips.

^^ Ooo EMMAR to build in SA!!! Another Burj Dubai? or should I say Burj Durban?

IFA is there and Nakheel is also sniffing around. SA is seen as an extention of the emerging markets for these developers

SA BOY wats that new apartment block coming up in Dubai, said to be the tallest building in the world, like 700m high

HERE’S THE FOLLOW-UP STORY THAT APPEARED IN THE MERCURY’S NETWORK BUSINESS SUPPLEMENT (on12/10/2005) TWO DAYS AFTER THE MERCURY'S PAGE ONE NEWSBREAKER (10/10/2005)

>>>>
CAPTION: MEN in music. Carl and Vaughn Eaton who have made it big in the music industry aim to make their hometown, Durban, ‘the music capital of Africa’.
SUREN NAIDOO
MOST Durbanites must have been thinking where in the world did the Eaton brothers come after reading The Mercury’s Monday exclusive on their ambitious R660 million leisure, entertainment and business resort in Umhlanga.
Carl and Vaughn Eaton were arguably Durban’s best kept entrepreneurial secret and if you think that their vision ends there, think again.
“We want to make Durban the music capital of Africa,” say the duo who grew up in Newlands East spearhead the Notae Group
Their dream may sound a bit far fetched, but if you take into account that they almost single-handedly have managed to secure $250 million (about R1.6 billion) in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into South Africa from the United States, than you can’t put that past them.
They developed and built the Notae (Eaton in reverse) Group - an entertainment, development and investment corporation, virtually from nothing. Today it has offices in Durban, Johannesburg and New Jersey, US.
“It all started when we were part of a music group called the Starlight’s in the mid-eighties. Music is our passion and we have been fanatics from an early age” says Vaughn.
“Things kind of developed from their because we saw the big picture early on. We realised working behind the scenes, producing and discovering talent was our greater talent.”
Carl was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work with US music mogul, Danny Simms in the early nineties and once served as a director of CSR Record and as Vice President of Cube Music.
In 1997 the brothers decided to go out on their own and set up In Tyme Incorporated - a music, entertainment and events company in Durban with just R400.
Today, the Eaton’s success in the South African music represent some of the biggest local stars and groups from Devante, TKZee, TRO and Chiskop to current megastar artists Ernie Smith and Mandoza.
Vaughn remembers vividly: “When we first started producing Mandoza’s Nkalakata song and I heard it for the first time, I was so exited that I kicked the wheel of a car because I knew it would be a hit.”
His career as a talent scout has been remarkable and has represented Mandoza for the last seven years.
Carl is behind the vision of for developing the resorts aspect the business something that started of with a small idea and snowballed from there.
“Our aim with this is to get involved in the entire value chain the entertainment business and this is an integral part of this,” he said.
They said the biggest challenge in the industry from early on is that they have always been undercapitalised and the new investment from a US hedge fund for the resorts aspect of the business bolster their efforts.
Says Carl: “There is tremendous talent in KwaZulu-Natal that is lost to other provinces and a lot more that has not been discovered. Our investment in Durban is to build the music and entertainment industry into a mainstay sector in this province and grow the industry nationally to compete on the world stage.
Durban will be our hub and base to impact and contribute to the international music industry.

P2BSA...gone quiet...anymore for us on this and other developments u brought to our attention?

Article regarding the area around the Marriott resort to be known as Ridgeside...good info on the hotel too! Its plans have been passed in their entirity

Our changing face

In 4 to 5 years time the face of Umhlanga rocks will be completely different. By then, the sugar cane on the hill above would have gone and the development of the Umhlanga Ridge will have reached down the slope to the sea, linking the ‘ridge’ with the ‘rocks’.

Stylish office parks, hotels, offices, apartment blocks and luxury homes with magnificent sea views will fill the space down to the coastal freeway, with improved links to the existing Umhlanga beachfront and the area still affectionately known as the village.

The new suburb will be known as Ridgeside. Presiding over Ridgeside on the crest of the ridge will be a landmark resort hotel, the first Marriott to be built in sub-Saharan Africa, a statement of confidence in the area by the Washington DC-based international hotel group. Construction of the resort will begin later this year, with the building reaching 185m above sea level.

On the prime sites next to the Marriott along Umhlanga Rocks Drive will be Ridgeside’s office blocks and apartments, a roll-out of the growing Umhlanga ridge new town centre. Below this, sea-facing residential homes will look out over the forest and sea.

A planned feature is a landscaped pedestrian boulevard, which is to run all the way down to the coast, with an underpass under the freeway to link to the beach and promenade for use by pedestrians and the Ridge shuttle.

The buildings, parks and piazza will be terraced to accommodate the steep incline of the land. Ridgeside will be built on a series of “steppes” to minimise the slope of the area, with basement parking to free up open spaces for public benefit.

Alfway down the hill, a new road to be known as Ridgeside Drive will dissect the area, providing access to the Ridgeside office park, a natural extension of the La Lucia Ridge office estate, via a planned new interchange on the M41.

Modern office buildings with underground parking and landscaped open areas will have superb sea views.

The development has been in planning for more than 2 years and has now received final approval. Inquiries are bullish so the developers are confident that the plans will be a reality within a few short years.

I like the pedestrian underpass and stepped land plan.

this project is really awesome..it doesnt seem to have a need to conform to any overused style...

this project is really awesome..it doesnt seem to have a need to conform to any overused style...

That's why it is so enticing. I love the renderings, it's very non-conforming. Non-Conformity all the way :)

non-conforming how? trying to understand what u mean. as in the architecture is just modern, fresh and not trying to be something that replicates something else?

non-conforming how? trying to understand what u mean. as in the architecture is just modern, fresh and not trying to be something that replicates something else?

It seems kind of new and fresh. Maybe non-conforming was a bad choise of words.

I wonder what the RL of the ridge is?

when will building start?

RL of the ridge??

reduced level ie ground level reletive to sea level which is 0 then minus it from 185m to give the height of the tower
if ridge is say RL 100 then tower would be 185-100=85m high

hah?

its the international standard for measuring building heights.for example in Sydney we did a tower that had a RL of 180m but it was on a hill in St Leonards of like 58m above sea level so the tower was actually 122m tall, the top of the tower was 180m above mean sea level and this is the figure that the CAA (cival aviation auhority ) was intrested in ie they dont care about floors and building heing, they want it releative to the sea level of 0 which then gives the whole world the same height princilples.
kapish?

Memorial tower at the university is Durbs highest spot if i'm not mistaken

or maybe the water tower at sunningdale?

Nope deff the memorial tower in UKZN,
& Giles, why couldnt you just say height above sea level instead of bring that fancy lingo into it.

i wldnt think the marriott site will be 100m above sea level. i was thinking 50m max

Mike, do you know how we could get more info on the height of the main tower? architects? councill etc?

Does this marriot dude have a daughter?

like hilton has paris? lol imagine the daughter of Protea hotels...

Maybe her name is Parys (named for the small town outside JHB??) :hahaha:

the Site Layout. the right is east to the ocean. Left is umhlanga rocks drive

http://www.realty1parsons.co.za/images/SITEPLANNUMBERED_001.jpg

Is it just me, or does it look small?

it must be cos you are so used to seeing small things????
NA I agree looks small.
Whats the sites below this towards the ocean?

^^ What you mean small? In what way were you expecting it to be bigger? you have all already seen the renders.

Ya, I think Im asking for too much, I expected a mini Sun City. :D

I've noticed over the past week that they have been clearing the site of all the cane. Work starts on signalising the McDonald's circle on Umhlanga rocks drive and widening the road itself to an extra lane and turning lane to the Trianlge site in september. All approvals are in place and its go go go.

Any idea of any design changes?

oh and the little sites are the multi million rand hones that are part of this development. They went from R4,5m...but can only imagine how quickly their value is rising!! unspoilt views in the most prime spot around. They were all sold out before launch. Every apartment was also sold before launch.

The hotel will be 158 rooms, but total capacity will be +/- 230 when the apartments that are part of the rental pool are included.

hey can some one guess the height for me including the spiral ps dysan u said they start construction in march i take it thats 2007 right

no they starting construction in october

YOH that fast, & the prices of those property's are insane! but for that view, its worth it!

and they only going to get more expensive...that will be our Beverly Hills

Hmm there is ALOT of boulevards in Umhlanga, maybe they can throw in a "Sunset" boulevard in, & maybe a "rodeo" drive... ok leave out the rodeo drive, we dont need any cowboy hippy names.

We are getting "Ridgeside Drive" in the triangle

Hsark...you said your dad worked for Bental...would you be able to find the final renders for this development for i have been told it has changed abit, made more modern and glassy like the other buildings near by...

Would love to see. Thanx mate!

Ok well we chatted about it in the durban thread, so hear is the stuff that was in the paper today. sorry that the image is not too clear.


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1852.jpg


Here's the news article.


High density development 'threatens' Umhlanga
Carvin Goldstone
November 30 2006 at 12:24PM

The Democratic Alliance in Umhlanga has renewed a call for the eThekwini Municipality to halt development there because the sewerage and road infrastructure is fast approaching capacity.

Umhlanga ward councillor Rory Macpherson said residents had to put up with traffic jams in the morning, afternoon and evening because of insufficient road infrastructure.

He said sewerage overflows in Umhlanga were becoming more frequent.

"We have objected to further development in Umhlanga of such a high density, until we have seen the final plans and time frame of major upgrade of roads and sewerage.

'We have objected to further development in Umhlanga'
"Sewerage is at its peak and from time to time we have spills in the Umhlanga River. The traffic in Umhlanga is chaotic - traffic jams morning, afternoon and evening," he said.

The renewed concern over Umhlanga's infrastructure has been stirred by the city's decision to allow developers of the Marriot Hotel in Umhlanga to increase the height of the hotel by an estimated seven storeys.

The hotel, which is being developed by Notae Resorts in conjunction with Marriot International, will be the first of its kind in Southern Africa.

The council approved the first framework plan for the development of the Marriot Hotel in July 2006, but a report was tabled in exco this week requesting an amendment to the additional plan on the height of the hotel.

The Democratic Alliance this week argued that the decision to change the hotel measurements from storeys to meters above sea level was to disguise the increased height of the hotel.

Delaying development will send a message that we are not serious about development
The approved height was initially put at 185-metres above sea level, but the council this week approved a revised height of 216m above sea level.

The grounds which are being used to advocate the amendment to the plans are that the development will contribute to the tourism industry in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.

The report before exco further argues that the original height proposed for the development did not provide an adequate "iconic" element.

The city claims there will be no negative impact that can be attributed to the development and there were also no objections. But councillors debated this week whether the increase in height was significant.

eThekwini deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo said this was the revised final framework plan for the Marriot Hotel and Marriot had been waiting a long time to finalise its plans.

But DA councillor Colin Gaillard argued that this was a new application for the building to eventually go up six storeys higher than the original plans. Macpherson said an environmental impact assessment was approved for the initial Marriot Hotel and now the city was simply allowing developers to increase the building because it was not "iconic enough".

"This was not in the EIA. If it was, then maybe the results of the study would have been different, but the architect making a mistake is not a good enough reason to add storeys," he said.

In defence of the development, Naidoo said: "Town planning experts have applied their mind to this development and we want development to happen now."

He said Durban needed to be ready to serve the international community.

"This is an outside investor and we need to show a clear sign of support. We should be bending over backwards to show we can accommodate these developments.

"Delaying development will send a message that we are not serious about development," he said.

Naidoo said with regard to the infrastructure Umhlanga Rocks Drive would be widened to three lanes in each direction and this would happen in the new year.

The new road would service the Marriot development.

The Marriot report also indicated that the Umhlaga Rocks Drive traffic circle at McDonalds would be converted into a signalled intersection to ease traffic.

The image above is before the height increase that was approved today to add 31m to the building. Capacity is also increasing from 150 rooms to 190

I like that it looks like the other buildings in the area. However, the pic above doesn't look as tall as the initial renders (Michaelangelo look). In fact the original render looked 20+ floors while this render looks circa 15 floors without the proposed addition.

This render is 19F. The initial one only looked taller due to the big dome and spire. As the building has a height cap they have removed those things to add mass and space.

Very difficult to tell from the pic but I think it looks pretty ugly. I'm sure I'll drastically change my mind once I see some clearer pics though - especially since it's designed to be iconic! Mmm that's a word we're hearing quite a bit lately regarding new Durban developments and it's just what the city needs!

^^ as i said the poor quality image i scanned does not do the building justice. For a style cue look at the alexander forbes building and adjacent 8F glass tower when you come off the M41 at Umhlanga rocks drive.

well its nice to think that the council is pushing architects and developers to build iconic structures.

Do the DA ever like anything? This project is really good. will it link in with the URNTC or will it be gated and separate?

^^As the grainy pic shows it is fully integrated and pedestrianised. The boutiques that occompany the development will line umhlanga rocks drive. Moreland do not allow walls or fences in the Urban developments, expect for the la lucia ridge office estate. All developments have to interact with the street and encourage people to walk the area.

To get to gateway from this development will entail a mere 400m walk along landscaped sidewalks. The road in the above picture is umhlanga rocks drive.

am soooo excited about this. when everything is done uhmlanga will have south africas best CBD

The pic above seems to be the back view of the building. The front (as seen from the left side of the pic) is all glass. If it looks anything like the other buildings in its immediate vacinity (the ones that Mike mentioned) it will look stunning. No doubt.

^^ of course its the back bud...its the view from umhlanga hospital on umhlanga rocks drive. the front is completely glass. i wld love to find high quality renders but they are impossible to find on the net. and unless hsark can get them from bental there's not much we can do until they released...:(

The NTC will indeed be a superb area and the only truely modern public city space. (CT's cbd is great but is def more historical than modern). Melrose arch is aiming for it, but i feel it is too small and not integrated with the surroundings, the access control boom areas show that.

looks good, cant wait till everything is more or less complete in that area, it will be a while till it is, but the area will look great.

Have Confirmation that the tower will be 25F and 88m with 210 rooms. This is confirmed by moreland

is that including spire?

Sorry forgot to add it. The spire has been made much smaller with the design change (posted earlier) and is only 9m. so overall height of 97m

lets update the title of the thread to Approvel-Mariott Hotel tower 25F 97m -HotelMike any idea on consultsnts for this apart from BA the architects

88m, not bad.........not bad at all

will find more detail.

Can anyone find somewhere with more detail than we have? the www.notaeresorts.com still has the old info and images

I can't express how glad I am that this links in with the surrounding area and isn't gated/ turning its back on its surroundings.

It's great to see it pedestrianised like this. Should be quite nice!

Have news that the theatre will have a 1500 capacity and that the foyer wil have floor to ceiling (8m) glass with a 180degree view of the durban coast from bluff to umhlanga, with a few restaurants captilising on that.

wow wow wow. this is so exciting. What is the estimated time frame for the total completion of the whole of the new town and the ridgeside bit?

The entire new town and ridgeside time frame aims for completion in 2015

Hectic, full glass, I love it!

Dysan,

Was impressed with this development. Have they started construction yet or is the hotel still in the planning stages?

All approval has been recieved. The installation of services for the Ridgeside development are underway and once those are completed and site access is ready work will start. Work on the Marriot, Design Quarter and Mr Price Concept Centre are all aimed to start in July according to the latest release from Moreland.

That probably means it will not be complete until the end of 2009/beginning of 2010 instead of 2008 as they originally planned when Notae Resorts announced the development at the beginning of last year.

Planning for completion has always been Mid 2009 according to Moreland. Marriot have signed an operations agreement that comences on 1 July 2009. There will be servere penalties for the developers to pay if they miss that deadline. And i really doubt that deadline wont be achieved.

Dysan,

What is the status on the Marriott complex? Have they started construction of the hotel on the site? Also change the thread name to Marriott with two t's at the end.

Mosi,

The Marriott (along with the rest of the Ridgeside development) now faces at least a 4-month delay, according to Moreland. I posted an article a few weeks ago in the Umhlanga Ridge - Ridgeside Component thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=384334&page=4). But the gist of it is that the Ridgeside EIA was rejected by the provincial Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs because of local residents' objection to traffic and road infrastrucuture issues. Moreland have been ordered to complete a new EIA. The full article is available here (http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20070716091427650C623534).

Mosi,

The Marriott (along with the rest of the Ridgeside development) now faces at least a 4-month delay, according to Moreland. I posted an article a few weeks ago in the Umhlanga Ridge - Ridgeside Component thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=384334&page=4). But the gist of it is that the Ridgeside EIA was rejected by the provincial Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs because of local residents' objection to traffic and road infrastrucuture issues. Moreland have been ordered to complete a new EIA. The full article is available here (http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20070716091427650C623534).

Now I guess it looks like this hotel won't open until 2010 as Dysan mentioned previously about it opening in 2009 before these delays. Thanks for the article link.

^^ Its a key project, as such the developer will have to fast track it once final approval is sought. They planned for a 16 month build period, so 2009 is still possible.

16months for a high rise 5* hotel??? Me dont think so. typically 30 months (6 months design from concept, 20-24months construction , and 2-4 months testing commisioning and soft opening)

^^ Its a key project, as such the developer will have to fast track it once final approval is sought. They planned for a 16 month build period, so 2009 is still possible.

Doubtful, more likely it would be early 2010 as it is already August. If they do fast-track, then the project will likely go even higher than R660 million for a 210-room hotel with residences (on top of already high building costs that keep rising) and the developer would want the project to meet their income projections from it and the projected room rates would have to be taken into account.

Doubtful, more likely it would be early 2010 as it is already August. If they do fast-track, then the project will likely go even higher than R660 million for a 210-room hotel with residences (on top of already high building costs that keep rising) and the developer would want the project to meet their income projections from it and the projected room rates would have to be taken into account.


With the change in design (more rooms ect) delays and construction cost escalations - I have been well informed that this project is now well over the R1 billion mark!!!!!

Doubtful, more likely it would be early 2010 as it is already August. If they do fast-track, then the project will likely go even higher than R660 million for a 210-room hotel with residences (on top of already high building costs that keep rising) and the developer would want the project to meet their income projections from it and the projected room rates would have to be taken into account.


With the change in design (more rooms ect) delays and construction cost escalations - I have been well informed that this project is now well over the R1 billion mark!!!!!

Lets hope the fast tracking of EIA's Sbu mention at the KZN Growth Coalition will fast-track this massive project...

So dedicated are these guys to Durban that - all their focus is to get Notae/Marriott Resort Umhlanga off the ground ...
so plans for Jozi and Cape Town are on the back burner...

Lets hope the fast tracking of EIA's Sbu mention at the KZN Growth Coalition will fast-track this massive project...

So dedicated are these guys to Durban that - all their focus is to get Notae/Marriott Resort Umhlanga off the ground ...
so plans for Jozi and Cape Town are on the back burner...

Lets hope right. But S'bu Ndebele, the Premier of KZN, may want to fast track the EIA, but the incompetent Kortbroek (Marthinus van Schalkwyk) at DEAT will have the final say as he has made a circus out of the EIA processes just as he cannot count the number of real spending tourists coming into SA. It is this beaurocratic bungling that has delayed projects of this nature as the rules are being changed by incompetent officials who have agendas of their own.

the pearls were given approval the other day and now this development will be allowed to proceed too

the pearls were given approval the other day and now this development will be allowed to proceed too

Which tower in the Pearls complex is approved now? Pearl Dawn or Pearl Sky?

What do you think the timeline is for the Marriott hotel complex as far as construction?

^^ i dont know the timeline, i'm thinking completion end 2009 early 2010

It was the Dawn, with height limitation of 20 floors

^^ no the height limit was increased to 24F, same as pearl breeze

^^ no the height limit was increased to 24F, same as pearl breeze

How tall will the tall Pearl Sky be now and what is it's status?

I thought they said 20??? blody ECR & their wrong info :rant:

Finally the project is cleared for rising. This week environmental minister for kzn approved the project, work can immediately commence

Finally the project is cleared for rising. This week environmental minister for kzn approved the project, work can immediately commence

this really needs to be fast tracked, especailly because most of the other proposed hotels/ hotel sites are taking so long to get going....

oh, & I told you guys that it's more than a billion rand (in fact R1.3 BILLION) ... That means the project is now almost double the original amount!!!

Exodus shifts city CBD

By Fiona Gouden and Carvin Goldstone
The contrast between the "old" and "new" central business districts of Durban are a startling reflection of the changing economic realities of the city.
In the "old" CBD there are now officially 23 "uninhabitable" buildings as there is a mass exodus of residents and businesses, leaving behind blocks of flats and industrial complexes which are being taken over by criminals and squatters, creating major health and fire hazards.
In the "new" CBD - on the Umhlanga Ridge - businesses are fighting over every new piece of land which becomes available and a massive new project was given the go-ahead this week.
This will include a R1,3-billion upmarket hotel as well as massive upgrades to roads, sewerage and electricity supplies to the area.
In the old section of Durban, of the 23 "uninhabitable" buildings, 14 have been abandoned by their owners, many of whom have been "on the run" for many years.
Other buildings have had a change of ownership so often that it is difficult to trace the existing owners.
The buildings are in disgraceful conditions with no fire escapes, water, electricity or proper sanitation.
This week eThekwini Municipality's Development and Planning Department said they will conduct surprise visits to these buildings and specialised investigators will try to track down the owners.
In extremely serious cases, buildings will have to be demolished.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson John Steenhuisen has accused the council of not doing enough to take control of Durban.
"The Town Planning Department has the authority to demolish these buildings as many of them have reached a despicable state. Yet they choose to do nothing. As a result a flood of refugees, gangs and street children have taken over the streets. The council has dragged their heels for too long."
The council has not released the names of all the buildings but they include the following:
Hajra Court in Sparks Road, Overport;
Arusha Court in St George's Street, Albert Park;
Point Parkade in Point Road;
Ana Capri in St Andrew's Street, Albert Park.
Meanwhile, Umhlanga residents who have been complaining for years that road, water and sewerage capacity has not been increased despite the ongoing development of the economic node can breathe a sigh of relief because there are several upgrades planned to provide capacity for new developments.
This comes after Mtholephi Mthimkhulu, MEC for Agriculture and Environmental Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, authorised the initially opposed Umhlanga Ridgeside Development, which includes a R1.3-billion upmarket Marriot International Hotel and Resort.
The Umhlanga Ridgeside Development, which forms part of a greater Umhlanga Triangle Development, will link the Umhlanga Village to the Ridge and is expected to pump R8 billion into the city over the next decade.
SOURCE: http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=124&art_id=vn20071110082209735C969677

I THINK THIS IS WHY THE CITY WAS NOT COMMENTING ON ANY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES IN UMHLANGA ... IT WAS AWATING THIS EIA DECISION ... TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AROUND THIS AND THE AREA ON A BROADER LEVEL

this really needs to be fast tracked, especailly because most of the other proposed hotels/ hotel sites are taking so long to get going....

oh, & I told you guys that it's more than a billion rand (in fact R1.3 BILLION) ... That means the project is now almost double the original amount!!!

the only hotel sites held up besides this one were the Taj hotel next to suncoast and DB's ICC hotel.

The point hotels are all ago except for the ones on the beach (which were never planned to be ready for 2010 anyway). At present we have over 15 hotels under construction/approved in Durban, with a further 6 large ones a few steps from final approval.

this really needs to be fast tracked, especailly because most of the other proposed hotels/ hotel sites are taking so long to get going....

oh, & I told you guys that it's more than a billion rand (in fact R1.3 BILLION) ... That means the project is now almost double the original amount!!!

That is great news. Not surprised that the Marriott Hotel & Residences resort complex cost had escalated from R650 million to R1.3 billion within the short space of two years. The same thing happened to Sol Kerzner's One&Only hotel which is under construction on the CT V&A. The One&Only was initially projected at R450 million four years ago but when construction began on it in July by the Stocks/WBHO project consortium it had escalated to R900 million. This is the problem when the environmental authorities drag their feet but in the case of Umhalanga Ridge it is necessary to have the infrastructure in place before the hotel as this business node, which is one of the fastest growing in SA, needs alot more roads, electricity and sewage works and done within the parameters of protecting the environment and the coastline.

the only hotel sites held up besides this one were the Taj hotel next to suncoast and DB's ICC hotel.

The point hotels are all ago except for the ones on the beach (which were never planned to be ready for 2010 anyway). At present we have over 15 hotels under construction/approved in Durban, with a further 6 large ones a few steps from final approval.

That is great news about Durban which has by far the biggest shortage of hotel rooms in the country.

I understand that Johannesburg is next in line after Cape Town to get a Taj Hotel which will be built at Melrose Arch. When I looked at a slideshow on the Taj website I got the impression they will open in Joburg in 2010, a year after their Cape flagship will open at the Mandela Rhodes Place. Didn't see Durban mentioned in it although the beachfront site next to Suncoast would be a prime site for it.

With regards to the ICC Arena hotel, what appears to be the holdup? They do have the infrastructure in place for it since it is close to the CBD?

Exodus shifts city CBD

By Fiona Gouden and Carvin Goldstone
The contrast between the "old" and "new" central business districts of Durban are a startling reflection of the changing economic realities of the city.



This isn't good news that the CBD is being adversely affected like this. They need to do something to avoid the same mistakes that led to the flight of business to the suburbs that took place in Joburg in the 1980's and 1990's. Certainly Durban can learn from the success of the Cape Town Partnership as well as the ambitious plans already in place in Joburg to reverse inner city decay.

I THINK THIS IS WHY THE CITY WAS NOT COMMENTING ON ANY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES IN UMHLANGA ... IT WAS AWATING THIS EIA DECISION ... TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AROUND THIS AND THE AREA ON A BROADER LEVEL

That is good to have a comprehensive plan for urban planning in Durban to balance the need of both the CBD and Umhlanga.

That is great news about Durban which has by far the biggest shortage of hotel rooms in the country.

I understand that Johannesburg is next in line after Cape Town to get a Taj Hotel which will be built at Melrose Arch. When I looked at a slideshow on the Taj website I got the impression they will open in Joburg in 2010, a year after their Cape flagship will open at the Mandela Rhodes Place. Didn't see Durban mentioned in it although the beachfront site next to Suncoast would be a prime site for it.

With regards to the ICC Arena hotel, what appears to be the holdup? They do have the infrastructure in place for it since it is close to the CBD?

There are 2 hotels at the ICC. The arena hotel will be rising soon as the area is cordoned off. The one i was speaking about is the 5 star hotel that forms part of DB's mixed use development across the road from the convention centre. I know they were buying additional land and seeking more bulk allowances, thats what i believe is holding it up...

This isn't good news that the CBD is being adversely affected like this. They need to do something to avoid the same mistakes that led to the flight of business to the suburbs that took place in Joburg in the 1980's and 1990's. Certainly Durban can learn from the success of the Cape Town Partnership as well as the ambitious plans already in place in Joburg to reverse inner city decay.

The CBD has not been forgotten, and as others have mentioned there are massive sums being pumped into the CBD. Dont forget its a large area that is considered cbd (just like joburg), certain areas are pristine and full of investment, others arent and frankly probably wont be for many years as they dont offer any benefits for investing in as they are not near the core areas. the core will rise first, then the outlaying sections

^^ I think that's a key point to remember. The area that's refered to as the CBD covers a large area and is not compact like CT's. The central CBD (city hall precinct) is doing well, the problem lies more in the outer sections.

The CBD has not been forgotten, and as others have mentioned there are massive sums being pumped into the CBD. Dont forget its a large area that is considered cbd (just like joburg), certain areas are pristine and full of investment, others arent and frankly probably wont be for many years as they dont offer any benefits for investing in as they are not near the core areas. the core will rise first, then the outlaying sections

The same can be said for Cape Town as there are rundown areas such as Culemborg and the eastern edge of the CBD while most of the investment in Cape Town's CBD is concentrated in western end and the foreshore area.

I reackon if they break ground on the Marriott at the beginning of next year (there is only 2 working weeks left in 2007) that they could have it complete by mid 2010.

They better start quick, theres still loads to do, Im not sure how long preping the land will take, but one can imagine, cutting & filling as well as piling could take a while. 2-3 months the most.

the only hotel sites held up besides this one were the Taj hotel next to suncoast and DB's ICC hotel.

The point hotels are all ago except for the ones on the beach (which were never planned to be ready for 2010 anyway). At present we have over 15 hotels under construction/approved in Durban, with a further 6 large ones a few steps from final approval.

I know we have a Durban hotel review section...

but Dysan1, PLS give us a quick short list (update) either here or on that thread of the 15 under construction/approved in Durban, together with names, size and sites... cos there's also a lot going on &... the competitors are not talking about...
eg. Protea Umhlanga, & the new one on-site at Gateway in today's mercury that d'boy tipped in the retail thread... (did you know about that it's a 130-key by Road Lodge) ....

There are 2 hotels at the ICC. The arena hotel will be rising soon as the area is cordoned off. The one i was speaking about is the 5 star hotel that forms part of DB's mixed use development across the road from the convention centre. I know they were buying additional land and seeking more bulk allowances, thats what i believe is holding it up...

Dysan1,

Can you do a new thread in the projects section on the new ICC Arena hotel that you said will be rising soon. Thanks.

Mosi

We need more info on them to start a thread Mosi, at the mo Mike knows more on whats happening on my project than I do :crazy:

Approval has now been given and work shall commence, expect cranes from march

Another icon for Durbs, these are good news.

Great news x2

good times for the ridge!

good times for the ridge!

The good times ur... not rolling yet....
I can't wait no more... where are the cranes?

Yes we need action, & we need it now, I cant see these project ready in time for 2010 if they dont start NOW!

Let me start by saying that what I'm about to write is obviously not the final word on this project. But...

A few weeks ago, I did two things:

1.) I e-mailed Marriott, telling them that I'm a huge soccer fan, that I would love to stay in a Marriott in SA in 2010, and could they give me information about Marriott hotels in SA, etc. The response stated that Marriott have no plans to build hotels in SA.

2.) I asked a neighbor who recently left Marriott HQ (it's located just a few miles from where I live) to ask his former colleagues about this project. It appears to be a pipe dream, as no one at HQ, including in international operations, has any information on it, apart from Notae's submission of an application to operate a Marriott franchise. That's it.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this project.

^^ interesting...we have not heard anything in a long while...i'll get chatting to my mates at Tongaat Dev.

Let me start by saying that what I'm about to write is obviously not the final word on this project. But...

A few weeks ago, I did two things:

1.) I e-mailed Marriott, telling them that I'm a huge soccer fan, that I would love to stay in a Marriott in SA in 2010, and could they give me information about Marriott hotels in SA, etc. The response stated that Marriott have no plans to build hotels in SA.

2.) I asked a neighbor who recently left Marriott HQ (it's located just a few miles from where I live) to ask his former colleagues about this project. It appears to be a pipe dream, as no one at HQ, including in international operations, has any information on it, apart from Notae's submission of an application to operate a Marriott franchise. That's it.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this project.

I wouldn't either given the financial crisis in the world right now. But I think that this project was canned as nothing has happened since 2006 and there has been no news about it since. And it certainly would not get built by the time of the WC 2010 even if it broke ground today. I'm not too impressed with the Notae website either since it looks cheesy and the group doesn't look like a serious investor either. Most likely will join the long list of Never Built tower projects in SA.

Marriott has made several plans for hotels in SA since 1994 and none has gotten off the ground. I can remember the one that was planned for Pretoria's Sammy Mark's Square in 1994 by an Asian investor but was shelved during the Asian meltdown of 1998. In Cape Town there was a plan to build one on the Roggebaai Canal with a black empowerment partner in 2003 but it was shelved in 2005 when Mfeketo was mayor.

On the reason why nothing has happend...

That is all due to the framework for Ridgeside needing to be passed by the eThekwini council. Previously everything was held up by the EIA. Those are lengthy processes. Now that both of those have been passed, Ridgeside is starting to progress.

However, further delays are expected (and this effects ALL of SA). The Eskom moratorium of 6 months on electricity supply to new developments will lead to the cancellation of many projects around SA (and has already started to do so).

On this specific project, i agree that the Notae group hardly look like top notch investors, and their website is terribly amatuer. HOWEVER, i spoke to people at Tongaat dev this am, and they stated that the site will still be developed as a resort hotel as the land has been transferred to a different developer, who is in discussions with both Marriot still and Kempinski. The site is only allowed to be developed as a 5 star resort tower hotel as that is what THC have had agreed in the framework plan...

So now that things are starting to get going on Ridgeside, i am sure we will hear more in the coming months

On the reason why nothing has happend...

That is all due to the framework for Ridgeside needing to be passed by the eThekwini council. Previously everything was held up by the EIA. Those are lengthy processes. Now that both of those have been passed, Ridgeside is starting to progress.

However, further delays are expected (and this effects ALL of SA). The Eskom moratorium of 6 months on electricity supply to new developments will lead to the cancellation of many projects around SA (and has already started to do so).

On this specific project, i agree that the Notae group hardly look like top notch investors, and their website is terribly amatuer. HOWEVER, i spoke to people at Tongaat dev this am, and they stated that the site will still be developed as a resort hotel as the land has been transferred to a different developer, who is in discussions with both Marriot still and Kempinski. The site is only allowed to be developed as a 5 star resort tower hotel as that is what THC have had agreed in the framework plan...

So now that things are starting to get going on Ridgeside, i am sure we will hear more in the coming months


I understand that this site would eventually developed into an hotel or apartments athough maybe not while the global recession is going on and if it went to a "different developer", I doubt it would be a Marriott and get the sense that in these rough times, that it would likely become a three or maybe four star hotel with a local group behind it.

Anyway this project might need to be flagged "Never Built" as nothing has happened and there is no new news about it being a Marriott Resort Complex.

the site is reserved for a 5 star resort hotel and will only be developed as such by the Tongaat Hulett development parameters.

I agree that we have heard no more on this one and getting infor has been difficult.

Bettiblue can you find anything out on this one???

I will provisionally put as never built, but there is alot of action on the site where this is to go up. it may not be for this hotel now, but only a hotel will be going up there.

And all 4 hotel sites in Ridgeside are for 4/5 star hotels only.

the site is reserved for a 5 star resort hotel and will only be developed as such by the Tongaat Hulett development parameters.

I agree that we have heard no more on this one and getting infor has been difficult.

Bettiblue can you find anything out on this one???

I will provisionally put as never built, but there is alot of action on the site where this is to go up. it may not be for this hotel now, but only a hotel will be going up there.

And all 4 hotel sites in Ridgeside are for 4/5 star hotels only.

Like elsewhere in SA, the demand will need to shift to three and two star hotels as there is already too many developments that are pushing five-star hotels despite the fact that the country does not have as high volume international traffic like Egypt or the Arabian Gulf region due to their closer proximity to key markets in European and Asian countries.

there is plenty of scope for 2 star elsewhere. I have just emailed my mates at THDev and will give you feedback on this shortly. in their 2008 mid year results the 80,000m2 resort development is noted as "solde, proceeding in 2009"

what does this mean?
(site under construction)
http://www.notaegroup.com/

could something be happening here?

it means they are updating their website. Lets see if anything comes of it.

The site they were going to have this marriot hotel on is definately going to be a resort hotel development, whether they are the final developers or not is debateable, but the land is reserved for this type of project, so it wont become offices or something else.

I heard through the great vine that this one is back on the cards as all systems are go…..looking to start detail design Q1 2011

Welcome to the boards! Interesting... Different brand and design I imagine? Site was always reserved for sole use as a resort hotel development

was trawling and came across the two following pages.

1) a Marriott document talking about the Durban hotel and noting 2012 - http://marriott2.typepad.com/files/print-version---mhr-brand-fact-sheet-2011.pdf

2) the following news article also mentioning it. I cant find anything else on the net... is it coming back?



Twice the Love for South Africa
written by Jorge Bastidas | Posted on December 6th, 2011

The advantageous combo of outdoor adventure, rich cultural diversity and cosmopolitan comforts has worked well for South Africa yet again, garnering the destination two important wins. For starters, this year marks the 10th straight time that Recommend readers recognize this hotspot as the Sexiest Romance/Honeymoon Destination in Africa.

The reason, explains South African Tourism’s trade relations manager Virginia Dionisio, is because there is nothing ho-hum about the romance options that the country conjures up. “South Africa isn’t your cliche honeymoon and romance destination—it’s a transformational experience that will keep a couple engaged from the moment they step off the plane,” she says. “The memories of ziplining in the lush African forests of the Eastern Cape, finding artisanal treasures in local farmers’ markets in Johannesburg, whale watching on stunning beaches along the Garden Route, and dancing at the swankiest lounges in Cape Town will leave lasting impressions on their memories and hearts.”

The country’s offerings for visitors just got a little more generous. Now, when they spend time in Cape Town, they will be able to say they saw one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature. Last month, Table Mountain became one of the seven wondrous locations to make it into the list, out of approximately 440.

Recommend readers also gave South Africa top prize for the sixth time in a row as the Best Selling Destination in Africa—a feat managed, according to South African Tourism, by transcending tourism boundaries through a unique array of offerings: a far-reaching history, “heart-stopping” safaris, fine wines of great heritage, vibrant cuisine and more. In addition, says the tourism office, dramatic improvements in infrastructure, telecommunications, airport upgrades, and cutting-edge transportation systems have also made South Africa a destination on par with other leading destinations. But much of this success also goes to the tourism entity’s programs; among these is the popular FUNDI independent study course online that, upon completion, allows agents to become a qualified FUNDI and more effectively sell the destination.

Next year, South African Tourism is set to unveil the next phase of “20 Experiences in 10 Days,” a global advertising campaign that selects one lucky couple to explore the vast regions of South Africa. Additionally, the tourism entity will launch “Rekindlation,” a marketing initiative geared toward couples seeking a memorable getaway to fan the flames of passion through exhilarating experiences.

Next year also brings new properties to South Africa, including the Durban Marriott Hotel and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cape Town Blaauwberg, with quick access to great beaches and dramatic views of Table Mountain. The year 2013, meanwhile, will welcome the Park Inn Polokwane, the third Park Inn by Radisson hotel in the country and the first in the province of Limpopo, a major economic center. And then there is the Radisson Blu Safari Resort, set to open in 2014 by Kruger National Park.

It is also noted on the Marriott website as a new 2012 hotel with 162 rooms

http://news.marriott.com/marriott-hotels-and-resorts.html

BUT i cant find anything else. no site location, no renders, nothing