NAME: Old Mutual Towers 2 - Phase 1
LOCATION: CBD
STATUS: UC
FLOORS: 10 (First phase)
HEIGHT: ?
USE: Mixed Use (Retail, Parkade)

Development will have:

857 parking bays
2900m2 Retail space and retail piazza

Phase 2 is subject to tenant demand for additional commercial office space.


Sorry for bad quality renders, they are scans from newspaper

Now

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5880.jpg


2008

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP5879.jpg

R127million boost for Durban CBD

15 Mar 2007 - Mike Kerkhoff - Old Mutual Properties

Durban’s CBD is set for a major boost through a R127 million project to create additional parking and a new retail arcade at the landmark Old Mutual Centre office tower.

The project involving demolition of two buildings in Gardiner Street will bring the value of developments by Old Mutual Property Investments in KwaZulu/Natal to almost R500 million, says Brent Wiltshire, the group’s business development executive.

“The project reflects confidence in the CBD as a premier retail and office location, “says Wiltshire. “ It addresses a demand for on-site parking which is a major requirement in the CBD and will also enhance the retail offering.”

The buildings involved are Mutual Building in Gardiner Street, opposite the City Hall, and the neighbouring Gardiner House. 300 Smith Street, which forms a primary entrance to the retail arcade from Smith to West Street, is to be refurbished.

The combined site is near several other major Old Mutual investments, including The Marine, Durban Bay House and the Royal Hotel.

Mike Rodel, regional general manager of Old Mutual Property Investments, says the addition of 474 parking bays will help retain the premier status of Old Mutual Centre.

“There will be a total of 857 parking bays and a parking ratio of almost three bays for every 100m².

“The new design will create two exit lanes from Old Mutual Centre into Gardiner Street and two entrance lanes from Smith Street.

“The new retail arcade will link West and Smith Streets, the two main CBD streets, and Gardiner Street and Mercury Lane. The retail space will be increased by 1 100m², the current arcade passages will be widened and a food court will be positioned in the middle of the arcade. “

The project, due for completion in 2008, is the fourth major development in Kwazulu/Natal announced by Old Mutual Property Investments over the last 12 months.

The others are R250 million extensions at Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga, to enlarge the south mall and parking facilities and add a Virgin Active health club at the northern end of the complex, and a R102 million industrial park at Mahogany Ridge, the key Pinetown light industrial zone.

Cross post from original discussion

Reports on Old Mutual's website discuss this development and the future 2nd phase

One point that stood out was that "this investment should be seen as old mutual's comeback to the durban cbd and the consolidation of our assets in the immediate vicinity. This (R127m) development is our first step in realising the value in our current assets on the back of greater interest and development within cbd's in south africa. This phase is the precurser to a second phase development atop of this development which is subject to demand for commercial space in the cbd.

The information went on and on and on about other investments around south africa and concluded by stating that Old Mutual awaited the announcement of another large project in the Durban CBD.


I take it then that the three projects in the Old Mutual press release at the time of the Gateway extentions announcement to be:

1) Gateway Expansion
2) Mahogany Industrial Development
3) CBD parkade

They also announced a soon to be announced additional investment in the durban cbd at the time of the gateway press release. I dont see todays announcement being that development, and therefore still await the 4th development (and 2nd in cbd) by Old Mutual.

Wow confidence in the CBD is great,2 more old buildings to be demolished and still that corner building being kept as a superb finale to this massive development

Awesome stuff, U think OM will ever build a sister tower to this? Maybe a 40 or 50 storey :D. or is that asking too much.

^^ as i said in my above posts, this parkade and retail is the first phase. second phase is a tower on top of the parkade, however that is subject to when demand requires it. I would imagine that the tower above this would be in the region of 15- 25F, therefore making the dev 25 - 35F

height restrictions in the CBD are 120m but you can buy air rights, so thats how some have got higher, Also need to taper at top to allow sunlight into street canyons.
the origional proposal was fopr a set of twins at 33-35F each but I agree with Mike that a king and queesn set would lokk better at 35 and 25F. Would be intresting to know to what height the piles and foundations are designed to accomodate in the future?

It would indeed. surely they would not design the parkade to accomodate 35F?

I particualrily like the retail arcade improvement and the development of a retail piazza. This is similar to what they are doing with the west street building that is undergoing a massive revamp. that one is developing the whole groundfloor into a restaurant court in the atrium area in teh middle of all the buildings. could be real nice

well if the new structure is to be above any part of the parkade or new development, then the entire structure would be designed to accomodate the future full dead weight.
Pretty much like at Kings park which has the shark cage shop sitting on massive piles with hugggge columns to support the next stage of the stadium development ie closing in the southern stand area

well if the new structure is to be above any part of the parkade or new development, then the entire structure would be designed to accomodate the future full dead weight.
Pretty much like at Kings park which has the shark cage shop sitting on massive piles with hugggge columns to support the next stage of the stadium development ie closing in the southern stand area

yeah but what i meant is surely they would not design the parkade to handle a 35F structure if they arent certain it will be built

has anyone noticed that the interior of the too buildings that are meeting there ends have been totally stripped? was walking in the downstairs area and they have now boarded off certain areas with construction stuff and loads of rubble was heading out. hopefully the new one will rise soon, especially as it is to be complete next year.

no way will be complete then. city centre sites are notoroiusly difficult to work on and add to the fact that 2 10F buildings have to come down (Heard anything aboput their impolsion???) adds to this fact. even thogh this is a smallish project its very difficult and time consuming due to the constraints etc.
looks like 18-24months for all of this

oh and they state in all their press releases that the buildings are NOT being imploded at all...

^^ you really think? Cos i have a mate that has signed a lease agreement for space and on it it states that they can occupy in November 2008. Surely there will be servere penalties if this is not met?

when is this due to start?

when is this due to start?

It is actually well underway. They have been manually demolishing it for 2 months as they are unable to do blasting as the 2 buildings are too integrated with one of the neighbouring towers. they are demolishing and constructing at the same time. Work on the piazza is well under way and the ramps for the parking have started.

pics pics pics, Cant wait to see durban in a few weeks time

will do when in town on fri

Was done there at the weekend. The whole building is covered by scaffolding and nets.

How's this doing?

its well underway. they have demolished the old buildings on site and are still aiming for their november 2008 completion

Ah that's awesome.

Drove past there yesterday and there seemed to be quite a bit of activity. Also noticed all pavements in Smith Street have been ripped up to be repaved like those in West St (or whatever the new road names are).

Drove past there yesterday and there seemed to be quite a bit of activity. Also noticed all pavements in Smith Street have been ripped up to be repaved like those in West St (or whatever the new road names are).

Those are good news Greg, its amazing on how replacement of pavements with the new one can make a difference. Its been done here in Jozi and I think it will do magic in Durbs.

sorry not been down in awhile, hard to find time to get into town. but drove past the other day on way to wilsons whalf and i must say it is rising rather well. do need to get pics tho

Durban Inner City upgrade underway
15 Sep 2008 - eProp - GrinakerLTA

Intro
The redevelopment of one of Durban’s landmark inner city retail arcades – at 57 Gardiner Street – is well underway, with building contractor Grinaker-LTA having completed the piling for its R86-million contract

The work also includes the construction of a new 10-storey parking garage that will provide 857 parking bays in Durban’s CBD.

Senior contracts manager Brad Wyatt reports that the piling for the new 15 000m2 parkade has been completed on schedule, pile caps for the project are well underway and the columns have commenced. The refurbishment of the ground floor arcades between Smith and West Streets and Gardiner Street and Mercury Lane has started, with the existing shops having been stripped out, in anticipation of their facelift, Wyatt states. Grinaker-LTA Building’s contract also entails the addition of a new food court area and 70 new shops to the arcades, as well as an upgrade of the existing foyer area of the Old Mutual building in Gardiner Street.

Challenges that the contractor expects to encounter during the course of this contract - which is due for completion in September 2009 – include those associated with working in the CBD, particularly traffic, public safety and delivery logistics. “Safety issues will be of paramount importance, since we’ll be working close to members of the public in an active shopping environment,” Wyatt comments. “We will also be ensuring that noise and dust pollution is kept to a minimum, for the occupants of the surrounding buildings, tenants and shoppers.”

Grinaker-LTA Building, which is part of the JSE-listed Aveng Group, is undertaking this contract for long-standing client Old Mutual Investments Group – Property Investments.

havent been to this part of town in a while, need to go see the progress.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Puzela/P1110765.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Puzela/P1110764.jpg

Updates DB?

uh............theres a crane on site?

ya and completion is like june next year. it not super exciting, a parkade with some office space and a nice big retail piazza. not much to see until complete hey

better late than never eh Pule? :lol:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/28062009515.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/28062009516.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/28062009518.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/28062009521.jpg

the retail component of this development will include 72 shops. Already Mcdonald's/McCafe and a few small ones are in

@ Db, true...

@ Dysan, nice...

It's like it's always raining in Durbs.

It's like it's always raining in Durbs.

he took these all in one day (the ones that went up today)...it has not rained here for ages

Ah.

yeh hasnt rained since and that was hardly rain, tiny drizzle and just my luck it was for the 10 minutes I was going around.

Went to town a few days ago and took some pics of this project. Looks like it's topped out and external work is nearing completion.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc160/ja65sin/IMG_4974.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc160/ja65sin/IMG_4975.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc160/ja65sin/IMG_4976.jpg

Great shots :) need to go and explore the piazza's and stores :) and here is hoping that old mutual push phase 3 thru...that is the 30 storey tower on top of this parking!

mike the masterplan I saw had the "twin" to old mutual centre not on top of this but on the corner replacing the 12F 60s box thereby puling them apart to create a super block

Ah ok...but i was told when building this parkade it was designed to take an additional 20 odd stories atop it. Will go back and check my source

I think that building Giles is talking about was part of the initial concept drawn up for OM properties. I think a model was built as well.

yip I have seen a model somewhere

Need to go downtown and check this out...

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

Improved Mutual Mall opens in Durban

10 November 2009

Another improvement for Durban CBD.

The R155 million stylish refurbishment of Mutual Mall in the Durban CBD was opened to the public on 2 November.

Drawing from four existing sites, the Mutual Mall project included the building of a 10-storey parking garage, the upgrade of offices in 300 Smith Street building, the creation of 50 new retail outlets and the renovation of the Main Foyer of Old Mutual Centre.

The project involved upgrading an existing retail arcade on the ground floors of Old Mutual Centre and 300 Smith Street buildings into a safe and convenient mall experience, resulting in a new tenant mix development for a world class retail offering in the Durban CBD.

Nestled between the streets of West, Gardiner and, Smith and Mercury Lane, Mutual Mall with about 4 200m², is an oasis within the heart of the CBD, offering office tenants working within the CBD a convenient, up-market and distinguished retail offering that's different, fresh and stimulating.

The four previous structures included the magnificent 31-storey A-grade tenanted office block, Old Mutual Centre; 300 Smith Street, which is an economical 18-storey office block which has undergone an upgrade to an A-grade building; and Gardiner House and Mutual Building which were demolished to create additional parking - about 400 additional bays resulted in a total of 800 bays (3 per 100m²).

"The value of the precinct has been maximised by modernising the finishes in the lift lobbies, upgrading the air-conditioning system, refurbishing the tenant interiors of 300 Smith Street building by upgrading the ceilings and power skirtings and providing the entire retail area that links all the buildings with a makeover," says Geoff Bright, OMIGPI's Regional Development Manager.

An ideal destination for office workers within the CBD, Mutual Mall is set to offer coffee shops, restaurants, banking services, fashion stores, a number of cellular shops and an optometrist. Other tenants still to come include a pharmacy, a supermarket, a hair salon and office services. "The central focal point is the food court area comprising a common area seating court, with the food outlets flanked around the court," Bright added.

OMIGPI Property Development executive, Brent Wiltshire, says an investment in KwaZulu-Natal is worthwhile.

"Having successfully led the way in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments is ideally placed when it comes to inner city rejuvenation," Wiltshire said.

The upgrade commenced in June 2008, and was launched last week just in time for this year's festive season.

The views expressed here are those of the contributors and not necessarily shared by Realestateweb. This announcement is published in the interests of the Realestateweb community of readers. Submit a media release or blog by sending an email to news@realestateweb.co.za.


http://www.realestateweb.co.za/realestateweb/view/realestateweb/en/page197?oid=51540&sn=Detail

^^Yes it does, havent been down there for a while now.

Does this development have street level shopping?

Will check it out and let you know, Pule.

Thanks Jerome.

^^ yes its all street level and among the arcades

Thanks Mike.

how the hell did my post get above Pules?

^^ I saw that happeing from yesterday.