* Section for discussing and posting photos of Sandton.

Hello You All
Do you think if the corporations could be persuaded to take down their fences (we could add a little more street security): you would like to go for this walk at lunchtime?
Say from the corner of Maude and Rivonia, through Nedbank's rolling gardens, check out their beautiful art collection on the way, maybe hear some great music in one of their fine courtyards while you eat a samie on a bench and then stroll from there all the way through the JSE's spot, grab a cuppa coffee at Vida, through 24 Central, through Primedia, through IDC - not you are walking through not past or around - all the way to the lovely park on the corner of Sandton Drive and Grayston where you can spend the afternoon with your blueberry?

Howdy hoo ClingFoil... welcome. Where you from?

I think you have a fantastic idea there. Sandton Central has gone a long way towards creating the type of environment you have envisaged, but they can of course only go as far as the businesses will allow them. Nedbank has indeed stunning gardens (although I have heard that these will be replaced by more buildings - anyone heard more of this?), but if they could keep the gardens, and open it up to the public, I think it would make a fantastic place for corporates to socialise during the day and during the night.

Audi Joburg Fashion Week starts today on the Square...

http://www.sandtoncentral.co.za/images/newsletter/audi_fash_thumb_alt.jpg

Audi Joburg Fashion Week is South Africa's first Autumn Winter fashion week, featuring the country's top designers previewing their winter season collections in 16 fashion shows to the media, buyers, clients and the general public. The show takes place from 14th - 17th February on Nelson Mandela Square and tickets are available from Computicket for R55 each. There are only limited tickets per show, so purchases should be made sooner rather than later. For information visit www.nelsonmandelasquare.co.za.The official after party is at the Fashion TV Café in Sandton Central.

Unless your security is really good, i dont think the companies will go for it...additionally the removal of all these fences will mean the companies will have to spend extra on upgrading their other security access points, as well as increase the presence of their own securty personelle at all other points that would now be under threat of entry from the criminal element...i am a pro south african individual, but you have got to realise that alot of those companies deal in confidential information and the fences are not just there for show...


added to this, alot of these amazing gardes jhave little nooks and crannies that are easy to hide out in, dont think it will take long before we have the homeless and whatnot making use of these prestine surroundings...:)

there is also the question of ownership, with pedestrians passing through the gardens now, the companies have no control over who does what, littering proliferates inn south africa, no offence ppl but we have no respect for the sanctum that is our country, ppl just throw rubbish away, this would have to be and extra cost that the companies would have to cover, they would also lose motivation to maintain these gardens are being private little hideaways are what inspired them in the first place...

thryve while i would love for such to happen, the social situation within south africa and pure economics of the situation would mean that this idea would not be implemented for a very long time... there is no benefit to the comanies involved...

Well I say we should still try and encourage everyone. The idea of access is clearly motivated in the new urban design framework for the Sandton Central District and there's more than one serious bottom-line orientated type who is determined to see a fence or two fly ... there's about 80 trained safety ambassadors on the streets in the area doing a really good job. So they can add a few. A change of heart from a sceptic could do the trick ....

I understand that we are not used to it. That the bank's would probably have a heart attack. That it is highly unlikely and all that. But oy vey you know, you could be making another billion on the JSE when an aeroplane flies in through your reception and before you know it, you'll be thinking, that's a nice view I can see from where I'm falling, how come I never went for a walk over thereeeeeeee? How come I been spending most of my life here and I didn't know it was so green and beautiful? By the time you realise it was because of the fences your life might be kaput. So:

If someobody walks into your office lobbying for a mad change, say yes man of course, how much money do you need? How can I help? Let's go for a walk and talk.

Howdy hoo ClingFoil... welcome. Where you from?

I think you have a fantastic idea there.

Can't find the intro thread. Feel like a dork and I'm not one. Not normally.

Can't find the intro thread. Feel like a dork and I'm not one. Not normally.

Intro Thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199868&page=16)

There you go, its in the "MAIN SECTION"

Sandton Central:

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nice pics

Damn, those are the best pictures i have seen in a while, Inertia of Sandton. You are obviously a pro and had professional kit to do this. Were you flying over the city?

Most of the photos were taken on top of either the Michelangelo or Sandton City tower. Cant take credit for them though, got them off www.sandtoncentral.co.za

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbSuburbs/Sandton/SandtonSun.jpg

http://www.bookinafrica.com/images-product/hotels-sandton-sun-exterior-7424-MAIN.jpg

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbSuburbs/Sandton/SandtonSep2004b.jpg

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbSuburbs/Sandton/SandtonFountains02.jpg

http://www.sandtoncentral.co.za/images/sandton_home_02.jpg

http://www1.autistici.org/isblack//gallery/album/2002_08_26/2608_sandton_entrata.jpg

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/pics23/sandton.jpg

Those pics. posted are absolutely wonderful!!!

Hopefully Sandton will embrace urbanism more and more into the future. The little urbanism it does have (street facing retail, urban sidewalks, etc.) is done very nicely--- there just needs to be more of it. :)

Great pics!

http://wiredgecko.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/streets_of_sandton.jpg

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbLandmarks/Skyscrapers/Forum.jpg

http://www.mdsarch.co.za/assets/retail/sandton_big.gif
^ sandton mall

http://www.amethyst.co.za/JhbLandmarks/Skyscrapers/FredmanTowers.jpg
^ Fredman Towers

http://www2.ru.ac.za/gallery/albums/brainshare04/IMG_2408.sized.jpg

whats happening on that funny corner plot next to sandton square opposite the Sandton sun and the sandton towers hotels?

The one infront of the convention center?

Thanx for the pic's Inertia, really cool stuff, but the emperor is missing from that skyline, dont think it was up that time. & it is a bit to the left.

those are the best pics of sandton i've seen on the net

na its on the corner of maude and 5th, Its a strange shaped little site. look on pic two above of Sandton and you see it all hoarded up

Sandton City continues to go crazy with cranes (just on this side of the city, i can see 6 cranes)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/431783498_b13cf99d95_o.jpg

^^Hey my cuz works there in Discovery

Inertia,great pics of Sandton:okay:


I wanted to take some pics of Sandton when I was in SA recently,but couldn't find a nice spot.

One thing though I don't understand: one evening I wanted to eat at a Thai restaurant @ Nelson Mandela Sq.They had a dress code>>>>>>>>>>OMG!!!!! Since when do you need to dress up to eat Thai,what's next....dress up to go to eat at the Spur???? So weird?? :doh:

This was in Nelson Mandela Square, as you pointed out... Question answered. This is not a "jeans and tekkies" type of place 'tjom'...

This was in Nelson Mandela Square, as you pointed out... Question answered. This is not a "jeans and tekkies" type of place 'tjom'...

Just a question: In 2010,World Cup Soccer,how many soccer fans are going to take their Armani Suits with them???....hmm just a thought.

By the way:when I was at the V&A Waterfront in CT,I ate @ award winning restaurants,wearing my jeans and "tekkies"....'tjom'.So much snobism in "Senton".Why?

Just a question: In 2010,World Cup Soccer,how many soccer fans are going to take their Armani Suits with them???....hmm just a thought.

By the way:when I was at the V&A Waterfront in CT,I ate @ award winning restaurants,wearing my jeans and "tekkies"....'tjom'.So much snobism in "Senton".Why?

I lived around here for a while, and i can tell you most restaurants in the Nelson Mandela square didn't really care how you are dressed. Its probably just this particular restaurant that have issues. I have been to The Butcher, Fashion TV cafe, Legotla and a few other restaurants in my jeans and slippers without much problem. So don't worry too much about that. Also come the world cup, things will most likely be a whole lot different even at this Armani suit restaurant. :) I even went to Michelangelo in my shorts the other time!

Yeah i've never really had a problem... all depends on the crowd. Perhaps if you rocked up in shorts at a restaurant in Sandton (like La Cunard, for instance) full of corporates, then because one might look glaringly out of place, one would dress accordingly. But I have never known anyone to be bounced from a restaurant for attire... And definitely not Wang Thai.

Incidently, next time you come you must go to Soi on 7th Avenue in Melville. It's IMO the best restaurant in Joburg... owned by the same people who own Wang Thai, it has even better Vietnamese/Thai food. And the crowd is kewl too.

Just a question: In 2010,World Cup Soccer,how many soccer fans are going to take their Armani Suits with them???....hmm just a thought.

By the way:when I was at the V&A Waterfront in CT,I ate @ award winning restaurants,wearing my jeans and "tekkies"....'tjom'.So much snobism in "Senton".Why?

I have no idea, i don't hang out there for exactly these reasons.

Well cetain parts of german cities also have strict dress rules so i dont see how it affects "WC visitors". And hey i like it when places have a dress rule, its ok as long as they inform you first, so you can be the judge

The main reason why I didn't want to eat @ our hotel was,well just to experience some Asian cuisine in Africa.The other people I was with were in the mood for Thai cuisine.
At the end we went back to the hotel and had a scrumptious dinner @ La Belle Terrasse @ the hotel.

Just wanted to know.Thanks for all the replies. :)

Well cetain parts of german cities also have strict dress rules so i dont see how it affects "WC visitors". And hey i like it when places have a dress rule, its ok as long as they inform you first, so you can be the judge

OH MY! This must be a first... we agree on something! LOL

Kulani, from Cnr Main and Republic road Im counting eleven crains bro. These are really great news for Sandton. Mind you this is from one side only.

Well cetain parts of german cities also have strict dress rules so i dont see how it affects "WC visitors". And hey i like it when places have a dress rule, its ok as long as they inform you first, so you can be the judge

I dont mind those places, gives me an opportunity to wear my suit's thats collecting dust in the cupboard

Just a question: In 2010,World Cup Soccer,how many soccer fans are going to take their Armani Suits with them???....hmm just a thought.

By the way:when I was at the V&A Waterfront in CT,I ate @ award winning restaurants,wearing my jeans and "tekkies"....'tjom'.So much snobism in "Senton".Why?

clubs in CT are pretty strict with regards to dress code...but then again if u're VIP its no problem :)

clubs in CT are pretty strict with regards to dress code...but then again if u're VIP its no problem :)

I honestly think that if you don't like the "fancy" dresscode at an establishment, then stay away... there has to be a certain level of standards kept.

OH MY! This must be a first... we agree on something! LOL

haha! i like to dress up and look good. i hate going to a smart place but someone is there with their tennis shoes on! thats why i like places that have a dress code, makes the ambience so much better.

And hey, we dont disagree on everything, just some elements of the gautrain...not all elements :)

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heard some insane gossip today. Apparenntly the council in Sandton has before them plans for a 60F and a 80F tower and have recieved favourable feedback so far. Could this be the start of the breakout of the sprawl mindset????????

im out for the count...

holycrappamoly! 80F!

heard some insane gossip today. Apparenntly the council in Sandton has before them plans for a 60F and a 80F tower and have recieved favourable feedback so far. Could this be the start of the breakout of the sprawl mindset????????


omg omg omg omg omg :D

You bring music to my ears!

are you sure?it does not make sense to me what with rampant inflation in cost of building and massive skills shortages in the sector combined with the fact that the major SA builders have full order books until after 2010. They would have to be darn sure of filling the towers at very high rents to even consider such a project. Also imagine the impact on the traffic in Sandton which is already nbearable?

I don't think it's feasible as rents haven't kept up with rampant cost escalation on projects. Such a project on that scale is unlikely in Sandton or even Johannesburg CBD before 2020 or 2025. I think that we are looking at 20-30 floor towers going up in the foreseeable future. Nothing over 140-150 metres.

OK I like to dress up as well.So I must remember in future to dress up when visiting Sandton.Great!!!!



:bowtie: :bowtie: :bowtie:

haha! i like to dress up and look good. i hate going to a smart place but someone is there with their tennis shoes on! thats why i like places that have a dress code, makes the ambience so much better.

And hey, we dont disagree on everything, just some elements of the gautrain...not all elements :)


:bowtie: :bowtie: :bowtie:

The 60F building has been on the cards for quite a while now.. First i hear of the 80F building tho..

IMO a 60F tower in the next few years can be feasible, there is hardly any office space left in Sandton, and residential in the CBD is still going strong. What with the Gautrain and sandton's new spatial framework policies, everything is gonna start going upwards nowadays, so this could indeed become a reality very soon..

^^ I understand Mike's skepticism re the project, but perhaps it's just time that office rents start to skyrocket? Sandton has some of the lowest office rentals in the world, and the reason is that businesses are housing themselves in squats that, although are cheaper to them personally, result in higher costs for the entire province and/or country.

But Mike is right.. whether businesses will suck it up and pay higher rentals is doubtful. Also, don't forget that there is still quite a large amount of empty office space in the city - if rents increase, chances are that businesses will just go back to the CBD. Or maybe they'll move to Cape Town or Durban. It's risky stuff..

Personally i think the idea of 60F and 80F towers in Sandton is just stupid at this point in time. They would look ridiculous with the majority of buildings not even topping 8F. The disparity in height would surely already count them out?

Sandton should rather concentrate on developing a good cluster of 25-35F towers and then once a sizable number (6-8) are up, then go for the higher bracket (40-60F). At this point in time it just seems wrong to go that high. and that is without discussing costs.

Regards rents. Rents throughout South Africa's main cities are rising rapidly. New space in Umhlanga is even coming on at R130/m2, so i dont see R200/m2 that many years away with the rapid cost rises of new builds.

an 80F building in Sandton will look abit like this.

http://omems2007.itrc.org.tw/taipei101.jpg

yeah a bit stupid looking...

I agree with you guys a cluster of 25 to 30 floors will for sure be right for Sandton, even though traffic will worsten.

And if an 80 floor was planned for ballito all would go nuts

^^ oh F*ck off u tool. sometimes i wonder if your brain waves work correctly

I think 80f could work. A cluster of 30 f buildings would be better, but one cant control everything. I just hope that the design is modern and not post modern like the Michelangelo tower.

well its from the archotects mouth and have also seen about 3 new 25-35 schemes for Sandton including a gorgousd light blue glass, curved towert with a tapering top, reallyt chineese looking.
App[arrently the coucil has endored through a rates and tax insentive (which makes these toweers viable) a new path for the city. The towers are all due to be mixed use with one either a Four Season or a St Regis/Ritz Carlton.
I can only tell you what I have heard and seen
oh forgot apparently the 60F is also U/C but we have heard and seen nothing?????

^^ oh F*ck off u tool. sometimes i wonder if your brain waves work correctly

a little hostile? hehe... I believe they are working rather correctly, unfortunately not always coherently. I understand jozi people being hostile, but if durbanites/ethikwinians/fidelcastrodians/anccitians/whatsthenewnameofthisplace get aggressive, we are all f#####... but I will assume that you are only upset because of the current situation. All in good fun mate. All in good fun.

What's that about a 60f one under construction? hectic. Must be news to everyone in Sandton... What will it be called? Colossos Invisiable? The only new construction site i know of is the Maude Street Seers site (they are busy digging the basement). The Isle will be 21 storeys apparently. No idea what the floor count for the new holiday inn will be. And then in Fredman street a 7floor was demolished just a while back. To make way for something taller than 7floors of course.

And if an 80 floor was planned for ballito all would go nuts

I stand by my argument... I am noticing that a couple of people are severely critical of every development that is not in their particular city. All new developments within most-loved city limits are obviously revered and worshipped. But bigger outside developments are blasted for being too small, too big, too tall, too kitch, too bling, too boring, too unsustainable, too visionary, too far away from certain cities, etc. etc.

I am of course not saying that a 80f would look great in Sandton. That is besides the point. But I can tell you now that if this development rumour was out in certain other cities, multiple orgasisms and bragging sessions would inevitably follow. Fact: In the whole of South Africa only Johannesburg can contimplate building office buildings of 40floors and up. We are not building holiday flats here... I know that is a harsh comment to make - but if you pee on my kazoo, I will pee on yours!

All in good fun
I mean hey, at least we have a construction boom in the country... And your opinion is your opinion. you are allowed to think a 80f would look crap in Sandton. I am allowed to disagree.

oh forgot apparently the 60F is also U/C but we have heard and seen nothing?????


REALLY? fuck i need to find more out! we haven't seen anything! maybe it's the Seers?


App[arrently the coucil has endored through a rates and tax insentive (which makes these toweers viable) a new path for the city. The towers are all due to be mixed use with one either a Four Season or a St Regis/Ritz Carlton.


omg omg omg omg. Giles you is rox.

Can you not get these schemes that you saw up on here?

And who friggin cares how odd a 60F would look? I'm quite sure our eyes will adjust.

I am noticing that a couple of people are severely critical of every development that is not in their particular city.


tis true... and we all know it.

im off to jeddah now to play with my 77F tower there but will try to find out more on my return

I am all for highrise, bring them on. Everything has a beginning. So instead of lambasting the developers for not waiting until there is enough clusters of 25-30 floors, i welcome their bold move. Maybe the 25-30 floors will immediately follow once they have seen this plans to develop 60-80 floor buildings.:banana:

An 60-80F building will be amazing to see in sandton. i understand the difficulties invoved but we all ready have a number of 20-30F projects in the pipes, like the seers, sandton Boulevard towers and a couple more. plus now i hear theyre moving on with the seers, so i say the more the merrier!!:nuts:

UNDER CONSTRUCTION? I really cant believe that. how on earth would no one have noticed it!

I agree with you guys that we need to have more 30f stuff going up before an 8Of beast.

dont get me wrong Im not critical cos after all Jozi is still kinda my city as im here 3 times a week and I have a place up here (infact Im writing from melrose now) Perhaps im questioning it cos I dont want to be upset when it does not go ahead!!!!!

BTW KomSakkie what are you doing in Oxford? Are you at university? I was at Oxford (Somerville College) for three years. It is the most magical place!

Ive had my fair share of friction with some people in some coastal cities as well, and, just like projects such as the Gautrain, they always have some reason as to why it is apparently a crap idea... And i have to agree with you on this one Jakes1, if someone decided to build a 60-80F tower in the sugarcane fields, those people would think it is a marvellous idea..... just get used to it, coz i dont think its going to change.

Honestly, I dont think that having a 60F building in Sandton is going to look so terribly ridiculous. I am sure we will be able to deal with this.

So, if it should happen... yay yay yay!

yup if it goes ahead it will be AWESOME!! But im being cautious because it will be a real bummer if it does not go ahead!

BTW KomSakkie what are you doing in Oxford? Are you at university? I was at Oxford (Somerville College) for three years. It is the most magical place!

I moved here round 9 months ago i guess, just finishing up college before i move back to SA in 2 years, I dont know about magical the winter almost killed me and the tourists are begining to pis me off! :bash: these head things are real good fun.

Lets forget about the 60-80F as there is trouble even getting a 30F built there. It will not be built in Sandton anytime soon. Not least because the infrastructure in the North Metro area is not in place such as adequate roads and sewage networks and there are sporadic power blackouts too!

And that is not considering the fact that while office rents are increasing they are still off a low base compared to major cities like London and Paris. Besides the increase in yield will not compensate for the rapid increase in building costs. Such a building would cost at least R3 billion and I doubt there are many people willing to put down that huge sum, even the big insurance and institutional investors.

It would actually be better to put up a building of that size in Braamfontein near the CBD where there is the infrastructure in place but the market in the CBD area is much lower than in Sandton and still has many years to go to recover from 3 decades of real decline and stagnation.

Ive had my fair share of friction with some people in some coastal cities as well, and, just like projects such as the Gautrain, they always have some reason as to why it is apparently a crap idea... And i have to agree with you on this one Jakes1, if someone decided to build a 60-80F tower in the sugarcane fields, those people would think it is a marvellous idea..... just get used to it, coz i dont think its going to change.

Honestly, I dont think that having a 60F building in Sandton is going to look so terribly ridiculous. I am sure we will be able to deal with this.

So, if it should happen... yay yay yay!

There is a development in the canefields of KZN at Umhlanga and it's called The Palms of Umhlanga and it has a 43F tower amoung three smaller ones planned but alot of people in that area do not think it's a swift idea given the lack of infrastructure in place and I doubt the 43F will be built before the end of the decade. Maybe 10 years from now.

There is a development in the canefields of KZN at Umhlanga and it's called The Palms of Umhlanga and it has a 43F tower amoung three smaller ones planned but alot of people in that area do not think it's a swift idea given the lack of infrastructure in place and I doubt the 43F will be built before the end of the decade. Maybe 10 years from now.

Magical!

So is the 60/80F gossip or not?



the million dollar question? who knows?
at least its woken a few of us up

Such a building will cost R3billion, but take in mind that their are quite a few billion rand investments around the city. The new absa campus will cost R1,3billion, melrose arch is also a multi-billion rand investment. And the gautrain will make sandton the first link to OR Tambo, very strategic for any international businessman indeed. Hotels are there, the will is there to make sandton an attractive destination. It has a lot of advantages that other areas in jozi can only dream of...

The only constraint to such real skyscrapers at this stage? Building costs and availability of material in my view. But the Seers is on the way up, site has been cleared, and at least that promises to be 25 to 30floors. I know they are building 40f places in the sugarcane fields... Are those offices? Or holiday flats? Remember mosi, jozi has a different economy from the coastal areas. Sandton is def a better link when compared to braamies or the cbd. But I do agree that infrastructure is lacking, but this is the case all over jozi, not only in sandton. Without this supporting infrastructure being upgraded there will be now supertalls in jozi any time soon.

I am very very sceptical about the proposed 60f. But a few 30f's wont hurt.

The Seers, is that business or accommodation?

Such a building will cost R3billion, but take in mind that their are quite a few billion rand investments around the city. The new absa campus will cost R1,3billion, melrose arch is also a multi-billion rand investment. And the gautrain will make sandton the first link to OR Tambo, very strategic for any international businessman indeed. Hotels are there, the will is there to make sandton an attractive destination. It has a lot of advantages that other areas in jozi can only dream of...

The only constraint to such real skyscrapers at this stage? Building costs and availability of material in my view. But the Seers is on the way up, site has been cleared, and at least that promises to be 25 to 30floors. I know they are building 40f places in the sugarcane fields... Are those offices? Or holiday flats? Remember mosi, jozi has a different economy from the coastal areas. Sandton is def a better link when compared to braamies or the cbd. But I do agree that infrastructure is lacking, but this is the case all over jozi, not only in sandton. Without this supporting infrastructure being upgraded there will be now supertalls in jozi any time soon.

I am very very sceptical about the proposed 60f. But a few 30f's wont hurt.

True that, even MichelAngelo cost close to R1 billion. So its not unthinkable that someone may have decided to capitalize on the Gautrain development and all the infrastructure upgrades by going 60-80F. But one wish they could at least build a few more dual carriageway roads or even a highway that can feed directly into the Sandton CBD, to help ease traffic congestion. Of course the Gautrain is going to ease traffic if people are convinced to jump into the train and ditch their cars but still the fact that Rivonia, Grayston, Sandton Drive remain the only real roads into Sandton is reason for the heavy traffic congestion in Sandton while the only nearest motorway is the M1.

Perhaps an even more bold move would be to remove all the traffic lights on the William Nicol even perhaps all the way to Joburg, on Jan Smuts and turn it into a motorway by building overpasses. This could go a long way in resolving the chaotic traffic from Fourways to Sandton and Joburg. (I am sure the residents along that road would put up a big fight)

Such a building will cost R3billion, but take in mind that their are quite a few billion rand investments around the city. The new absa campus will cost R1,3billion, melrose arch is also a multi-billion rand investment. And the gautrain will make sandton the first link to OR Tambo, very strategic for any international businessman indeed. Hotels are there, the will is there to make sandton an attractive destination. It has a lot of advantages that other areas in jozi can only dream of...

The only constraint to such real skyscrapers at this stage? Building costs and availability of material in my view. But the Seers is on the way up, site has been cleared, and at least that promises to be 25 to 30floors. I know they are building 40f places in the sugarcane fields... Are those offices? Or holiday flats? Remember mosi, jozi has a different economy from the coastal areas. Sandton is def a better link when compared to braamies or the cbd. But I do agree that infrastructure is lacking, but this is the case all over jozi, not only in sandton. Without this supporting infrastructure being upgraded there will be now supertalls in jozi any time soon.

I am very very sceptical about the proposed 60f. But a few 30f's wont hurt.

The Seers is still not yet a go. Even if they clear the land, it can stay that way for five years without any activity. The problem with getting new developments going is that there is an oversupply of apartments in Sandton that will last for five years while the national economy is slowing down due to the threats of recession in the United States. Aside from that it was only two years ago that four new develpments in Sandton were canned because of viablility. Also read that the Lincoln in Melrose Arch is also being canned as a result of rising inflationary costs.

I think it is unlikely that the Seers will get built before the end of the decade.

True that, even MichelAngelo cost close to R1 billion. So its not unthinkable that someone may have decided to capitalize on the Gautrain development and all the infrastructure upgrades by going 60-80F. But one wish they could at least build a few more dual carriageway roads or even a highway that can feed directly into the Sandton CBD, to help ease traffic congestion. Of course the Gautrain is going to ease traffic if people are convinced to jump into the train and ditch their cars but still the fact that Rivonia, Grayston, Sandton Drive remain the only real roads into Sandton is reason for the heavy traffic congestion in Sandton while the only nearest motorway is the M1.

Perhaps an even more bold move would be to remove all the traffic lights on the William Nicol even perhaps all the way to Joburg, on Jan Smuts and turn it into a motorway by building overpasses. This could go a long way in resolving the chaotic traffic from Fourways to Sandton and Joburg. (I am sure the residents along that road would put up a big fight)

I do not think there will be more motorways as both the ANC led Gauteng and city governments are anti-car and are more interested in grandiose schemes like Gautrain that are not appropriate as the poor won't afford to ride it. The only hope is to see a change of leadership in 2009 that will be more realistic about the need for more motorways. I do agree there need to be more motorways in this part of the city instead of the one, N1 Motorway that was built in the 1950's.

The Seers is still not yet a go.


No. It is a go. We drive past it everyday. They're laying foundations.


The problem with getting new developments going is that there is an oversupply of apartments in Sandton that will last for five years


Really? Do you have a source for this sweeping statement?


Also read that the Lincoln in Melrose Arch is also being canned as a result of rising inflationary costs.


Again. A source would be nice. Half of Melrose Arch is one huge construction site.


do not think there will be more motorways as both the ANC led Gauteng and city governments are anti-car and are more interested in grandiose schemes like Gautrain that are not appropriate as the poor won't afford to ride it.


I'm quite glad that they're anti-car. Weirdly enough, most cities are anti-car these days, since they recognise the need to reduce pollution and create density. And developers are also starting to recognise this, which is why Rosebank and Sandton are beginning to see many more high-rise and mixed-use projects coming along.

No. It is a go. We drive past it everyday. They're laying foundations.



Really? Do you have a source for this sweeping statement?



Again. A source would be nice. Half of Melrose Arch is one huge construction site.



I'm quite glad that they're anti-car. Weirdly enough, most cities are anti-car these days, since they recognise the need to reduce pollution and create density. And developers are also starting to recognise this, which is why Rosebank and Sandton are beginning to see many more high-rise and mixed-use projects coming along.

Good news to hear about the Seers development that it is going ahead.

Look at the Projects section. I made a new posting regarding the Lincoln. Also I do not post just bad news. I made new posts about the construction progress at the Gautrain as well as the new ABSA Towers West office block in the CBD.

As regarding the lack of highways, I'm aware of the need to reduce pollution, that is why the freeways in Joburg should not be de-facto parking lots as they are right now. Joburg has more pollution than does US cities which have five times more freeways per person than do Joburg and other SA cities which are just as bad. The problem is that there hasn't been any major new freeways built in the last 25 years despite the fact that there is almost two times the number of registered vehicle on them. You can just as well blame the old apartheid regime for this pathetic state of affairs as the ANC inherited the infrastructural backlogs 13 years ago. In Gauteng alone there are more than two million cars, trucks, buses on the streets and it is high time that the ANC addresses the need for an efficient transport system that takes this into account by constructing new moterways and roadways.

some more pictures of Sandton

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/174/479918849_b18a659a1a_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/479918863_9154f86953_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/219/479918835_af1919f23b_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/479884456_f2b6f24480_b.jpg

The Seers is still not yet a go. Even if they clear the land, it can stay that way for five years without any activity. The problem with getting new developments going is that there is an oversupply of apartments in Sandton that will last for five years while the national economy is slowing down due to the threats of recession in the United States. Aside from that it was only two years ago that four new develpments in Sandton were canned because of viablility. Also read that the Lincoln in Melrose Arch is also being canned as a result of rising inflationary costs.

I think it is unlikely that the Seers will get built before the end of the decade.

The lincoln is officially a no-show. But I think that just goes to show that high-rise apartment buildings are very dangerous ground in SA. When I spoke to the guys developing the seers, they said that the retail and office development is the bulk of the project, they are only looking into a possibility of residential (if at all). Sandton is hit hard by building costs, and developers are struggling to make money, esp with residential. So the Seers will prob only be an office development. And they are busy digging the basement, it is fenced off. But if it will be the same as the renders we saw - that remains the question. Skyrocketing building costs might just make the design even more conservative, and lop a few floors off the top. One never knows. But here's hoping we see a decent office development at least.

Excellent photos of Sandton! It really looks lovely, refreshing, orderly and it is very neat!

http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/8ae65c11b9eda31dd02c2afa1c04a8ea/DSC00834.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Sandton, the area around the Stock Exchange

http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/dff1baeca780eaee2a16183b1ea972be/DSC00833.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Work progressing on the Sandton Isle, the New Holiday Inn and the Gautrain.

http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/347e778fea1fde64e6da421d514ddf1b/DSC00832.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Sandton Isle

Work progressing on the Sandton Isle, the New Holiday Inn and the Gautrain.


That definitely has to be the site of the new Radisson, neh?

Rezidor to open a new Radisson in Johannesburg
http://www.boarding.no/art.asp?id=26462

The Rezidor Hotel Group arrives in South Africa’s largest city Johannesburg: In late 2008, the company will open the new Radisson Sandton, Johannesburg – located in the upmarket business district Sandton north of the city centre, featuring 256 rooms and 27 suites. The hotel will be a landmark in town and synonymous with the generation of Radisson’s “new breed” hotels.


- South Africa is an upcoming destination for business and leisure travellers”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group.

- The government has prioritised tourism as a key economic sector, and international arrivals increase continuously – we are expecting new heights in 2010 when the country hosts the FIFA World Cup.

- With the existing Radisson and Park Inn hotels in Cape Town, as well as the recently signed Radisson hotel in Port Elizabeth, this marks another milestone of the development and commitment of The Rezidor Hotel Group in South Africa.

The Radisson Sandton, owned by Sandton Isle (Pty) LTD, will be located close to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the Convention Centre, some of the country’s best shopping malls and golf courses; the international airport is 18 kilometers away. Services of the property will include a restaurant with wine tower bar, 8 conference rooms, a pool and a sundeck. Guests will also have direct access to a Planet Fitness Platinum flagship gym and a wellness health spa.

Sandton has become the new financial centre of South Africa and is Africa’s premier business centre. Furthermore, it is home to the Sandton Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centres on the continent and primary site of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (also known as "Rio + 10"), which Johannesburg hosted.

Sandton Isle going up, from another angle. Parking lot is at 10 storeys now.http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/aa17bfa07ce1e8a8f0ab880dcf7686ef/DSC00660.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

The MichealangeloTowers, at night
URL=http://picspirate.com]http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/53c624f90354f65c3a7672f0cb2ed05a/DSC00638.JPG[/URL]

Intercontinental
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/e90761fedaf79b8544806b1968dfaf84/DSC00641.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Towers, Forum and Convention Centre from Street Level
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/f9ed7ec8fa6c87d0e71062072de9aa88/DSC00643.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

A nice cluster
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/3d11c462d8bade37de475c576483aa86/DSC00644.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

The Towers as seen from the mall
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/5230b2e148fff077c022bf5d72d4516d/DSC00828.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Inside the Intercontinental
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/7a949c54c56b5a393fb4840642880859/DSC00822.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Tiny koi pond at the bottom
http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/62255f1a0bdf03bd04c01a7b8e969d01/DSC00821.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

New Apartments topping out(older pics)

http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/03f361f8ea06d7e52502e270d82f038c/DSC00659.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Maude Street...

http://picspirate.com/img123/img47/4dd952bf08668ef1a2dacd6b0b79e753/DSC00640.JPG (http://picspirate.com)

Apologies about the bad quality of the night shots... But all pics were taken with my old cellphone, so not the best. But it gives an idea... at least.

Is that constrution work the Sandhurst Towers ^^

Is the Sandton Isle still under construction because ithought that it was going to be around 16 floors. im not 100% but thats what i thought:ohno:

Well we thought it had stopped, because for a long time the development just retained the Aston Martin dealership. But now that Radisson is coming to Sandton, we're thinking that it'll be atop Sandton Isle, because it doesn't make sense to build a 10-storey parking lot for nothing..

Is that constrution work the Sandhurst Towers ^^


That is indeed the Sandhurst Towers, and from what we have heard Sandton Isle will be around 20f. Not confirmed though...

Jakes how many building ar planned and/or approved that are 20f plus in Sandton?

Jakes how many building ar planned and/or approved that are 20f plus in Sandton?

No idea pule... I hope the sandton isle will clear 20f. The Seers, if built, should clear it as well... But apart from that Im not sure.

Hydro - 14f
Sandhurst - 18f
The Place - 9f
Sunset Towers - 11f
An office building next to Sandhurst - 7f

Those are the only ones I can think of now off the top of my head...

Holiday Inn - ?f
Investec extension - ?f
Offices in Grayston - ?f
Sandton Isle - ?f

The top ones look promising, but no idea concerning floors

Isnt there somthing called the The Regent which is about 12F. I think its on West road?

I drove past the site the other day for the Regent.. it was dark, so couldn't see much, but the sign was still up and the land was cleared with construction stuff inside, so i'm assuming it's still going ahead..

Isnt there somthing called the The Regent which is about 12F. I think its on West road?


Yip, I believe this one is still a go... My list isn't definative, I just tried to think of all the developments that I could keep track of
!

I read something about a developement called the Sandown Isle i dont know weather they were confusing it with the Sandton Isle. Said to be round 16F and started construction in 2006. I have my doughts

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010059.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010060.jpg


http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/P1010061.jpg

Originally posted by StormShadow

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/109/254268900_d673a3554f_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/188/419044957_bec1a78d2c_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/419044800_5ef2f1b02e_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/134/419038152_a145bf4ae4_b.jpg

Think its the regent or regeant or how ever you spell it.. Just a hole at the mo..

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/martsbra/DSC00387.jpg

regent

so what is it?

The regent is that building that looks similar to the emporer but with 3 or so triangular shaped roofs (japanese style-ish) and not the dome..I looked for it in the projects section but its not there/i missed it..

It should be there.. I distinctly remember posting it...

I am blind mice

Hmmm.. maybe we just ended up discussing it in one of the threads..

Wanna make a thread Martsbra?

Here's a render..

http://img.photojerk.com/joburg/CIMG28841.JPG

Hope it ends up with that white colour - not like the Emperor, which ended up.. uh.. cream.

Sandton Boulevard Towerws, any news about these as weheard about them a while ago and they just seemed to have fizzled away?

Sandton Boulevard Towerws, any news about these as weheard about them a while ago and they just seemed to have fizzled away?


Think they fizzled away. But at the seers site they are busy with a groundwork and the basement is huge - at least a couple of storeys. The seers site is also quite small, so to maximise land-use i guess they will have to go up. The New holiday Inn is also growing slowly but surely, at least at level six now - with no end in sight yet.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/492170350_f51ff165fa_o.jpg

Awesome panorama!! Wow!!!

ahhh red x

Has anyone heard anything about a proposed 80-Floor hotel to be built around the Sandton station of Gautrain? I saw this in an article detailing the progress of work on Gautrain by Jack van der Merve. Read the last few lines on the article below.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=109170

i heard about it in dUBAI AND MENTIONED IT A WHILE BACK AND EVERYONE LAUGHED AT ME, aah Caps

Yep we teared that topic apart, apparently a 60 floor is also in the pipeline.. Would be pretty fracking awesome if one of these became a reality..

The article though at the end mentions that the development would cost even more than the Gautrain project itself. I don't believe that, unless the journalist meant that perhaps it would cost more than the Gautrain's Sandton station itself.

I can't imagine a $4 billion development in Sandton, there isn't even space to develop something like that and its way too much money to commit by a single developer.

Two New Radisson Hotels In Sa - 2007/05/24

More info regarding Radisson's hotel in Sandton...

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, is set to open two new Radisson Hotels in South Africa next year – one in the heart of Sandton's upmarket business district and the other in Port Elizabeth's busy beachfront area.

The group which operates 288 hotels with more than 59 800 rooms in 47 countries, already has a South African foothold via the Radisson Hotel on the Atlantic Seaboard of Cape Town and a second hotel under the mid-market Park Inn brand located on Green Market Square, Cape Town.

The new Radisson Sandton, a 283 bedroom hotel, will be situated close to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Sandton Convention Centre; the Radisson Port Elizabeth is currently being built on the Summerstand Beachfront with 173 bedrooms. Both are scheduled to open late in 2008.

Both properties will be new landmarks and feature the contemporary and chic Radisson "new breed" style. They are both luxury hotels and offer sport swimming pools, sundecks, wellness and gym areas, restaurants and bars as well as conference areas, meeting rooms and business centres.

Kurt Ritter, President and CEO of The Rezidor Group - which is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange – says, "South Africa is an important and growing market for the group's organic business development and a destination for both business and leisure travellers. The government has prioritised tourism as a key economic sector and international arrivals increase continually; this is expected to continue growing beyond 2010 when SA hosts the Soccer World Cup."

The Rezidor Hotel Group has such confidence in South Africa and the rest of the continent that it has recently opened a Business Development office in Cape Town and appointed Andrew McLachlan as its director to build on the group's spectacular success in Europe, the Middle East and Russia in Africa. McLachlan who has extensive experience in the hotel industry throughout Africa is already assisting potential hotel owners, developers, financiers and other tourism industry professionals.

He adds, "We have recognized Africa's growing potential and the drastic lack of hotels in many countries throughout the continent and have developed a suite of services including access to investment funds, to assist in creating more facilities for business and leisure travellers and tourists."

Thanks to Afrikaans Newspaper - Rapport. Images of the new Radisson Sandton, U/C and due to open end of 2008. Looks like 25storeys - or more...

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00179.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00178.jpg

And yes, that is the Sandton Isle development. I was right all along!

Yup.. it would indeed be pretty dumb building a high parkade for nottin.

I'm betting that the front part of the hotel will be a glass wall..

Jakes, after reading yo post I then went straight to the garage and checked the newspaper. You got it right my man. Another addition to Sandton skyline, Im crossing my fingers that Sandton add about 3 other 18 floors+ before 2010 SWC, their skyline will be a nice building congested with glowing lights.

Very nice. Radisson Hotel thread needed?

what was on the site before this hotel? If I remeber correctly it was townhouses or something like that? Seems Sandton is sprerading in all directions and gobbeling up surrounding land

I can't remember what was on this site before. But the Sandton Isle with the showrooms have been there for quite some time. It was supposed to be a 21 storey apartment block, but it was canned with the other tower blocks in 2004 (I think). Great to see it is going ahead though. Basically the hotel is just a multi-storey extension of the Sandton Isle office block.

what was on the site before this hotel? If I remeber correctly it was townhouses or something like that? Seems Sandton is sprerading in all directions and gobbeling up surrounding land

Imagine owning a quaint little house on the doorstep of sandton

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Money money munnn ne-mun-ne
Show me the $
(I wont go abba)-altho i was tempted

what was on the site before this hotel? If I remeber correctly it was townhouses or something like that? Seems Sandton is sprerading in all directions and gobbeling up surrounding land

It is used to be the old Sandown Motors (Mercedez-benz), before they moved into their new showrooms on Rivonia road next to cell c offices.

It is used to be the old Sandown Motors (Mercedez-benz), before they moved into their new showrooms on Rivonia road next to cell c offices.

Of course!! how could i forget that. Thanks Inertia, i was completely surprised at how i couldn't even remember a thing about that site. As they say, out of sight out of mind, LOL.

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/sandton2.jpg

Here's the guys keeping sandton clean and safe

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_14/d1040001.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_14/sc_car.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_14/img_0077.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_14/img_0113.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_15/dscf9228.jpg

Shopping in Sandton

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/7/8703418_6cb9fcd820_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/144/324881563_48443a8aed_b.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/shop2.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/shop4.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/d1050032.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/d1060024.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/shop5.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/178/465102795_67307253f0_b.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_18/f1000037.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_17/img_0123.jpg

Slightly older picture of Sandton (before the Gautrain work started)

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_10/img_4702.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/8703660_9dcb0e2b37_b.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_10/img_4703.jpg

Cant help but smile every time I see one of our metrobusses. I just love them.

Sandton hotels

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_7/dreception.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_7/sandton5.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_7/hotels2.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_7/a2exterior_night.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_2/d1050016.jpg

I once booked my dad into this hotel back in 2002 for his 50th birthday and he still doesn't stop talking about "The balalaika hotel".
He comes from Limpopo province and you can imagine that these sort of hotels are not easy to come by over there.LOL

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/233/519814007_9ca45a9266_o.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_7/f1030005.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/f1000021.jpg

And of course the News Cafe bustling with lovely young things on Fridays. Used to work across the road and we couldn't resist sneaking out of office every friday for an early beer at News. Guys when you are over there on Fridays before sunset, please take a picture of all those lovely people and cars packed all over the place.

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_3/img_0067.jpg

and Jozi people.

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/f1050035.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/f1010012.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/f1000015.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_13/f1050006.jpg

Village walk shopping centre

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_11/f1060026.jpg

Sandton restaurants

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/d1060006.jpg

http://sandtoncentral.co.za/images/galleries/scp_2006_16/d1050034.jpg

Great gallery Kulani, but I deserve to be in Jozi people's one :)

Cant help but smile every time I see one of our metrobusses. I just love them.

Jacko you talking there my man. I took a bus twice from Braamfontein to Roodepoort and that was after work. I couldn't help the view and the relaxing environment in those busses.

I know this has nothing to do with sandton but dubai makes us all look bad!

Nice photos kulani-very professional lookin

I know this has nothing to do with sandton but dubai makes us all look bad!

Nice photos kulani-very professional lookin

Yes, Sandton looks nice, but Dubai is just another level of its own. Luxury at its utmost level. I transited via Dubai a few months ago on my way to Kualar Lumpar and it was very very nice. That said, perhaps Cape Town could be made a mini Dubai if we tried hard with all these tourists who already like it.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o224/martsbra/untitled.jpg

ok they a bit big (I got a bit greedy on height there-a bit!)

I dunno I like CT as it is

Do you guys have alot of mexicans over there and mexicans restuarant?

Nope.. SA has never been popular with either Spanish or Mexicans. You find some Mexican cuisine here and there, but you're more likely to find Spanish restaurants than Mexican.

You'll find TONS of Portuguese, Italian and Greek though. Both in terms of restaurants and people.

The Seers on Maude site is coming along swiftly... They are busy with a very big basement there!

1. Sandton Sun & Towers InterContinental - ***** - 565 rooms - built 1984/1993
2. Garden Court Sandton City - *** - 444 rooms - built 1994, 1995
3. Southern Sun Grayston - **** - 350 rooms - built 1982, 1995
4. Sandton Hilton - ***** - 329 rooms - built 1997
5. Protea Hotel Balalaika - **** - 324 rooms - built 1969, 1989, 1993
6. Radisson Sandton - ***** - 283 rooms - opening 2008
7. Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre - **** - 260 rooms - built 1975, 1990, 2002
8. Protea Hotel Wanderers - **** - 250 rooms - built 1999
9. Palazzo InterContinental - ***** - 246 rooms - built 2000
10. Michaelangelo Hotel - ***** - 242 rooms - built 1996

Convention Centre
http://www.inetnews.org/schoolhouse/attachments/2177/3437/3099/sandton_cc.JPG
Park Plaza
http://www.saconvention.co.za/sections/hotels-sta/sandton-tourism/primary/images/parkplaza.jpg
http://robocup.rwth-aachen.de/gallery2/d/271-6/pict0273.jpg
http://www.rpp.co.za/big%20images/__8_00044.jpg

Pule do u have a personal email.....i ask u something in email.

A view towards the CBD

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00266.jpg

Maude Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00277.jpg

Autumn: Maude Street
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00279.jpg

corner of Grayston and Fifth
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00265.jpg

New office development on fifth
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00268.jpg

Lunch: Village Walk
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00285.jpg

Reflections
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00272.jpg

A lone jogger
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00281.jpg

My very shaky, panorama attempt, Rivonia Road

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Not sure if the Topaz will go ahead - at R2,2million... But if it does we will need a thread. This is near Sunset Towers

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00223.jpg

Next to Mcdonald's on Grayston a building is going up, called the "Axis." The render looks like a 8f at least, but not sure... There was a building canned a while ago called the "Axis." But now this one is clearly going up... Any info? Group 5 is building it.

Not sure if the Topaz will go ahead - at R2,2million... But if it does we will need a thread. This is near Sunset Towers

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00223.jpg

Construction on this starts in July, just received a phonecall from developers. It is sold out - 47units at a starting price of R2,2million! And so successful that a similar complex will be built next door, called Jade. This is a 9F development, so not too bad.

There isnt alot of crime in sandton is there? ....so if there isnt alot of crime....i think fans coming for the world cup will stay in sandton...rather than inner joburg...cuz of the crime rate in joburg...

All developments that we know if in Sandton, of which there might be more as per suprises that Jakes is hitting us with. With courtesy of the Jakes.

1 Sandton Drive
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The Seers
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g102/joburgboy/Joburg%20developments/CIMG3724.jpg
Sunset Towers
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Holiday Inn
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Investec Offices
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Hydro Park
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Sandhurst Towers
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Radisson Hotel
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC00178.jpg

Jakes II didn't include offices on 5th, please add the ones that I might have not posted here.

Gautrain To Boost Sandton Demand - 2007/06/08


Email Article Print Article SMS News Alerts
The billions earmarked for new office, retail and hotel developments near the Gautrain station in Sandton, is expected to have a huge spin-off for the area's residential property market.

Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency, says some 150 000 sq m of new office and retail space is scheduled for completion in the Sandton CBD over the next two years. Another 50 000 sq m of space in existing commercial buildings is in the process of being refurbished.

The expected influx of additional office workers to the Sandton CBD will no doubt create more demand for both rental and owner-occupied residential accommodation. Van der Merwe, who earlier this week outlined details of the Gautrain project to members of the SA Property Owners Association (SAPOA) in Johannesburg, expects a significant increase in high-density residential developments in Sandton over the next decade.

But developers who want to cash in on the expected surge in housing demand need to get a foot in the Sandton market sooner rather than later. Van der Merwe says land prices in the vicinity of the Sandton station - currently under construction between Fifth and West Street opposite Sandton City - have already skyrocketed. One developer recently paid R140m for a 2,83ha tract of undeveloped land in the Sandton CBD, setting a new record for Johannesburg land values in the process.

The Sandton CBD also offers buy-to-let investors above average returns over the next five years. Charles Vining of Seeff Properties' Sandton office says demand for rental accommodation in the Sandton CBD has already picked up markedly over the past six to nine months.

He says there are few, if any, vacancies. And when rental stock does become available, it is snapped up quickly. Vining says there is also a growing shortage of investment opportunities in the Sandton CBD, as new sectional title developments currently under construction are mostly sold out.

This is placing strong upward pressure on prices of existing sectional title units. For instance, Vining says at 77 Grayston two bedroomed units are now selling for R1,5m, up from R850 000 three years ago.

Vining expects the sectional title market in the Sandton CBD to outpace average house price growth for at least the next five years, as demand is likely to continue to outstrip supply. - Joan Muller

1. Sandton Sun & Towers InterContinental - ***** - 565 rooms - built 1984/1993
2. Garden Court Sandton City - *** - 444 rooms - built 1994, 1995
3. Southern Sun Grayston - **** - 350 rooms - built 1982, 1995
4. Sandton Hilton - ***** - 329 rooms - built 1997
5. Protea Hotel Balalaika - **** - 324 rooms - built 1969, 1989, 1993
6. Radisson Sandton - ***** - 283 rooms - opening 2008
7. Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre - **** - 260 rooms - built 1975, 1990, 2002
8. Protea Hotel Wanderers - **** - 250 rooms - built 1999
9. Palazzo InterContinental - ***** - 246 rooms - built 2000
10. Michaelangelo Hotel - ***** - 242 rooms - built 1996

Largest Hotels in Sandton

1. Garden Court Sandton City - *** - 444 rooms - built 1994, 1995
2. Southern Sun Grayston - **** - 350 rooms - built 1982, 1995
3. Sandton Sun Hotel - ***** - 333 rooms - built 1984*
4. Sandton Hilton - ***** - 329 rooms - built 1997
5. Protea Hotel Balalaika - **** - 324 rooms - built 1969, 1989, 1993
6. Radisson Sandton - ***** - 283 rooms - opening 2008
7. Indaba Hotel & Conference Centre - **** - 260 rooms - built 1975, 1990, 2002
8. Protea Hotel Wanderers - **** - 250 rooms - built 1999
9. Palazzo Montecasino Hotel - ***** - 246 rooms - built 2000**
10. Michaelangelo Hotel - ***** - 242 rooms - built 1996

*Note: Sandton Sun & Towers InterContinental - ***** - 565 rooms - built 1984/1993 - Johannesburg has been divided into two hotels as of July 2007: Sandton Sun Hotel and InterContinental Sandton Towers.

InterContinental Sandton Towers - ***** - 231 rooms - built 1993

** Note: Formerly Palazzo InterContinental Hotel

Very nice!!

Clean streets, trees and nice buildings. Seems to be a very expensive area, am I right?

By the way, which are the most exclusive residential neighbourhoods of Johannesburg?

Very nice!!

Clean streets, trees and nice buildings. Seems to be a very expensive area, am I right?

By the way, which are the most exclusive residential neighbourhoods of Johannesburg?

Yes, Sandton is expensive but no where close to stupendously expensive London.

If you have a house in any of the following addresses, you could be mistaken
to have a million dollars in your bank account, lOL

1. Sandhurst
2. Hydepark
3. Houghton
4. Athol
5. Dunkeld West
6. Dainfern
7. Westcliff
8. Brynston
9. Bassonia
10. Upper Morningside
11. Parkhurst
12. Killarney
13. Bedfordview
14. Woodmead
15. North Cliff
16. Illovo
17. Rosebank
18. Linksfield
19. Craighall
20. Ruimseg
21. Lonehill
22. Diepkloof extension (can you believe there are $1 million houses in Soweto)

Did i leave anyone of you folks here, 'cause i know you all have a million dollar or about to get one this year. I have tried to put the more expensive and yuppy ones at the top, but its very difficult not to miss some of them and get the ordering wrong because there is over 710 suburbs in Johannesburg alone. LOL

ikoyi in nigeria is the most expensive neighbourhood to live in ....in all of africa.

ikoyi in nigeria is the most expensive neighbourhood to live in ....in all of africa.

wow, my friend told me its lined up with mansions that belong to the likes of Aliko Dangote. He was there last week to meet several companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

^^ YEp

Mixed-use Exploding In Sandton

Central Sandton city slickers are fast adapting to the global lifestyle of compact city centre homes where living extends to the restaurants, clubs and pubs of the nearby precinct.

So says a city property expert who says scores of developments, combining retail and exclusive residential space, have sprouted in Sandton's CBD. And as more city lovers cotton-on to this new lifestyle he says increasing demand is already starting to push prices upwards.

Marc Wachenheimer of Lew Geffen Sotheby's International Realty Sandton, says, "Sandton's multi-use explosion is a case of a city catching up with the rest of the world. This lifestyle that allows residents to live on the doorstep of retail and social conveniences, including shops, bars and restaurants, as well as living in close proximity to work, has been around in Europe and the US for decades.

"In South Africa where living moved from the cities into suburbs, the trend is starting to reverse and small city centre pads are finding favour with the trendy young at heart who want to cut travel time and enjoy city life."

He says the Sandton Emperor development is an example of one where this need for convenient proximity and luxury lifestyle has merged with newest technology to create an amazing mix. Like many other multi-use developments, this one has a gym and good security, but this particular development is pioneering in its use of a 24 hour doorman, concierge service and fingerprint identification.

"With integrated finishes and a starting size of 152m2 for a two bedroom apartment, these new homes are not the cramped minimalist flatlets we've come to expect from inner-city living, but rather spacious with magnificent city views.

"The Sandton Emperor boasts a Europa coffee shop, a fully functional wireless business centre and a cigar room. Individual lifts deliver residents right to their doors in a manner as seen in many New York hotels.

"A two bedroom apartment with all the finishes and a great view would go for anything from R3.45million upwards, and these apartments go up in price with each floor. Penthouses, selling at around R12.5 million, offer the buyer 3 bedrooms, about 355m2 under roof and secure parking for cars, as well as staff quarters. Residents say this development maintains a suburban feel through its spaciousness, guaranteeing home owners an easy transition when moving from a conventional property to this nature of city lock-up-and-go."

Wachenheimer says other multi-use developments in a similar vein include the Michelangelo and the Raphael. Slightly less high-tech, though still within the multi-use genre is the 22 West Road South development where buyers can pick up a one bedroom for about R1 million.

"In other developments an entry level bachelor pad off plan is still relatively affordable from R900 000, but don't expect generous space for entry level – city living and multi-use convenience comes at a premium."

Source: www.property24.com

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Gents embrace yourself for more developments in Sandton. 3 more developments of Sandton City size are in the pipelines. The feasibility study is currently being performed. No further information. As soon as these studies are completed and they prove to be feasible, then more information will be out. Cross all your foot fingers. The development proposal is by a foreign company.

Gents embrace yourself for more developments in Sandton. 3 more developments of Sandton City size are in the pipelines. The feasibility study is currently being performed. No further information. As soon as these studies are completed and they prove to be feasible, then more information will be out. Cross all your foot fingers. The development proposal is by a foreign company.

Retail or Office property? Any idea about height? Wow, that would be interesting, wonder where they are going to get the space from. and the roads.
LOL

Retail or Office property? Any idea about height? Wow, that would be interesting, wonder where they are going to get the space from. and the roads.
LOL

That was just what I was told no further details, but I will give updates as soon as I get them. It will be best if its gonna be a mixture of all of them. I also can't wait to hear all the details.

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Monaco comes to Sandton - earplugs required
http://www.represent.co.za/monaco-comes-to-sandton-earplugs-required.htm#more-1531
July 20th, 2007 · No Comments

Speed freaks and F1 fans will no doubt be chomping at the bit for Sunday the 29 July when the streets of Sandton will be turned into a mini Grand Prix track by the Renault F1 cars. If you’re on Facebook you can also read all about it on the Facebook group ‘F1 at our doorsteps’ that describes the event as:

Word is out! The streets of Sandton are going to be alive with engine screaming when the Renault F1 team comes to Jozi! Come join the rest of us street freaks and see Fisichella and Nelson Piquet Junior get behind the wheel of the Renault F1 race car and rip up the Sandton tar at over 270km/h. Awesome !

Time and Place
Date: Sunday, July 29, 2007
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Location: The heart of Sandton
Street: West Road and Friedman Drive
City/Town: Jozi
Country: South Africa
Thanks to Minesh Bhagaloo from Motoring.co.za for the heads up - read the full article:

Businesses in central Sandton can rest easy. Colin Hale, a senior member of the international ING Renault F1 Road Show Team, has assured us that his F1 cars are unlikely, despite their screaming decibels, to shatter any office windows when they blast through the streets of Sandton, in Gauteng, on July 29.

If anything, he reckons the buildings will amplify the 19 000rpm and give spectators a taste of Monaco-style F1 street racing
Five months will have elapsed between the proposal being made and the lights going green
.

The office blocks are probably the least of Hale’s worries. After all, five months will have elapsed between the proposal being made and the lights going green.

It’s a time frame that apparently involved Renault SA suggesting three venues and the logistics team coming here to choose the right one based on, among other things, the route, public access, road surface and general safety. Then the city had to give permission and the local organisers meet the many international requirements.

Hale and his team run these road shows full-time; they’re not part of the core Renault F1 team we see on TV on Sundays but do have the F1 background and training and a full understanding of what makes not only the road show, but also real F1, tick.

They also have the same pressures. Like the Renault F1 race team, Hale must oversee the dismantling of his very real brace of F1 cars
Only the front and rear wings are detached for travel
. Only the front and rear wings are detached for travel then the cars are put into an aluminium box and accompany 5000kg of equipment to our shores - all handled by a company that specialises in moving show cars around the world.

That cargo will include two sets of wet tyres and three sets of slicks - it’s anticipated that each car will screech through one set of rubber for the Sandton event. There’s also 100 litres of racing fuel already locked away somewhere in SA - Total, partner to Renault F1, has signed a delivery note for this high-octane juice.

It won’t last all that long, either. Hale says his cars will consume around 1.5kg of fuel on a hot lap of Silverstone - and there’s 30kg for the entire Sandton event.

In terms car set-up on the day, it seems we are assured of a fully race-specced F1 car with the same numbers and power of a normal race day. The car you will see on the Sunday will be set up to win a GP, no second-rate efforts will apply except that the ride height might be raised slightly raised to accommodate road conditions.

‘Drivers love the shows’

“The car will be tuned for Monaco-type downforce,” Hale said. “Even manhole covers will be welded shut to compensate for the effect of severe, vacuum-like downforce.

“The drivers love the road shows; they don’t carry the same pressures as the F1 race the week before or after,” Hale added.

“They can have some fun - meet their fans. It’s relaxed and they do the best they can with the car on the day.”

It seems no specific training is involved, either. The boys arrive, do a quick route check in a Renault Mégane, and it’s all systems go. - Star Motoring

Nelson Mandela Square

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man SA is pretty cant emphasize on that enough.

man SA is pretty cant emphasize on that enough.

Dennis, wait till you taste the food and the women. LOL

lol...damn...i bet it taste yummy :D

Thats a great shot of the square with Micheal in the back drop.

& Dennis, they are very yummy!

lol durby...uh huh.

Dennis, wait till you taste the food and the women. LOL

I tried biltong and boerewors already... yummy!, can't wait to taste them in SA as well! :D

Sandton to turn into
a racetrack – for real
On Sunday, the Renault F1 team will show how it's done with an extravaganza on the streets of the northern suburbs.


July 24, 2007
By Tabisa Mntengwana

FASTEN your seat belts – F1 roars into town this weekend.

The ING Renault F1 Team road show returns to the streets of Sandton for its fourth season of city-centre motor racing demonstrations. Renault is bringing in two team cars, driven by seasoned driver Giancarlo Fisichella and newly appointed test driver Nelson Piquet Junior.

The event, according to the general manager of Johannesburg Tourism Company's convention bureau, Spencer Pillai, "will enhance Johannesburg's status as a prime business and leisure tourism destination in South Africa".

"It is significant that Johannesburg has been chosen not only to be the first city in Africa to stage the road show but also the first city outside Eurasia," says Pillai.

The road show was launched in 2003 and has been seen by 1.5 million people in cities in Europe, Russia and Japan.

Action starts on Fredman Drive, Sandton, on 29 July. Several roads will be closed, including sections of West Street between Rivonia Road and Fredman Drive, Fredman Drive between West Street and Rivonia Road and two lanes of Rivonia Road.

Sandton residents are warned that the roads will be closed from 8pm on Friday, 27 July until 6am on Monday, 30 July. "Motorists are cautioned to use alternative routes and to allow extra travel time during this period," according to a press release.

As part of the build up to the big day, the sleek racers are on show at the Nelson Mandela Square from Friday, 27 July. Motoring enthusiasts will get the opportunity to view the technical set-up of a Formula 1 paddock area, complete with two ING Renault F1 team vehicles and the technical crew at the Renault Expo Village and Paddock.

A range of Renault vehicles will also be on display, which including the new Mègane Renault sport R26, the Mègane trophy and two Clio toys.

The expo village is also home to Supersport, 5FM, Star Motoring, Bridgestone stand and Renault F1 boutique.


Race day
But, Sunday is the big day for race fans. "For the majority of South African motor sport enthusiasts, Sunday 29 July offers a once in a lifetime opportunity and is an experience not to be missed," says Claudio Camera, vice president of communications and corporate affairs at Renault South Africa.
Pillai adds: "The Johannesburg Tourism Company is delighted that the City is playing host to this event and we are pulling out all the stops to partner Renault South Africa in making sure that we will have a well organised and successful road show."

Park and ride facilities are available on Sunday from Inanda Club, Sandown High School, Wanderers Club and Innesfree Park. Metro buses will be available from 8am.

Sunday's activities kick off at 10am with the 20-lap Cycle Lab Sprint Challenge. Other activities planned for the day include a street parade, drummers, acrobats, rickshaws and motor racing demonstrations.

"We promise a fun-filled day for the family with fantastic entertainment and a non-stop action Iine-up," says Camera.



The excitement of the Renault F1 car, driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Nelson Piquet Junior, 29 July, in the streets of Sandton
(Photo collage: Renault Roadshow)


Children are also catered for, with Renault F1 styled peddle-cars to try out.

The Formula 1 grand finale is set for 4pm.

"At no charge, the public will have the opportunity to get close to our cars, team and drivers – something they cannot do at an international Grand Prix weekend," says Camera.

Emergency personnel and traffic authorities will be on hand, too.

"Be sure to get there early and secure prime vantage points in Fredman Drive or West Street," Camera urges.

For more information, including the detailed programme, visit www.renault-roadshow.co.za.

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Renault F1 Experience

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I was there my man, I loved it when the car roars. The bus shuttle was the best and the security was very tight. One thing I liked is that the police allowed us to drink our liquor.

We need more of those kinds of events.

Liquor??? Why would anyone want to drink spirits in that kind of event, and it wasn't even dark..

^^ it doesnt have to be night to drink....hell im drinking right now :D :cheers: cheers

Well, during that car exhibition I would expect people to drink a beer or something, but... liquor?

Anton, liquor and an event like these goes hand-in-hand and it doesn't have to be dark for one to drink.

I know it doesn't have to be dark for one to drink, I don't know why you guys picked on that part of my post.. what I do consider weird is that people would take bottles of liquor to that kind of event, I mean, I just can't picture it, people take a bottle of whisky and watch the exhibition as they drink?

If it was here, it would be normal that people drank a beer, a wine or a cocktail on a terrase café, watching the exhibition, but... to take liquor there... is that really common?

I know it doesn't have to be dark for one to drink, I don't know why you guys picked on that part of my post.. what I do consider weird is that people would take bottles of liquor to that kind of event, I mean, I just can't picture it, people take a bottle of whisky and watch the exhibition as they drink?

If it was here, it would be normal that people drank a beer, a wine or a cocktail on a terrase café, watching the exhibition, but... to take liquor there... is that really common?

Lol, i would have thought beer was also liquor. I bet that's what you are thinking Pule? Anyway, personally it wouldn't be an issue for me to have a beer at an event like this or better yet, a glass of expensive whisky like this. But you have to realise in SA, drinking an expensive whisky like Johny Walker can be a cool thing especially once you manage to get some nice looking chics to notice it. :lol:

Lol, i would have thought beer was also liquor.

Alright, sorry, hehe, obviously English is not my first language :) I always thought of "liquor" as spirits.

I take liquor as any alcohic volume measured drink. Kulani may be you can educate your brother here.

Alright, sorry, hehe, obviously English is not my first language :) I always thought of "liquor" as spirits.

Here's wikipedia's defination of liquor.

The term liquor may mean spirits; spirits and liqueurs; or all alcoholic beverages, including wine, sake, beer, and mead.

Thanks kulani :)

bonks anton on the head with a bag of weed

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Latest Sandton Central news..
http://www.sandtoncentral.co.za/newsletter_view.php?newsletterID=35

New Development For 9 Fredman Drive

A fantastic new development by RMB Properties is underway on the site of 9 Fredman Drive. This state-of-the-art development will see the construction of new offices for Rand Merchant Bank, who is growing out of its existing offices, as well as a super basement between the old and new buildings creating a Rand Merchant Bank precinct Place Basements. The project, which began at the beginning of August, will span 2 years with completion scheduled for June 2009. With this development comes some inconvenience and in this case, the northern side of Gwen Lane, from the traffic lights at Fredman Drive will be closed. Access to the properties in this area will be via Bute Lane off Fredman Drive. In order to minimise the inconvenience, the SCMD OutSurance team will be permanently posted to the intersection of Bute Lane and Fredman Drive during the morning, lunch and evening peak traffic times. The SCMD and RMB Properties appreciate your patience and co-operation as a new landmark is added to the Sandton Central skyline.

Peroni To Host Fashion In The Street At Sanlam SA Fashion Week

Peroni Nastro Azzurro will again host Fashion In The Street during the Sanlam SA Fashion Week (SSAFW) Spring/Summer showing on Saturday the 1st September at 21:30 at Burgher's Walk outside FTV Café - Sandton Central". "Peroni's alignment with fashion and effortless style continues this year with our continued association with SSAFW," says Peroni brand manager Lee-Ann Botha. "I anticipate that local designers will over-achieve in all aspects of this year's SSAFW, as they did last year. The Peroni Fashion In The Street celebrates the diversity and talent of South African designers and is the only showcase where all the designers share one stage to exhibit this." Peroni Fashion In The Street takes place on Saturday 1st September at 21:30, Burgher's Walk outside FTV - Sandton Central. The public are welcome to view fashion in the street.

Is highrise too much to ask for? :(

Saw a minute render for the RMB building... don't get too excited. It looks like 5F. But the highrises will come.

Is highrise too much to ask for? :(


^^ :( indeed.

Saw a minute render for the RMB building... don't get too excited. It looks like 5F. But the highrises will come.

So will santa

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People always complain that Sandton does not have street life (eg, cafe's on street level, people walking etc.) Well, a walk down maude street from Village walk to Sandton City disproves this notion.

Marachino's, at the Forum
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Entrance to Michaelangelo towers in Maude Street
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Cafe Maude, recently opened at the Holiday Inn
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M&A
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8, on Maude (Michaelangelo Towers)
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Cafe Maude, as seen from FTV.
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Here in johannesburg we love to sit in the same spot for hours watching the sun to down (not).
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Maude by day
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Maude, when darkness falls
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The Tower
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Pretty corner
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Fashion Week at Nelson Mandela Square
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The Square can actually be quite romantic...
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Sandton (Nelson Mandela Square) - Home of da bling (a la faux tuscany)
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Random Sandton
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the guys on moneywebpowerhour said two buildings around 40 stories in the pipeline for sandtonia... I think they know something that we dont know. Maybe that guy who Nick mallett spoke to knows a couple things we dont! (:

I believe this is the article.... :)

Nice find Martsbra! Now who's gonna contact this dude below who brings us such good news?

Sandton’s new skyscrapers

Julius Cobbett
28 Aug 2007 16:21

The Sandton skyline is set for radical alteration as developers gear up to build 40 to 50 story buildings. Currently, the tallest building in Sandton is the Michaelangelo Towers, a residential development that is about 35 stories.

Norbert Sasse, CEO of South Africa’s largest listed property stock Growthpoint (JSE:GRT), says that the town-planning regime in Sandton is approving new skyscrapers.

“The approvals which are being granted at the moment are for floor-to-area ratios of up to seven and eight, which could mean you’re going to be seeing 40 to 50 story buildings in the heart of Sandton in the not too distance futures,” said Sasse, speaking on CNBC’s Power Lunch with Moneyweb on Tuesday.

“In fact I’m aware of two buildings that have already be granted and I think you’re going to see those being built out in the next 18 to 24 months,” he notes.

The new approvals are great for those who own property in Sandton. “The increased bulk and rights that one is getting at the moment is not coming at a significant cost,” says Sasse. So new developments can be viable, even taking into account high construction costs, he says.

Growthpoint does not have any firm plans to develop 40-odd story buildings in Sandton, but Sasse says it is not inconceivable that it will have one or two of those high rises itself at some point in the future.

Certainly Growthpoint is not sitting on its hands when it comes to Sandton property. It is currently involved in a R475m expansion of its flagship building, which is rented by Investec.

Growthpoint is also developing a prime piece of land opposite Sandton Centre, called The Place at 1 Sandton Drive that will scale about seven stories. Sasse is enthusiastic about this property: “It is a fantastic address and a premier destination. We have top class tenants vying for this desirable space,” enthuses Sasse. He says that Growthpoint will be taking offices itself there for its corporate head office.

The Place development has exceeded Growthpoint’s expectations. Sasse says that the project was deemed feasible at a rental of R125/m² and parking bays of R450 per month. Growthpoint is achieving rentals of over R140/m² and is earning up to R600 a parking bay.

“So the actual yield is better than the feasibility, but one has to watch the building costs, which are going through the roof at the moment,” says Sasse.

Loving it!!

This adds more fuel to the Seers fire.. I am starting to strongly believe it will be in the region of a 40 story beast.. Cant wait :D

Oh this is just sooooo awesome!!

Sandton city

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The Sandton City office tower is one of the ugliest and out-dates buildings around IMO..... eish.

The Sandton City office tower is one of the ugliest and out-dates buildings around IMO..... eish.

Could do with some glass. eish!

Did a quick crane count in Sandton today. Stood on top of the parkade of sandton city. Will post pics later.

From sandton city I counted... 17cranes. Two for a new development in sandton drive. Three for nu1 Sandton Drive. 3 for a 7F development next to the now completed Sandown Towers. Hydro park topped out, but new building going up behind it - another crane. Investec has 2. The Axis has two. Topaz. Sunset Towers has 2. I don't know what the others are for.

Then, these were only ones I could see towards that side.

Rivonia holiday inn, which is up to level 9 now with more to come, has 2.
The Gautrain station in rivonia drive has one.
The Gautrain works in lower rivonia also has one.
The new and increasinly impressive hotel in rivonia has 2.

so that brings my quick crane tally to 23.

Sandton is rocking. (never thought id say that)

Nobody noticed the UFO in the first pic Kulani posted? :)

Lol we did, we just knew it was the reflection of a light :P

And there I thought it was one of those Frisbees from that Cell C ad. Dang.

Speaking of UFO's, did any of you notice a strange white light in some of the pics? :D

yo does sandton have a soccer team or rugby team? is there any stadium in that city.

Speaking of UFO's, did any of you notice a strange white light in some of the pics? :D

Maybe Kulani is hiding something from us... I always thought the pics he posts were out of this world, but now this gives it a second meaning :)

yo does sandton have a soccer team or rugby team? is there any stadium in that city.


Sandton is in Johannesburg, so the soccer and rugby teams are all Joburg based.

i thought sandton is a city on its own.....like a mini big city on its own and shyt.

its about 20km north of the Northern parts of the Johannesburg CBD (Braamfontain) as the crow flies and about 50Km from the Pretoria CBD.

Johannesburg is like a massivce conurbination and very simmilar to LA with a main CBD and many satalite mini-cbds scattered around the fringes

its about 20km north of the Northern parts of the Johannesburg CBD (Braamfontain) as the crow flies and about 50Km from the Pretoria CBD.

Johannesburg is like a massivce conurbination and very simmilar to LA with a main CBD and many satalite mini-cbds scattered around the fringes

other mini-CBDs or would-be mini-CBDs in Joburg are:-

Rosebank
Randburg
Fourways
Bedfordview
Kempton Park
Sandton (of course)
Auckland Park
Midrand
Germiston
Alberton

did i forget someone?

cool

other mini-CBDs or would-be mini-CBDs in Joburg are:-

Rosebank
Randburg
Fourways
Bedfordview
Kempton Park
Sandton (of course)
Auckland Park
Midrand
Germiston
Alberton

did i forget someone?

Roodepoort?

Developments in Sandton

1. 75 on Maude - 40 floors - Under-C, Is it the Seers?
2. Sandton Boulevard 1 - 31 floors - Proposed
3. Raddison SAS Hotel - 27 floors - Under-C
4. Sandton Boulevard 2 - 22 floors - Under-C
5. Nedbank Towers - 20 floors - Proposed, Head Office extension


Sandton City's centre manager, won't be drawn to comment, but offers a few hints of what might come.

"Let's just say we're working on what Sandton City might look like in coming years, but I can't really give more details at the moment.

When the [20 story] Sandton City office tower first opened it was the tallest building in the north, and that's obviously not the case now. Ideally, we'd like to reclaim our rightful place as the focal point of the Sandton skyline and we're also well aware of the indoor-outdoor mixed-usage developments trends. But I can't say more". Hmmm. Watch this space


Does this men we should expect more high rises? Only time will tell. My friend, an Architect told me that he was told that the plan was to have a different skylin in Sandton in 2010.

we worked on a proposal for the Nedbank site in 1999 (where the old 94 office was based opposite Balilaka hotel), They went as far as demolishing the building and we had a 30F proposal with office bottom and some insane appartments at the top.

Got canned before it got serious

anyone can do a Google map of sandton showing all these as I cant quite place them

Observe the article:

http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Article.aspx?id=561981

Good news, buuuut i've been hearing this for the past i don't know how long.. Why does everything have to be so secretive and speculative?? Can't they just name a dev and say it will be this height and will be ready by this time?! So frustrating

Why does everything have to be so secretive and speculative??


"Unlike Capetonians and Durbanites, many suburban Joburgers are struggling to accept that “high-rise” is not a secret code word for Hillbrow."

That's personally what I think. Joburgers for some reason are so poep-scared of high-rise that developers are uber careful about what infomation they release. I might be wrong though.

Your point nevertheless is taken - it's flippin annoying.

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Sandton going building crazy... Count the cranes in the pics

This is one of the premier developments, 9F accross from sandton city - Rivonia drive. It has topped out, and there are more buildings going up all around it.
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This is quite impressive
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New buildings going up next to rivonia road
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Very sunny day - through the haze you can try to count cranes
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No idea who is developing this. it is right next door to the now completed Sandhurst towers. And it is 7F.
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From the rooftop of the Sandton Mall I counted close to 20cranes.

how much is a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in sandton....it must be expensive i suppose.

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I really resent the use of the Italian architecture style in many of the buildings around Sandton! I pray that the Michelangelo was the last of any significant tower at is to incorporate this indecency. We live in SA, in Africa, lets look like Africans!

^^
Well you would have to define what's "looking like Africans"... however, I do find that pseudo-Italian architecture quiet kitsch...

Perhaps Africa is a bit bold, in all fairness its massive and extremely diverse so lets concentrate on looking South African! Maybe a specific style of modern building that is purely South African doesnt exist of yet. If u look at china and Dubai theyre both developing their own unique brand of modern building, drawing from their cultural backgrounds and reflecting into these new towers and so on, the important thing is that people can look at these buildings completely out of context and be able to place them to their correct "group" being Chinese ......

I think the thing im trying to get at is we should be looking at what WILL become South African, Now i dont think we need to go as far as that sh1t at the wedge in joburg, But we certainly need to think about defining ourselves!

i kinda agree....i love unique buildings....not just some tall azz skyscrapper....

....Cape Dutch style is kinda South African....and is not too bad....but wonder what it will look like incorporated in skyscrapers?????????

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x31/Upington/442211697_6f2b94787f_b.jpg

Yeah, Cape Dutch style is gorgeous and typically South African!

how much is a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment in sandton....it must be expensive i suppose.

not so bad compared to most places i have been to (London, NYC, Lagos, Accra). 1 bedroom apartment is likely to set you off at least $140,000
(+- R1 million) while 2 bedroom will probably be like $250,000 (+- R1,7 million).

to own right ?

to own right ?

Yes, rental will be more like $600+ per month for 1 bedroom and around $900+ for a 2 bedroom. All those are kind of average figures.

Good news about foreign buyers! Hope to see some nice investment soon!

South Africa: Foreign Interest in Auction of Sandton Office BlockBusiness Day (Johannesburg)

21 September 2007
Posted to the web 21 September 2007

Madden Cole
Johannesburg

A HAMMER price of R70m for an office block in Sandton achieved at the auction held by Alliance Group on Tuesday again proved that the commercial property market remains strong in spite of the higher cost of money.

Nearly 30 lots were on offer at the sale held in the Park Hyatt Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg, with buyers coming from as far afield as Dubai, London and Norway.

"We're seeing just as much interest now, notwithstanding higher interest rates, than we did before," Norman Raad of Alliance Group said.

"Demand remains huge for attractive properties, which are also attracting international buyers. There is still the aggressive buying, especially for exceptional properties which are realising good prices. It seems that the market has discounted the increased rates."

The big attraction at the auction was undoubtedly the office block, with a gross lettable area of 6260m', at 88 Grayston Drive, Sandown, in Sandton. The building brings in a gross income of R7,4m a year. It was what everyone came for, including the international buyers, if not to buy then to enjoy the excitement of the bidding.

"The building is in the wealthiest square kilometre on the African continent, if not in the southern hemisphere," auctioneer Rael Levitt said.

"Rentals in this area are heading north, and buildings like this one are as scarce as hen's teeth. They simply are not being traded."

An opening bid of R40m set the ball rolling, and bids of R5m at a time pushed up the final bid to R70m.

"The building achieved an unbelievable price, and based on currrent income, it was sold for a 6,5% yield," Raad said.

Another big-ticket number was a retail and office centre in Midrand. The building, on the Old Pretoria Road, has a gross lettable area of 12570m' and a gross income of R9,56m a year.

"This one will go for R40m," one of the buyers told his colleague before the bidding started. His prediction was remarkably accurate -- the hammer price was R41m.

Hillbrow was in the spotlight with four apartment blocks coming under the hammer. The buildings are at 23 Goldreich Street (R1,95m); 14 Goldreich Street (R2,1m); 14 Yetta Street (R2,3m); and 26 Bruce Street (R2,35m).

Six sectional title units in two office buildings in an office park in Bassonia Rock described "as the Sandton of the south" sold for R7,6m. The units have a combined gross lettable area of 2047m' and a gross income of R1,51m a year.

Development land of 9,2ha, zoned for residential one and three, in Capital Park, Pretoria, sold for R15m.

Properties in Rosebank, Houghton and Bryanston attracted attention.

Dernasyl Court, a block of 28 apartments on Tyrwhitt Avenue, Rosebank, was sold and confirmed for R13,5m; 23 St Johns Road, consisting of four stands zoned for residential one, in Houghton, was sold and confirmed for R2,4m.

There was only one bidder for an 8619m' development stand in Vandia Grove, Bryanston, zoned for residential one, that fetched R4m.

A quaint c1920s building on 4th Avenue and 7th Street Melville, described as a landmark corner, fetched a hammer price of R4,6m. It has a gross lettable area of 482m' and a gross income of R833128 a year. Apparently one of the tenants, the owner of a barber's shop, has been there for 29 years.

Boarding houses seldom appear on auctions, but on Tuesday an impressive building consisting of two blocks was sold and confirmed in a liquidation sale for R3,5m. The property is in Geduld, a suburb of Springs and once the site of the old Geduld gold mines.

The boarding house offered some of the most competitive bidding at the auction and came on the market at the R3m mark.

Keen interest was shown in 27 sectional title units in a block of 30 one-bedroom flats on Lleyd Street, Joubert Park. The block, which earns a gross income of R594000 a year, was sold and confirmed for R3m.

Among other properties sold and confirmed at the drop of the hammer were a retail centre with a gross lettable area of 464m' in Kempton Park (R900 000); Horizon House, a commercial property with a gross lettable area of 1500m' on Republic Road in Bordeaux, Randburg (R7,8m); and a retail-service station complex on Main Road, Melville (R3,75m). The latter has a gross lettable area of 732m' and a gross income of R464640 a year. It is zoned for business one and residential one.

A neat retail and office building with a gross lettable area of 1598m' in Norwood sold for R5m. A two-level industrial building, belonging to a deceased estate, fetched R2,55m. The property, in Village Main, has a gross lettable area of 4000m' and a gross income of R264000 a year.

More big brands for SA.. this time in Parkhurst.

Aussie does SA fashion a favour

We’ve had Max Mara and Escada in Hyde Park for yonks

Store openings are breeding like rabbits — it must be spring! This time I was in Parkhurst, where Aussie fashion entrepreneur Belinda Seper has decided to set up shop.

Belinda, whose Tonic-designed store has been described as a converted carriage house (just a bungalow to me, with most of the interior walls gutted to give it a spacious feel) got up the noses of Gwen and I after she told the Sydney Morning Herald that she decided to open her first international store here as a favour to us unfortunate sorts, who are starved of international labels and devoid of any local designers worth mentioning.

Of course, that was the first thing I took up with the striking fashion entrepreneur, who also happened to be the best-dressed on the night, in a midnight-blue Lanvin creation.

Trawl Sandton and you’ll bump into Gucci, Versace and Louis Vuitton while we’ve had Max Mara and Escada in Hyde Park for yonks, I pointed out.

“No, but you don’t have a boutique space like this where there are so many labels,” she said, to which I tut- tutted, pointing out that we do have emporiums such as Callaghan, Wizards and Studio 8.

Well, gripes aside, the store is striking and well-presented, and it was a great opening with the right crowd invited (barring, of course, B — or is that C-graders — such as Claudia Henkel and swimwear model Brigitte Willers) who were oohing over pieces like a Missoni crocheted see-through slip dress, which was going for just over R14 000.

The Datin Melleny Samsudin, who was one of the fans, told me she has just got back from spending two months overseas where she and her consort, Count Nicolo Sella di Monteluce, travelled to Mykonos, Croatia (where they sailed on a yacht for a week) and Russia, the latter leaving her with bad memories.

“We were stuck on a peasant train for 21 hours on the border of Belarus when that bomb exploded. Russia is not one of my favourite places, but they do have fantastic caviar and fantastic ballet,” she said.

Melleny was there with Swarovski’s Liselotte Hager, wearing a great silver lamé dress with Versace heels and bag (the outfit bought in Milan when she was off to the Crystal Palace for a function and South African Airways lost her luggage — a common occurrence, as I can verify).

I enjoyed chatting to Australian High Commissioner Philip Green, who opened the boutique, and his haematologist wife Dr Barbara Noshi, who sported a substantial tanzanite rock on her finger — appropriate considering she hails from the country.


As an Australian-cum-South African national myself, I had to praise Philip on the speed it took the Aussie Passport office to issue me with their new hologrammed and micro-chipped identity document (less than 24 hours), while a friend here has been waiting for over four months to get an ID from Home Affairs!

Philip introduced to me Tselane Mokuena, chief director of South Africa’s Foreign Affairs Department, who accessorised her suit with a walking stick. “I’ve just had surgery, after I injured my leg playing netball during Wellness Week last year. But I’m not complaining — I really enjoyed the game,” she insisted. — CJ


Food — 6/10: French bubbly flowed, cocktails were fab, snacks were tasty but too small and not much variety.

Vibe — 7/10: Great fashion crowd that buys, but short on the local fashion media pack.

Décor – 8/10: for the store alone, all dark grey outside, and sleek inside.

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Google earth has updated all imagery around sandton. The emporer and seers basement can be seen. Was taken at a funny angle so the height of the buildings can be judged. Well worth a look!

thaks boet will check out the new joburg now and I noticed a bit of Sa is updated