Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre *Discussion & Gallery*

[dysan1]

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

Here is where all questions can be asked relating to it

At present (9 April 2006) there are:

2112 Apartments Approved for the Town Centre
593 Apartments are complete

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

Developments U/C and Crane count

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

15 Cranes in NTC, 23 in Greater Umhlanga

Here is the Development Layout as of 31 May 2006

[dysan1]

VISION

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

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

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

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

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


LOCATION

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

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

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

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

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

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



ARCHITECTURE

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

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

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

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



ENVIRONMENT

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

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

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

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



PRECINCTS

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

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

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

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


FAQ's

Who is responsible for security in the New Town Centre?

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

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


How will traffic be accommodated in the New Town Centre?

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

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


What Public Transport Infrastructure has been put in place?

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

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


Will sidewalk trade be regulated?

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

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


Is property in the New Town Centre affordable?

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


Is there a prescriptive architectural theme?

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

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

[dysan1]

Pictures of the Developing Town Centre
























[IMG][/IMG]

[dysan1]

Construction Update 1 September 2005



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




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



above: left is Grand Central, right is The Zone

[AAS]

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

[SA BOY]

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

[dysan1]

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

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

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

[dysan1]

CJ Saunders Park





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

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

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

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

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

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

[dysan1]

Plan and layout for Precinct 1 on Palm Boulevard



From top left going clockwise:

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

This precinct has:

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

Commercial Tenents are:

David Strachan and Taylor
HP
Herdbouys
iWisa
New

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

[SA BOY]

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

[dysan1]

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

[dysan1]

Umhlanga Dev Montage

[romanSA]

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

[joburg]

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

[dysan1]

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

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

[dysan1]

Construction Update - 21 November 2005


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











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



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

Below...work on Millenium Boulevard









The completed building above in white is 7 on Millenium.


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

[mike2005]

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

[dysan1]

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

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

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

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

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

[mike2005]

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

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