...Johannesburg Discussion (Closed Feb 2009) [Archive]

joburg

April 8th, 2008, 12:30 PM

Gatwick of Gauteng? Best to put a stop to residential development around Lanseria then. OR Tambo is already pretty jammed in and I can't imagine there would be much growth potential, at least not for a new runway.

The growth of Lanseria is clearly a good indication of greater Joburg's growth.

Lanseria Airport traffic to soar
Privately owned airport is just taking off.

David Carte
07 Apr 2008 18:04

Lanseria Airport north of Johannesburg has set its sights on becoming the "Gatwick of Gauteng" and aims at 2m passengers a year in the next eight years.

Already the airport is the busiest corporate airport in SA and handles 100 000 flights a year. Most of the traffic, until recently, has been corporate and freight into Africa but now the airlines are taking a shine to it.

Lanseria is far more convenient for the rich north of Johannesburg than OR Tambo International. By the end of next year, the Malibongwe Drive to Lanseria will be four lanes all the way past Cosmo City to the N14 Krugersdorp-Pretoria highway. That should reduce the current travelling time from Sandton to Lanseria from about 45 minutes at peak time to 30 minutes. The trip from Sandton to OR Tambo can take 90 minutes in heavy traffic. The Gautrain is OR Tambo's big hope.

Lanseria's passenger terminal is adequate for present traffic but it expects a huge rise in numbers and is looking at building a new passenger terminal.

Already airlines are fighting to fly out of the airport. 1time (JSE: 1TM) has brought an action against its rival, Comair's kulula.com to the competition authorities. It is contesting a contract that grants kulula.com exclusive rights to fly from Lanseria for the next three years.

Airport general manager Gavin Sayce told Moneyweb that kulula was the first of the airlines to accept Lanseria's enticement to use the airport some two years ago.

"We had to offer them preferential treatment so we made the arrangement exclusive."

He said the present contract has three years to run. Lanseria will abide by any decision of the competition authorities.

Sayce says Lanseria has an advantage over all the other small airports in Gauteng. Rand Airport is too close to the flying space of OR Tambo. Grand Central's runway is too small. Lanseria has two runways capable of handling aircraft up to the Boeing 737. The number of scheduled kulula.com flights has increased from one a day two years ago to six a day at present.

After the exclusivity of the current contract expires, the other airlines will be clamouring to use Lanseria, whose take-off and landing fees are much lower than those at OR Tambo.

Sayce says the airport will expand in line with demand. He said the company foresees no impending need for outside capital.

The airport, which comprises two runways, state-of-the-art air traffic control, numerous hangars on 265ha of land, is owned by three individuals, who try to maintain a low profile.

Noise is the most contentious matter for any airport. Sayce says modern airliners are quieter than many corporate jets. At this stage, the area around Lanseria is not that densely populated but population does grow daily and in time the Gatwick of Gauteng will surely come up against opponents.

Jakes1

April 8th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Interesting indeed. And yes, the Gautrain will be OR Tambo's biggest card to play. But that would only be from Sandton. In the north (with current traffic), lanseria will become an increasingly enticing offer.

Pule

April 8th, 2008, 03:39 PM

Rhema opens in Jhb CBD
2008/04/08

The transformation of the Johannesburg CBD enjoys a further boost as Rhema Church has recently opened its doors to a new satellite venue.

The new satellite venue for Rhema Church, which hosts an extension of the weekly services, is located at 10 Smit Street between Braamfontein, the Johannesburg CBD, Newtown and Milpark. The venue is surrounded by many residential apartments, office blocks, the M1 highway on/off ramps and most importantly it is next door to the Braamfontein train station.

"We are very excited about the opportunity of starting a fresh work in the heart of the CBD, what excited us about this property was the convenience of the location being next to the train station and the universities," states Pastor Ray McCauley.

"We put in a lot of effort to ensure that a property was found that would suit our tenant's requirements. The 2,300sq m property has excellent visibility, the required ceiling height and a large hall space," says Justin Blend of Rejuvenate Properties.

"We anticipate large crowds from the beginning and believe that we will be able to do a lot more for the community through our physical presence in town. We anticipate setting up a Christian book store in the premises which will be a first for town," says McCauley

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Are these the good news, you be the judge

Yesterday I phoned the Joburg City Council's department that is responsible for hawker stall in the city as me and my friend had a plan to create designer hawker stalls with advertising on them. We have been in disuccion about this for a long time and I finally contacted them and asked them to give us time to present to them what we were planning. I must be honest and appload all those guys working in that department as they are very helpfull and friendly. I spoke to 2 of them before finally speaking to the Project Manager.

She told me that the unfortunate part is that the municipality will be removing the hawker stalls from the CBD and where possible create proper shelters like the ones at Bree Street taxi rank which clean and managed properly. The only other surviving ones are the ones like Kerk Street Market and she said there are some nice things coming to modernise those markets and the presentation have already being done.

She told me that some of those stalls have actually helped criminals to operate freely in the CBD. She said that the aim of teh city is to allow tourists and our people to walk freely without any distruction and the stalls have made that impossible. She told me to go check at bree street as they have already started removing some.

To me those are good news but again it means that plenty of people will loose income as I do not believe that the city will be able to accomodate them in other areas. But again removal of those guys from our streets will amke sure that people walk free and crime will be reduce again. The other obstacle they have is that plenty of these people on street do not want to register with them and therefore making it difficult to run things properly.

So guys come 2010, Johannesburg will be a totally different city. My only problem now is the issue of taxis as they treasury doesn't want to release enough money to accelerate the TRP. I think the threasury should release enough money for all cities that are hosting the 2010 SWC games so taht we can have a proper public transport by then.

DoviJozi

April 9th, 2008, 11:17 AM

http://bp3.blogger.com/_Xhfe_rsssPg/R_sugFhunJI/AAAAAAAAAKk/X_Wp1lCDG8A/s320/P1080917.JPG

Does anyone know what the old revolving restaurant in that building is now used for? To my knowledge the building itself is now owned by Wits...

Pity we don't have any revolving restaurants currently operating in Jo'burg, as back in the day there were two or three...

joburg

April 9th, 2008, 11:46 AM

It always was owned by Wits if I'm not mistaken. It used to be a canteen. Nowadays it's all dusty and used for storage. :(

The rest of the building is still used though for exhibitions and stuff. Also used by ballet and dancing people, and it's not uncommon to see dancers flouncing about through the windows.

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 12:13 PM

Tom you previously spoke about the possibility that being tuned into resturant again, what's the update?

Do you have numbers of those who run that building so that we can phone and ask, at some point a number of phone calls does make people think.

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 02:38 PM

Vida e cafe will open its doors just opposite the Rand Club. Cnr Harrison and Commisioner, walked passed there today. There couple of building that are being renovated for retail in commisioner and the streets closerby.

Jakes1

April 9th, 2008, 03:37 PM

That is great news! Cant wait to go to Vida E. A new one opened in Irene, Centurion recently. And then another is opening up in Brooklyn as well. bloody capetonians!

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 04:05 PM

That is great news! Cant wait to go to Vida E. A new one opened in Irene, Centurion recently. And then another is opening up in Brooklyn as well. bloody capetonians!

Remember we passed there and there we guys working? I never thought that would be the place.

joburg

April 9th, 2008, 04:18 PM

yay for the capetonians and the vida :D
seattle would be awesome too if they took themselves out of their exclusive books box.

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 04:30 PM

Buy this one for me, I don't think its that expensive. It's been renovated as it didn't look like this before.

http://www.joburgcentral.co.za/images/uploadimages/large_auction_smal_anderson_big_600x450.jpg?PHPSESSID=5300cc302a15f9518536c52c631c4227

Park Village Auctions presents a jewel in the crown of the JHB CBD

Located in Marshalltown on the corner of Smal and Anderson street, just below the Central Improvement District.

Stand No 451, Stand Size ±530m²
Designed originally as law offices comprises two double story suites each with its own offices.
Auction Date: 16 April 2008
Address : The Wanderers Sports Club
Time: 12HOO
Contact : Lawrence on 082 8282 323

waltjie

April 9th, 2008, 04:34 PM

...oh man you just have to love the Johannesburg CBD.... who would think you'd have these two little fella's sitting right there below the IBM building... just waiting to be snapped up.

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 04:39 PM

Every shitty building in Jozi is either up for sale or its being renovated. As I said before its semms like the devlopers woke up one day and realised that its now 2008 and they have to get things going. That's Jozi for you buddy.

Jakes1

April 9th, 2008, 04:45 PM

It is gathering speed. The current economic slow-down will undoubtedly have an impact, but at least things are happening.

joburg

April 9th, 2008, 05:51 PM

Geeeez that's an awesome find! Completely random!

Went through a drive through the city last night with someone and we couldn't believe how much is changing. Pity though that the Post Office and the Barbican are still the way they are, but oh well

Pule

April 9th, 2008, 08:11 PM

I passed there after work today Tom, Neil Fraser have been writing forever about the provincial government which should be leading in renovating its heritage building but they never bothered to do anything. They should be the leading example.

Who own Barbarican, that's a serious waist, such a nice building.

Jakes1

April 10th, 2008, 09:07 AM

Old Mutual own the Barbican...

joburg

April 10th, 2008, 09:57 AM

Yup yup shame on you Old Mutual (and i do hope your google alerts pick this up!!) for not doing anything about the Barbican!!

waltjie

April 10th, 2008, 10:28 AM

Trendy CBD apartments 'risky'

It's the 'in' thing to invest in a CBD apartment, but no-one really knows whether the inner cities are going to be successful in the long-term and this makes investing a risky business.

Over the past five years or so the development and rejuvenation successes of South Africa's inner cities have been hotly debated. After Trevor Manuel's 2002 announcement of the creation of Urban Development Zones, various cities started trying to clean up their act.

"Housing reports released late last year by both Absa and Standard Bank confirm that while house price growth for the country as a whole has dropped to its lowest level in years, inner cities seem to be bucking the trend," says Mike Bester, CEO of Realty1 International Property Group.

"In December 2007, house prices in Johannesburg's inner city were still surging ahead at a substantial 41%, according to a report by mortgage risk management company Lightstone," says Bester.

The report showed a similar trend in evidence during 2007 in other metropoles, including Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London and Randburg, with Cape Town currently recording growth of around 10%, and Port Elizabeth and East London at 33%.

To date, Cape Town is perceived to have had the most successful turnaround. Founder member and a director of the Cape Town Inner City Improvement District Theodore Yach said that since the beginning of the cleanup process in 1999 almost 3,000 new residential apartments had been made available by different property developers in the central city district. Sold at an average price of R1m, 75% of the apartments were intended for owner occupation while 25% were to be leased to tenants, said Yach.

But during a July 2007 study conducted by a property company focusing on the Cape Town CBD, a canvas of inner city business owners on the success of the revitalisation effort produced predominantly dim views that the benefit of the higher numbers of inner-city residents seem to be evading retailers.

Long Street bookshop owner Graham Leigh said the increase in business that he had expected had not materialised. However, he believed that more tourists were visiting the CBD now than in the past as they felt safer, and that this was definitely a step in the right direction.

So how successful are the various CBD revitalisation efforts really and is investing in property in these areas viable? It can be a risky venture, warns Bester. "With the current slowdown in the economic environment, buyers need to be sure they are playing safe with their investments," he says. "All indications are that the inner cities have done well up to now, but investors have found it difficult to rent out their buy-to-lets and nobody really knows whether the CBD efforts are going to be successful in the long term."

Popular loft-style apartments in buildings like Hillbrow's recently-refurbished Ponte sell for up to R1m for a three-bedroomed unit. The average investor buying with an 80% bond on the property would need to rent these apartments out for at least R9500 per month to cover his costs. Taking account of the fact the area surrounding the building has not been subject to a similar revitalisation as yet, it follows that a family with children that can afford this type of rental amount is unlikely to want to live in this environment when for the same price they can rent a house with a double garage and a swimming pool in one of Johannesburg's more upmarket suburbs.

"Durban has seen a similar problem with the redevelopment of its Point precinct," says Bester. "Residents of the exquisite apartments in the refurbished Point Prison, now known as the Point Bastille, run the gauntlet of the flatland around Addington Hospital to get home. Most of the blocks are derelict and home to building hijackers, warlords, drug users and prostitutes, which makes travelling through the area late at night decidedly dangerous."

So trendy it might be to invest in the inner city, but Bester believes in the current economic environment a traditional freehold or sectional title property in a quality suburb or estate with good security is still a safer investment.

"It's far easier to get a mortgage bond on a traditional property," he says, "as well as to find reliable tenants if you are buying to let. If you plan to live on the property, the inner city is no place for a traditional family."

Bester says he is not questioning that there is a market for these "trendy" properties, but he believes that this type of investment is best left to those who can afford to take the risks attached to buying and living in these areas.

Jakes1

April 10th, 2008, 10:36 AM

I read the article, and agree with it to a certain extent. A it is a fact: The higher the rewards, the higher the risks.

However, I would regard luxury apartments in Durban CBD and Point, and Johannesburg CBD as high risk. In Cape Town - these still fly - but the really costly ones will maybe run into problems later. But apartments for middle-income groups? There is a clear gap for this, which Pacerez, Afcho and others have made obvious. Middle income groups need a place to stay that is safe, affordable and close to work and amenities. And the Joburg CBD in particular offers this.

In fact, I have worked with police officers that make it clear that Hillbrow is easier to police than wealthier suburbs - because of higher levels of community involvement.

So there are risks - and we cant be too romantic about all of this. But there are opportunities as well. I believe apartments in the R350 000 to R600 000 range is still a good investment.

Pule

April 10th, 2008, 10:36 AM

Old Mutual own the Barbican...

I'm so dissapointed with them, how come they leave in that condition for so long?

Pule

April 10th, 2008, 10:53 AM

Old Mutual own the Barbican...

I'm so dissapointed with them, how come they leave in that condition for so long?

Pule

April 10th, 2008, 12:03 PM

1. Picasso, Comissioner Street, opened its doors.
2. As per yesterday's post they still busy with Vida.
3. Work is continuing on ther otherside of the newly opened gallery in Commisioner Street.
4. Work started on retail in the same building as the new gallery.
5. City Property is busy with other building close to the Art gallery.
6. Mzantsi Designers will be opening soon at the retail part of the Randwater building.
7. Corner Sauer and Commisioner, work is continuing on the so called " The worst building in the CBD".

I could just walk that far and my legs were killing me already. I think we soon gonna need a resturants thread for Jozi.

Pule

April 14th, 2008, 10:41 AM

Joburg suburb installs solar streetlights as part of regeneration plans

By: Christy van der Merwe
Published: 11 Apr 08 - 17:07

Solar power was playing an illuminating role in Johannesburg inner city regeneration efforts, as solar streetlights have been installed on Kenmare street, in Yeoville as a part of the Hillbrow, Berea, Yeoville upgrade being carried out by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA).
Broadwing Technologies installed the three solar streetlights.

"Evaluation was done together with the JDA, to monitor performance, and it was found that the solar street lights were not only satisfactory, but exceeded their [JDA's] expectations," Broadwing Technologies director Dan Hurwitz told Engineering News Online.

The cost of the installation of solar streetlights was said to compare favourably with the cost of installation of conventional streetlights. "The capital cost is more or less equal to the traditional grid-connected streetlight, but there are a number of additional benefits," Hurwitz added.

Lifecycle maintenance costs of the installation are favourable as the Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs used in the streetlights, use a lower voltage to produce a brighter light and can be used without replacement for about 20 years. "The thin-film solar panel used has a very high temperature tolerance, and is immune to damage from hail," stated Hurwitz.

Renewable energy from the sun meant independence from the Eskom coal-based generation of power, which in turn meant cost savings and environmental gains.

Hurwitz added that another advantage was that the installation offered instant electrification, and there was no need to trench cables or wait for connection to the grid. The installation could take as little as 30 minutes, as the unit would arrive at the location partly assembled.

The streetlights were manufactured locally.

"The idea came from other countries - we saw that it was being utilised in China and Europe and we actually looked at importing one of these units from China, but we found that the quality of the product that we received from China would not suit the South African climate and consumer market, and therefore we opted to design our own system in South Africa for South Africans," said Hurwitz.

There was also the possibility of retrofitting existing high pressure sodium and the older mercury vapour street lights, with more efficient LED lights, which would also result in alleviating strain on the Eskom national grid.

"Even though it is still grid connected using the existing infrastructure, we believe that it could save up to a third, and our estimation is that for every 12 000 or 15 000 street lights that are retrofitted, you could save 1 MW. We believe that City power, in Johannesburg, has about 140 000 streetlights installed just in their region, so if one took the whole country, doing these replacements could save a significant number of megawatts and it would certainly help with the electricity crisis that the country is facing," Hurwitz concluded.

.

Pule

April 14th, 2008, 10:44 AM

Gulivar

April 16th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Excellent.

Jakes1

April 16th, 2008, 06:00 PM

the new solar power traffic lights will also be a great addition to our roads. it is bloody crazy to navigate through traffic when they are out due to load shedding, cable theft or other problems.

Inertia

April 16th, 2008, 07:09 PM

I dunno if anyone has noticed the large solar panels outside Investec and opposite Mcdonalds (cnr Rivonia and Grayston). I'm guessing these are for the lights??

Pule

April 17th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Jakes1

April 17th, 2008, 12:54 PM

I also vaguely remember that thread, Pule. And the solar panels might well be for the traffic lights - as far as I know it will be rolled out in the northern suburbs first.

PS - check out my new pics in the pretoria gallery.

KomSakkie

April 17th, 2008, 01:29 PM

I found a couple and from 1980 and posted them in a thread called 'Any photos from 1960-1990?' not many but thats all I've seen.......otherwise I don't know.

Jakes1

April 17th, 2008, 02:32 PM

And they are looking after our parks... First we have the new security guys at major parks, and now, new equipment. And Johannesburg Parks will be developing a lot of new parks (another 24hour makeover park coming to Diepkloof, Soweto). and 200 000 new trees to be planted in the southern districts throughout 2008! Go Green!

New mowers give grass short shrift
Written by Emily Visser
Tuesday, 15 April 2008

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/newmower000.jpg
City Parks has taken ownership of five new mega-mowers. They should make the job of cutting the grass at Joburg parks a whole lot easier.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/newmower001.jpg
State of the art: the new mower’s capabilities are explained to City Parks MD, Luther Williamson THEY costs the price of an average car and look like household lawnmowers on steroids, but City Parks's latest gardening toys can turn on a 10 cent coin.

Over the past two years, Johannesburg's parks utility has been replacing its ageing equipment and the latest acquisitions are five oversized, grass-hungry John Deere grass mowers. The new machines will replace some of the tractors now used for cutting the grass in the city's flagship parks.

Four will be deployed to the four City Parks zones and one will be based at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens in Emmarentia.

Besides giving a cleaner cut, the grass-cutting output can more than double with the new machines, confirms Patrick Meyer, City Parks's facilities manager. "Ultimately, we would like to replace all the tractors with these machines."

The utility cuts between three and four hectares of grass a day with the tractors. The John Deere mowers have a larger deck area and with their ease of movement, the machines can cut up to three hectares an hour under ideal conditions.

City Parks officially took ownership of its new mowers at Zoo Lake on 11 April, with John Deere representatives and parks officials present and drivers on hand to give a live demonstration. The grain harvester lookalikes quickly showed their worth as they twirled with ease between the large trees and park obstacles.

With 30 years experience under his belt, Simon Rabonda shows how it’s done With a hefty price tag of R170 000, the machines come with all the necessary safety precautions and about as much comfort, with snug, adjustable seating and a special canopy to give the drivers protection against the elements. They switch easily between 2x4 and 4x4 modes, with the mere toggle of a control button.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/newmower002.jpg
And with power steering, cutting between trees is no longer a challenge - the size of the tractors makes it difficult to cut too close to the trees, so additional staff is necessary to cut around trees.

The drivers had a full day's training in operating the machines effectively and safely, and were suitably impressed with their new equipment. Simon Rabonda, a parks employee since 1977, had no problem in riding his mechanical horse. "Hy werk so mooi en sterk (it works nice and is strong)," he summed it up briefly.

"It will make our jobs easier," confirmed Sibusi Maramba, a tractor driver for the last 15 years.

And Meyer added jokingly, "Now there is no more excuse not to work in the rain."

Source: Joburg.org.za

joburg

April 17th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Went to the James and Ethel Grey Park on Sunday morning with some early morning Seattle coffee. City Parks has really done the park up so nicely! And it's amazing to think how HUGE the park is. One just doesn't realise how many green spaces we have in this city..

Jakes1

April 17th, 2008, 03:47 PM

Johannesburg truly has amazing parks... Remember to take pictures next time!

Pule

April 17th, 2008, 04:34 PM

One of the SA SSC member posted the pics of what Hillbrow used to be like when it was still "Thee" place to be and I have tried to located them but I can't. Could you guys please assist me in findiong them?

Thanks KomSakkie, this is what I was looking for.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/452089466_5dfef2b0f3.jpg

When driving though that street, one could see that it was one of the most entertainment filled streets of the 80s. Its said that its now delapidated. I just hope that investors will be into this and other busy street.

It really hurts, :ohno:

KomSakkie

April 18th, 2008, 12:17 AM

In a bit of a rush so the rest of what I have found out I will tell later, but I spoke to a freind of mine who is an architect based in Jozi..... well we spoke for a while interms of developments in Joburg which I will fill you in on later..... but what really got me excited is the condition that Johannesburg developers are in... and I quote,he said "Joburg is about to enter a stage of Dubia fever" and this is said with absolute confidence!!!!:banana: This is mainly focused on Sandton and Rosebank, not theCBD unfortunatly.

SYDNEY

April 18th, 2008, 05:30 AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/452089466_5dfef2b0f3.jpg

Shit that pic brings back some awesome memories, I used to go to Cafe Zurich and Cafe Paris after a night out at Connections (the best gay bar that Jozi ever had). Both cafes were packed with revellers at 7 in the morning and then we would drag our tired bodies to Cafe Three Sisters - which was about a block away. We used to sit outside and watch all the beautiful and trendy people pass by ....Next door to Cafe Three Sisters was Garbo's (a gay restaurant) ... it was at Garbo's that a bomb went off and that signaled the start of Hillbrow's decline ... so, so sad :ohno:

Giles, you should remember Bella Napoli's ? :) ... we used to walk past there on our way to Connections and tease all the str8 boys queing-up outside (the que used to stretch around the block ;) ) .... oh and the night time shopping was incredible (Hillbrow used to have the biggest record shop in the Southern Hemisphere) and the clothes stores were something else, never to be seen again in Jo'burg (funky with a capital F) ....

Thanks for that pic, it has brought back so many memories (don't get me started on Highpoint - loads of fun in that building) :) There is an area here in Auckland called K' Road which is very similiar to Hillbrow in the 70's & 80's - It always stirs up old memories and I miss those days like crazy .....

joburg

April 18th, 2008, 09:13 AM

I was a friend who was a hairdresser at the Landdrost Hotel and he also tells me such awesome retro tales ;)

His favourite is how his fellow hairdressers, who seemingly was a bit of a ditz, said 'hi' to Elizabeth Taylor as she walked into the Landdrost cos she thought she was one of their clients.

It's kinda weird (and extremely surreal) to drive past the Landdrost now and know that Elizabeth Taylor once graced its apparently ornate interior. It's like Hillbrow underwent a mini atomic bomb that left only the relics of a somewhat disingeuous past.

Pule

April 18th, 2008, 09:28 AM

Nandos, KFC and Steers have moved to new premises in the same street, lets just hope that others will follow trend. It willbe nice to have life back in Hillbrow, guys please post more of loden days Hillbrow pics.

joburg

April 18th, 2008, 10:18 AM

I really think Masondo is one of the best things to have happened to this city. I don't think people realise how much he has done.

Ramshackle revival
18 Apr 2008 - Inet Bridge -

“Is this your rubble?” Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo asks the shopkeeper next to a mound of litter on a Wanderers Street pavement. “I’m coming back at 4.30 and I want it gone.”

Masondo isn’t short of staff to clean things up but the incident underlines Jo’burg’s ramshackle revival from tawdry 1990s urban sinkhole towards its ambition of becoming Africa’s first great 21st-century city.

Things are changing in the inner city. As streets and public places improve, property owners who have complained for years about the city not working are being told they are part of the process.

“Our commitment to the charter is unwavering,” says Ruby Motaung, the mayoral committee member in charge of the inner city. “But property owners must do their bit as well.”

Masondo often strides through the CBD and Jo’burg’s inner-city suburbs, checking how far the inner-city charter, agreed at a forum this time last year, is being fulfilled. He knows all 192 regeneration targets by heart. They are breathtaking in scope and detail, covering every aspect of city life and management from safe streets and visible policing to art, literacy, immigrant assistance and Internet connections.

Of the 43 due for completion by December 2008, 30 had been completed by the time a stakeholder forum was held in March. The other 13 are due to be finished by the end of June.

They include a R2bn budget commitment over five years, of which R300m is to be spent by June of this year. This includes R171m for the Johannesburg Development Agency to upgrade the streets and public areas of Hillbrow, Berea and Yeoville, and the provision of more than 1000 transitional and emergency beds. Another R100m from departmental budgets has been set aside for urban management.

Since last July, Motaung and regional manager Nathi Mthethwa have recruited officials from 30 departments to form a 176-member, multidisciplinary team to oversee progress. It includes 86 police, 18 environmental management specialists, two health specialists, two town-planning inspectors, 20 pest control officers and 30 urban inspectors.

They sweep through precincts at a moment’s notice to close down illegal liquor outlets, arrest drug dealers and petty criminals, warn or fine building occupants for by-law infringements like signage and overcrowding, and check on the condition of infrastructure.

Above all, they spend time educating the burgeoning residential population about acceptable behaviour.

Cities expert Neil Fraser, who publishes the weekly Citichat newsletter, estimates that the number of city-centre residents has grown in the past five or six years from 1200000 to around 300000.

A few weeks ago Cape Town Partnership’s Andrew Boraine and estate agent Samuel Seeff posed for photographers in front of 3200 residential units built in that city’s CBD in the past five years. That is slightly more than Affordable Housing Co CEO Renney Plit is building in a single corner of Jo’burg — 2500 units in New Doornfontein.

Cape Town Urban researcher Theodore Yach estimates Jo’burg’s CBD is 14 times bigger than Cape Town’s.

“We’re investing another R1bn in converting offices to flats in the next couple of years,” says Plit. “By then we should have 10000 units.”

Pretoria developer Alec Wapnick’s City Property is said to be investing another R2bn to bring his total conversions to 10000 and earn him and his listed property fund Premium monthly rental income of around R25m.

But even this pace isn’t enough. The charter calls for 75000 new units. The pace of conversion is likely to slow as building prices rise from as little as R125/m² 10 years ago to over R2000/m² today. Rising building costs and interest rates are likely to knock initial investment returns that last year were a juicy 11%. But the target seems reachable.

Cranes are starting to rise in the city as developers start building new offices. Johannesburg Development Co is building a new mixed office and retail complex at the southwestern corner of the city, next to the magistrate’s court, to connect to the already upgraded old financial district. Just up the road is the newly opened four-star Mapungubwe Hotel, which enjoys 90% occupancy.

“Developers have committed a further R5bn to new projects,” says Johannesburg Inner City Business Coalition chief Anne Steffny.

Yet developers are still grumbling. A deadline of December 2007 for municipal clearance certificates — allowing property ownership to be transferred within three months of application — has passed and the process could be more than a year late.

Most of the blame for this failure is being directed at the municipal bodies property owners most love to hate — City Power and City Water. Neither is likely to achieve the three-months clearance turnaround this year.

One notable success — achieved by Steffny’s Kagiso Urban Management — is the consolidation of seven city property databases into one. The inner city now knows it has 17680 properties, of which 176 are vacant and 714 in very bad condition. These buildings, which go into the proposed better-buildings programme, are the source of most criminal and antisocial behaviour and it is vital to regenerate them.

They also provide the most immediate development opportunity, which is why people like Plit and Brian Miller — head of the Poma property owners’ association — are so angered by delays.

Another hold-up is the absence of measures to control street hawkers. Inner city programme manager Yael Horowitz says these have hit legal and technical snags.

However, it seems that after years of talking about it, a clean, safe, walkable and thriving central Jo’burg may be on the way. Even former sceptics like Miller are becoming convinced.

Well, almost. Horowitz and Motaung reckon it will take three years for the regeneration to turn Jo’burg into a great city. But Miller says: “It will take another five years.” - Ian Fife

Source: Financial Mail

Jakes1

April 18th, 2008, 10:22 AM

Very good article! 700 very bad buildings out of almost 18 000. Interesting stats. And a lot is happening - as this wave gathers speed.

Pule

April 18th, 2008, 10:39 AM

Very interesting, this is a city at work and the results are showing. Masondo is the city's Angel.

joburg

April 18th, 2008, 04:33 PM

UPS AND DOWNS

Streets apart

By Larry Claasen

For a city that's only 122 years old, Johannesburg has demonstrated surprising fluidity in giving status to, and later dumping, some of its most prominent streets.

Compared with 356-year-old Cape Town, which has always had Adderley Street as its backbone, Johannesburg has shown no interest in retaining the status of the streets that were at one point supposedly paved with gold.

Eloff Street was once the centre of Johannesburg's shopping district but with inner-city decay, the most highly priced property los t its place to Sandton.

It's the same with most of Johannesburg's other leading streets. But while some have fallen, others have risen. West Street was once better known for housing the Sandton municipal offices but these drab structures have disappeared against a background of posh business parks.

The losers:

Commissioner Street. It may have been the first home of the JSE back in 1887 but not even the Carlton Centre, Africa's tallest building, could save it from obscurity.

Diagonal Street. Lost its lustre when in 2000 the JSE vacated 17 Diagonal Street for plush Sandton. The Marketing Federation is there now but it will take a little more than this to bring its power back.

Rissik Street. Named after deputy surveyor-general Johannes Rissik - who, along with Johannes Joubert, was dispatched by Paul Kruger in 1886 to investigate the proclamation of the goldfields - it has suffered rapid decline. City Hall gives it some bearing, but it says a lot that the post office, built a year after Joubert and Rissik arrived, has stood empty since 1996.

The survivor:

Simmonds Street. If it were not for Standard Bank and FNB's sprawling offices, it would have joined Commissioner Street in the "formerly famous" dustbin.

Since there seems to be no indication that the banks will be relocating their head offices soon, this street is likely to survive for a lot longer.

A few years ago, Myles Ruck, a non-executive director at Standard Bank, was asked if the group was planning to list in the UK, as many SA companies were doing. His response was, "Move to London? We haven't even moved to Sandton yet."

The stars:

Gwen Lane. This innocuous street might be better known in some circles for its boisterous News Café but don't be fooled; it has been the home of the JSE for the past eight years. With R62bn traded on the local bourse in the first week of this month, this little street is more than a penny lane.

Grayston Drive. There is more to this street than a quick route into the Sandton business district or easy access to the M1. Since Investec and Old Mutual set up shop there, the value of listed companies on Grayston Drive has risen to about R123bn. Besides these financial-sector giants, it shares a border with the state-funded Industrial Development Corporation, which controls assets totalling R63,6bn, according to its latest annual report.

Rivonia Road. Worth about R170bn, based on the listed companies headquartered on it. SA's corporate giants Nedbank, RMB Holdings and FirstRand have made it the country's most expensive and powerful street. But it is not only these banks that call Rivonia Road home. IBM and cell phone operator Cell C have offices on it, as well as four leading hotels, major corporates and an Aston Martin dealership. Rivonia Road tenants should lobby toymaker Hasbro to make their street the most expensive one on the Monopoly board.

Inertia

April 18th, 2008, 06:54 PM

And Maude?

Luf

April 18th, 2008, 08:56 PM

In a way a sad article Joburg. But times are changing and even a huge critic (me) is seeing light when it comes to the CBD.

Pule

April 21st, 2008, 09:44 AM

Commisioner, Diagonal and Rissi Street are back in action. Take a ride and see for yourself.

Pule

April 21st, 2008, 04:53 PM

R7,8bn low-cost housing scheme planned for south of Johannesburg

By: Leandi Rostoll
Published: 18 Apr 08 - 0:00

Construction company Basil Read has signed a 50:50 R7,8-billion deal with Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa (Omigsa) to finance and construct a low-cost housing development in the Midvaal Municipality area 40-km south of Johannesburg.
The new housing development, known as Doornkuil, will include 18 000 residential housing units for poorer South Africa citizens. The 1 460-ha site, has already been identified.

"Besides affordable housing, the new suburb will offer schools, sports facilities, parks, libraries, community centres, as well as retail, commercial and industrial space for offices and shops," says Omigsa executive director Derrick Msibi.

The project also involves the construction of roads and the upgrading of water, sewerage and electricity services.

Basil Read Developments will manage all aspects of the project, with the design based on its Cosmo City integrated housing and mixed-use plan.

Basil Read MD Des Hughes says, "Omigsa is investing in the Doornkuil project because it is an exceptional investment possibility and an opportunity to become involved in providing affordable housing to the poor."

Construction on the project will start in early 2009. The project is currently undergoing an environmental-impact assessment, township planning, and preliminary engineering design.

Basil Read notes that it has received widespread support from the Midvaal municipality for the implementation of the project.

Midvaal Municipality executive mayor Marti Wenger says, "I am very enthusiastic about this project going forward. It will assist in building the community in this area."

According to Basil Read, a recent survey showed that the Midvaal area accounts for at least 36% of the traffic flow entering Johannesburg.

Included in the project is a train station to assist commuters traveling between their homes and Johannesburg.

Hughes says the development will also contribute towards a "greener" South Africa by focusing on the environment and energy saving. A nursery will also be constructed on the development area, where over 100 000 trees and shrubs will be propagated for planting throughout the development.

clive3300

April 21st, 2008, 07:14 PM

Why such a big development so far away? Surely its smarter to build high density low cost much closer in?

joburg

April 21st, 2008, 11:04 PM

I would agree with you Clive, but I think the target market, being previously disadvantaged would perhaps prefer to live in a suburban environment rather than a built-up one. Infact I think the majority of Joburgers aspire to more suburban environments given its perceived luxuries and space.

High-density stuff I think is more attractive right now to the upper segment of South Africa, who are increasingly seeing it as a good alternative to sitting in traffic etc. Whereas the poorer segment of society see living spaciously as something that should be aspired to.

That's just my theory at least. Dunno if it's a bunch of twack!?

joburg

April 21st, 2008, 11:06 PM

I think this is quite a big thing for Joburg?

Joburg to Host International Broadcasting Centre in 2010

NEWS
21 April 2008
Posted to the web 21 April 2008

By Bathandwa Mbola
Johannesburg

The City of Johannesburg will host the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and develop a multi-million Rand precinct around Nasrec.

Scheduled to be officially announced on Monday, the city was selected by a joint National Government and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), IBC Bid Evaluation Team.

Joburg City Executive Director for 2010, Sibongile Mazibuko on Sunday said the city was delighted to be selected to host the IBC.

The city has partnered with the national Departments of Transport, Communications, Public Works, Sport, and the private sector to invest significant amounts on money and effort aimed at transforming Nasrec into a thriving successful precinct, she said.

"This IBC announcement bodes well for the city's preparations for world cup and is sure to position this precinct consistent with its new brand slogan - Nasrec, its happening!," said Ms Mazibuko.

The Nasrec precinct is a flagship development node being developed by the city-owned Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) to bridge the apartheid spatial planning gap between the south of Johannesburg and the city centre.

It comprises of 420 hectares in size and currently accommodates the Soccer City, the Johannesburg Expo Centre and the Crown Mines Golf Course.

"We have worked closely with the private sector through the Nasrec Land Owners Forum, which plays a key role in the development of the precinct," said JDA Chief Executive Officer, Lael Bethlehem.

According to Ms Bethlehem, significant portions of publicly-owned and privately owned land are available for development, she said adding that the JDA was coordinating overall development in the area and is managing the infrastructure upgrades.

Extensive road network improvements which include a portion of the Bus Rapid Transit system (to be known as Rea Vaya), new rail links and the creation of a public transport hub and better pedestrian links are all being rolled out to underpin development.

The Rand Show Road will be one of the main spine roads and will be used by spectators to access the precinct of the stadium, Ms Bethlehem said.

This road and the adjacent roads (like Nasrec Road) have been upgraded by the JDA to provide the necessary infrastructure for the IBC, she said.

The development, she said will generate many opportunities for surrounding communities and the general public. Environmental management is core to the development and operation of the precinct.

Pule

April 22nd, 2008, 09:53 AM

I don't know if you guys saw it on news yesterday and today but the Nasrec Train station and the complex as a whole ig gonna be a killer. I hope that we will get photos of the precinct.

Pule

April 22nd, 2008, 10:45 AM

Guys, anyone who subscribe to the star, please so us a favour and get the article from here.

http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=2518&fRequestedUrl=%2Findex.php%3FfArticleId%3D4366622

Pule

April 22nd, 2008, 11:06 AM

Get yourselves The Star newspaper and check page 8 and 13, Nasrec Precinct and 2010.

joburg

April 22nd, 2008, 02:12 PM

Thanks Pules.

Have you guys seen the development in Greenside? It's called Greenside Quarter, and I'm hoping it's going to be similar in design to Parktown Quarter..

http://www.retailafrica.co.za/images/parktownSM1.jpg

Pule

April 22nd, 2008, 03:25 PM

I like the combination of colours, I'm sure the atmosphere will be great.

Jakes1

April 22nd, 2008, 04:12 PM

we are neck in neck with durban again...

Jakes1

April 23rd, 2008, 10:48 AM

Flats, a hotel, a massive transport hub and an international broadcast centre are some of the approved plans for the Nasrec precinct in preparation for the World Cup.
THE City will spend over R120-million on upgrading the Nasrec precinct in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. This was announced by Executive Mayor Amos Masondo at the Expo Centre at Nasrec, in Soweto, on Monday, 21 April.

He said the money would be used mainly to rent and upgrade the required halls and facilities from the Expo Centre.

"In addition, the City will provide various services relating to electricity installation, security and monitoring, waste removal, health and transport."

Nasrec is one of Johannesburg's oldest and largest exhibition centres. Thousands of broadcasters from around the world will be based at the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) at the site for the six week of the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. Germany hosted 13 400 accredited TV commentators, camera crew and technical staff at its IBC during the last World Cup, in 2006.

The upgrades to the precinct were approved in 2001 as a development node to bridge the spatial planning gap between the south and the north of Johannesburg. Already, the City has partnered with the private sector in investing R1-billion for the development of flats and a four-star hotel.

Apartments
A planned 500-flat development will be used to accommodate media members working at the IBC. The flats will be designed to set up an active, vibrant interface with the new pedestrian promenade and transport hub, by having a retail spine abutting the promenade and square.

The hotel will be located next to the pedestrian promenade and square. It will comprise of 171 rooms, nine superior suites, one presidential suite and 161 standard suites.

To be developed by the Johannesburg Development Agency, the pedestrian promenade will provide the main link between the Expo Centre and the Soccer City stadium. A 25m bridge will be built across the widened Landbou Road and the railway tracks on to Stadium Avenue.

Situated to the north, parallel to Landbou Road, the Nasrec Station will also form part of the upgrade. It will be a fully functional railway station for the World Cup and will serve future industrial, commercial and residential developments planned for the area after the soccer tournament.

There will be three public transport systems in place during the event: the Bus Rapid Transit system, taxis and rail. A transport hub will be built to accommodate all these at the southwest end of the pedestrian promenade. It will have taxi, bus and rail drop-off and pickup points. The total public transport capacity of the hub is projected to be 23 280 an hour.

Masondo said once complete, Nasrec would be one of the most accessible precincts in the country, providing economic opportunities to the surrounding communities and the general public.

Significant changes were taking place in Soweto, with the tarring of all roads, the rapid construction of shopping centres and entertainment complexes and the growth of commercial opportunities.

"These developments in the Nasrec precinct will, no doubt, accelerate the ‘rise of the south.'"

JohanSA

April 23rd, 2008, 12:01 PM

Wow cant wait till all these developments are finished. Really do wish that there would be so much action in Cape Town also.

joburg

April 23rd, 2008, 12:09 PM

Thanks for the article Yarricko.. Sounds like it's going to be sustainable after the event too

Pule

April 23rd, 2008, 12:22 PM

Wow cant wait till all these developments are finished. Really do wish that there would be so much action in Cape Town also.

Welkom Johan.

Pule

April 23rd, 2008, 03:26 PM

- Vida e Cafe has started operating even though its not completed yet and when i passed there today, it was almost full.
- There's retail renovation taking place next to the Rand club.
- Ayobayo Resturant and take also opened this week in Rissik Street
- Other buildings are under renovations is Commisioner Street
- Work have started at Government's Fox street building, the one that was owned by Standard Bank
- On the other side of Vida work is also in progress, it will also be retail. I asked the contractors but as always they didn't want to reveal.

Jakes1

April 23rd, 2008, 04:47 PM

Yippeee!!! Vida's opening is great news for the city centre!

waltjie

April 23rd, 2008, 04:56 PM

This is from today's edition of TNW:

"URBAN Hip Hotels (UHH) will open another five hotels in Umhlanga and Johannesburg before the year is out, to complement its established portfolio of condominium-style properties. Ashanti, expected to open in May, is located in the Johannesburg CBD's financial and banking district. It comprises two hotels with 70 apartments, has a rooftop swimming pool, business centre and inhouse restaurant. The Franklin Luxury Condominium Hotel will open soon in Newtown and Shakespeare Place, also in Johannesburg."

joburg

April 23rd, 2008, 05:08 PM

So Shakespeare Place is still alive??
Interesting to hear..

Pule

April 24th, 2008, 08:25 AM

Those are great news but they better start working.

Pule

April 24th, 2008, 08:37 AM

Nasrec Precinct, should we have a thread for it?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090060.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090068.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090069.jpg

Jakes1

April 24th, 2008, 03:06 PM

We should create a thread for nasrec me thinks.

Mosi-oa-Tunya

April 25th, 2008, 12:22 AM

Wow cant wait till all these developments are finished. Really do wish that there would be so much action in Cape Town also.

There is just as much actuvity in Cape Town as in JHB and Durban as well. Take a look at the Projects section. You'll see alot of Cape Town developments with lots of pictures of renders and construction progress. I've created a few threads myself while making postings in others.

joburg

April 26th, 2008, 11:32 AM

i2 announces opening of its headquarters in Johannesburg
24 April 2008

DUBAI — i2, leading mobile phones and IT products provider in the Middle East and Africa, announced the opening of its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, to meet the growing demands of its group and the company’s broad expansion in that region.

By opening an office in Johannesburg, South Africa, i2’s objective is to oversee all i2 operations in the Sub-Sahara region (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Angola, reunion and Senegal) especially with the increase of its retail shops in those areas.

Mo Rush

April 26th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Mo Rush

April 27th, 2008, 12:16 AM

Nasrec Precinct - International Broadcast Centre, Soccer City, Nasrec Station

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/IBCsmaller.jpg

Nasrec Station

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/nasrecibcstation1.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/nasrecibcstation2.jpg

Soccer City

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec1.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec6.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec2.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec5.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec4.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec3.jpg

Pule

April 27th, 2008, 09:31 AM

Mo that's a good find.

Pule

April 27th, 2008, 09:47 AM

Is this the old Park Station? If so what is it that is planned for it?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090080.jpg

Pule

April 27th, 2008, 09:49 AM

The building on the other side of the stadium in this pic, is it Share World? Is there any info as to what they gonna do with it?

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p210/rfataar/soccercitynasrec6.jpg

joburg

April 27th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Pule

April 27th, 2008, 10:16 AM

I think it was Yarrick who once told me that there was more Brickfields-type housing planned for the site... Not sure what happened to this though?
It's really such a pity because it's an amazing structure!

It would really be sad if they remove that structure, I thought that it might good site for a resturant.

DoviJozi

April 27th, 2008, 11:12 AM

Is this the old Park Station? If so what is it that is planned for it?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090080.jpg

As far as I remember that structure was either an old station or an old tramway (it's near the old Electric Workshop/Sci-Bono Centre isn't it?). That being the case it's just a monument - think it's purpose had something to do with the community.. public space or something maybe.

EDIT: Yes it's the old Park Station. (Source: http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/1676/188/)

Pule

April 27th, 2008, 11:46 AM

Sorry, moved it to Joburg gallery

KomSakkie

April 27th, 2008, 01:36 PM

NEWTOWN TALK

Words: Lynne Yates and Loren Shirley-Carr Photographs: Natalie Payne
http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/images/452774491/ArticleImages/2008/May/articles/newtown.jpg

Newtown is an area of stark contrasts. Walking through its streets, it is hard to imagine the vast amount of investment and interest that is steadily flowing into this still predominantly rundown section of Johannesburg. But, look beyond the derelict buildings and abandoned business blocks and you will find a glimmer of hope in the form of numerous signboards pronouncing interest in the area of some of South Africa’s top property investment companies, architectural firms and city developers.
http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/images/452774491/ArticleImages/2008/May/articles/newton2.jpg
Dubbed the cultural hub of Johannesburg, Newtown is now well on its way to becoming the creative capital of South Africa. And it is easy to see why... this vibrant, cosmopolitan area is breathing fresh air into the concept of inner-city living. With entertainment and cultural facilities abounding – think of the renowned Market Theatre, the legendary Kippies jazz club, the Bassline, Museum Afrika, Sci-Bono and the buzzing Niki’s Oasis – urban dwellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to cultural and leisure activities.

‘Thanks to a number of large, established employers in the city centre who have committed themselves to the area, demand for accommodation in the inner-city is lively,’ says Richard Rubin, CEO of Aengus Property Holdings. Aengus Property Holdings has been part of the energetic drive towards inner-city regeneration, with its bold conversion of commercial city blocks into loft apartments fitted with all the trimmings suited to young business people. These developments are targeted at those with a monthly income of between
R7 500 and R12 000.

Interest in urban living is definitely growing, driven mainly by emerging black professionals who want the advantages of comfortable living without the costs and traffic problems that come with suburban living. Neil Fraser, an urban consultant at Urban Inc, says: ‘The Jo’burg inner city is like a magnet attracting immigrants from countries north of South Africa, migrants from rural areas and people from areas such as Soweto, who want either to be near to work or have jobs in the inner city.’

In fact, the influx of people is such that, according to inner-city developers, the demand for apartments in the city far outnumbers supply. Kevin Fine, joint CEO of Eltec Projects, agents for The Newtown apartment building in Quinn Street, says that there is a definite increase in people wanting to live in the area. ‘We receive no less than 10 enquiries every day from people interested in buying in Newtown,’ he says.

Efforts over the past five years by both government and the private sector to instil new life into the Johannesburg CBD and its environs are now starting to pay off. The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and Blue IQ, along with other development organisations and the private sector, have spent millions on this endeavour and are reaping the rewards as inner-city living springs to life.
Starting with the re-development of Mary Fitzgerald Square in 2001, a number of projects have followed, with more planned for the near future. Completed infrastructure projects include Mary Fitzgerald Square, the Nelson Mandela Bridge and M1/Carr Street on- and off-ramps, the taxi and retail facility of Metro Mall, and the conversion of disused railway sidings into
parking space demarcaters.
http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/images/452774491/ArticleImages/2008/May/articles/newton3.jpg
Kate Shand, marketing manager of the Newtown Improvement District, says: ‘From being a no-go area, Newtown is now well-managed, safe and clean, with large corporates such as AngloGold Ashanti and SAB demonstrating faith in the area. It is now funky and happening, with a great vibe, and is home to actors and musicians. The streets have come alive with restaurants.’

Kate’s thoughts are echoed by JDA’s Sammy Mafu, who says: ‘The rejuvenation of Newtown is an integral part of rolling back crime and grime in the city of Johannesburg as a whole. This historic area is a magnet for creative and cultural activities, richly represented in the theatres, studios, workshops, museums and historic buildings that abound, as well as architectural firms and advertising agencies.’
Newtown’s prospects have not always been this promising. Originally, the area contained a number of ethnic locations, as well as an area rich in clay that became known as Brickfields. It drew the urban poor, who made bricks from the clay to earn a living. When the railway yards were built, the brick makers were displaced and the area became known as Burghersdorp.

Tragedy struck in April 1904, when bubonic plague broke out and the fire brigade had to set the area alight as a measure to combat the outbreak. Once rebuilt, it was renamed Newtown, and became a commercial area where fortunes were made in milling, sugar production and food merchandising. It also became a civic-industrial area, home to the fruit-and-vegetable market, abattoirs and power station.

Cashing in on its rich history as a vibrant and dynamic area of business and city living, rejuvenated Newtown is attracting major property investment, and has triggered a revitalisation of the cultural and tourism industries in the area.

Apart from its cool apartments, Newtown is a wise investment. Fine says: ‘Developments here fall within one of the Urban Development Zones (UDZ). This allows an investor to benefit from the government tax incentives on offer.’

Neil sees the viability of buying in Newtown in its proximity to businesses in the inner city, which offer employment to thousands of people.‘Newtown offers great public environments, such as open park areas and good coffee shops, unlike areas that are rapidly densifying, such as the centre of Jeppe, Bree and Plein Streets. It is also very close to major public transport, with Metro Mall and Gautrain in walking distance and the proposed International Transport and Shopping Centre an added attraction,’ Neil says.
http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/images/452774491/ArticleImages/2008/May/articles/newtown1.jpg
The area is now far more accessible, thanks to the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the associated M1/Carr Street interchange, Co-funded by Blue IQ, the City of Johannesburg, National Roads Agency and the National Department of Transport, this development provides an important gateway to the area.

All these reasons have contributed to a major increase in commercial and residential developments in Newtown, as well as a rise in property prices. Neil says: ‘Newtown is interesting in that it is a very mixed bag of property types, but by 2000 there was very little by way of residential properties.’ Since then, several residential accommodation developments have been completed, including the Johannesburg Housing Company (JHC) projects, Tribunal Gardens and Carr Gardens, the Cope Housing development, the JHC’s Brickfields rental development, and The Newtown.

Brickfields, completed in 2006, reflects the success of residential development in Newtown. The largest public- and private-funded residential development in the inner-city, it was the first major housing development undertaken in Newtown in over 30 years. Taffy Adler, CEO of the JHC (the developer of Brickfields) says the project has attracted a lot of interest. Offering rental accommodation for mixed-income groups, the R121-million project attracted more than 8 000 people to its site in the two months before its launch.
The Newtown, which consists of contemporary urban apartments and penthouses, is yet another successful residential development. Born from the conversion of the old Premier Milling head office building on Quinn Street, these up-market, open-plan dwellings, which offer views of the city skyline, were designed by award-winning architects Urban Solutions and sold by Eltec Projects. Kevin says: ‘At launch, average prices were around R550 000 for the studios, R750 000 for the one- and two-bedroom apartments and R1,3-million for the duplex loft penthouses. Now, entry level apartments begin at R799 000, and the upper-end penthouses go for R2,5-million.’

Neil says that even more residential developments are on the table, including The Sidings, various Central Place developments, another Brickfields-type project and the conversion of the Transport House.

One of the more exciting developments under way is builder and developer Paul Seggie’s conversion of Premier Milling’s grain silos off Quinn Street – which have stood vacant for the past 20 years – into 18 apartments, including two luxury penthouses. The R20-million development is set for completion in 2009. The old silos are iconic structures in Johannesburg, their dominating bulk making them an impressive landmark. Each apartment will come with a balcony, and, being circular, each of them will offer panoramic views of the city.
According to John Livanos, estate agent for Wray Harris Estates, five of the units in the silos have already been snapped up. ‘The R800 000 one-bedroom apartments are sold, but some of the two-bedroom apartments for R1,2-million are still available,’ he says. The majority of interest is coming from investors hoping to re-sell or rent in 2010.

Property investors and buyers in Newtown are in good company: international brewing company SABMiller’s World of Beer museum, which has recently undergone a R20-million upgrade, as well the newly renovated Sci-Bono Science and Technology centre, are both situated in Newtown and are bound to bring even more local and international tourists to the area.

Also located in Newtwon are the Turbine Hall – a R450-million conversion from industrial space to high-quality office accommodation for AngloGold Ashanti – and refurbished office and commercial developments, such as the Newtown Hotel by Numsa (National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa) and The Mills@Newtown.

After years of degeneration and neglect, the inner city is once again very much in vogue. Neil puts the combined cost of development since 2001 and upcoming development projects at R3-billion cash injection. His hope is that Newtown will become an area of genuinely mixed-income groups, of which there are very few in the country.

Newtown may not be the ordinary person’s dream location for the perfect abode, but with the renaissance of vibrant city life and a dynamic mix of cultures bursting around you, who wants to settle for ordinary?
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

From http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/pages/452774491/articles/2008/May/articles/nw-newtown.asp

Luf

April 27th, 2008, 02:19 PM

Thanks MO! that station looks awsome! but whats with the horse:)

joburg

April 27th, 2008, 04:43 PM

That being the case it's just a monument - think it's purpose had something to do with the community.. public space or something maybe.

That doesn't mean much when it's in the state that it's in, does it? Grrrr!
Thanks for the clarification tho :)

N.I.C.E.

April 28th, 2008, 12:59 AM

Luf

April 28th, 2008, 12:25 PM

DoviJozi

April 28th, 2008, 10:45 PM

first time i have heard of that.. I have only heard good things so far regarding the cameras in the CBD.. they need to install more however..

I remember reading something to this effect... not sure if it was fact or not though.

Pule

April 29th, 2008, 07:50 AM

When I was in SA in Nov, Dec and Jan. I was in informed that there was no surveillance in the cbd, because the surveillance task was bussy being tranfered from one company to another, and that there would be a three month period without surveillance in the cbd.

Is there any truth to this?
There were some miss-understandings with the company that was running that and as you know Mr Masondo doesn't take nonsense, they moved operation to other company. The sad thing is that some of the cirminals were aware of the problem and too advantage but now things are running smooth again.

By the way gents, there's now frequent walks by Metro Police and SAPS in the CBD. I thought this was great news as they city will be more walkable.

Pule

April 29th, 2008, 08:12 AM

From Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/2400479416_f66a4ed592_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2399649861_b35bcf9161_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2399748617_ce7e2afe46_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/2399646481_0ac4225b8c_b.jpg

Yesterday I took a drive with my friend to Hillbrow. He used to stay there while he was a student and he showed me the place where he used to stay, closer to Johannesburg Stadium, and the good thing is that it is well taken care of. He drove me pass some places that used to be delapidated and told me that he can see the change is happening and he definately see the future. The only problem is drugs that are being sold, I'm sorry to say this, by foreigners at street corners who are pretending to be selling sweets and so forth. The sad thing is that the poilce are not doing anything about the situation but he is a determined Joburger and he promised to do something about all that. The good news is that more and more buildings are being renovated and Hillbrow is getting cleaner, the only sad part about the whole thing is that I left the camera in my car therefore couldn't take photos.

We then went to the park ^^ that KS posted in Joburg's photo gallery. Gents, the view is magnificent from up there. To those who knows Signall hill in CT, the view is exactlyu the same. I had thought that the city will actually make sure that tourists can take photos from that area and that park need more attecntion. It is a small park but it could make a difference.

Signall Hill

Pule

April 29th, 2008, 08:21 AM

By the way gents, Zurich is in the CBD is now of the second floor.

joburg

April 29th, 2008, 12:26 PM

Yup go to the park quite often as I live very near to it. It's a great place to get shots of the CBD at sunset. Am glad it's cleaned up now, though... It never really felt very safe when used to go there.
There is also a gorgeous block of apartments on that road that I would kill to get my hands on.

joburg

April 29th, 2008, 12:55 PM

Telkom implements 010 area code in Johannesburg

Johannesburg, South Africa

29 April 2008 10:22

Fixed-line telephone operator Telkom has introduced a second area code for Johannesburg, which will operate alongside the existing 011 code.

"Following an announcement of a move to the mandatory 10-digit dialling, Telkom has recently been allocated, by Icasa [Independent Communications Authority of South Africa], the first batch of numbers in the 010 area code for use within the same geographic boundary as the existing 011 code," Telkom said in a statement on Tuesday.

It added that the move to 10-digit dialling in October 2006 had made it possible to seamlessly introduce a second area code in the greater Johannesburg area without any inconvenience to existing customers.

Sensitising the public to the changes, Marius Mostert, Telkom's group executive for network infrastructure provisioning, said: "The introduction of the 010 area code has been fuelled by the diminishing capacity of numbers within the 011 area code. We are therefore currently implementing the new code."

He said that the introduction of the 010 code effectively doubles the amount of numbers available in the greater Johannesburg geographic area, making it possible for Telkom to continue providing new services without affecting existing customers.

"It is important to note that there are sufficient numbers available in other parts of the country and, therefore, there should be no introduction of other second area codes in the foreseeable future," he pointed out. -- I-Net Bridge

Pule

April 29th, 2008, 01:00 PM

There is also a gorgeous block of apartments on that road that I would kill to get my hands on.

It is still there, its magnificent and it is being taken care of but what's dissapointing is down that road there's a beutiful lodge that is not being taken care of and it breaks my heart. I wish that someone could just buy it.

joburg

April 29th, 2008, 04:33 PM

Pule

April 30th, 2008, 03:43 AM

Check this out...

Press House is a new inner city development..
http://www.presshouse.co.za

Interesting to note its location in the southeast of the city, near ABSA's developments. Not the best part of the city at all, so it'll be interesting to see its knock on effect.

Developers are new it seems...
http://www.cityscapeproperty.co.za

Investments keep on coming in!

Thanks for the find Tom.

As I manouvered through the developers website, I found this one

http://www.thenewtown.co.za/default.asp?p=images

You guys knowing anything about it?

joburg

April 30th, 2008, 10:11 AM

The Newtown has been around for a while. It's that glass building opposite Fuel Cafe/Kippies/Carfax. Also, the third photo that KS used in the article posted in post 101 (the one at the top of the page - thanks for posting it KS!) is of a room in the Newtown.

Pule

April 30th, 2008, 12:54 PM

Thanx Tom.

Pule

April 30th, 2008, 04:12 PM

Mimosa Pizzas opened at corner Eloff and Fox Street. Its seems like their aim is, unlike other fast food oulets and coffee shops, to have more people seating outside rather than inside. I think that's the way to go so that they create a more friendly and receptive envronment.

Pule

May 1st, 2008, 11:38 AM

I tried to google the Bedford Centre's thread but I can't find it or is it the fact that my google skills are gone? If you guys find it, please post this pics there.

FinePoint, finally I managed to get pics for you. Hope you enjoy them.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090288.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090286.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090285.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090293.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090294.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090295.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090296.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090297.jpg

joburg

May 1st, 2008, 03:15 PM

Cool pics Pule! thanks!
As for threads, I have created our own list of Joburg developments here
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=430565&page=3

You can find the link to Bedford Square in that list under 'Suburbs'

N.I.C.E.

May 1st, 2008, 09:14 PM

Stunning development.

SYDNEY

May 2nd, 2008, 06:05 AM

Now that is what I am talking about ... a fantastic design. It is typical of architecture in South Africa today - what I like to call the "modern day fortress" - but it is different to all those other monsters being built. This building is still monolithic BUT they have broken the facade up with little niches (all different), rotated various axis points, great use of glass and the roof is sculptural .... this is deserving of "Sydney's Boner" rating (4/5) ;) ....

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:1QAIbiAbqgpWfM:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2006/07/17/Masturbatathon1.jpghttp://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:1QAIbiAbqgpWfM:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2006/07/17/Masturbatathon1.jpghttp://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:1QAIbiAbqgpWfM:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2006/07/17/Masturbatathon1.jpghttp://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:1QAIbiAbqgpWfM:http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Media/Pix/pictures/2006/07/17/Masturbatathon1.jpg

joburg

May 2nd, 2008, 11:04 AM

^^ lol Sydney! (ps... I was actually thinking of a pic you guys took when I eventually managed to get up Lion's Head. I don't know why I remember this particular pic, but I do. It was a pic of one of you guys sitting on a rock overlooking Sea Point. I thought I just HAD to have a similar pic taken. ;)

Anyway... the development... I also quite like it, but it's still typically Bedfordview in that it's closed off from it's surrouding environment.

I think this development was a great opportunity to link the many apartments in Bedford Gardens within a more open urban design framework. I think firstly it should have integrated with Bedford Centre above ground, and secondly it should not have stuck up a fence around its perimeter. Yes it's perhaps a good way to keep out crime, but there are other ways you can do it. For now, it's so (unfortunately) typically Joburg, and reflects everything I hate about this city. sigh!

Klausenburg

May 2nd, 2008, 03:37 PM

Bedfordview is smth like a high-rise suburb? Smth like hillbrow/Berea but without all the mess?

joburg

May 2nd, 2008, 04:12 PM

Bedford Gardens is a highrise suburb with apartment prices far higher than that of Berea and Hillbrow.

Bedfordview, which surrounds Bedford Gardens, is a horrible suburban orgy of Playboy-type mansions. Infact, South Africa's own little Hugh Heffner, Lolly Jackson, had his monstrous mansion on Kloof Road in Bedfordview before it got burnt down.

DoviJozi

May 2nd, 2008, 07:29 PM

Fashion Kapitol almost complete Written by Lucille Davie
It has been a dream 10 years in the making, but Jozi's Fashion Kapitol is finally on the way, with buildings bought and renovated, and buy-in from the fashion industry.

JOHANNESBURG is to have the world's first public outdoor fashion ramp, to be opened as the Fashion Kapitol in July this year. So says Adam Levin, the fashion writer and consultant. And, adds Rees Mann, the person driving the revamp of the fashion district, what is happening in the district is not displacing anyone, as happened in Newtown, but is rather bringing people to live in the area.

Things are moving fast on the eastern edge of the CBD; initially they were held up by buying properties and then getting permission from the provincial heritage authority to demolish buildings. Now that permission has been obtained and two buildings have been demolished, the fashion ramp is rapidly taking shape in the Fashion Kapitol.

The almost-complete Fashion Kapitol, with the three heritage buildings in the right-hand corner The kapitol will take up most of a block in the heart of the fashion district. It will consist of 30 shops, offices, studios, a restaurant, a small square, a ramp, an amphitheatre, and an arcade linking Pritchard and Market streets.

"The feel of the kapitol is that of a sexy new metropolitan centre," says Mann.

"In time, the streets surrounding the kapitol will bustle with beads and buttons; models lugging their portfolios to casting sessions; and the city's fashion pioneers strutting their uniquely personal styles." It will become Africa's fashion capital.

Joburg's Fashion Kapitol will take its place alongside international capitals. New York's Fashion Avenue is home to 5 000 fashion merchants; Antwerp's ModeNatie or Fashion Nation boasts a fashion museum; while Los Angeles has a fashion district of 94 blocks with an annual turnover of $6-billion.

Mann says the kapitol has three target markets: fashion-conscious suburban shoppers, downtown shoppers who work in the CBD, and tourists. Its African flavour will be a draw card for tourists.

He is the third generation of garment entrepreneurs in the fashion district - his family having set up shop there in 1948. Mann has planted three trees in the square, in memory of the three generations.

26 city blocks
The district incorporates an area of some 26 city blocks on the eastern edge of the CBD, with its core bordered by Polly, President, Troye and Pritchard streets. It houses over 100 fashion-related businesses, including cut, make and trim operators, a budget clothing retail industry and studios of several emerging and established designers like Clive Rundle and Bongiwe Walaza...

Source: http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2446/168/

KomSakkie

May 2nd, 2008, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the article Dovi.... there is a image of the proposed look of the square on the Joburg website,

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/apr/fashionkapitol.jpg

www.joburg.org.za

joburg

May 3rd, 2008, 03:20 PM

Good to see them moving on this! Fashion Kapitol will help the area a lot... Perhaps a bit like the Newtown of the eastern half of the CBD. Thanks guys for the article and render. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.

Finepoint

May 6th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Thanks so much Pule! They are awesome. It is open though?

Jakes1

May 6th, 2008, 12:08 PM

opening in July.

Jakes1

May 6th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Johannesburg inner city renaissance
05 May 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
Shadowy Joburg’s night lights are slowly coming on again

On Friday afternoons the Johannesburg CBD is abuzz as people leave their offices in a rush to have sundowners at their favourite watering holes.

While some head for the suburbs, the Johannesburg CBD resurgence created many bustling bars and restaurants , and it seems people are warming to the idea of having fun in the inner city.

Cappello Restaurant on Main Street is a hot spot frequented by the young, hip crowd. Manager Berry Oldworth says that apart from Friday nights, most of the clientele are day patrons.

“People love the vibe in the city. It’s the start of a new era. More people are trusting the city more and believe they can happily live in the CBD,” Oldworth says.

Shivava Cafe on Ghandi Square has staked its claim to a substantial clientele in the six months it’ s been open. But manager Ntsako Mahawani says that customers head home before public transport leaving the city stops.

“We are always busy until 8pm when the buses no longer run. People love the place. The only problem is the transport issue.

“There is a fast-growing culture of people who enjoy being here after work, ” Mahawani says.

Other inner-city hot spots include the Market Theatre, Marung, a restaurant billed as being “at the Top of Africa” as it is situated on the 50th floor of the Carlton Centre, while Ninos, in Bank City, in the vicinity of major bank headquarters, seems to scoop up the Sauer Street crowd.

The inner city has always been something of a home base for musicians, thespians and artists.

On Saturday evenings traffic on the usually bustling Commissioner Street thins to nothing more than a few cars. At the Worldart gallery a small crowd chats with wine glasses in hand, outside a brightly lit white-walled gallery. Worldart, which opened two years ago, is one of a few independent gallery spaces that have sprung up near the CBD in the wake of the inner-city redevelopment drive.

The man some call Mr Joburg, Neil Fraser, a director of the Johannesburg Development Agency, says art can go a long way in helping to rejuvenate the city.

“As we’ve seen with the street art that has been erected, artworks humanise the city — shifting people’s focus to something other than themselves. We want to encourage that because it changes the way people look at the city,” he says.

Worldart gallery owner Charl Bezuidenhout says he wants to help establish the Joburg inner city as a destination.

He says independent inner city galleries cater for a younger crowd and having exhibition openings draws people who would normally not venture into the heart of town.

“If you walk past a great painting it elevates your sense of perception. The presence of art in any environment satisfies a different level in a person,” Bezuidenhout says.

The 18th floor and the roof of the Lister building on Bree Street with its mix of art exhibitions and music performances is a hub of Johannesburg nightlife.

Gavin Rooke, owner of the distinctive Rooke Gallery in Newtown, says lessons learnt in cities such as New York and London informed his decision to buy the gallery space.

“Artists have an appetite for taking risks and are usually the first to move into spaces as areas become gentrified ,” he says.

Rooke also says that opening a gallery in town affords him the opportunity to control the perception of the area it is located.

Sammy Mafu, Johannesburg Development Agency spokesman, said the agency would encourage more art galleries to open their doors in the Inner City.

“We want these independent galleries to be sustainable so they can attract more people who normally would not come into town,” he said.

He says the art industry and artists have a valuable role to play in the rejuvenation of the inner city. “Art adds character and heritage to the city. Seven years ago Newtown was a slum. Now it is a cultural hub.”

Tumelo Sedibe, a call-centre consultant who lives in the inner city, says that though he loves the after- work cocktails, safety is a concern when it is time to go home.

“I love the night life in the CBD and it is mostly secure around the restaurants, but I walk a couple of streets to get home and it gets dark and quiet. Anything could happen to me at that time,” he says.

Source: The Times

Pule

May 6th, 2008, 02:58 PM

Thanks so much Pule! They are awesome. It is open though?

Not a problem buddy. It is open for business.

opening in July.

It is opened Jakes but very few stores are operating and currently none of the resturants are opening.

That means they have completed before their projected time.

KomSakkie

May 7th, 2008, 06:13 PM

Deadlines being met in inner city

Written by Emily Visser
Tuesday, 06 May 2008

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/may/charter000.jpg

The majority of commitments in the Inner City Charter are being met on time, and the partners are ironing out the remaining few challenges.

REGENERATION of the inner city is going ahead, and most of the commitments in the Inner City Charter are being met on time.

More than 70 percent of its time-dated deliverables are being met, confirms a report by the inner city programme manager, Yael Horowitz. Her report was tabled before the mayoral committee on 17 April and relates to the third quarter, ending in March.

A number of projects are running smoothly or have been successfully initiated since work on the first charter commitments began in late 2007. "We have had very good charter movements," Horowitz says.

In all, there are 192 charter commitments in five sectors - urban management, safety and security; public spaces, arts, culture and heritage; economic development; transportation; and residential development - to be met over five years.

The urban management function in Region F, the inner city, has been augmented in recent months. The area has been divided into four quadrants and regular urban management and by-law enforcement blitzes take place.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/may/charter004.jpg
Urban inspectors have gone on a campaign to educate informal traders about the City's by laws

It is also becoming cleaner and greener. The City launched the Sisonke Project in 2007, in which 20 underground bins were set up in the inner city; 2 000 new swivel bins were also introduced.

Work is being undertaken at five inner city parks - Pieter Roos, Alec Gorshell, Le Roith, JL de Villiers and Donald Mackay. Upgrades being done include general beautification in the form of paving, fencing, park furniture and greenery.

The public environment upgrade in Yeoville, Berea and Hillbrow is also progressing well, and the congestion on Rockey/Raleigh, Kotze and Pretoria streets will soon be a thing of the past as they are turned into beautified high streets.

Another 64 blocks in these areas have been identified as activity streets and will receive minor upgrades, while a number of residential streets will get some tidying up. The project is running according to schedule and will meet its deadline at the end of June.

Other improvements include a stronger surveillance and policing presence; ongoing by-law enforcement and education programmes; a Migrants' Helpdesk; and the start of the first phase of the Bus Rapid Transit system in the Ellis Park precinct.

Taking off slowly
However, a number of deliverables have not been achieved. Horowitz describes these as "mission critical ones that affect the private sector and investors directly". Among them are problems with clearance certificates for property owners and obligation certificates with respect to the Better Buildings Programme.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/may/charter003.jpg
Underground bins are being installed

Horowitz says that while about 90 percent of clearance certificates are turned around in two months, a small proportion are delayed "due to administrative regulatory stuff holding it up". This problem has been noted and will be resolved to meet the charter commitment, albeit it later than scheduled.

The Better Buildings Programme will also take off again after coming to a halt earlier in the year as a result of public administrative problems. Of the 22 or so agreements between the City and private developers under the programme, nine have been approved by the mayoral committee and the revamping of these buildings will proceed soon, Horowitz confirms.

Developers sign an obligation certificate with the City in which rates and taxes arrears are written off in lieu of the buildings being refurbished.

Horowitz reports that even in instances where charter commitments are lagging behind schedule, progress and action is still taking place. The roll-out of linear markets by the Metro Trading Company (MTC) is one such example. With the formation of a steering committee and a more realistic delivery programme drawn-up, "the elevation and prioritisation of this programme by all players will ensure that the markets, although late, are delivered".

Another challenge is the transitional and emergency housing programme. This commitment has suffered from continual delays, confirms the report. The first 500 beds became available in April 2008, eight months later than the date set out in the charter. The Old Perm building, the MBV building and the old Chelsea Hotel, all in Hillbrow, have now been revamped.

A further 1 000 beds, originally set for mid-2008, will be available in October 2008, the report points out. "A high-level intervention has been instigated to ameliorate the problems and a way forward on this will be forthcoming shortly," Horowitz says.

Partners
The Inner City Partnership Forum, launched in November 2007 to promote community participation in Joburg's activities in the inner city, is also slowly gaining momentum.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/may/charter002.jpg
The Chelsea Hotel is to be upgraded to house transient people

A number of concerns were raised by the private sector partners during the forum's second meeting. Among these were greater involvement in decision-making; what recourse is available in respect of non-delivery of programmes and projects; and the role, purpose and establishment of working groups.

As a result, the forum's terms of agreement were amended slightly to accommodate these concerns, Horowitz confirms. They will be adopted at the next meeting, on 3 June. This will also be the first meeting that the independent evaluator will attend. The evaluator will ensure charter deliverables are measured and met.

The inner city regeneration plan has a total capital budget allocation of R300-million for the current financial year, while the City will spend approximately R2-billion over the next five years to revitalise the area.

While the budget has been approved, "there have been and continue to be delays with respect to payments in this budget", the report notes. The heart of the problem appears to be different requirements requested by the finance department, leading to resubmissions of invoices and late payments to relevant parties.

"It is crucial that a more streamlined and efficient mechanism is set in place, one where there is absolute clarity in terms of requirements and where speedy payment is guaranteed," the report concludes.

http://www.joburg.org.za/

joburg

May 10th, 2008, 10:50 AM

hey guys.. if you're on facebook, check out this cool new publication, Jozi Weekly...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25281548640

They don't have a website yet. And their distribution so far is not so good at all, but apparently they'll soon be distributed in petrol stations, CNAs and Woolies

Pule

May 13th, 2008, 09:28 AM

Repost

Pule

May 13th, 2008, 09:33 AM

Newtown is a vibrant area with a great history, with projects currently under construction, emerging or in the planning stages looking like they will provide a real boost to the precinct.

AFTER my mention of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa development in Newtown last week , I decided to spend some time in that part of the city to update myself. This is what I saw and learned.

Driving over the Nelson Mandela Bridge one is immediately aware of the Metro Mall to the left, the Brickfields development and the old Park Station on the right. The open area directly to the north of Metro Mall is covered in hundreds of minibus-taxis. Metro Mall was built to provide ranking facilities for 2 500 taxis as well as an informal trading market and, by all accounts, is working very well.

I think that the design was done at a time when there were about 2 000 taxis on the ground in the vicinity, but today the rank is full and we still have hundreds ranking outside! I'm not sure if the proposed International Transport and Shopping Centre (ITSC) is going to provide relief as I understand that it will cater more for long-term transportation, but we certainly need to find a solution.

The very first phase of the ITSC, the demolition of part of the old Kazerne Parking garages, began some months ago but was subsequently stopped by the council, which has changed direction in regard to financing. My latest information is that this huge project will be put out as a public-private partnership. With the current economic climate, one wonders whether this will be viable and it certainly looks as though it is not going to be even partly in operation for 2010.

West into Carr
At the bottom of the Nelson Mandela Bridge we turn west into Carr Street. Johannesburg Housing Company's good-looking Brickfields and Phumulani Gardens residential developments on the left provide a total of 523 units.

The old Park Station building on the right, on its heavy reinforced concrete platform, now looks down on an area where would-be truck drivers practise their parking and reversing skills. This area is reflected in the Spatial Development Framework as divided into three sections; the western and eastern "thirds" will have residential developments at some stage and the remaining central "third" will be a park - yaaaay for green space!

Regarding the old Park Station building itself, the Inner City Charter states, under a heading of Iconic public buildings, that: "Through the leadership of various stakeholders, feasibility and business plans for the development of a number of other key iconic public place projects will be finalised by March 2008. These may include the old Park Station ..." Well, I guess "may" also means "may not" - I certainly haven't heard any definite plans for this beautiful old structure and we're into May.

At the corner of Carr and Miriam Makeba streets, some guys up ladders are wiring closed circuit television cameras as part of the citywide roll-out of the CCTV blanket over the inner city. That's certainly good news.

Continuing west along Carr, on the left are a number of old warehouses, now mostly empty and ringed with barbed wire. They are soon to be redeveloped as a large mixed-use complex by Atterbury Property which, I understand, is currently finalising the design and hopes to be on site before the end of this year.

Atterbury, apart from numerous developments nationally, has a number of successful inner city developments under its belt, including the Mapungubwe Hotel and Apartments and College House in Braamfontein. The former was done with Circlevest Properties and the two companies also developed the 112-residential-unit Isibaya House with ground floor retail on the corner of Marshall and Simmonds streets. But back to Newtown!

Price's Candles
Next to the proposed Atterbury development is Price Candles' large facility. This company has a very interesting history. It was founded in 1830 in Battersea, in the United Kingdom, but as the two founders, Wilson and Lancaster, didn't want their names to be associated with an industry as "vulgar" as candle-making, they called the company E Price's and Company after a distant aunt on Lancaster's side (probably someone they didn't like!).

They hit the jackpot in 1840 when there was a huge upsurge in the demand for cheap, good candles at the time of the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In the 1870s paraffin, which is an extract from petroleum, became the most important material for candle-making. So, by the turn of the century the company was jointly owned by Shell, BP, Burma Oil and Unilever.

In 1909, the company bought a candle factory in Cape Town and, a year later, built the building in Newtown, which was extended to its current size in 1923. Shell South Africa bought the business in 1984 but closed down its South African operations in 2001, with the exception of the Newtown facility. In 2002, it was taken over by Sasol Wax.

Past Quinn Street and the refurbished Premier Milling office building on the eastern corner and, on the western corner, another ex-Premier building being refurbished. Still in Carr Street, we come to a massive industrial building where recycling is done by a company called Remade. I understand that it recycles just about anything - glass, paper, plastic, tin, and so on. It pays cash for the waste that is brought to in on a weight basis.

Remade[/size]
The company was started by Steve Benjamin in 1987, at which time he was unemployed and needed to make a living. With a borrowed bakkie and a weekly turnover of R80 the business has grown into a corporation with an annual turnover of R40-million. This is affirmative action for real and one that aims to profit disadvantaged people.

"We put money into the hands of desperate, unemployed people at ground level but also provide opportunity to these same people to advance to the level where they can run a processing plant as an owner manager."

We talk so much about affirmative action, recycling and providing employment that it is just great to see it all happening on a sustainable and substantial scale in the inner city.

Next door is a structure that has been partly demolished, but there is no clue as to what is proposed here, unless this is to form part of the residential development called The Sidings. The Sidings will provide 440 residential units and is directly to the rear of The Newtown, another refurbished Premier Milling office block at 37 Quinn Street but which is now residential with 30 flats and seven penthouses.

[color="Orange"]Fine old architecture
At the eastern end of the two-way section of Carr Street we come to the western edge of Newtown, or maybe it is more Fordsburg than Newtown! This is Malherbe Street, which runs north-south and, where it intersects with Bree Street, there is some really fine old Johannesburg architecture. The section of Bree Street that takes you back east towards the city centre is a very busy mixed-use street with shops, retail and wholesale, garages and panel shops, "seed and feed" warehouses and some residential thrown in for good measure.

As a result this is a lively stretch of street. On the northwest corner of Bree and Quinn streets, a large refurbishment of a group of fascinating old buildings is under way. The buildings are being turned into a mixed-use development of 3 600 square metres to be known as Newtown Quarter, with office and warehouse space plus retail. This looks like a really classy development blending the old facades into a modern facility.

Urban Solutions is the architects and it has been involved in a great deal of refurbishment in this area. The project has a courtyard and will be ideal for various types of eating establishments. It will have a substantial and positive effect on the area.

Between Carr and Bree streets is Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, previously known as Pim Street. It appears to run into a dead end when it abruptly hits the Afrika Cultural Centre but, in fact, picks up again on the other side of the Museum Afrika-Market Theatre complex from Miriam Makeba Street going east. One senses that this is emerging as a really important street in Newtown and it would be of value to call the two sections Gwigwi Mrwebi Street West and East for easier identification.

Historical gems
The western section contains an eclectic mix of buildings and businesses interspersed with some real historical architectural gems. One such has a gable stating Jan Owers Buildings 1913. It now houses a furniture business called M2 Furniture that has beautifully restored the old building, with its front rooms acting as showrooms for the furniture that is manufactured a couple of buildings to its west. It has a delightful courtyard and the owner told me that it was originally a grain building, as were many in the area.

It is practically surrounded by fine old buildings probably of the same vintage but generally quite rundown, although a number have recently been given facelifts. This section of the street also contains Carfax, the well-known "warehouse/club/party/venue/gallery" that has become an institution in Joeys.

Just to its east, Gwigwi Mrwebi Street "dead ends" into Henry Nxumalo Street, the road under the M1. The columns supporting the freeway above have been used as large canvases for some great street art. The old Market Cold Storage Building in Henry Nxumalo looks as though something is happening to it - someone has been busy exposing the reinforcing on the façade, or has it just spalled off over time?

Jump over Museum Afrika into the courtyard of the Market Theatre precinct and some of the buildings on the east are slated for demolition - although I believe the facades will be retained - for a mixed-use development called The Majestic. This has been on the cards for a long, long time but has been subject to all sorts of delays. I understand that these have now been cleared and the development will go out to proposal call, again, in the next few weeks.

Gwigwi Mrwebi (east) also offers a number of surprises. It forms the southern edge of the Johannesburg Housing Company's Brickfields-Phumulani development, which has a number of small shops facing on to the street that seem to be quite active.

Numsa building
Directly opposite, to its south and on the corner of Gwigwi Mrwebi and Gerard Sekoto streets, is the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa development that I mentioned last week. Had a chat to a Numsa official, who tells me that the development I admired is in fact the union's head office building (on the corner of Jeppe and Gerard Sekoto streets). It is being extended all the way back to Gwigwi Mrwebi, maintaining the detail design of the façade of the original building.

The union's Moses Mayekiso Conference Centre is opposite the head office and has been functioning since 2006. It is in fact the old Diggers Inn Hotel, not the Newtown Hotel as I suggested last week.

On the southern side of Jeppe Street, opposite the Numsa offices, is a lovely old building that I think was once a bank and which is partly restored but empty - it has some magnificent art deco metalwork on the doors and windows.

Turbine Hall on Miriam Makeba Street is looking better and better as the contractors get to the end of their work while the extensions to Sci Bono, diagonally opposite, are making rapid progress after a long delay.

Directly opposite Turbine Hall, on the corner of Jeppe and Miriam Makeba streets, a proposal for a 20-plus storey residential building was disallowed by the heritage authorities and I see the site was out on proposal call, again, last week, together with various other Central Place sites. 'Again' because all of these were substantially held up because of heritage considerations and are now being re-advertised for development.

Next to the corner site is what was previously known as the Workers' Library and Museum, which is now re-emerging as the Workers' Museum. The council is investing between R2,5-million and R3-million in the refurbishment of this building as a site for migrant labour history in South Africa. The refurbishment encompasses the renovation of the workers' compound and the installation of a permanent exhibition for the whole site, including some of the adjacent cottages and selected quarters for domestic workers.

Newtown Park
These buildings form the northern edge of Newtown Park, which is an unexpected spread of green space that once was the site of the massive cooling towers of the President Street Power Station. In fact, the square is lined with interesting buildings. On the west is Number One Central Place, home to Kaya FM and the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Bassline and the Dance Factory. To the south is Moving into Dance (which is going to be upgraded), the Blue IQ offices (which will make way for a new development) and Sci Bono.

Newtown Square is in really good nick and looks well-cared-for, but has the unfortunate "graffiti sculpture" comprising four upside-down motorcar skeletons painted orange and held together by what looks like giant elastic bands. The square wouldn't miss its demise, although some people might miss the repository it offers for rubbish!

At the other extreme (of art) there is a beautiful bronze statue of Brenda Fassie outside Bassline by Angus Taylor that really picks up the whimsy of "The Madonna of the Townships", who died exactly four years ago.

There is a passageway next to 1 Central Place that leads one back to Jeppe Street on its northern end and to President Street on its southern end. The latter takes you to the Bus Factory, where the Johannesburg Development Agency has its offices, which it is busy extending. At the northern end of the passageway is a large marble pavement memorial that celebrates some of South Africa's jazz greats, including Chris McGregor, Hotep Idris Galeta, Miriam Makeba, Jonas Mosa, Ntemi Piliso, Basil 'Manenburg' Coetzee, Kippie Moeketsi, Zacks Nkosi and Winston 'Mankunku' Ngozi.

Mary Fitzgerald Square will evidently be one of the fan parks for 2010. To its west is the large Astor Cash and Carry, one of the meccas for crossborder shopping, along with the Oriental Plaza further to the west. Next to Astor is the derelict Transport House that, I believe, also following a protracted delay, is now on the move again.

Although its progress has certainly slowed down considerably over the past two years, Newtown is still a vibrant area with a great history and the projects that are now under construction, emerging or in the planning stages will provide a real boost to the precinct. It really is worth spending a couple of hours trawling the area.

joburg

May 13th, 2008, 11:53 AM

Thanks for posting that article Pule and highlighting the relevant bits.

Just a note to say that ORTIA is now the best airport in Africa, and the Saxon is now the best boutique hotel in Africa. This according to the World Travel Awards.
http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2008

Pule

May 14th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Mayor in running for world award

Written by Rudo Mungoshi
Tuesday, 13 May 2008

Johannesburg's mayor is on the shortlist for the World Mayor Award, aimed at promoting strong and prosperous cities and good local governance.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/may/mayor001.jpg
Johannesburg's executive mayor, Amos Masondo
(Photo: Enoch Lehung, City of Johannesburg)

AMOS MASONDO, Joburg's first citizen, is one of the top 50 mayors in the world - and he has been short-listed for the 2008 World Mayor Award.

The award is organised by City Mayors, an international network of professionals working together to promote strong and prosperous cities as well as good local governance.

Of the top 50 finalists - selected on the number of supporting nominations and the persuasiveness of supporting statements - 11 mayors are from Asia, 10 are from North America, 11 are from Latin America, 15 are from Europe, and three from Africa. The other nominees from Africa are Cape Town's Helen Zille and Omar El Baharaoui from the Moroccan capital of Rabat.

The annual World Mayor Award honours those who have served their communities selflessly and made significant contributions to the wellbeing of their cities. The spokesperson for Executive Mayor Masondo, Nkhensani Makhobela, said the project was aimed at encouraging mayors to perform better.

"The World Mayor project seeks out mayors who have the vision, passion and skill to make their cities amazing places in which to live, work and visit."

It was first held in 2004 and a mayor from Africa has yet to win. To date, more than 100 000 voters from all over the world have nominated 820 mayors for this year's award.

Among the qualities that city residents looked for in a mayor were:

Good administrative skills;
Ability to provide safety and security; and
Ability to foster good relations between communities from different cultural, racial and social backgrounds.
To be in the running for the award, a citizen of a city needs to submit a motivation why that particular mayor stands out above the rest. Votes can be cast on the World Mayor website; voting closes on 30 June and the winner will be announced in September.

Previous winners include John So, the lord mayor of Melbourne, in Australia; and Dora Bakoyannis, the mayor of Athens, in Greece.

Pule

May 14th, 2008, 04:29 PM

There's a note at The Library hotel notifying the public about the renovations of 17 buildings in the CBD that will form part of the GPG precinct. The notes ask people to forward their concerns about the buildings that are gonna be renovated and it also states that the Heritage Council was conducted. The closing dates for sumission is towards the ned of this month.

Therefore this means that the CBD will be a dusty zone for a year or so as the likes of AFHCO, City Property and others are also busy with renovating other buildings.

Fashion district and Hillbrow are under developers attack and the rush to renovate the buildings accelerates. I think high interest rates are also the cause of all that as people opt for renting rather than buying.

My only concern for now is the area around Joubert park were the BRT will passing. I do not see any movement and its actually an eyesore. But I hope that the likes of AFHCO will actually venture into that area.

SA BOY

May 17th, 2008, 08:51 AM

wasnet amos ridiculed a few years ago as being amilitant COSATU member and not fit to run a city like Joburg?

Seems he has done a good job over the past 4 years

joburg

May 18th, 2008, 12:35 PM

^^ Well... I don't think being a COSATU member makes you unfit to run a city. Infact, in comparison to the elitist fat cats currently in power, COSATU leaders are the epitome of transparent and effective governance at the moment....

Indeed Amos certainly has made for a good mayor in Joburg. A lot has happened under him.

joburg

May 18th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Joburg is not a happy place at the moment... We're like a city under siege.

Xenophobic violence grips Johannesburg

Riaan Wolmarans, Nicole Johnston and Sapa | Johannesburg, South Africa
18 May 2008 11:15

Hundreds of frightened foreigners fled to the sanctity of the Jeppe police station in central Johannesburg on Sunday morning following a night of deadly xenophobic violence that claimed at least five lives and left about 50 people injured.

The atmosphere at the police station was tense, with helicopters circling overhead and large numbers of police officers decked out in full riot gear. City residents looked on from nearby rooftops as groups of refugees, many of them women and children, continued to arrive.

Taxis were pulling up close to the station, playing loud music. Their passengers jumped out and waggled their behinds at those seeking safety, causing them to step back in fear.

Mail & Guardian reporters at the station struggled to obtain information and were told to wait for the station commander to release an official statement. Members of the media were not allowed inside the police station.

The South African Red Cross Society -- which this week launched an emergency appeal for R1-million in support of victims of xenophobic attacks -- was also on the scene.

Malawian national Mohammed Namgoma (23), who lives in a hostel in Jeppestown not far from the police station, told the M&G that a mob had arrived at the hostel on Saturday, armed with knives and other weapons.

"They broke into the house with stones. The stones were coming through the window. There were burglar bars near the top of the ceiling, so I pulled myself up so the stones would not hit me. I hung there for three hours," he said, showing his blackened hands.

"They didn't hurt me but other people's heads are broken," he said. "They stole my phone, blankets and money and they said the amakwerekwere [foreigners] must go home."

Namgoma then went to the shop of his Ethiopian employer on the corner of Bree and Von Wielligh streets, where a mob later arrived and started stoning the store, causing him to flee once more. "It's better to go home than to die," he said.

Fleeing the mob
Nomsa Sibanda, of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, has been employed in South Africa by a cleaning company since 1991.

She told the M&G that she had returned home on Sunday morning to the Radium Hotel in Jeppestown after working a night shift when she and other residents, among them Malawians, were warned that a mob was heading to the hotel. They could hear whistling and cheering from nearby hostels.

"We heard they wanted to chase us away and steal our things," she said. "We ran to get to town. A guy felt so much pity for us running like that, he picked us up and gave us a lift to Fordsburg."

Sibanda then went to the Jeppe police station to request an escort back to her home so she could collect her belongings. "Everything I own that is valuable is in that house," she said.

She also said that not only foreigners were being targeted. "It's Zulus doing this and doing it to their own people," she said, adding that Pedis, Shangaans and other South Africans were told by mob members to "go home to Limpopo".

Outside the Jeppe police station, a South African resident who identified herself as a Pedi told the M&G that a "mob of Zulus" came to her house in the area early on Sunday morning "and beat everyone up". She was still looking for her brother. "I don't know how this is going to end. They just take your things and they beat you up," she said.

Said Sibanda: "They [the attackers] are not educated. They have only a little and they think we are here to take it away," she said. "[Zimbabwean leader Robert] Mugabe will be so thrilled when he sees this ... what should we do? We don't have any place to run to."

She added: "[The] 2010 [World Cup] is coming. Are people going to be safe? Visitors are also foreigners."

Violence spreads
Overnight, said police spokesperson Captain Cheryl Engelbrecht, violence had started at about 1am. Foreigners, mainly Zimbabweans, were attacked at the Cleveland informal settlement.

"Two people were burnt and three people were beaten to death. Fifty others were taken to various hospitals for gunshot and stab wounds. About 300 people are seeking refuge at the Cleveland police station and more are coming in," she said on Sunday morning.

According to police, several shops were vandalised and goods were stolen.

Cleveland is a suburb on the main railway line to the East Rand and beyond, and is situated near the crossing of the N3 highway to Durban and the busy M2 elevated freeway to the inner city.

The violent attacks on foreigners started in Alexandra and by Saturday had spread from Alexandra to Diepsloot, Thokoza and Tembisa.

About 300 foreigners had flocked to the Thokoza community hall on Saturday, seeking safety after attacks broke out in the East Rand township.

Seven people were arrested for public violence on Saturday in Thokoza, according to police spokesperson Captain Mega Ndobe.

He said two shacks had been burnt down and a number of people had been injured. At least 50 foreigners had sought refuge at the Thokoza police station.

In Tembisa, one man was shot and killed and two others were injured, also in xenophobic attacks.

http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=339509&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/#

joburg

May 19th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Mob violence turns Jo'burg CBD into war zone

Nicole Johnston and Percy Zvomuya | Johannesburg, South Africa

18 May 2008 05:20

Downtown Johannesburg is a wasteland this Sunday.

Marshall Street is criss-crossed with makeshift barricades of rusty barbed wire, tyres and chunks of concrete. In Main Street, shops have been literally disembowelled, their heavy-duty Jozi iron shutters wrenched off and their interiors cleaned out, stripped of every Pringle jumper and pair of Converse sneakers.

Police officers in bulletproof vests, with shotguns slung over their shoulders, stand guard at intersections, firing warning shots over the heads of would-be looters.

Helicopters clatter above us constantly and sirens and alarms wail all day.

We catch a ride in a police vehicle and, duly outfitted in bulletproof vests, tag along with Constable Meshack Sebiloane and Inspector Klaas Moloi as they escort a Zimbabwean man to his shop to remove his stock.

The pavements of Jules Street are thronged with knots of men, many of whom are drunk and carry sticks which they drop hurriedly when they see the cops approaching. The officers stand guard, rifles at the ready, as the family pack up their stock and household goods. Their landlady is disgusted: "If they are forced to move out, no one else must try to come in here. I refuse to rent it to anyone else -- let it stand empty."

Sylvia Khumalo (63) sits on a bench on the other side of the road, watching in disbelief. "This is just terrible, we don't understand what is going on," she says, and the other old women on the bench murmur their agreement. "I don't like it -- I am a human being, they are also like me."

Not everyone shares her compassion. A group of young women passes by and they laugh scornfully: "Abahambe. Manje sizohlala emarumini abo mahala. [Let them go. We will live in their rooms for free.]"

Compassion has been in short supply in Jo'burg these past few days as mobs go door to door, burning and beating, stealing everything from beds to mealie-meal. The Jeppe police station has become the only safe spot in the neighbourhood, and there is a constant influx of refuges from the terror, streaming through its doors.

"How can they take clothes from a baby?" asks Admire Makhili (24), pointing to his 16-month-old baby who is barefoot and bareheaded. They have been in the open courtyard of the station since 4am on Sunday morning.

Nomsa Sibanda tells how she heard the looters outside her window, talking about who would get to keep the satellite dish from the Radium Hotel where she lives. The hotel is mostly occupied by foreigners.

"Since Zuma won the ANC presidency, they think they own South Africa. If they meet someone in the street and that person can't answer questions in isiZulu, they insult them and beat them," she says.

It's a story we are to hear over and over again -- and not just from foreigners. South Africans who speak Shangaan, Venda and Pedi report being attacked and told to go back to Limpopo.

Johannes Mkhabela (21) is a Mopedi from Pretoria but was driven from his shack near Jules Street on Sunday morning, leaving behind his worldly possessions, his life savings and his wife.

When he sees us getting into the police van, he rushes to the window and begs: "Please, please come with me to my house. I don't know if my wife is alive or dead. I had R700 and they took it, and took my phone. Please help me." It's a heartbreaking plea, one that is echoed over and over throughout the day.

Surprisingly the police, who have more than enough on their plates with the war zone outside, respond with kindness and patience. Captain Jan Skosana explains over and over again to a weeping young woman that it's not safe for her to go out into the conflict, that she'll have to wait for the situation to calm down.

"Tomorrow," he promises, "maybe tomorrow it will be better."

Luf

May 19th, 2008, 12:19 PM

These goons are just making excuses to create havoc. They should be arrested and MADE to clean up the mess they have created in the CBD - old school style, with chains around their legs and police watching them with shot guns on horse back.

Jakes1

May 19th, 2008, 12:47 PM

I am very angry today... We have loads of Kenyan, Zimbabwean, Congolese and Cameroonian people working at my office. We look like shit to the rest of the world. We don't deserve the world cup.

joburg

May 19th, 2008, 12:55 PM

^^ like, omg that's exactly what i thought this morning :)

But then I thought losing the WC might not be such a good idea cos then these goons will run around blaming other Africans for it. Nothing is ever your own fault in South Africa - whether you be a goon with a knobkerrie or Manto.

Pule

May 19th, 2008, 01:18 PM

The nswer to all these is to remove the ANC from power, they useless and are f*cken idiots. How come in these days and age people from travel scam are not in jail while the money they used could have built schools for those who are schooling under trees in Limpopo. f*Ck the ANC, they f*cken piss me off. They act as if they own these country.

These has been long time coming and their own elected people are the ones who caused all these problems by promising them jobs and houses while they knew exactly that it was not gonna be the case.

SmileyC

May 19th, 2008, 01:40 PM

I agree, it could have been prevented like the Eskom f*up.

monkey1

May 19th, 2008, 03:29 PM

Sad to read and see these events unfolding in Jo'burg. I thought that SA was a model state for the rest of Africa to emulate.

SmileyC

May 21st, 2008, 09:05 AM

There's a project in the pipeline on 14th avenue next to the MTN office park. Mixed use and the project value of +- R4 billion!!!

Ill try to find out more.

Luf

May 21st, 2008, 10:29 AM

Awsome SmileyC - ill also look around.

Pule

May 22nd, 2008, 09:22 AM

Johannesburg's BUDGET

Written by Ndaba Dlamini
Wednesday, 21 May 2008

With more than R26-billion in the pot to be divided up between City entities, the mayor has once again tabled a record budget.

Mayor Amos Masondo arrives with MMC for community development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza THE City of Johannesburg has announced a historic budget of R26-billion for the 2008-09 year, more than 13 percent higher than in the last financial year.

The capital budget is R5,2-billion and the operating budget is about R21-billion.

Tabling the budget on Wednesday, 21 May, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo said it reflected both the size and scope of the activities of democratic local governance in Johannesburg.

"It [the budget] leaves no person in our city untouched. What is presented here and what the council will vote on will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of our people."

However, the mayor also pointed out that it was being delivered in a period of tight financial conditions and global uncertainties.

"It is also presented against the backdrop of developing changes within the City’s revenue landscape, such as the introduction of the new Municipal Property Rates Act and the new Valuation Roll, the proposed electricity increases from Eskom and the rising rate of inflation."

Operating budget

Of the total operating budget, Masondo said community development would receive R553,4-million; about R115-million would go to transportation.

Other allocations include:

- Housing receives R685-million;
- Metro police receives R1,2-billion;
- Emergency services receives R472-million;
- Health receives R357-million; and
- Development planning and urban management receives a share of R463-million.

The municipal entities account for about 57,5 percent of the total budget. Of the operating budget, the lion’s share goes to City Power, which gets R5-billion. The balance is split between the other entities:

- Joburg Water receives R3,7-billion;
- Johannesburg Roads Agency receives R496-million;
- Pikitup receives R1,1-billion;
- Metrobus receives R402-million; and
- Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market receives R159-million.

Capital budget

From the capital budget, the allocations are:

- City Power receives approximately R1-billion;
- Joburg Water receives R872-million;
- Pikitup receives R29-million;
- Johannesburg Roads Agency receives R242-million;
- City Parks receives R42-million;
- Inner city regeneration receives R200-million; and
Johannesburg Development Agency receives R92-million for projects such as the Greater Ellis Park precinct (R10-million), Greater Newtown (R12-million), Nasrec (R15-million) and the development of the Randburg CBD (R12-million).
In addition, R26-million has been allocated to sport and community facilities in marginalised areas and Soweto.

Key areas have been identified for priority development during the 2008-09 financial year. Masondo said the City would upgrade informal settlements in line with the national target of formalising all informal settlements in the country by 2014.

"The current reality in Johannesburg is that there are 182 informal settlements accommodating 180 000 households in informal structures. Residents of informal settlements live in a state of legal insecurity and have little incentive to invest their own resources in the physical environment. As a result, homes in informal settlements are often unsafe, unhealthy and generally provide inadequate living environments."

Masondo said the City's 2008-09 housing budget of R721-million was an increase of 130 percent.

"This allocation includes R371-million for housing top-structures, R90-million for land acquisition and R80-million towards mixed-income housing projects, where our goal is to also leverage funds from the private sector."

Approximately 3 500 rental units will be developed in 2008-09, and a further 4 000 in the following financial year. The Johannesburg Social Housing Company's capital budget amounts to R239,8-million, of which R37-million will be allocated for hostel conversion and medium-density housing.

"Our projections are that approximately 1 147 rental units, 1 851 special units, 468 hostel redevelopment units, 228 inner city residential units and 404 public stock refurbishment units will be developed during 2008-09," Masondo said.

Alexandra Renewal Project
The Alexandra Renewal Project, recently extended to 2010, receives R40-million and R70-million goes to engineering services at Cosmo City. Inner city generation will receive R2-billion over the next five years. In the current budget, R250-million has been allocated to the project and an additional R200-million for capital expenditure.

With 25 months until the 2010 Fifa World Cup, an amount of R789,1-million has been provided for 2010 projects. Some R580-million will go towards the completion of Soccer City, R130-million for the work done at Ellis Park Stadium and R82-million for the greening of the Klipspruit and its wetland system.

A project closely related to the World Cup is the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), which will be located in the Nasrec precinct. Masondo said the City would invest R120-million in hosting the IBC; R1-billion has been set aside for the redevelopment of the Nasrec area.

The IBC would leave a lasting legacy in Johannesburg. "We believe that the IBC will contribute to the telecommunication and broadcasting infrastructure, which will improve the lives of all our people," he said.

Transport
"The budget for transportation will increase by 31,7 percent in the coming year. Of the R981-million allocated, R332-million will go towards Intelligent Transit Systems and R419-million to take the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system forward."

A significant portion of the budget has been earmarked for crime prevention and the strengthening of public safety measures. Crime prevention gets R576-million and R494-million goes towards traffic safety enforcement.

The City's HIV and Aids support programmes would receive approximately R45-million in the 2008-09 financial year, according to Masondo.

"Once again the budget reflects our commitment to provide quality health services to our communities in collaboration with the other spheres of government."

He added that there was a number of HIV and Aids programmes and outreach campaigns in 12 areas across the City. The City would focus on extended prevention campaigns and comprehensive and integrated treatment programmes that would specifically target City employees.

In conclusion, Masondo said the 2008-09 budget was more than mere balance sheet of revenue versus expenditure.

"This budget comes at the tail end of a lengthy process of participation. This consultation was held with communities and stakeholders across the length and breath of our city. We sought to reach out to every region and locality."

waltjie

May 22nd, 2008, 09:52 AM

Happy Happy.... Our banner is up!! Thanks to all concerned.

joburg

May 22nd, 2008, 10:04 AM

yippee indeed

Luf

May 22nd, 2008, 11:01 AM

yay!

joburg

May 22nd, 2008, 02:15 PM

I'm personally looking forward to the Joburg magazine :)

New magazines showcase Sandton, Joburg

http://mars.biz-community.com/c/0805/16756.jpghttp://mars.biz-community.com/c/0805/16755.jpg

Not only did Media Nova launch its new glossy magazine Sandton last week, Ballyhoo Media has published Joburg Style, a glossy quarterly guide to what's happening in the city, endorsed by the City of Joburg.

Sandton magazine, a "celebration brand", will cater to the lifestyle needs of the district's top-end residential, tourist and business communities that is the economic, social and retail pulse-point of the African continent. Joburg Style is an insider's guide to the city showing off its fantastic people, incredible passion and rich culture. It aims to show Joburg as the world-class city it is by providing a platform for locals and visitors to venture out and enjoy what Johannesburg has to offer.

"It's taken us a year since initial discussions started with this title until the launch [last] week," said Media Nova MD Tony Vaughan. "We felt obligated to deliver a glossy publication that best represented Africa's wealthiest mecca and I firmly believe we have done just that. Sandton is also the ideal niche publication to add to our stable along with our multi-award winning glossy, The Property Magazine, which has a monthly circulation of 108 000."

It will have an initial print-run of 30 000 (15 000 copies hand-delivered to Sandton's finest homes, with another 7500 distributed to Sandton hotel rooms, including iconic hospitality brands such as The Westcliff and the balance is sold nationally at selected retail outlets).

"Sandton is a highly covetable brand. In many ways, our readership is our content," says Sandton editor Josef Talotta, "and we have the best editorial playground between Cairo and Cape Town."

Explains Joburg Style editor-at-large James Delaney, “Joburg is an insider's city, not always easy to find the good stuff. There's more to this place than just monumental malls. Our approach is to help Joburgers discover their own city and get visitors to explore.”

The publication can be found at all the City of Joburg's events such as Joburg Fashion Week, The Joburg open, Joburg Day, Taste of Joburg, 94.7 Cycle Race, etc. In addition, the title will be distributed through 4 and 5 star hotels, and top boutique hotels (including The Michelangelo, The Hyatt, Ten Bompas, The Grace, The Peech, Gold Reef City Hotel, Sunnyside Park Hotel and Fairlawns) and various tourist attractions such as Maropeng and Lesedi Cultural Village. Other distribution points include Rovos Rail, Premier Classe and Imperial Chauffeur Drive transfers, as well as being sold through all major news agents.

Head of marketing for the City of Joburg, Elsabe Booyens, says it is delighted Ballyhoo Media and Joburg Style will be joining the campaign to dispel the myths about Joburg and thereby support their campaign to position the city as “a world-class African city”.

The digital version of Sandton magazine may be found at www.sandtonmag.co.za.

Pule

May 22nd, 2008, 03:30 PM

Good find Tom, I think the Joburg magazine will be more interesting.

Lydon

May 22nd, 2008, 06:19 PM

Congrats on the banner. Yay :P

KomSakkie

May 23rd, 2008, 12:40 PM

Sight seeing

Got hold of Dylan Habour (the guy who took the banner photo) again yesterday to tell him the baner was up. He replied and invited the Jozi locals around to his next photo shoot at the same place.......here's what he said.

Awesome!

I'm trying to organize another trip to the same spot.... but this,
when the Nelson Mandela bridge lights are on. If any of you Jozi
locals are keen, let me know. It'll be early, cold, and not completely
legal... but definitely worth it!!!

Dyl

c",)

Anybody who whats to go must contact him via email...his address is dylanh@rbour.co.za
Sounds like great fun and would differently consider it....the only problem is about 12000km for me but I am sure some of you would go.

Enjoy

KomSakkie

May 23rd, 2008, 01:19 PM

Inertia

May 23rd, 2008, 07:14 PM

nice email addy

clive3300

May 27th, 2008, 11:06 AM

Jakes1

May 27th, 2008, 11:21 AM

I feel like renting an island today... Something small, insect-ridden and preferably unbareably hot. Would do a couple of government ministers good to have a nice, relaxing holiday away from the stresses of their daily lives.

Harkeb

May 28th, 2008, 09:28 AM

This is exceptional news, and should control the sprawl.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joburg in line for a complete makeover
Anna Cox
May 28 2008 at 06:45AM

The face of Joburg is set to change dramatically within the next five years.

The City of Joburg has decided that it is not likely to approve any developments in areas that are not within a 1km distance from its new public transport route, the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport Route (BRT), or the Gautrain stations, until there is more infrastructure.

This was stated by Philip Harrison, the City of Joburg's executive director of development planning and urban management.

The Rea Vaya will consist of 122km of trunk routes and 150 bus stations located 500m apart. It is expected that 60 percent of the growth of the city will take place along these public transport corridors in the next five years.

Harrison said the current situation, especially on the West Rand and in the northern parts of Joburg, where massive development had taken place during the recent property boom years, had put infrastructure under extreme pressure.

"There had been under-investment in infrastructure by the city, and the services simply could not cope," he said.

The main development nodes, which are now considered high-priority areas, are Midrand, Rivonia, Marlboro, Randburg, Sandton, Illovo, Rosebank, the inner city, Roodepoort, Dobsonville, Nasrec, Jabulani, Baragwanath, Kliptown, Lenasia, Stretford and Orange Farm.

"The situation cannot continue and we now have to force development around the public transport nodes. We have to work to ensure that accelerated growth in the city is sustainable in terms of infrastructure, environmental quality.

"We will still consider every application and consider it on its merit, but generally our policy will be not to approve new developments which are not on the public transport route," said Harrison.

In areas such as Midrand, Marlboro and Jabulani, there is vacant land where mixed-use developments can be established. There will be huge developments around Jabulani and around Stretford station in Orange Farm, in particular, he said.

Harrison said that with the bus rapid-transport routes, half the city would have access to public transport, and those within walking distance to the bus would have access to 70 percent of the city through the new bus routes.

"This moratorium will give us time to catch up with infrastructure needs in the areas which need it," he noted.

Herman Pienaar, the City of Joburg's director of development planning and facilitation, said that if things were left to continue as normal, there would be increasing intensity and frequency of infrastructure problems, with growing public discontent. The new public transportation system would not be viable if the required densification along the corridors did not happen.

"In future, the city will prioritise its capital expenditure to these public transport nodes. There will also be a radical departure in the way development applications are dealt with, and a new range of mechanisms to influence the patterns and pace of development will be implemented."

Pienaar added that turnaround time for approval of plans had improved from 35 percent taking 28 days to 30 percent now being approved in 24 hours and 74 percent within 28 days.

Developers along the corridors will receive incentives, including density bonuses; fast-tracking of land development applications; and the waiver of application and building-plan fees. The waiver of bulk contributions was being considered by the city, he said.

A second priority the city will be focusing on will be marginalised areas of Diepsloot, greater Ivory Park and Orange Farm, where public transport will be strengthened and stormwater and gravel roads upgraded to obtain a basic level of service provision.

The city is also formalising the 182 informal settlements.

"If we have to abide by the government's imperatives of eradicating these by 2014, we need to upscale the rate of formalisation, regulation and upgrading. We will be changing the town planning scheme to do so, as well as the Development Facilitation Act to establish townships and sorting out tenure issues," she said.

Developers and builders in the city are also facing dramatic changes in applications because of electricity shortages, said Richard Holden, the City of Joburg's strategic support specialist in development management.

He said there was going to be a paradigm shift in the way in which building plans would be assessed in future.

"I don't think people realise how radically things are going to change," he said.

joburg

May 28th, 2008, 11:43 AM

^^ Good news indeed! I saw today that Rea Vaya will begin construction around the Empire/Jan Smuts interchange next to Wits.

Also - remember the art gallery concept proposed by the Wits School of Arts? I saw in the latest Wits Alumni Review mag more renders for the project, and so it seemingly still on the cards..

joburg

May 28th, 2008, 01:50 PM

A particularly excellent round up by Neil Fraser of developments in the city... Three cheers to you Neil if you ever read this!

Great news regarding the Art on Main development.

Going west to east with Neil Fraser
Written by Neil Fraser
Monday, 26 May 2008

Work is forging ahead in the inner city, with refurbishments keeping pace with changes being undertaken for the Rea Vaya bus system. It is great to see all this energy.

Neil Fraser THERE is an interesting commentary in the 26 May issue of Time on city limits, by Rami Khouri. The article focuses on the "dazzling metropolises that are rising across the Gulf" - Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and so on.

He uses a new word to describe them - "hypercities"; well, it's new for me. Essentially he is commenting on the fact that fast growth, bold expansion, streamlined service delivery and openness to the rest of the world are remarkable achievements but are not the key attributes of great cities. Comparing them to "enduring cities" such as London, Istanbul, New Delhi and New York City, he says that while they share, to varying degrees, multinational populations, expanding economies and efficient infrastructure, what is missing is cultural production, intellectual and scientific output and pluralistic politics.

Hmmm - makes you think, doesn't it? Don't try to score us; we are evidently suddenly unable even to come to terms with the first of those for whatever the underlying reason. If you didn't read Mamphela Ramphele's article in The Star on Thursday, 22 May, do yourself a favour and do so. She provides an incisive analysis of our current state of affairs.

In her closing remarks she comments: "Self-respect and respect for others is what defines us as human. We need a social movement to promote a value system that balances the material, aesthetic and spiritual needs of our society. Reigniting a focus on ethical behaviour would go a long way to reducing levels of crime and abuse of women and children." And lots else besides!

If you want to provide practical assistance in the current crisis please go to the end of this Citichat.

New Doornfontein
Found some time to do a bit more "city-meandering" this week and had a look at what's happening west to east and generally between Market and Anderson streets, and then around New Doornfontein.

Firstly, some general impressions: the area I went through is decidedly cleaner these days, although there are still problem spots.

Secondly, the new pavement programme is making a difference in the areas that have been completed, but also with some problems. For instance, the Johannesburg Development Agency did a great job of providing new pavements in the Jewel City precinct, with a mixture of brick and concrete paving with some lovely inset mosaic panels done by local artists - but they are already starting to look scruffy. Surely there should be a special and regular cleaning programme, such as high pressure water or steam cleaning, instituted wherever new high quality work such as this has been installed?

The ongoing project of renewing pavements now under way over a large area of Hillbrow - to eventually cover the city centre - will be a waste of money if we are not going to have a proper programme to maintain the surfaces and street furniture from day one. With our volume of foot traffic, it won't take long for the new surfaces to be so ingrained with dust, dirt, vehicle exhausts and general litter that they will look as if they had never been renewed.

Thirdly, an added problem in the Jewel Street area is that there are no refuse bins. Well, I did see three of the old circular concrete bins in Berea Street, which is the eastern edge of Jewel City, but there is not one bin on either side of the upgraded pavements from Main Street right up to End Street - about 200 metres! In fact, the only bin I could find was on the corner of Nugget Street, about 400 metres from Berea Street. Does Pikitup think that the new pavements are going to stop people littering? That's crazy! Everyone throws their rubbish on to the new pavements because there are no bins and the rubbish gets ground into the new surfaces - another example of the council working in silos.

Street signs
Fourthly, some years ago, while visiting Japan, I just couldn't find my way around because I couldn't read the Japanese street names but, at least, there was a sign on every corner for you to co-ordinate with your street map. Here, I drove around the inner city for a couple of hours, a city that I think I know quite well, but trying to keep track of where you see things of interest makes it very apparent that street names are generally conspicuous only by their absence. Hey, when the anticipated mob arrives for 2010, don't tell the visitors to go to such-and-such a road because there is no way they'll find it nor know when they're in it.

This leads me to thinking that we have a long way to go with our much-vaunted new urban management system. Surely missing street names, out of date street signs and those that have been bashed by traffic, human and vehicle, need to be attended to. There's a no-parking pole in Harrison Street close to Market that was knocked flat six to eight weeks ago, if not more. It lies flattened across the pavement and you have to jump over it for fear of tripping. The result is a scruffy, unmanaged, don't care appearance that is disappointing.

If we can get all of these issues attended to before 2010, will we revert to our current levels of management thereafter?

So, is there any good news? Sure - lots! My final impression is, in fact, that there is still a lot of energy in the inner city. Down on the western end, the construction of the Johannesburg Land Company's new high-rise office building, to be the head office of Zurich Re, is moving apace. Now with ground and first floor out of the ground, it won't be long before it makes its presence felt on the western skyline. It will be in good company with the conversions that have taken place to its immediate south-east around Marshall and Anderson streets - the Mapungubwe, Dogon, Ashanti Isibaya, the new AAC parking garage, and so forth.

Still in the early design stage is the extension Standard Bank is planning to its massive campus on what has traditionally been called the Ussher site, but I'm sure it won't be that long before construction commences, maybe next year.

On the opposite, eastern side of town, excavation of the basements of the two huge Absa blocks look as though they are completed but it will still take some time before new construction appears above ground level as they each appear to have quite a number of basement floors to be constructed first. One covers the block between Main and Marshall, Troye to Delvers and the other a double block from Troye to Von Wielligh, Marshall to Anderson. Nice to have two major new office blocks of the order of R1-billion each under construction on opposite sides of the city centre.

Arts on Main
East of the growing Absa campus and just east of the Jewel City precinct is a new development being billed as Arts on Main, using the yard and offices of the DF Corlett construction company, among one of the oldest surviving companies in Johannesburg. The press release I was sent says the following:

"Arts on Main is a creative hub of artists, creative companies and residents. The building has been converted from the DF Corlett construction company offices and warehouse. It is a mixed-use development with commercial, retail, residential and studio spaces. The spaces will be sold as shells so that the buyers have the opportunity to implement their own ideas. The conversion honours the building's history, highlighting features such as the double-volume ceilings, concrete floors and over-sized windows, while adding new features such as the courtyards and roof gardens.

"Other interesting features include an open air cinema, a common area exhibition space and a deli for the convenience of the tenants. Arts on Main is situated in the emerging City and Suburban area in the eastern CBD, in close proximity to the Absa headquarters and Ellis Park, and opposite Jewel City, the expanding diamond exchange.

"The plans have been drawn up by Daffonchio and Associates, whose design work focuses on energy efficiency and awareness of the broader effects that buildings have on the environment. Daffonchio and Associates is one of six architectural firms that has been chosen to design the Monaghan Farm development and it has completed projects such as the Unesco world heritage sight in the Cradle of Humankind.

"There is a strong relationship with the Nirox Art Foundation, an artists' residency and sculpture park situated in the Cradle of Humankind. Affiliated facilities will include city digs for visiting international artists, reciprocal exhibitions and performances, cross-venue workshops, lectures and artists' collaborations, priority participation in events and network access.

"Buyers and tenants in the development will include artists, dance studios, recording studios, advertising companies and other related industries.

"There are limited retail, commercial and residential spaces available to buy and rent. In order to maintain our values, we have placed a strong emphasis on the tenant mix that will define Arts on Main. The most important criterion is that they will have to be involved in a creative industry and add value to the artists' community within Arts on Main."

The city produces some fascinating uses that greatly add to its culture and diversity - that's one to watch with interest!

Refurbishment
Between the new Absa and Zurich Re buildings, east and west, is a great deal of refurbishment activity. OPH has done a fine job of the two once-disgusting blocks on the corner of Eloff, Marshall and Anderson streets, right up to the current sorry mess that is the Irish Barracks - another monument to the state's total inability to maintain and manage its built-form assets.

OPH is also responsible for more refurbishment and alterations to its buildings also in Marshall Street that form the southern boundary of Gandhi Square. Afhco is doing an impressive, large residential block in Kruis Street, between Main and Marshall, and the Colosseum opposite the Carlton Centre appears also to be in the process of conversion to residential. Incidentally, driving west down the short stretch of Main between Kruis and Eloff streets, are some amazing gabled buildings - one building, number 113, proudly proclaims "1914" on its gable and has been really well renovated.

Driving down Commissioner Street, City Props, whose signboard is becoming ubiquitous throughout the inner city, is doing a renovation to the building on the corner of Commissioner and Joubert streets, which I seem to remember as the JBS Building. Opposite, I see that the crumbling old CNA building has a massive billboard covering most of its Commissioner Street frontage. To me, this is cause for great concern as the block with CNA, Shakespeare House and the New Kempsey Building was purchased some years back by Urban Ocean amid lots of publicity about creating new apartments, but the buildings still stand mutely with no signs of progress other than decay.

My concern is that the developers probably are comfortable with its new-found billboard income, as appears also to be the case with its completely wrapped 1 Rissik Street development. Hopefully the new rates legislation, which requires rates on improvements as well as land, will be an incentive to get projects going and producing incomes.

But, surely, we need to not allow non-performing developers the opportunity to earn big bucks from outdoor advertising. That's just plain stupid. I see that Corner House still has a lane closed off in both Commissioner and Simmonds streets. Let's see, that must be four or five years now but there is no building activity in evidence. Diagonally opposite Corner House, the magnificent Standard Bank Chambers building is having scaffolding erected to its Commissioner Street face - hopefully this is for a freshening up of its façade.

Restaurants
Oh, forgot to mention that I had lunch at Picasso's this week. It is at 87 Commissioner Street. The double-volume former banking hall of the 1902/3 First National Bank Building provides a wonderful space for the bar lounge on the ground level and the restaurant encircling it at mezzanine level. Sadly, there were only a handful of people lunching. Over the years I've had so many moans from folk that there is nowhere good to eat in the inner city and, now when there is, they don't support them. Try the grilled cajun calamari - tender and delicious.

Along Commissioner into Sauer and then east up Market: I see a sign for offices to let on the Avril Malan building, not that long ago one of the most disgusting buildings in that part of town so hopefully we'll see it being cleaned up before long. No sign of life around the provincial government buildings that line Market between Sauer and Simmonds nor in regard to the Beyers Naude Gardens.

The old Boland Bank Building, now known as the Steytler, on the corner of Market and Loveday streets, has been completely refurbished as residential apartments. It's about time the City found alternative ranking for the taxis in this section of Loveday Street. It might have once been in the middle of commercial activities but this is increasingly a residential precinct.

The Steytler is followed by another lane closure in Market Street for building work evidently taking place to the buildings on the corner of Market, Rissik and Commissioner streets. These once included the magnificent Old Arcade. I hear on the grapevine that there are emerging plans for the Rissik Street Post Office but don't expect any progress over the next year. Oppenheimer Park remains a disgrace. Progressing up Market Street are some great refurbishments to fine old buildings; City Props appears to be prominent with these.

Reaching the eastern end of Market street gave me an opportunity to shoot up north to look at what progress is being made around the Ellis Park precinct. Wow, this is like a giant civil-engineering site. On its eastern end Bertrams Road has been substantially widened for the BRT between Bezuidenhout Street and where it joins Charlton Terrace. This particular work did come to a grinding halt some time back while the heritage authorities decided on the future of the historic cottages along Derby Road.

I understand that the recently released approval, following an inordinate delay, is to allow demolition of a couple of the cottages on the intersection of Derby and Bertrams to allow the Bertrams road widening for the BRT to continue but to renovate the balance of cottages - sounds okay to me. The section of Charlton Terrace on the northern edge of New Doornfontein has been partially widened and the buildings on the north of Charlton Terrace are being demolished and the service station moved further north for the BRT roadway.

From where Charlton Terrace becomes Saratoga Avenue, much of the road-widening has been completed and demolition has just started on some of the buildings that were used previously by Joburg Tech, now the University of Johannesburg. The white and silver mosaics that were applied to the old columns carrying Joe Slovo Drive Bridge over Saratoga Avenue still look good, although I see the inevitable posters starting to appear on them. Urban management!

The Ellis Park Rugby Stadium has construction work taking place all around it. What appears to be a new multilevel parking garage is being built on its east and structural steel towers or buttresses are being erected on its north elevation, either for additional seating to be provided or roofing over that section - or both. The piece of overgrown open land between the rugby and the athletics stadiums is no longer overgrown but has a multitude of earth-moving equipment crawling over it feverishly reshaping its surface.

There is much happening and much to be done but it is great to see the energy that all of this is producing - now if we can just keep it all reasonably clean and tidy!

Ciao, Neil

Pule

May 28th, 2008, 03:43 PM

joburg

May 28th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Pule as far as I can see the project only includes the space occupied by the Shell garage at the bottom of that rotating restaurant building. Indeed i think the space will make for a fantastic art gallery. As for the restaurant - I don't know, but I don't think it will include it. The university should consider selling it off... I reckon they'll make quite a bit of moola off it.

DoviJozi

May 28th, 2008, 07:35 PM

joburg

May 28th, 2008, 09:46 PM

Nope the building is still used by not only Drama but also Fine Arts and other university related stuff. the Gay and Lesbian Archives are on the 8th floor i believe. Also i believe that if one wishes to do tap dancing at Wits, one would do so there ;)

Pule

May 28th, 2008, 09:53 PM

“Bridge Precinct- Fully Let”- further proof of the inner city succeeding

28 May 2008 - eProp - Rejuvenate

Intro
The developers of the ‘Bridge Precinct’ in Braamfontein have announced that all 5,000m2 of commercial space in the precinct is now fully let

A partnership of 3 property entrepreneurs, Justin Blend who bought his first property in Braamfontein at the age of 20, Jonathan Gimpel an architect and Steven Blend – combined their expertise and vision to create one of Joburg’s most successful redevelopments.

The development which began three years ago with the acquisition of three derelict buildings in Smit Street Braamfontein, is a perfect example of a successful transformation of old buildings to buildings which add value to the urban landscape. The first building was a hotel built in 1906, it has now been converted into a showroom and let to Ayanda Solutions an empowered, office furniture company.

The second building was an old butchery that was completely abandoned and has now been revamped into a chic office loft setup. The building has been let to African Cream Music, a successful independent record label.

The third building which had been standing vacant for many years, was totally revamped and modernized and has recently been let to Rosebank College, a division of the Advtec Group Ltd. The Bridge Precinct development has been so successful that a new building 1500m2 is being constructed adjacent to the existing building with the space already let to Rosebank College. This will be one of the first totally new commercial buildings constructed in Braamfontein in many years.

Justin Blend of Rejuvenate Properties says that “it is very rewarding to see the change in the state of the buildings from once being in a dilapidated condition to buildings with a new life and charisma”.

Once fully completed, the developers will have invested R20 million into the Bridge Precinct.

Luf

May 29th, 2008, 11:29 AM

^^ Great news! i really liked that one.

Jakes1

May 29th, 2008, 11:53 AM

Max the Gorilla got his own statue at the Johannesburg Zoo. In other news, anyone heard about the 35m viewing platform they are constructing at the Zoo? It has a restaurant at the top, and shops at the bottom. Was supposed to be 55m, but obviously Forest Town Residents went bazooka about this. Construction is starting soon - the new design will not have any advertising, nor are they allowed to light the structure at night.

Pule

May 29th, 2008, 04:43 PM

joburg

May 30th, 2008, 09:52 AM

Forest Town Residents went bazooka about this. Construction is starting soon - the new design will not have any advertising, nor are they allowed to light the structure at night.

Me thinks they should start getting used to high rises on their doorstep given how its sandwiched between Jan Smuts and Oxford roads - both which will be key BRT routes.

joburg

May 30th, 2008, 09:54 AM

In other news... Seems like Newtown will be getting some more Brickfield-type development..

Can Johannesburg's inner city become bohemian' dream?
Wednesday, April 5, 2000

Extracted from Financial Mail 7 April 2000
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Council's iGoli 2000 urban renewal strategy is coming together, building block by building block.

The Newtown precinct is to undergo radical transformation in the next few months, taking shape in a more tangible and visible way – not the idealistic notion of building a bohemian area in the style of London's Notting Hill.

Johannesburg's inner-city manager, Graeme Reid, is taking a more practical approach. The Metro Council accepts it needs to attract people, he says.

And while the change of emphasis means would-be loft-apartment residents will have to wait, those wanting more practical accommodation won't. The R23m Newtown Urban Village consists of three-storey buildings containing one- and two-bedroomed units at an average price of about R65 000.

The project could go a long way to creating a better quality of life in inner-city housing. Reid says it will help attract upper-working-class people.

The Metro Council believes sustainable development and rejuvenation depend on attracting a mixed socio-economic group into the area. Reid wants to create residential living across the economic range.

There's some scepticism about whether this can be achieved. Reid believes it can. "A large number of the subscribers for Newtown Urban Village were people who fell outside government's subsidy group. There's a lot of interest in residential areas in the inner city."

Neil Fraser of the Inner City Business Coalition says inner-city residential development works best when it's mixed-class. “We may be talking about different income groups, but they are all income groups."

"The council's aim is to add another 160 000 inhabitants to the inner city over five years. About 5 000 housing units are planned for the greater Newtown area. In the next 18 months, 3 400 housing units for all income groups will be built in a 5 km radius around Newtown's cultural precinct."

Pule

May 30th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Good news, thanks Tom.

Jakes1

May 30th, 2008, 03:36 PM

Zoo Lake security centre opens
Written by Lucille Davie
Thursday, 29 May 2008

It has been several years in the works, but the security centre and information room at the Zoo Lake, Joburg's most popular park, has finally opened.

The derelict storeroom lives again as a revamped security centre AT last, after five long years of fundraising, the Zoo Lake information and security centre is open.

A derelict storeroom built in the 1930s, with attractive columns and a Canadian shingle roof, has been revamped and will be occupied by one of the major donors to the project: Chubb security officers will take occupation of the Chubb Security Centre, on one side of the small structure; while on the other side the Rainbow Information Centre will be staffed by volunteers.

The original exterior walls have been moved back several centimetres to enhance the columns, and windows have been inserted around the building, with metal roller doors for security, says conservation architect Henry Paine, who was in charge of the renovation.

Mike Griffiths, the senior manager of street trees at Johannesburg City Parks, originally suggested turning the 3m by 8m building into an information centre. The project has been energetically driven by Lucy Taylor, the co-ordinator of the Zoo Lake Users' Committee.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge all the role players and of course, that tenacious badger, Lucy Taylor," said Jenny Moodley, the marketing manager of City Parks.

"It wouldn't have been possible without you - I want to say thank you," she added.

A crowd of around 100 people gathered to witness the unveiling of the building, emceed by Mike Moriarity, the leader of the DA in the council. Taylor managed to trace penny-whistle player Lemme Mabaso, whose jaunty playing could be heard in the background. He played at the lake in the late 1950s with the famous pennywhistle musician, Spokes Mashiyane.

Moriarity bemoaned the fact that local residents no longer visited the park, probably because of security concerns; but he felt confident that this would change following the establishment of the security centre.

"We need to be more active in the tourism industry and selling our city. I hope this will get people to come here more often," he said. "We have had great support from the council across the board. We are grateful for their support."

The guest speaker was Peter Sullivan, the chairman of Birdlife Africa and editor-in-chief of Independent Newspapers.

Heart of Joburg
"Zoo Lake is the heart of Johannesburg," he said, "and it's a haven for birds." He gave 20 ways in which birds have influenced people, whether in art, sport, by using their feathers, providing food, or being an indicator of the world's health in times of environmental stress.

"Zoo Lake is really important to the people of Joburg; they are really wonderful people who created this centre." He encouraged those present to enjoy the tranquillity of the park, and to support the Zoo Lake Users' Committee.

Zoo Lake is the city's most popular park, planned and laid out in 1904, and given to the city's residents to be used by all, irrespective of race.

Taylor managed to raise almost R600 000 for the project, getting some donors to give in kind, like the Rainbow Construction Company. It originally agreed to project manage the renovation but ended up persuading several customers to donate towards the project, she said.

Chubb has been involved in the project since the beginning, making available a 12-hour daily guard who cycles around the lake from 6.30am to 9am, and again from 4pm to 6.30pm, when regular walkers take to the lakeside pathway.

The Chubb guard is supplemented by park wardens supplied by City Parks, and metro police officers visit twice a day, driving and walking around, ensuring that it is safe for its visitors.

As the building was older than 60 years, permission had to be obtained from the provincial heritage authority to make alterations, Taylor said.

She appeals to people to volunteer their time at the information centre.

Jakes1

May 30th, 2008, 03:50 PM

Shows they have some heart, afterall... it seems...

Council gives dinner to immigrants
Written by Lesego Madumo
Friday, 23 May 2008
Instead of enjoying the annual budget dinner, councillors have elected to donate the food to the people displaced by the xenophobic violence spreading across Gauteng.

Executive Mayor Amos Masondo and his councillors donated the food prepared for the budget dinner to people displaced by the xenophobic violence THOUSANDS of displaced immigrants in Johannesburg will receive food from the City, which has elected to donate meals rather than hold its annual post-budget gala dinner. City officials savour the annual dinner, usually held after the mayor delivers his budget speech.

Xenophobic violence, which erupted in the northern township of Alexandra some two weeks ago, has affected thousands of people. More than 40 people have been killed and hundreds arrested. Numbers of displaced people vary from 15 000 to 30 000. The violence has spread across Gauteng in the past fortnight.

In a show of unity with the immigrants, the City offered to "forgo" its dinner on Thursday, 22 May, "in support of displaced families", said Virgil James, the City's spokesperson.

"During its budget debate, the council resolved to forgo its traditional dinner and instead have the food sent to families displaced by the recent attacks on foreign nationals," James said.

The council also reiterated that Jozi would always be an inclusive city, which distanced itself from xenophobic violence.

"The City of Johannesburg condemns and disassociates itself from the attacks on foreign nationals that [have taken] place in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg," said Gabu Tugwana, the City's director of communications, shortly after the first attacks. "We call on communities to act in a responsible manner and remain calm."

A City statement reads that Johannesburg is a city where community development, personal growth and social mobility are enhanced so that the challenges of poverty, vulnerability, inequality and social exclusion can be fundamentally addressed.

Condemning the violence, Executive Mayor Amos Masondo called for a moment's silence for the people killed, during his budget speech, delivered on Wednesday, 21 May.

Various councillors also condemned the attacks. "[They then] reiterated the call for councillors and staff, especially from the community development department, emergency management services and Johannesburg metro police to continue with the sterling work done thus far," James confirmed.

Lydon

May 31st, 2008, 02:21 AM

That's nice of them :)

Jakes1

June 2nd, 2008, 02:21 PM

Rosebank eyesore to fetch about R30 million
02 Jun 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
A sought-after apartment block in Rosebank has attracted scores of developers interested in replacing it with an ultra-modern residential development.

By Simpiwe Piliso

A sought-after apartment block in Rosebank, one of Johannesburg’s upmarket northern suburbs, has attracted scores of developers interested in replacing it with an ultra-modern residential development.

Often seen as an eyesore compared with neighbouring refurbished apartment blocks, Chatfield Court is expected to fetch between R25-million and R30-million when it goes under the hammer next month.

Last week developers and some delegates at the 40th annual SA Property Owners Association gathering described the 24-apartment building as a “great investment … with good development potential”.

The three-storey face- brick building, situated opposite The Grace, a grand boutique hotel, could soon be on the list of an estimated R1-billion worth of developments taking shape in Rosebank.

A few metres from Chatfield Court, workers were working against time to complete the R250-million refurbishment of the Rosebank Hotel. Old Mutual Properties demolished about five buildings to make way for the R623-million upmarket development, which includes a hotel, retail space, basement parking and loft offices.

Source: The Times

Jakes1

June 2nd, 2008, 02:23 PM

Newtown's Turbine Square scoops annual Development Award
30 May 2008 - eProp - SAPOA

Intro
Beating out fierce competition, the landmark Turbine Square development in Johannesburg’s fast-regenerating Newtown node has pipped other projects to the post by winning the coveted 2008 SAPOA Awards for Innovative Excellence in Property Development, sponsored by Nedbank Corporate Property Finance

A key aspect of the development is its contribution to unlocking value in the rejuvenating node.

“The project, executed by the Tiber Group, took a heritage structure in a revitalizing part of the city and created a new-format office block for corporate blue-chip Ashanti Gold,” says John Truter, chairman of the SAPOA Awards Committee and director of engineering firm WSP Group Africa.

“The success and innovation of the project lies in the fact that it took an historic property, in an old area, and created a commercially-viable and architecturally appealing new development.”

Turbine Square collected the awards for both Overall Winner and Best Office Development.

Truter’s comments reflect the rigorous criteria applied to projects under consideration for the awards. Economic viability, architectural appeal and locational value-add are all taken into consideration by the panel of judges. This year, the panel included eleven property professionals drawn from across the spatial disciplines.

The Awards are a high-point on the property industry calendar, recognizing achievements by developers across eight distinct categories: Innovative Solutions; Social Impact; Refurbishments; Industrial Developments; Office Developments; Retail Developments; International; and Other, which covers the hotel, leisure and residential sectors.

“The awards attracted a record 44 entries this year, across all the categories,” says SAPOA CEO Neil Gopal.

In fact, so many submissions were received from residential developments as part of the Other Category that SAPOA has decided to launch a separate Residential category for the 2009 awards.

“A key goal of the SAPOA Awards is to showcase the excellence of world-class South African property developments across the different sectors of the market,” says Truter.

“Certainly this year’s crop of entrants has lived up to expectations.”

Greenstone Shopping Centre in Modderfontein, with what the judges described as its magnificent architecture and excellent structure, won the Retail Developments award; the Industrial Developments category was won by Mahogany Ridge in Pinetown, for being both functional and well-executed.

Two prizes were awarded in the Refurbishments category: the restoration of mixed-use Majestic Village in the Western Cape’s Kalk Bay by Argyle Developments, and the careful re-working of 22 Fredman Drive in the corporate Sandton node by Zenprop Property Holdings.

Facilities management Gatemax came out tops in the Innovative Solutions category with its creative office building in Umhlanga outside Durban.

The standard of entries this year prompted judges to award merit prizes in several categories, adds Gopal.

Fernkloof Golf Course in Hermanus by Rabie Properties achieved first prize in the Other category, thanks to its successful implementation of a public-private partnership model and its commitment to environmental principles. Merit awards were given to the historic Newcourt of Alphen in Constantia and to Oasis Luxury Retirement Resort developed by Rabie Properties.

While the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu in the Transkei scored the first prize in the Social Impact category, business mentoring project Growthpoint Enterprise Development won a merit award for its contribution to small and start-up businesses.

Frank Berkeley, managing director of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, which has sponsored the Awards for a number of years, said that the bank was proud to be associated with awards and entries of this class. "We believe that we have a role to play as we strive to become a truly South African bank, and Nedbank's sponsorship of these awards is part of our investment in the property industry. Property developers play an important role, not only in our industry, but in our economy and form a vital part of our business."

"This year we received a record number of entries in the various categories, which is indicative of a sector going from strength to strength.” said Berkeley.

EduardSA

June 3rd, 2008, 01:32 PM

Jhb commercial project fully let
2008/06/03

There is further proof that the Johannesburg inner city rejuvenation is succeeding with all 5,000sq m of commercial space in a new precinct now being fully let.

The Bridge Precinct development started three years ago with the acquisition of three derelict buildings in Smit Street, Braamfontein. The first building was a hotel built in 1906, it has now been converted into a showroom and let to Ayanda Solutions an office furniture company.

The second building was an old butchery that was completely abandoned and has now been revamped into an office loft setup. The building has been let to African Cream Music, an independent record label.

The third building, which was vacant for many years, was totally revamped and modernised and has recently been let to Rosebank College, a division of the Advtec Group Ltd.

Once fully completed, the developers will have invested R20m into the Bridge Precinct.

SOURCE: http://www.property24.com/property24/news/FullArticle.aspx?ArticleId=7655

Jakes1

June 5th, 2008, 04:06 PM

City Parks thanks its workers
Written by Makoena Pabale
Thursday, 05 June 2008
WITH medals and cash prizes up for grabs, there was strong competition among City Parks's drivers and machine operators.

The event, held on Tuesday, 3 June at Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Lodge in Glenvista, follows the Managing Director's Achievers Awards made to employees on Wednesday, 28 May.

The awards, which carried big prizes, were made to recognise those who worked with diligence and excellence throughout the year.

City Parks's managing director, Luther Williamson, told the drivers and machine operators that the executive team appreciate the good work that they did for City Parks as a brand.

"Who and what you are represent a brand and that brand is City Parks. It is because of you that we have become an international brand and for that we want to say thank you."

Winners received gold medals and R7 000 in cash, while runners-up received silver medals and R5 000 in cash and those finishing third received bronze medals and R3 000 in cash.

Williamson advised the workers to help the company save money, as that would help it to employ more people each year. Money could be saved by driving fewer kilometres and by taking care of City Parks equipment so that it did not wear out quickly.

"If we saved a little as employees, we would not be talking about xenophobic attacks because these attacks are caused by the frustrations of lack of jobs; if we save we will be able to employ more people every year," Williamson said.

Categories
There were seven categories, with 10 finalists in each category: light delivery vehicles, tractors, trucks, chainsaws, walk-behind mowers, ride-on mowers and brush cutters.

Geoffrey Cooke, operations executive at City Parks congratulates John Ndobeni for coming second in the tractors category In the light delivery vehicles category, a delighted Johnny Jardine got the gold medal. "It is great to win two times in a row. That shows that I am doing my job excellently and I am going to work hard again this year. Who knows, maybe next year I might win again."

In the tractors category, first prize went to D Masungwini. He was not present to receive his award, which was collected by his depot manager, Unathi Kafile. "I am glad and appreciate the motivation from the management to our guys; this inspires them to work even harder," Kafile said.

John Ndobeni came second in the category and he could not hide his excitement. "I never thought that I would make it past number three, but being number two makes me happy. It shows that I work well."

In the brush cutters category, third prize went to S Nembahe. "I am taking this cheque to the bank right now because I do not want to lose it. My wife will be very happy with me for winning so much money," he said, reaching into his pocket to see if the cheque was still there.

In total, 21 awards were handed out to drivers and machine operators. Companies that sponsored the event included FleetAfrica and Masakhane.

Some of the drivers and machine operators proudly display their medals In closing Patrick Meyer, the general manager for facilities management, said: "Since this competition started three years ago, we have tried to better it each year. So go and prepare yourselves for next year, but you must bear in mind that the competition next year is going to be even tougher.

"This year's entry percentage for the competition was 90 percent but next year we are going to set the percentage mark for 95 percent because we are a company that strives for 100 percent excellency."

Meyer thanked the executive team and the sponsors for making such a "great day" possible for City Parks employees. Entertainment at the ceremony was by African singer Shaluza Max Mntambo.

Related stories:

City Parks workers rewarded
City Parks bags big awards

Jakes1

June 5th, 2008, 04:14 PM

Have fun in Joburg's snow
Written by Lesego Madumo
Thursday, 05 June 2008
A blanket of snow will cover Johannesburg, with ice skating, skiing and snowball fights. And it's all for a good cause.

Lael Bethlehem, CEO of the JDA with Kevin Utian, MD of Nando's South Africa at the media launch THE forecast is for snow, which is expected to blanket Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, on Sunday, 22 June.

The square will be a winter wonderland from 10am to 6pm on the day, and while the weather bureau is oblivious of its anticipated arrival, Johannesburg has urged its citizens to shrug off their jackets and blankets, bask in the sun and play.

Snow in the City Family Fun Day is being hosted under the auspices of the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the City and iconic food company, Nando's.

"For Nando's this is natural, because we will bring our peri-peri to make the snow palpable," noted Kevin Utian, the managing director of Nando's South Africa, adding that although it would be freezing, people should brave the wintry weather and "come out to play".

Utian was speaking at a media launch of the event, held on a rainy Wednesday, 4 June at the JDA offices at the Bus Factory in Newtown.

Snow in the City is the first such family fun day in the city's cultural precinct, which is southwest of the central business district. Ice-skating, slope skiing, and snowball fighting are among some of the activities billed for the event.

According to the JDA, a skate park will be erected on the Nelson Mandela Bridge, where an assortment of skateboarding activities for experienced and aspirant skateboarders will take place.

People are encouraged to "dust off their skateboards and flock to this unique lifetime experience".

"[This] is a challenge to families living in Gauteng suburbs to come into this internationally renowned city and to enjoy it," reads a press statement.

Inner city playground
Lael Bethlehem, the chief executive officer of the JDA, said that some Joburgers had the impression that the inner city no longer had anything to offer. This event was designed to lure more people back into the inner city, were they could witness futuristic developments on the go.

Lael Bethlehem, CEO of the JDA said the event is designed to lure more people back into the inner "We want to bring people back to the city and show them all the amazing work that has been done to rejuvenate it," she said. Not only was the Johannesburg CBD rapidly becoming a bustling world-class city, it was looking better than ever.

"We want to create a platform for people to come and enjoy opportunities that are available to them, and highlight the inner-city regeneration. Nando's' involvement, as a favourite South African food brand that operates six restaurants within the city, was only natural," Bethlehem said.

The notion of having an ice rink, snow and a ski slope on Mary Fitzgerald Square in the middle of Joburg's dry winter seemed a little eccentric, Utian noted. However, when the opportunity to stage such an event arose, "we seized [it]".

"Nando's has a reputation for doing things differently and going against the grain; we wanted to do something that had never been done before," he explained.

It is the JDA's mandate to bring about economic growth through the development and promotion of efficient business environments in the city. "We want to bring Joburgers into the inner city to witness the snow as well as other developments," Bethlehem confirmed. "People must come to enjoy the snow and have fun, and see what is happening in the CBD."

Good cause
In addition to its fun side, the event would also serve "a great cause". Tickets bought for Snow in the City will entitle attendees to a free blanket, which they can use while at the event, or donate to Operation Snowball - or both.

Operation Snowball is an annual charity campaign that provides destitute people with basic clothing items and blankets "to get through the cold winter months".

Tickets for the show are priced at R15 per person and can be bought at any Computicket box office or at the gate on the day. Ample parking space will be made available at various venues in Newtown; motorists will have to follow visible signage.

For more information on the event telephone the organisers on 011 325 6006 or Computicket on 083 915 8000 or visit the Computicket website.

Related stories:

Snow turns city of gold icy white
Putting the brake on climate change

Jakes1

June 6th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Improved roads for Joburg
Written by Lesego Madumo
Friday, 06 June 2008
Billions of rand have been set aside to improve the road networks across the province, with major revamps planned for several Johannesburg roads.
SEVERAL road networks in Joburg have been earmarked for major revamps in the next 36 months, as part of a wide-ranging Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

According to the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), seven contracts worth R11,5-billion have already been issued to contractors, and construction work will begin soon. This, however, is only the first phase of the GFIP.

Sanral is the parastatal charged with improving, managing and maintaining the national road network. It will spearhead the project with the national and the provincial government, as well as the City of Johannesburg. Other metros will also be involved.

It is estimated that R14-billion from the provincial government will be allocated to build new roads between 2010 and 2013, forming the second phase of the GFIP. The project has been devised to speed up developing and upgrading road networks, in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Ben Schoeman Highway
The Ben Schoeman Highway - which links South Africa's biggest metro, Joburg, with its capital city, Tshwane - is tipped to be among the main thoroughfares that will consume a big slice of the cash allocated to the project. It is arguably the busiest road in the country and is always congested; bumper-to-bumper traffic frequently crawls along the highway, sometimes even stopping. This reduces the productivity of commuters.

"Traffic in the Gauteng area has reached the stage where heavy congestion inhibits economic growth, leads to frustration and loss of productivity of road users, and damages the environment through excessive emissions," reads a press statement posted on Sanral's website.

In the next three years, some 125,5 kilometres of road in Gauteng will be overhauled, including roads in Nasrec that link the N17 and northern Soweto; the N1 ring road around Johannesburg to the Golden Highway, and the N1 from the Albertina Sisulu Freeway split to the Buccleuch interchange.

The Ben Schoeman Highway on the N1 will receive an additional lane in each direction, and another two lanes will be added to the Albertina Sisulu Freeway.

The entire project will involve a provision of additional lanes; interchange improvements; and intelligent transport management systems, including cameras, ramp metering and electronic signage.

Economic development
"Our aim is to ensure that our transport networks at no stage in the future hamper our economic development or progress," said Jeff Radebe, the minister of transport. "We should not into the future wish we could have done things differently as that may cost us success as a country in meeting our developmental objectives."

A major challenge for the province is to set up transport infrastructure that will support its envisaged economic growth and meet the needs of the majority of its residents.

Transport infrastructure is an important element of a competitive global city region, which is what the Gauteng government wants of the province. Its transport plan entails the construction of new roads and the improvement or maintenance of existing ones, ultimately meeting the transport infrastructure needs of the World Cup.

The GFIP will expand existing roads and freeways and build new roads towards facilitating economic node connections and public transport corridors. One of the plan's aims is to link historically marginalised townships on the urban periphery, with economic hubs.

To promote the use of public transport, the roads will include high occupancy vehicle lanes that can be integrated with Bus Rapid Transit systems and taxi routes.

"Surely, the success of our public transport system cannot be achieved without proper planning and investment in its infrastructure and services," Radebe said.

Construction
Construction on some of the roads includes the doubling of the roads between Fourways and Diepsloot; completion of the link along Dobsonville Road between the K15 and Main Reef Road; and the construction of a dual carriageway between Protea Glen and Leratong, south of the city.

The N1 from Soweto to the N4 in Pretoria; the N3 from Alberton to Buccleuch; sections of the N12 south of Johannesburg, including the N12 from Gilloolys to the Albertina Sisulu Freeway to Boksburg will also be upgraded.

"Work has been prioritised to be substantially complete for the 2010 World Cup," Radebe noted.

Jobs
It is estimated that the construction of new roads in Gauteng will create over 14 000 jobs, of which more than 4 000 will be allocated to women, 2 000 to youngsters and almost 300 to the disabled.

The safety of road users, motorists, commuters and construction workers is imperative during construction. "Sanral urges the public to drive carefully through construction sites, which will be policed, keeping strictly to posted temporary speed limits, and not slowing down to look at construction activities," its statements reads.

"The long term benefits will more than compensate for the temporary inconvenience of construction activities." Sanral urges people "to exercise extreme caution on the entire network during construction ... We thank all road users, in advance, for their co-operation."

In addition, as part of the planned expenditure, a new electronic billing system that will be used to toll every highway linked to Joburg will be implemented by 2010.

This means motorists will pay 30 cents per kilometre and R5 in toll levies to travel between Tshwane and Joburg everyday. The billing system will work together with automatic licence recognition cameras that will feed information into the electronic national traffic information system.

Eventually motorists will be able to pay their toll fees in advance or wait for their bills to be posted to them. Already a toll point is being built on the Ben Schoeman Highway in Centurion, Tshwane; another one will be built in Sandton, northern Joburg.

joburg

June 6th, 2008, 05:30 PM

I'm sure i've seen this somewhere on the forums, but thought i'd post it here anyway. pretty cool news for jobag

Porsche sets up its largest Johannesburg news
06 June 2008

Johannesburg: To mark the 60th anniversary of Porsche, Klaus Berning, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Porsche AG, South Africa, inaugurated the new Porsche Centre in Johannesburg, on 8 June 2008. The construction of the new 110 million R centre, which began just over a year spans across 18,700 square metres of land reflecting a strong commitment to the Porsche brand in South Africa.

Toby Venter, LSM Distributors PTY Ltd Group, chief executive officer, says , the new Porsche Centre is one of the largest in the world, designed with the plan to meet LSM Distributors' operational needs.

The centre is built to the latest global Porsche corporate identity, which will bring together all the benefits Porsche customers could possibly need under one roof. The centre houses a magnificent 2,000 sqm showroom with a coffee shop where customers can relax and enjoy the new and modern surroundings. The Porsche Design Driver's Selection outlet for the total Porsche retail experience is yet another new feature, Venter added.

The new Porsche Centre will host a national training centre with high-tech audio-visual and conference facilities with a 72-seater auditorium for national training initiatives, car launches, press conferences, and Porsche Club functions.

In addition, customers will benefit from a state-of-the-art service centre which comprises a workshop including body shop and separate pre-delivery centre. A large parts warehouse supplies both the dealership and distribution channels around South Africa. The first floor of the building will accommodate the headquarters of the importership business.

South Africa has been an important market for the German automaker since 1952 when the first cars arrived in the country. The Porsche brand has built up a loyal following with South African motoring enthusiasts and has grown constantly over the years.

''More importantly'', states Venter, ''the Centre's construction seeks to reinvest in and demonstrate commitment to our customers and to the Porsche brand and is the first in a series of developments we are undertaking around the country. This is in line with Porsche's clear strategy of ongoing growth and development.

We have already broken ground in Umhlanga Ridge, Durban, and Porsche customers in Cape Town can look forward to modern facilities as construction commences at a new site in Century City during September this year,'' he added.

joburg

June 8th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Look at this.. interesting concept bringing a retirement home into an inner city environment! This is another development by Aengus in Braamfontein - called Skyways. Sounds like a budget airline. :)

Property Investment Opportunity At Gautrain Station

Inner City property developer, Aengus has just launched the Skyways Retirement Boutique apartments, which is located next to the new Gautrain Station in Johannesburg. Skyways will service an ageing community looking for upmarket accommodation and superior care.

Subsequent to in-depth research on the retirement facilities market, Aengus has identified that there is a significant shortage of retirement accommodation across South Africa. This shortage, according to a number of retirement specialists, is becoming ever more critical with contributing factors including increased life expectancy, emigration, and a trend towards earlier retirement within the middle to higher income sectors. Thus Aengus’ reason to introduce Skyways as a lifestyle centre for the ageing.

Skyways, which comprises of 71 apartments for the aged, sized between 32m2 and 65m2, is conveniently situated in Aengus’ Argyle Precinct, an entire city block located at the very hub of the Gautrain commuter belt adjacent to Parktown. A large part of this aged facility’s appeal is its proximity to retail, medical and other necessary facilities.

Two chief considerations that mature tenants will invariably need to take into account are the level of security and nursing care. Aengus has ensured that both these factors are unrivalled, with state-of-the-art security features.

On the nursing front, Skyways has ensured that no expense be spared when it comes to care for the aged. Some of the most highly skilled and competent nursing staff have been sourced for both their technical and soft skills that set them apart from other care givers, to bring care and compassion to the work they will do at Skyways. Aengus intends to bring a sense of nobility back to the profession of caring for the aged through the manner in which the Skyways staff will care for residents.

Skyways will welcome able bodied residents but has a full complement of well trained staff to deal with frailer residents who require a more intense level of care and assistance. Medical staff will include matrons, registered nurses, care givers and general helpers as well as doctors on call 24-hours a day.

On site there will be a restaurant and facilities centre with all necessary and luxury services including banking, bridge rooms, laundromat, religious services, therapy and treatment rooms, as well as doctor’s rooms in an adjacent building. Other facilities and services include a library, hairdresser, physiotherapist, aromatherapy services, organised day trips, internet access, postal services and financial and legal advice can be arranged if necessary. Outside of the development is a variety of hospitals in the immediate and surrounding area, as well as a courtesy bus to transport residents to additional amenities such as shopping malls, the airport, banks and doctors.

In wanting to provide a comfortable yet upmarket living environment for the older generation, Aengus will ensure that Skyways receives the finest quality finishes and value added features for a sought after standard of living. The apartments, which will all either offer a balcony or garden, will be stylishly and tastefully fully furnished by Loft in a Box, a division of Aengus Property Holdings focussing on bespoke interiors, with all necessary provisions supplied. The units will feature modern light fittings, fully fitted granite kitchens including fridges and built-in stoves, fitted cupboards, window blinds and quality strip wooden flooring.

Skyways residents will enjoy the lifestyle benefits of plasma TV’s and surround sound in their units, along with a DVD player and free satellite TV channels. Additional benefits include gym membership, daily servicing of units and room service on request. Skyways residents will also have access to the Aengus Lifestyle Card, which provides discounts in over 5000 products and stores, and if desired chefs will be available to prepare private dinners for residents in their flats. There will also be also secure underground parking and a guest suite in the building for visiting family members.

Current South African conditions have been taken into account by Aengus, which will ensure that Skyways is an environmentally friendly building, with a solar power, ‘green’ boiler system and backup generator to cope with load shedding. There will also be prepaid electricity meters and swipe cards pre-loaded for all extras.

Since Skyways falls within the Argyle Precinct, it enjoys comprehensive security measures with the development’s biometric access control, 24-hour manned security stations and armed response.

With prices of the apartments starting from R 420,000; these properties offer a net return of up to 18.40 % per annum.

Pule

June 9th, 2008, 08:54 AM

Potential for boutique hotel

06 Jun 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
A proposed five-star boutique hotel development will be on offer at Alliance Group’s multi property auction on June 25.

A PROPOSED five-star boutique hotel development will be on offer at Alliance Group’s multi property auction on June 25.

The property is in the upmarket area of Hurlingham, adjoining Sandhurst.

“It’s is on the very busy William Nicol Highway, a road that carries phenomenal traffic from the N1, N17 and the R512 and links Bryanston and other northern suburbs,” says Eli Unterslak of Alliance Group.

All the regulatory requirements have been met for either a boutique hotel or guesthouse, and approved plans are for 10 luxurious rooms in the one building and an additional five in the next building.

There is an in-house sauna, mini-gym and executive boardroom, which is well designed and equipped for business meetings. A conference facility caters for up to 20 people.

The bedrooms boast flat screen TVs which will have access to a range of DStv channels, and connect to surround sound systems.

There is enormous potential in the hotel industry. Both the government and the private sector are spending huge amounts of money preparing for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and beyond, Unterslak says.

“Joburg is preparing to host the droves of tourists that will visit the country to witness this spectacular event.”

The auction takes place at noon at Southern Sun Grayston.

Source: Business Day

joburg

June 10th, 2008, 08:40 AM

Ice skating on Nelson Mandela Bridge? Anyone??

See the facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15804857172

The Johannesburg Snow in the City Festival

The city of johannesburg is expecting snowfall this winter and the weather bureau is not even aware of it!

Joburg residents can look forward to a day of fun in the snow on June 22 when Nandos, in partnership with the johannesburg development agency, opens the gates to the first 'Snow in the City' family day event at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown.

Snow in the City will be one day of ice-skating, snowball fights, slope skiing, and all other winter wonders South Africans usually only see on TV.

A skatepark will be erected on the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge to host a variety of skateboarding activities for seasoned and aspiring skateboarders.

Tickets are R15 per person at Computicket

Pule

June 10th, 2008, 10:27 AM

I will be there, thanks Tom.

Pule

June 10th, 2008, 03:49 PM

Renewed Rosebank hotel will top up the top end
09 Jun 2008 - Inet Bridge -

Intro
The revamped Rosebank Hotel will open its glass doors to guests in August.

SIMPIWE PILISO

THE revamped Rosebank Hotel will open its glass doors to guests in August — alleviating the shortage of top-end hotel accommodation in Johannesburg.

Rosebank, a northern suburb of Johannesburg, has three other hotels: The Grace, The Hyatt and The Don.

Private developer Greg Hutton recently said the increase in holiday and business tourists had resulted in huge increase in demand for hotel accommodation in Johannesburg.

“On a Monday night, it’s almost impossible to find a top end hotel suite.”

Pieter de Bruin, head of tourism for First National Bank, said Johannesburg’s and Cape Town’s four- and five-star hotels were experiencing 72percent occupancy rates, and one- to three-star hotels were also doing well, supported mainly by business visitors.

The owners of the Rosebank Hotel, the Hospitality Property Fund, said the hotel’s make-over had cost R250-million.

“The 318-room establishment has taken on a new and energetic lease on life with an elegant, modern look,” said Andrew Rogers, chief operating officer of Hospitality.

A business centre, conference facilities, a gym and a spa have also been and added to the hotel’s attractions. Suites offer oversized showers and Wi-Fi

Hyatt International, which has one hotel in South Africa, plans to build seven more across the country.

The UK and Dubai-led consortium Istithmar, which bought Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for R7-billion in 2006, is investigating five-star hotel and resort developments around the country.

Holiday Inn, which recently opened a R23.4-million hotel in Soweto, is investigating other possibilities.

Transnet is to sell the Carlton Hotel and Centre in Johannesburg’s CBD. The 220000m² Carlton property is twice the size of Sandton City. It cost about R50 million to build in the early 1970s.

Source: The Times

joburg

June 10th, 2008, 04:30 PM

I wonder if a big international hotel developer would be interested in buying the Carlton? I've read that it can never be restored to 5 star status without a MAJOR refurbishment, and so it would need to be invested in heavily. So much so that you might as well build a new hotel?

DoviJozi

June 10th, 2008, 10:01 PM

Jozi bus revamp underway
Jun 10 2008 8:03PM
Nicole Rego
Johannesburg - Johannesburg residents will soon get the performance of a "rail-like" bus network, as implementation of the first part of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) system is expected to be born in April next year.
This is according to BRT project manager Bob Stanway, who said that public transport users would be able to use a more "efficient" network of buses, while an estimated 46 000 new jobs will be created in the process.

"The buses, which are about 18.5 metres in length, will run in the centre of the road in dedicated lanes and have stations every half a kilometre apart," said Stanway.

The bus stations will differ from the smaller bus stops commuters currently know; resembling covered islands, the BRT stops are enclosed terminal-like stations next to median bus lanes (lanes between carriageways), which are approximately 35 metres in length.

Rea Vaya (which means "we are going") stations will be raised about one metre off the ground so that when the buses stop, the doors on the buses and the station will open simultaneously to allow commuters to embark or disembark.

According to the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Johannesburg suffers from traffic congestion that has slowed travel, heightened air and noise pollution, stifled economic development and increased the division between the wealthy and poor.

It said that the construction of more roads would only lead to more cars and more inequity.

"One part of the solution is a high-quality public transport system, and the bus rapid transit system seems to be the most cost-effective means to deliver a car-competitive transit service," it said.

Another thing that existing public transport commuters will look forward to is the extra comfort in the larger buses, which Stanway refers to as "articulated", or "trunk", buses.

Stanway explained that the 18.5-metre buses in Bogota carry about 160 people, but in Johannesburg, the same buses will carry only 90 people.

"It's really focused on providing a comfortable, quality service and creating a world-class public transport system at fraction of the cost of other alternatives," he said.

The other smaller buses, which will belong to the feeder network, will have 32-seat capacity and will transport commuters from other areas to central traffic arteries with dedicated bus lanes, known as the main trunk network.

Buses in the Rea Vaya network will service stations every three to five minutes in high-peak periods and up to every ten minutes in off-peak times.

However, Stanway said that the inner-city area could have peak frequencies as close as one minute.

But existing Johannesburg public transport commuters will have to wait until early next year to have access to the first part of phase one.

Stanway said that phase 1A, which is the first "building block" out of two, will have a BRT corridor or trunk route of 40km and 48 stations.

The corridor extends northwards from Regina Mundi in Soweto (south-west of the Johannesburg CBD) to Orlando, and carries on to Jeppestown. It then extends further from Jeppestown to Sandton (north of the Johannesburg CBD), via Parktown and Rosebank.

Some infrastructure already completed

"The first part of phase one is expected to be complete by April next year, in support of the Fifa Confederations Cup South Africa 2009," said Stanway.

Currently, the BRT infrastructure on the Soweto highway section has been completed, along with parts of the Ellis Park section, on the eastern outskirts of the Johannesburg CBD.

It will also integrate with the Gautrain and the Metrorail/SA Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) networks to offer the public an integrated transport network.

By April 2010, the second part of phase one (phase 1B) will be implemented for the Fifa 2010 World Cup to be hosted by South Africa, according to Stanway. "This will comprise 86km and 102 stations," he said.

The entire first phase is set to be complete by 2013 - it will have a 122km trunk route network and consist of 158 stations - and over the next decade, the network will extend to the greater Johannesburg metropolitan area.

- Fin24.com

http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-25_2338233

dysan1

June 10th, 2008, 10:08 PM

Thavash

June 11th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Hi Guys , Just thought I'd post an update. They are moving pretty fast with this one and have already excavated down a few floors. Guess there will be a few underground floors of parking.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27540131@N05/2569911082/
Photo 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27540131@N05/2569911082/)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27540131@N05/2569911150/in/photostream/
Photo 2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27540131@N05/2569911150/in/photostream/)

Hope the link to Flickr works.....

Jakes1

June 12th, 2008, 12:21 PM

Hostels to be torn down
Written by Lesego Madumo
Wednesday, 11 June 2008

The single-sex dormitories that were a lynchpin of apartheid planning have been given notice. In their places, decent family accommodation will be built.

Strike Ralegoma, MMC for housing in Joburg said hostel inmates need to be integrated into local communities LIVING in a decent home with proper sanitation, a geyser and painted walls has always been a far cry from reality for most residents of the Dube hostel, in Soweto.

However, this is about to change over the next financial year, under the Hostel Eradication Programme, a partnership between the City and the Gauteng provincial government.

The programme has been adopted to socially integrate residents of the hostels into the broader community, through the provision of affordable rental units which have sanitation and proper infrastructure. It is tailored to fast tract service delivery and mitigate poverty.

About 13 of Gauteng's hostels will be bulldozed in the next 12 months, and the space will be used to build affordable new rental units. By 2014, almost 50 hostels in the province will have been eradicated.
Speaking at the launch of the programme on Tuesday, 10 June, Strike Ralegoma, the member of the mayoral committee for housing, said that it was important for communities to be integrated socially and economically.

"We all need to be classified as one community," he said, explaining that hostels were originally built for migrant workers who were not perceived as being equal in status to other members of the community. They were seen as servants of society, and the broader plan was to "exterminate [this] myth".

Some R1,4-billion has been allocated to the programme, which will yield over 9 000 affordable rental units. The Dube project will consume R231-million of the budget.

The provincial government has appointed contractors and already work is going ahead on some of the buildings. Construction will be finished by March 2009.

Integration
Providing affordable rental accommodation is behind the provincial government's strategy to redevelop hostels and turn them into residential family units that have "dignity" and proper sanitation. "As we demolish these old hostels, we are replacing them with new integrated human settlements that will now be called community residential units," said Nomvula Mokonyane, the MEC for housing.

Some R1,4-billion has been allocated for the construction of new rental units which provide much better living conditions The new units would cater for hostel residents and people from the rest of the community who could afford the rent. "The integration of hostels into the broader community will foster harmonious coexistence," she said, adding that the project would ensure that deserving people with limited income would have access to decent housing and shelter.

"The structural integrity of the current hostels requires us to demolish rather than renovate," Mokonyane said.

Echoing Mokonyane's statements, Ralegoma noted that bulldozing the hostels and replacing them with new housing developments was part of the City's aim to fast track service delivery. "Service delivery is something which is close to the mayor's heart and our hearts as your leaders."

The project was a step towards providing the necessary basic services and infrastructure to the indigent.

According to Mokonyane, four hostels in Soweto will be demolished - Dube, Diepkloof, Meadowlands and Orlando West - and new developments will be built in their places in the next fiscal year.

Nomvula Mokonyane, MEC for housing in Gauteng, lead the demolition job, with some assistance from Strike Ralegoma, the City's MMC for housing Dube hostel is in an appalling condition. Burst sewer pipes have resulted in sewage streaming through the grounds and into people's homes. Water pipes and roofs leak and toilets do not function properly; there are also illegal electricity connections.

A structural assessment undertaken by the provincial government concluded that the hostel was not conducive for "human habitat".

At the end of the Hostel Eradication Programme, all hostels will be transformed from single-sex dormitories into various types of housing. It will deliver sustainable housing in a short period of time, and will help to cut the housing backlog.

Temporary accommodation has been allocated to those whose homes are being demolished.

Pule

June 12th, 2008, 01:05 PM

Guys do you know anything about Diagonal Street Precinct? Neil Fraser spoke about it in his last article but he said that he doesn't have details even though he knows that there's are plans for the precinct. Tavash, DoviJozi or any other Joburgers, do you know anything about this?

It will be nice to have retail on Diagonal Street in the new FNB bulding, Tavash/DoviJozi is thatthe possibility?

Thavash

June 12th, 2008, 02:38 PM

Jakes1

June 12th, 2008, 02:59 PM

There's actually very little internal communication on the new building apart from the initial announcement. If you look at Bank City , there are retail shops at the street level , and I think some of these shops are doing quite well, being frequented by the FNB staff amongst others, so they may decide to do the same with the new building.

FNB is the best bank in the CBD in terms of integration of their structures into the urban fabric. The shops in Bank City is not doing that well though, due to many factors. Business crime is still high. Retail shopping is concentrated around the Carlton Centre, along Eloff and Small Street. Lower Jeppe becomes more quiet - apart from the Taxi Rank in Bree of course. I spoke to a couple of shopowners in Bank City. A couple are moving when their leases expires, mostly to Braamfontein, or closer to Eloff street.

Hearing about the Diagonal precinct gets me excited though - because something needs to happen in this area. The major tenants are FNB, ABSA, Anglo Ashanti, the Reserve Bank, the Star Newspaper, the dead Scorpions and several government departments. Create a mix. We need more retailers that cater for the upper segments (office staff), yet it would be interesting to do this while still catering for the people that go through the city on a daily basis. And if you clean up those lovely victorian buildings - what a feel this place would have. It could be like Long street in Cape Town - with a couple of Muti shops thrown in for good measure.

And again, parking. We need more adequate parking structures. And we need to better manage the street bays. These 'lapswaaiers' are actually engaging in corruption. They only put money into the mashines if metro cops walk by. This means the city looses out on parking money in those streets that are not patrolled.

Tagging... This area has a problem with tagging (low budget graffiti). Clean it up! It creates a negative perception, and will lessen investor confidence.

Pule

June 12th, 2008, 04:56 PM

You needed not to say more Jakes, the Victorian styled buildings in that precinct are so so beutiful. They guys running business there don't care and they are the ones messing up the area.

I have seen 2 Chinese resturants operating closer to Joburg Police Station in China city but the area needs a little bit of attention. If only those Chinese guys can develop a CID then the place will come back to life.

With the short drive I took today i must say that JDA is doing a great job even though some people do not appriciate the good that have been done as they have already occupied some nice pavements in Hillbrow. Hillbrow is a different place and life is getting back and I think the Metro Police precense will make it more cleaner and attractive. The sold and for sale signs are still musrooming in the CBD and the bad buildings are being sold. In general, since the drive I took with Jakes and Joburg thins have improved dramatically. Joburg is at work and the results are visible. Before I forget, new tar rodes are being layed in couple of streets in Hillbrow. Come 2009 Confederations Cup, Jozi will be a different City and by 2010 all I can say is that the world must come and see.

Pule

June 13th, 2008, 10:32 AM

Jozi's 2010 Website, http://www.joburg.org.za/fifaworldcup/

joburg

June 16th, 2008, 11:14 PM

Eat this :)

Gautrain a fillip for Rosebank

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

PROPERTY development in Rosebank today is showing similarities to development in Sandton 10 to 15 years ago, and the number of buildings with development potential coming on the market, and the multimillion-rand developments already under way, are evidence of the suburb’s real estate potential.

“It’s happening right now, and I can find nothing wrong with the Sandton analogy,” Eli Unterslak of the Alliance Group said yesterday.

As evidence of the accelerated development in Rosebank, Unterslak cites a number of projects valued at well over R1bn at various stages of completion.

Nedbank Gardens in Bath Avenue is being upgraded into triple-A grade office space and the Rosebank Hotel is undergoing extensive refurbishment. The cost of each project runs into nine figures.

Even larger is the Old Mutual development off Cradock Avenue, where the former Admiral’s Court buildings have been demolished and a completely new complex will be built.

“And of course, building of the Gautrain, which will have a station in Rosebank, will be a boost to further development. Besides, it gives the government a vested interest in the area,” Unterslak said. “The Gautrain can be credited with much of the economic activity happening in Rosebank.”

The Alliance Group’s multi-property auction on June 25 will offer a number of stately blocks of flats in Rosebank, Parktown and Berea, one dating back to the 1930s.

Tyrwhitt Court on Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, an Art Deco- style building of the 1930s, has 18 apartments earning a gross income of R85950 a month. The building, on a 1240m² erf, has been declared a heritage building.

“Although the owner cannot change the facade of the building, it can be upgraded into a classy apartment block. The wooden floors and doors lend themselves to such improvements,” Unterslak said.

A more modern block, on the corner of Tyrwhitt and Bath avenues, has 24 apartments and basement parking. The property, with 10000m² allowable bulk on hand, has an income of R1,08m a year. The building is 100m from the planned Rosebank Gautrain station.

On offer at 142 Jan Smuts Avenue, in the Rosebank-Parkwood area, is an apartment block with a retail component. The building, which is within the Rosebank Red Zone or development node, has a gross income of R702557 a year.

Palmer Place on Park Road, Parktown, is one of a cluster of blocks of flats in the area between Clarendon Place and Pieter Roos Park. These blocks were at one time among the grandest in Johannesburg. The building, consisting of 35 one-, two- and three-bedroom units, is on a 3414m² erf.

Further south on Abel Road is the comparatively more modern Camelot, a multistorey apartment block.

joburg

June 16th, 2008, 11:17 PM

And eat this one too :)

Joburg’s bus rapid-transit prototype to be unveiled near Joubert Park later this year
By: Irma Venter
Published: 13 Jun 08 - 0:00

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

The first prototype station of Johannes-burg’s new bus rapid-transpsit (BRT) system, named Rea Vaya, or ‘we are moving’, will be in place near Joubert Park, in the inner city, by September.

From there, the remainder of the 48 stations of phase 1A will be built off-site in a modular fashion, should the prototype meet council expectations, says City of Johannesburg transportation executive director Bob Stanway.

He notes that the tender for the construction of the stations is out at the moment.

Construction on the physical route has already started around Ellis Park, to be followed this month by a portion of the route from Main Reef road to Jan Smuts avenue, travelling through Industria, and past the universities of Johannesburg and Wits.
Stanway adds that the final specifications for the buses used in the system should be approved by the council soon, with fleet orders expected to be placed in July.
He says all buses and stations have to be accessible to the disabled.

Stanway says all the buses will be Euro 4 (diesel) compliant in terms of emission standards, but that the council has approved the testing of some ethanol-powered buses in phase 1B.

The Rea Vaya BRT system will make use of large buses travelling on trunk routes in dedicated median lanes on current roads, with smaller, complementary buses opera- ting on BRT routes without dedicated l anes, feeding commuters into the trunk routes.

Buses will stop at special stations to be constructed every 500 m to 750 m along the trunk routes. This means a current four-lane road will typically see the two middle lanes taken up by the BRT system, with the remaining lanes allocated to other vehicles.

Phase 1A will comprise a 40-km route with 48 stations to be completed by April 2009, ahead of the FIFA Confederations Cup, while phase 1B will add another 86 km and 102 stations to the system ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup.

Further phases will be constructed in a step-by-step manner, with the full phase one implemented by 2013. Once all the phases have been completed, the BRT system will comprise a network of 330 km.

Phase one will make use of 1 190 buses in total – varying in length between 18,5 m and 8,5 m – which are expected to carry about 430 000 passengers daily by 2013.

The shareholders in the various companies set to operate the bus system will be the current operators active on the routes forming part of the BRT system, explains Stanway. These will include minibus taxi operators, the city’s own Metrobus service, and any other bus services, such as Putco.

These companies will sign seven-year to twelve-year performance-based contracts with the Johannesburg council, with compensation based on bus-kilometres travelled, and not the number of passengers carried, explains Stanway.

The cost of phase one is about R10-billion, he adds, with infrastructure costs at R2,2-billion to R2,5-billion, the cost of acquiring the buses R2-billion, and operating contracts valued at about R5-bil- lion.

“We’ve been chasing money aggressively,” says Stanway.

Of the R2-billion capital expenditure required for phases 1A and 1B of the BRT system, 87% will flow from national government, with the remainder to be provided by the council, he adds.

The city has also received two operational expenditure donations, with R20-million coming from the German government, and R25-million from the Global Environment Fund.

It is estimated that Johannesburg’s BRT system may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 370 148 t/y if 15% of car users who live within 500 m of the system switch to the bus network.

Stanway says potential risks of the project include funding.

“We have the capex, but we need to make sure the new bus operators are in a strong enough position to access funding to buy the required buses.”

Stanway says congestion during construction, bus delivery lead times, taxi industry participation, timely environmental approval, and the stretched capacity of the construction industry have all been identified as risks to the project.

• Bob Stanway spoke at the Intelligent Transport Systems South Africa traveller and passenger information workshop.

joburg

June 16th, 2008, 11:19 PM

And finally munch on this one. Fully integrated mega city, here we come! :)

One lane to be added to existing Gauteng freeway network
By: Irma Venter
Published: 6 Jun 08 - 0:00

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

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement project (GFIP) will, in general, add one lane each way to the existing highway infrastructure and, in some cases, two lanes as the road approaches an interchange.

The GFIP is a South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) project. Sanral northern region manager Ismail Essa says the current third lane on especially the Ben Schoeman is used for turning off and onto the highway, which mean motorists travelling on it for a fair distance avoid using this lane - thereby effectively "narrowing" the highway to two lanes.

An additional lane, or lanes, should solve this problem.

Essa adds that interchanges will also see major upgrades.

"They will become free-flow interchanges, with no traffic lights," he explains.

Three perpetually congested interchanges will undergo major upgrades, namely Allandale, Rivonia, and John Vorster, all on the N1.

"Allandale will be an all new structure," notes Essa.

Work has already started on the GFIP, with contracts to the value of R9,3-billion awarded earlier this month.

The total amount invested over the next seven years will be around R22-billion.

In total, the GFIP will see the upgrading and building of around 560 km of roads around the Gauteng metropoles over the next 20 years.

The first-phase would see approximately 180 km of freeways upgraded.
Essa says first phase work involves sections of road between the N1 from Soweto to the N4 in Pretoria (including the Ben Schoeman), the N3 from Alberton to the Buccleuch interchange, sections of the N12 south of Johannesburg, as well as the N12 from the Gillooly's interchange to the R21 leading to Boksburg.

The contract for the upgrade of the N1 between the R21 interchange and the Atterbury interchange, east of Pretoria, was already awarded in 2007, and construction is well under way.

The GFIP will see most highways in and around Gauteng tolled at around 50 c a kilometre. There will be no tollbooths, but rather an electronic system registering vehicles automatically as they enter and exit the highways at selected points.

The majority of work on the first phase will be completed by May 2010, with four remaining contracts to be completed by October in the same year, and the last contract of the first phase to be wrapped up by March 2010.

Tolling will start in October 2010, says Essa.

He adds that studies have shown that every 100-million currency units invested in highways created 1 700 direct new construction employment opportunities, and 2 300 indirect new employment opportunities in other sectors of the economy.

Also, a 50% decrease in investments in highways results in a drop of around 3% in a country's national gross domestic product, and a simultaneous increase in inflation of up to 8%.

Mo Rush

June 16th, 2008, 11:53 PM

just watched a whole program about Rea Vaya and Gautrain. They showed the bus stations and simulations and also covered the ponte development. Its called breaking new ground i think it was on sabc2.

Pule

June 17th, 2008, 08:09 AM

Does anyone have contact numbers of Joburg's BRT offices. I have been searching but can't find anything and I wanna ask them to please send us pics of the BRT Stations.

Luf

June 17th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Pule, I have tryed to phone the call centre twice regarding their numbers but they just give me MetroBuses number which they say they are not invloved at present and that i must call the call centre:), you know how it is.. We must really all meet up for the launch and Joub. Park later this year?

joburg

June 17th, 2008, 10:59 PM

Download this document - gives some information which I don't think we've all seen..

http://www.namela.co.za/brt/29jan08/01johannesburg/01johannesburgS.pdf

You can see pictures of buses on page 14, the inner city map on page 13, and the full network on page 3. You'll also see from page 20 the three options considered as stations - 'big letters,' 'porcupine,' and 'glow worm.' I personally like 'big letters' but according to my bf the porcupine has been chosen.

joburg

June 17th, 2008, 11:00 PM

In other news... the Montecasino Teatro (the biggest theatre in SA :) ) will continue on its happy kiddy theme productions with the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast, opening in October.

DoviJozi

June 18th, 2008, 11:45 AM

In other news... the Montecasino Teatro (the biggest theatre in SA :) ) will continue on its happy kiddy theme productions with the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast, opening in October.

Saw this in the TONIGHT section the other day. Hope it's as good as the Broadway version:D!

hsark

June 19th, 2008, 01:41 PM

joburg

June 19th, 2008, 11:52 PM

i got it from my bf who is also a witsie architecture student. ;)

waltjie

June 20th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Ive been wondering if this could become a permanent thing, ever since that time on The Amazing Race!

http://www.orlandotowers.co.za/index.htm

Yay cool!!!

Jakes1

June 20th, 2008, 11:52 AM

It is a permanent thing - and was initially part of the Orlando Ekhaya design.

Jakes1

June 20th, 2008, 02:59 PM

Check out the joburg.org website. Exciting news about the facelifts for all parks in the Hillbrow/Berea area, plus some amazing urban art.

Jakes1

June 20th, 2008, 03:02 PM

Thanks to Pretoria News

Police hit Joburg's CBD
20 June 2008, 11:16
Sixty-two people were arrested during a crime combating operation in Johannesburg, police said on Friday.

Spokesperson Captain Bhekizizwe Mavundla said the crime operation started on Thursday in Hillbrow, Berea, Joubert Park and Braamfontein.

People were arrested for various crimes including drug possession, robbery and possession of stolen property, he said.

They were expected to appear in court shortly. - Sapa

Pule

June 20th, 2008, 03:42 PM

Art planned for Hillbrow and Berea

Written by Lucille Davie
Thursday, 19 June 2008

A kaleidoscope of public art is beautifying the flatlands of Hillbrow and Berea, with plenty of ideas coming from the suburbs' children.

Artist Americo Guambe chipping away at a fallen tree stump THE City has committed itself to spending one percent of all major building projects over R10-million on public art, and it's getting down to this arty business with gusto.

"The percentage is calculated on the total construction or renovation costs of public buildings and facilities, including design fees and landscaping," according to its public art policy document.

To this end a Public Art Fund has been set up. And the person overseeing all this beautification is Kirsten Harrison, the executive manager of planning and strategy at the Johannesburg Development Agency.

Right now she is up to her elbows in planning art in the five public parks in Hillbrow and Berea. The public artworks destined for these two suburbs have been planned in consultation with the people most likely to encounter and enjoy them - the children who use the parks.

A horse carved out of a tree stump, in Pieter Roos Park "These are residential neighbourhoods and we want people to engage in the environment," says Harrison. "As there are a lot of children in the parks, we want the artworks to delight [them]."

The five parks are Pieter Roos, Donald MacKay, Le Roith, JL de Villiers and Alec Gorshel parks. Harrison reckons that there will be more public art in the inner city than anywhere else in Joburg. And she hopes the initiative will be picked up by other city dwellers or corporates, who will be encouraged to emulate the example.

All the parks will get rubber master fibre play areas, designed in consultation with children, who played shadow games, cutting out cardboard shapes and having fun while giving the artists ideas on what appealed to them. These shapes will be imprinted on the master fibre playground floors. Master fibre is a durable matting material made from recycled car tyres.

Pieter Roos Park
The biggest park, Pieter Roos, with the Braamfontein Spruit trickling through it, has several artists applying their minds to imaginative areas. There is to be a performance platform, cut out of steel sheeting, with shading and seating made from steel cut-out shapes that will create interesting light and shade effects on the platform.

The concrete circular blocks in the new pathway in Pieter Roos Park Odd tree stumps have been carved and have taken on new lives as a rabbit, a running shoe, a protea, a horse and a chaise longue. The Joburg skyline will be painted on the wall of the electrical sub-station by graffiti artist Rasty.

In the middle of the park is a newly created stone step walkway. A circular information board will be placed at the beginning of the walkway, and each stepping stone will contain sandblasted text, explaining the journey of the water of the spruit through the park.

At JC de Villiers Park, half-moon walls along pathways will contain horizontal painted soccer figures with balls, and in Donald MacKay Park decorative figures placed on the tops of poles are already in position.

Linking all the parks will be 100 wayfinders in the form of concrete pavement bricks with shapes embossed on them, developing from footprints into insects like spiders and bees. Large concrete bricks with two holes with them will be placed along pavements to form benches, which will have games and discussion points engraved on them.

In Donald MacKay Park, life-size steel soccer and basketball players will be bolted into the ground.

Trinity Session
Co-ordinating and sourcing the artists for this work is the Trinity Session. Marcus Neustetter, an artist and one of the partners in the company, says it plays an important role in the art market by supporting up-and-coming artists who are normally ignored by the formal art market.

A running shoe, carved from a tree stump In the process their work rises in value, by as much as 20 percent. Township artists and those working in the Artists' Proof Studio in Newtown are a major source of the art used by Trinity Session.

It has been involved in sourcing art for sections of the Constitution Hill cultural arc, like the Juta Street trees and the huge eland at the start of Jan Smuts Avenue in Braamfontein.

"We have positioned ourselves as a city that needs its icons," says Neustetter, but he stresses that those icons must connect with the community.

Placing art in high-density, high-traffic areas has its demands, he adds. Firstly, it's vital to engage the public who are most exposed to the art, finding out what they want and need. Vandalism and security are issues that can't be ignored - they dictate what material is used for the artwork, and how the artwork is secured into position.

The building or public area itself is also important - how the building functions and how the art will function in that space is a major consideration.

Neustetter indicates too that Trinity Session is helping to educate the artists about how to produce work that is likely to sell in the market at which they're aiming.

Future plans for art in Hillbrow are to happen at Pullinger Kop in Nugget Street. The waterfall, tumbling down the rock face below high-rise residential blocks, has been switched off. Plans in the pipeline include blue mosaic tiling down the waterfall. Once this has been completed, the waterfall will be switched on again.

The mosaic theme will continue with five figures created in the rocky wall up the steep Nugget Street hill. A stairway up the hill will also contain mosaic text.

Sports facilities
At the same time, most of the parks are to get improved sports facilities. Pieter Roos Park is being churned up by bulldozers as workers prepare to create a one-kilometre jogging track and two beach soccer fields - a five-a-side and a seven-a-side, lined with plastic Astroturf.

An apprehensive rabbit, newly carved from a tree stump Donald MacKay Park is to get a five-a-side soccer field too, and the basketball and netball courts are to be renovated. The larger Alec Gorshel Park will also get a five-a-side Astroturf soccer field.

Public art has also recently been placed in the Ellis Park precinct. There are four life-size wooden angels on pedestals outside the Alhambra Theatre in Beit Street, Doornfontein. Around the corner in Sivewright Street are two soccer players, one stretching up high for the ball, the other doing a handstand, with his legs in the air.

"An angel has an image as something that gives protection," says Andrew Lindsay, an artist and the owner of the Spaza Gallery, and the person who is co-ordinating the placement of the artworks in the Ellis Park precinct.

Besides the children enjoying the new-look, fun parks, flat dwellers will overlook the interesting shapes in the playgrounds, or the carved tree stumps, or the mosaic patterns, and be able to enjoy them from their windows and balconies.

waltjie

June 20th, 2008, 04:14 PM

I sure hope those metal soccer/basketball players are bolted down and made of something indestructable... they will SO definitely be stolen. As for anything carved from wood.... yeah right. Funny.

Pule

June 23rd, 2008, 07:37 AM

Things are truely changing, passing though Hillbrow the other day and this kinds of peojects ar ethe ones that gives us hope.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/Puleza/Johannesburg/P1090593.jpg

Pule

June 23rd, 2008, 11:57 AM

Wrong post...

Pule

June 23rd, 2008, 11:59 AM

Eish, again...

SmileyC

June 23rd, 2008, 01:06 PM

View from North Cliff
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn288/SmileyC2008/21062008135.jpg

On top of Africa - "Carlton Centre"
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn288/SmileyC2008/22062008143.jpg
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn288/SmileyC2008/22062008144.jpg

Jakes1

June 23rd, 2008, 04:36 PM

Heita Pule! Neil put your letter in his new column - citichat! Congrats man!

Pule

June 23rd, 2008, 06:56 PM

Heita Pule! Neil put your letter in his new column - citichat! Congrats man!

Thanks Jakes, what do you think of the contents. Here's the article http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2623/58/

I was touched by all that is happening in our city and mostly by inefficiency of JMPD.

Pule

June 23rd, 2008, 07:05 PM

Kids have a blast in the snow

Written by Lesego Madumo
Monday, 23 June 2008

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jun/snowinjozi000.jpg

Joburg is not known for its winter sports - snow is infrequent in the city of gold - but this weekend there was ice-skating, skiing and snowball fighting aplenty.

Joburg kids went ice skating at the Mary Fitzgerald Square this Weekend THE thick synthetic snow which blanketed part of Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on Sunday, 22 June, was a marvel, inviting scores of families to brave winter's chilly weather, all in the name of fun.

Ice-skating, slope skiing, snowball fighting and skateboarding were some of the fun activities on offer - unusual past times for Joburg's inner city.

The Snow in the City Family Fun Day was the first event of its kind to take place in the city's cultural precinct, and was hosted by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the fastfood chain, Nando's. It was aimed at highlighting the inner city's regeneration, and luring people back into the inner city to witness, invest and play in it.

A few famous faces were spotted at play - including Thomas Msegana, the Metro FM breakfast show host; his girlfriend, the MC Unathi Nkayi; Isidingo actor, Tshepo Maseko and his family; kwaito kingpin, Arthur Mafokate and his kids; as well as socialite Claire Mawisa.

Speaking avidly about the day, Lael Bethlehem, the chief executive of the JDA, said it may become an annual event. She noted that organisers were happy with the turnout.

Kids have fun
The people having the most fun were children under the age of 13, who were accompanied by their parents and older siblings. The snow was created by machines, which blew out thick foam that simulated the real thing.

Youngsters displayed their skills on the skateboard Mary Fitzgerald Square was turned into a winter wonderland, with the ground dotted with small pieces of paper to resemble snow, and the concourse barricaded with hurdles for the designated fun activities Snow huts and small trees added to the ambience.

"This is the best time of my life," said young Rose Ramonyai, who enjoyed the snowball fights. "Being in this place for the first time was like heaven."

Cheers and loud music rent the air, with beats thumping and people dancing and singing along in delight. In addition to the excitement at the square, hordes of youngsters flocked to Nelson Mandela Bridge, were a skatepark had been set up for an assortment of skateboarding activities, aimed at both experienced and learner skaters.

Teenager skater Nelly Meso said that the view of Johannesburg from the bridge was "awesome". "Even though some of its buildings are old, the city still holds it down for me," she said, using typical teenage-speak. She said that she had had a wonderful time.

Part of the crowd that came out to play "Skating on Nelson Mandela Bridge was like a lifetime opportunity. I am glad to have formed part of the first group to do that."

Joburg's inner city has rapidly turned into a bustling top-notch city, in which people of various creeds, cultures and races or nationalities live side-by-side. It is part of the JDA's mandate, as a municipal-owned entity, to regenerate decaying areas of the city through enhancing their ability to contribute to the economic development of the metro and the quality of life of its residents.

In addition to its fun side, the event also served a great cause. Some of its proceeds will be donated to Operation Snowball, an annual charity campaign that provides indigent people with basic clothing items and blankets to help them get through the frosty winter months.

http://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jun/snowinjozi001.jpghttp://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jun/snowinjozi002.jpghttp://www.joburg.org.za/images/stories/2008/jun/snowinjozi003.jpg

Harkeb

June 24th, 2008, 07:32 AM

good job. Just checked out your article and pics. Are you updating the Joburg thread in the international Cityscapes subforum, as well? Keep Joburg on top of the world, man!

Pule

June 24th, 2008, 08:28 AM

^^ I'm not good in using search Harkeb, I will appriciate if you can find that Joburg thread as I have last updated it long time ago. I would like to resume my updates.

waltjie

June 24th, 2008, 08:39 AM

Just noticed this morning the first crane has gone up at Hyde Park for the construction of the new Southern Sun atop the parking garage! Yay! :)

Pule

June 24th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Good news thanx buddy.

Pule

June 24th, 2008, 10:44 AM

First sign of things to come? Woolworths Foods ventures into Jo’burg CBD
23 Jun 2008 - eProp - Amdec

Woolworths will be venturing into the Johannesburg CBD with a 500m2

Woolworths ‘Micro’ Foods store in Amdec Property Development’s 28 Harrison Street building

This is set to be the first store of its kind in a central business district and its success could herald the roll out of a number of similar stores which the group is currently considering in major CBDs across South Africa.

The store is targeted at convenience food shopping for the day-time office market with the quality and value associated with this leading South African retail brand.

“In addition to lunches and a good range of prepared meals, the store will provide all the basics from bread and milk to fresh produce and general groceries,” says Rendani Rathando, Senior Real Estate Manager for Woolworths.

“There is a move to return to the CBD and a substantial number of companies are investing in offices in the area. Many of these office workers are aspirant Woolworths customers,” notes Rathando.

The location Woolworths has selected is in one of the most vibrant quarters of the Johannesburg CBD - in the heart of the city’s financial district.

Sharing Rathando’s positive view of the Johannesburg CBD is Amdec Property Development, which has been active in enhancing and re-energising this corner of the city over the past two years.

“Amdec is firmly establishing 28 Harrison Street as the city’s premier business location and is resolutely committed to the Johannesburg CBD,” notes Nicholas Reyneke, Investment Manager of Amdec.

28 Harrison Street is ideally situated one block south of the “Government precinct”, and about two blocks from the Gauteng Legislature building. As arguably the youngest “A” grade building in the Johannesburg CBD having been completed in the mid-1990s, its aesthetics and finishes, including exquisite marble, are of the highest quality found in the CBD.

One year after taking ownership of 28 Harrison Street in October 2006, Amdec had transformed office vacancies of 12,500m2 of the 19,500m2 building to full occupancy by August 2007 and upgraded the address to the highest standards. “Woolworths will be the final, special ingredient, in this wonderful regeneration,” says Reyneke.

Woolworths fellow tenants in 28 Harrison Street include call centre company, The Dialogue Group, the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Capitec Bank, the Ombudsman for Banking and Tshikululu Social Investments.

In addition to 28 Harrison Street, Amdec co-owns the nearby 88 Fox Street, Consolidated Building and Drummond Garage (a 450-bay parkade) - all located within a three-block area.

“This is a wonderfully vibrant node within the city with top-notch companies which attract aspirant staff. The new Woolworths Micro Foods at 28 Harrison Street will allow these consumers convenient shopping during the day, instead of having to race home in the hopes of getting to suburban shops before closing time,” notes Rathando.

Rathando elaborates that the store will assess trends as it trades, constantly refining both its product lines and its hours to meet the market needs. “Trading hours are difficult to assess prior to opening. Typically we would consider trading hours for a day-time office market to be until 6pm on weekdays and lunch-time on Saturday. The CBD is, however, certainly experiencing a resurgence of residential developments, so we will assess the ebb and flow of demand dynamics on an ongoing basis,” explains Rathando.

joburg

June 24th, 2008, 01:00 PM

Joburg kids went ice skating at the Mary Fitzgerald Square this Weekend THE thick synthetic snow which blanketed part of Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown on Sunday, 22 June, was a marvel, inviting scores of families to brave winter's chilly weather, all in the name of fun.

I read a blog post that was quite critical of the event because it said that it was badly organised, and that the lines were long.

Good to hear though that the lines were longer rather than non-existing. ;) It clearly was very well attended, and I think Joburg needs more events like these to make people mroe proud of their city.

Great news about the Woolworths! :D

Luf

June 24th, 2008, 02:16 PM

Hey Pule! A great letter you wrote and congrats for getting it in! You raised many really good points, points that i have also thought about. Metro Police are a joke as you pointed out, more concered with dealing with issues in which they can attain bribes.
Guys please take a read on the Broken Window theory (http://www.manhattan-institute.org/pdf/_atlantic_monthly-broken_windows.pdf) it really sheds some light on some of the issues that are occuring in the CBD and how they can (easily) be fixed.

I am really looking forward to out meet with Niel and for the CBD walk.

Regarding woolworths. A very very positive step and i am sure many more will now start to follow. I cant wait to see places like Virgin Active, Planet Fitness, Sushi bars etc start to open up!

Jakes1

June 24th, 2008, 02:20 PM

Thanks Jakes, what do you think of the contents. Here's the article http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2623/58/

I was touched by all that is happening in our city and mostly by inefficiency of JMPD.

Great content - which is why neil posted it.

Good news about the woolies in the city. And I am also quite impressed by the loooooooooooong lines for the snow day - also had a fear that the lines might be short.

hsark

June 24th, 2008, 02:41 PM

the woolies project sounds pretty exciting its defiantly a step in the right direction

joburg

June 24th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Erm.... Somehow my original post ran away and now it's back.

So I'll just say that.. a) Agree with Neil 100% about the BRT, and am also worried about factors such as it causing greater traffic congestion and also the taxis. And that b) to congratulate Pule on the letter being published. 10 points. :)

Pule

June 24th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Thanks gents and I hope one of the guys with brains in JMPD will actually read the letter and make sure that his guys acts as required.

@Luf, I can't wait to see all those in the CBD but with all construction and revamps happening, I forsee suprises.

N.I.C.E.

June 25th, 2008, 01:32 AM

Well done Pule, nice letter, if only there were more people like you and Neil Fraser, then Joburg would easily be one of the greater cities.

Pule

June 25th, 2008, 10:28 PM

This is old but worth it

Can big Joburg CBD developer deliver on promises?
Denise Mhlanga
07 May 2008

Developer fights back at concerns about its wellbeing; says Jozi can expect the most luxurious development yet.

Urban Ocean Property Developers, which owns a large stake of buildings in the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD), has denied it is experiencing financial challenges - even though much-vaunted plans for CornerHouse have so far come to nought.

Its denial follows comments under a story by a Realestateweb reader about the booming residential property market in the CBD which is luring investors and people to move back into the CBD, see Joburg CBD property: sexy or scary.

The reader was concerned that the CornerHouse development is "going nowhere" and asks how it is possible that other developments in the CBD are clearly successful when the "supposed flagship development in Johannesburg undertaken by Urban Ocean is still 'under construction'".

Since South Africa won the bid to host the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has been working on plans to bring the CBD back to life.

Through the CoJ's regeneration programme, and the Urban Tax Renewal introduced in 2003, the CBD is once again a playground for international and local investors, young discerning professionals and ordinary citizens. They are moving back into what had become a city of slums.

Some people are not convinced about this so-called boom in residential property market. Urban Ocean, which owns about 22 buildings in the CBD has not delivered on the CornerHouse development. It talked about refurbishing of exclusive upmarket apartments back in 2003.

Within a short period after the acquisition, at least three floors of flats in its seven-storey building were sold through word-of-mouth.

The developers then stopped selling more units in the building and decided to convert the building into a seven-star hotel.

Responding to the "no-progress" comment of the CornerHouse development, Kerry Ho, Client Relations Manager at Urban Ocean, said the development is still going ahead as a hotel this time and construction begins later this year.

She denied that Urban Ocean is experiencing financial problems and said that the change of plan for the building has caused delays in the development progress.

Because some of the units were sold during the launch, Urban Ocean had to buy them back for the purpose of the hotel.

She further said the company had to tread carefully with this development because its first development in the CBD, The Franklin, with 135 apartments, encountered lots of hurdles which had nothing to do with lack of money.

"So in essence, Urban Ocean is in good financial standing, what brought our reputation down was the way we handled The Franklin as it was our first building renovation in the CBD," said Ho.

What then is happening at CornerHouse?

The CornerHouse, it is planned, will be turned into a 7-star hotel the first of its kind ever seen.

Situated at the corner of Commissioner and Simmonds Streets in Johannesburg, this old building was bought by Urban Ocean Property Developers who had initially wanted to turn it into upmarket apartments.

There are currently seven units still owned bu investors who bought into the building in 2003.

If buyers decide to stay-on in the building they would have to ensure their own developments specifications are in line with the hotel vision. The investors bought the units for R500 000 and sold them back to Urban Ocean for R1m each.

Ho said when Urban Ocean buys a building, it also buys the surrounding area so it has enough space for a mixed residential, retail and commercial use.

A building adjacent to CornerHouse has been bought by Urban Ocean to help realise the vision of mixed use building precinct.

Currently developers are building the CornerHouse hotel showroom after which, later this year, developments on the hotel itself will commence.

The hotel will have the luxury, comfort and more of what most 5-star hotels have: a gym, valet facilities, a spa, cigar bar, rooftop bar, upmarket restaurants, coffee bar and a wellness centre.

The room sizes will range from 100sm2 to 250sm2. The hotel is expected to be completed by 2010.

However, Ho said while the hotel idea was not influenced by the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup or the Urban Tax Renewal incentive, its benefits to the city in 2010 and beyond will be enormous.

She said there is a desire to create something unique that stands out and will not just pass as any new development in the CBD.

Urban Ocean developments in the CBD are meant for the upper income earners and serious investors as their prices are extremely higher compared to other developers in the CBD, is the message from the developer.

* Want Realestateweb to investigate a property issue? Send an email to news@realestateweb.co.za.

waltjie

June 26th, 2008, 09:30 AM

very very dissappointing... as the writer says, this was supposed to be the 'flagship' property, and there was just SO much hype around it.
if this '7-star hotel' idea doesn't take off, they can be sure they won't be taken seriously any longer.

joburg

June 26th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Yup I think they have their work cut out for them in bringing back their credibility. I think they should have started off at a lower market first than going guns blazing into the high end market, which is still firmly routed in Sandton. But I suppose they know best whether their business model is successful, so good luck to them in their future endeavours! I think one must certainly respect them for the fact that they were very much pioneers in inner city residential development.

joburg

June 26th, 2008, 01:31 PM

Harkeb

June 27th, 2008, 03:05 AM

^^ I'm not good in using search Harkeb, I will appriciate if you can find that Joburg thread as I have last updated it long time ago. I would like to resume my updates.
the search function doesnt work. but Ive found your Joburg thread in the 'cityscapes'. Oh, the moderator there keeps on moaning about crediting the pics, so don't forget to do so, as he might lock it ;)

DoviJozi

June 27th, 2008, 11:00 AM

All license testing stations have been closed due to the metro strike - ironically the day I wanted to do my learner's :(! All driver's and learner's bookings through the Gauteng call centre have been suspended until further notice.

Pule

June 27th, 2008, 12:11 PM

the search function doesnt work. but Ive found your Joburg thread in the 'cityscapes'. Oh, the moderator there keeps on moaning about crediting the pics, so don't forget to do so, as he might lock it ;)

Thanx bro.

Luf

June 27th, 2008, 01:56 PM

Did you fellas see the crazy situation last night? There were cop cars and helicopters all over the place cos of the metro cop strike. They blocked the M2 as well - it was practically a parking lot. And then the cops and the metro cops decided to have a gun fight! oi! :ohno:

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-06-26-saps-metro-cops-in-joburg-standoff

*Rant begins*

The JMPD are a complete joke and an embarasment to our city.
What do they way now? An increase? Does their bribe money not go far enough these days?

I would also love more money to do less work.

*Rant ends*

SYDNEY

June 27th, 2008, 02:36 PM

*Rant begins*

The JMPD are a complete joke and an embarasment to our city.
What do they way now? An increase? Does their bribe money not go far enough these days?

I would also love more money to do less work.

*Rant ends*

They are paid shit and have the World's most stressful job, but I have to agree, there are ways and means to reach a peaceful solution ... enough of this barbaric reaction to all that is not complacent to their needs. When is South Africa going to grow up ?

Pule

June 30th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Rosebank to get a makeover
Written by Emily Visser
Friday, 27 June 2008

The Rosebank Urban Development Framework, which proposes high density development along transport networks without compromising the area's character, has been approved by the City council.

The construction of the Gautrain Rapid Rail link is set to change the Rosebank landscape ROSEBANK is set to become a high density, mixed-use transport node; but far from creating another Sandton City, the latest Rosebank Urban Development Framework hopes to maximise on the development spin-offs created by the Gautrain project, without compromising the area's village feel.

The framework was approved by the City council on 19 June and it emphasises building on the character of the existing environment.

"The development of the Gautrain station within this node opens the door to yet another host of opportunities, unlocking development potential for further commercial activity within the Rosebank box," the Rosebank Urban Development Framework states.

Originally the Rosemill Orchards farm, its proximity to the inner city forced the area to outgrow its farm clothes rather quickly and mature into the sassy city suburb it is today.

It is a favourite with Joburg residents for its vibrant commercial and entertainment hub - yet it still manages to keep its leafy residential character. Although some of the buildings around Oxford Street will go up to 20 storeys, an average height of between six and eight storey buildings, will be the norm.

"Rosebank has a certain character. We don't want to make it another Sandton," confirmed Leana Strydom, an urban development specialist in the City's department of development planning and urban management. However, to make it stand out as an important node, it will require certain high-rise features.

"In essence, the Rosebank node already possesses all the right ingredients for further development. This framework simply aims to facilitate the management of such development, as well as the orderly increase of land use densities - thereby improving that which already exists," the report notes.

Transport hub
From the suburb's very beginnings it was set to become a transport hub. It was one of the first to have trams running to the city centre. And in 2007, it was one of the first to be identified as a mixed-use node outside the city's central business district.

Rosebank is already some way to becoming a modern public transport hub, with work on the Gautrain station underneath Oxford Road, between Tyrwhitt Avenue and Baker Street, progressing well.

The framework encourages the integration of various public transport modes and nodes with each other. The Bus Rapid Transit system will have several routes running through Rosebank, connecting Sandton, Sunninghill, the CBD, Soweto, Randburg and Lenasia. The BRT, in turn, will complement the Gautrain routes and Rosebank station.

By way of example, the framework notes how this network may work in future. "A person living in Dunkeld can access the BRT system via Pridwin Station and use it to access the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link to go to Tshwane or OR Tambo International Airport."

Private vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians will also be accommodated. A large part of Rosebank is already suitable for pedestrians. This pedestrianised character will be further enhanced with special pavements, street furniture and greenery. The idea is to make it "enjoyable and safe", Strydom says.

"Pedestrian movement must take precedence on Oxford Road, particularly in the vicinity of the Gautrain and BRT stations," the framework states.

Separate cycleways alongside pedestrian walkways are also proposed.

Residential densification
And increased residential densities, especially along the BRT and Gautrain routes, will be encouraged. The residential component of Rosebank is generally characterised by low density structures, which "does not support the required residential densities for public transport to function appropriately", the framework notes.

The City hopes that, by allowing such high-densities particularly close to the station, residents will be encouraged to make use of the Gautrain and other public transport options.

But to avoid a "Hong Kong look", visual relief must be provided through variation in building heights, boundary mixes and building typologies. Buildings must also accommodate a pedestrian environment and pavements and landscaping must create a positive walking experience.

High density residential areas proposed by the framework include Rosebank, Keyes, Jellicoe and Cradock roads, as well as the area to the west of Bath until Tyrwhitt roads, among others.

The precinct has a Rosebank Management District, which has largely addressed or halted the threat of crime and grime in the area.

Densification objections
It has not all been plain sailing though. During the public participation process the Dunkeld Village Association and Kingsmead School raised concerns over the increased densification foreseen for the areas.

Despite these challenges, the City has reached a good compromise with both parties and "good co-operation was received throughout the process", Strydom confirms.

"The intensity of development proposed within the Dunkeld Township was subsequently lowered in order to meet the concern of the Dunkeld Village Association."

The association has reserved the right to take legal action against the council on this matter.

Kingsmead, the girls' school in Tyrwhitt Avenue, brought a section objection, raising concerns over the impact of high rise buildings on the school. The height of buildings next to the school has since been limited to four to six storeys, and "high buildings must be set back from the road reserve in order to minimise overlooking into the school", the report continues.

The school is not satisfied, though. Buildings in close proximity to the school on the eastern side of Oxford Road will still be allowed to have up to 25 storeys, thereby infringing on the school's safety and privacy.