#Portside (Old Scheme) - 35F (137m) - Mixed Use - CBD | Cancelled

[Lydon]

Care to share the real heights if you know them, by any chance?

[hsark]

153m 4 thibualt square if im not mistaken and i'll get the other heights later

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by SA BOY

my concern with the CT Elevated freeways (all of them) is that the divorce the city from the sea which is how the city was developed.

exactly. what a stupid idea to put a highway in front of your harbour. just imagine wide boulevards and green spaces linking the cbd to the harbour. cticc, cruise terminals, live, work, play

[Die Kapenaar]

It is unlikely that the DA-led City of Cape Town will approve this development as it is at least double the 60-metre height limit in the CBD which other recent buildings such as Mandela Rhodes Place and the Icon Building are within the height limits which effectively keep buildings from going higher than 20 floors. Given the DA administration's need to follow the rules by the book, I do not think a building such as the Portside can be allowed to go ahead at least so long as the ANC is not in charge as it was before when it pushed through politically-motivated decisions in council that do not concern the long-term interest of the city. Here is an article which should put things in perspective regarding protecting the world famous views that attract tourists to Cape Town in the first place. No doubt the city was motivated to do something about developments like this one by establishing news rules that would preclude such short-sighted developers from blocking out the views

[Die Kapenaar]

High priority for city's amazing sights

August 14 2008 at 03:10PM
By Lindsay Dentlinger

The future of Cape Town as a high-rise city, and the protection of its skyline in relation to visual marvels like Table Mountain and other heritage sites, is set to be governed by a new protocol to assess whether building development in the CBD may exceed the existing 60m height restriction.

The City of Cape Town has established the protocol following several applications which propose a relaxation of the height limit, and which are currently under review by the city's directorate of strategy and planning.

The executive director for strategy and planning, Piet van Zyl, said it was not in the city's interest at this time to support a general relaxation of this height control, given the visual sensitivity of the City Bowl in relation to Table Mountain, heritage areas and visual links with the sea and harbour.

Unlike Johannesburg or New York, for example, Cape Town was not defined by its urban skyline

"It is critical that short-term development pressures do not compromise the quality and character of the central city in the longer term," he said.

According to the existing Cape Town zoning scheme, development in the city centre may not exceed 60m. But some parts of the city have no height restrictions whatsoever.

The protocol is not intended to impact on existing development rights, but it will indicate the additional application requirements needed for significant height departures.

A general policy for "tall buildings" to supplement the city's Integrated Zoning Scheme is currently being developed, which will be applicable across the whole city.

"Up to now, there has not been a clear basis or protocol for determining whether a tall building is appropriate or will be beneficial to the overall functioning of the central city," Van Zyl said.

Unlike Johannesburg or New York, for example, Cape Town was not defined by its urban skyline and neither was it intended that this should be the case in the future.

The protocol sets out the application requirements, process and criteria for the assessment of height departure applications in the central city.

All applications must be accompanied by a full motivation on the desirability to extend beyond the zoning scheme height limit, as well as a detailed urban design analysis, wind tunnel tests, impacts on the public realm, heritage and transport impact assessments, and environmental and energy impacts, with mitigating proposals.

The city says it needs time to conduct significant research and investigation to develop a meaningful policy.

In the meantime, the protocol would provide an opportunity for obtaining knowledge and experience in dealing with tall building applications that would all contribute towards compiling a policy.

A tall buildings' design advisory panel has been established under Van Zyl's chairmanship, and includes three independent external experts from the fields of architecture, urban design, green building technologies and heritage.

They will conduct the assessments with the city's internal specialists on land use management, building development, traffic and transportation, infrastructure services, heritage, spatial planning and urban design.

The panel has no power of approval with regard to the height departure applications, and its recommendations cannot bind any city officials in making the final ruling.

This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Argus on August 14, 2008

[herb21]

hmm interesting. Though I at odds to some people i am sure like the low hight of our cbd. I think that high rise development would be better encouraged on the blouberg side in a true second cbd with a ferry link

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Die Kapenaar

It is unlikely that the DA-led City of Cape Town will approve this development as it is at least double the 60-metre height limit in the CBD which other recent buildings such as Mandela Rhodes Place and the Icon Building are within the height limits which effectively keep buildings from going higher than 20 floors. Given the DA administration's need to follow the rules by the book, I do not think a building such as the Portside can be allowed to go ahead at least so long as the ANC is not in charge as it was before when it pushed through politically-motivated decisions in council that do not concern the long-term interest of the city. Here is an article which should put things in perspective regarding protecting the world famous views that attract tourists to Cape Town in the first place. No doubt the city was motivated to do something about developments like this one by establishing news rules that would preclude such short-sighted developers from blocking out the views

sorry to disappoint but it is very much going ahead. Council has approved the redesign and have approved early works at the site.

The design and building has gone through an extensive assessment procedure from wind to sound to noise to traffic to environmental assessments. The redesign is a result of this.

A panel of top notch experts also guide the process.

This definitely does not block out Table Mountain and neither will the future/ other high rises being planned in the CBD which will be added to SSC this year or next year.

[Mo Rush]

[JohanSA]

Such an awesome building. all that article basically says is that for a building to exceed hight restrictions it must be a architectural masterpiece and compliment not detract from views. I have good faith in the DA in everything.

[herb21]

A few tall buildings on the skyline is good the whole skyline tall is bad then they are all short again. Just my thought

[Lydon]

Very great news.

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Die Kapenaar

It is unlikely that the DA-led City of Cape Town will approve this development as it is at least double the 60-metre height limit in the CBD which other recent buildings such as Mandela Rhodes Place and the Icon Building are within the height limits which effectively keep buildings from going higher than 20 floors. Given the DA administration's need to follow the rules by the book, I do not think a building such as the Portside can be allowed to go ahead at least so long as the ANC is not in charge as it was before when it pushed through politically-motivated decisions in council that do not concern the long-term interest of the city. Here is an article which should put things in perspective regarding protecting the world famous views that attract tourists to Cape Town in the first place. No doubt the city was motivated to do something about developments like this one by establishing news rules that would preclude such short-sighted developers from blocking out the views

City approves Tallest building in Cape Town

The City of Cape Town has given the green light for a R1,2 billion development on the Foreshore, known as the Malgas site.

The 3 500m2 property is situated between Hans Strijdom Avenue and Mechau Street along Buitengracht Street with a very prominent and strategic location at the entrance to the city.

According to Councillor Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development & Tourism, this will be Cape Town’s single biggest development since the establishment of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

The Malgas site was sold by the City in May 2007 to the Old Mutual Property Group for over R89 million.

At the time Executive Mayor Helen Zille said that this initiative was an excellent example of “how the private and public sector could work together in realising the City’s strategic objectives of economic growth and development”.

The City’s Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management Committee (SPELUM) has now approved the height waiver which will allow the development to go ahead.

“This is another illustration of how the public and private sector can work in harmony to create investment and jobs for the residents of Cape Town ".

“The City welcomes the mixed use development of hotel accommodation and commercial space. With a height of about 150 meters, it will be the tallest building in Cape Town. The allowable bulk is approximately 60 000 square meters, which is another record.”

“The development will comprise 33 000 m² of offices, 14 500 m² of hotel accommodation and 2 500 m² of retail space. This is a significant show of confidence on the part of South Africa’s largest financial services company in Cape Town’s CBD,” says Cllr Grindrod.

According to Mansoor Mohamed, the City’s Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism, this is Old Mutual’s largest project in Cape Town to date.

“The City of Cape Town is busy implementing an infrastructure led economic development strategy. I am very satisfied that it took such a short time of 12 months to progress this transaction.

“The development is important for a variety of reasons including the social and economic benefits. One of the conditions of sale was that Old Mutual should prioritise the building of 564 residential units and a retail and commercial development of about 6 000m² on a 10 hectare property in Khayelitsha.

“This is an example of how the City will use strategic parcels of land to stimulate economic growth in areas where it is most needed. The City welcomes the additional hotel and office space that will lead to more jobs for the economy of Cape Town. I would like to commend my colleagues in the City’s Planning Department for a job well done,” says Mohamed.

Released by the Communication Department, City of Cape Town.

[Lydon]

Very great news.

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Lydon

Very great news.

news we already knew.

[Lydon]

Originally Posted by Mo Rush

news we already knew.

Does hurt seeing it in black and white again

[Mo Rush]

or in colour

[KomSakkie]

Thats beautiful bru....

Do you have any sort of expected construction time-line as I just can't wait any longer......hope they start soon........

Do they already have anchoring tenants lined up for this.....

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by KomSakkie

Thats beautiful bru....

Do you have any sort of expected construction time-line as I just can't wait any longer......hope they start soon........

Do they already have anchoring tenants lined up for this.....

They want to complete it in 2011. Not sure about tenants. From the construction management plan 5 cranes on site.

[Die Kapenaar]

Home » Breaking News

CONSTRUCTION





An artists impression of the new Portside mixed-use development


Cape Town approves R1,2bn high-rise building

By: Liezel Hill

Published: 12 Sep 08 - 17:44

Cape Town has given the go-ahead for a new addition to the city's skyline – a R1,2-billion,150-m-tall mixed use development, which, once completed, will hold the accolade of being of the city's tallest building.

Old Mutual Investment Group Property Investments' (OMIGPI's) Portside development will comprise 24 office floors (33 000 m2) above a 10-storey hotel (14 000 m2) and retail (2 500 m2) component, with parking on five basement and eight above-ground levels.

Property development executive Brent Wiltshire said on Friday the group hopes to have the building completed in 2011.

Portside will be built on a 3 500 m2 property, between Hans Strijdom Avenue and Mechau Street along Buitengracht Street, which the city sold to the Old Mutual Property Group in May last year, for about R89-million.

Besides being Cape Town's tallest building, the development's allowable bulk of some 60 000 m2, will also be a record for the city, said mayoral committee member for economic, social development and tourism Simon Grindrod.

It will be the biggest property development undertaken in the city since the V & A Waterfront, which was sold two years ago to Dubai- and London-based investors for R7-billion.

OMIGPI is developing Portside on behalf of its newly launched Triangle Development Fund, a closed-end fund structured as a collection of unlisted real-estate investment trusts.

GREEN BENCHMARKS

The developers will benchmark the Portside development according to the Green Building Council of South Africa’s Green Star rating system, Wiltshire said.

The system identifies measures that can be taken to produce a green building in the areas of management, indoor environmental quality, energy, transport, water, materials, land use and ecology, emissions and innovation.

The rating system also sets targets to be achieved for the different measures, awards points for the achievement of targets, totals the points to give a score and then awards a rating on the basis of the score.

“Tall buildings play an important role in green architecture and its role is three-fold: to promote sustainability, reduce energy use and develop innovative technologies,” Wiltshire commented in a statement on Friday.
Edited by: Liezel Hill

[Die Kapenaar]

City welcomes R1,2 billion development in CBD

The City of Cape Town has given the green light for a R1,2 billion development on the Foreshore, known as the Malgas site.

The 3 500m2 property is situated between Hans Strijdom Avenue and Mechau Street along Buitengracht Street with a very prominent and strategic location at the entrance to the city.

According to Councillor Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development & Tourism, this will be Cape Town’s single biggest development since the establishment of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

The Malgas site was sold by the City in May 2007 to the Old Mutual Property Group for over R89 million.

At the time Executive Mayor Helen Zille said that this initiative was an excellent example of “how the private and public sector could work together in realising the City’s strategic objectives of economic growth and development”.

The City’s Spatial Planning, Environment and Land Use Management Committee (SPELUM) has now approved the height waiver which will allow the development to go ahead.

“This is another illustration of how the public and private sector can work in harmony to create investment and jobs for the residents of Cape Town ".

“The City welcomes the mixed use development of hotel accommodation and commercial space. With a height of about 150 meters, it will be the tallest building in Cape Town. The allowable bulk is approximately 60 000 square meters, which is another record.”

“The development will comprise 33 000 m² of offices, 14 500 m² of hotel accommodation and 2 500 m² of retail space. This is a significant show of confidence on the part of South Africa’s largest financial services company in Cape Town’s CBD,” says Cllr Grindrod.

According to Mansoor Mohamed, the City’s Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism, this is Old Mutual’s largest project in Cape Town to date.

“The City of Cape Town is busy implementing an infrastructure led economic development strategy. I am very satisfied that it took such a short time of 12 months to progress this transaction.

“The development is important for a variety of reasons including the social and economic benefits. One of the conditions of sale was that Old Mutual should prioritise the building of 564 residential units and a retail and commercial development of about 6 000m² on a 10 hectare property in Khayelitsha.

“This is an example of how the City will use strategic parcels of land to stimulate economic growth in areas where it is most needed. The City welcomes the additional hotel and office space that will lead to more jobs for the economy of Cape Town. I would like to commend my colleagues in the City’s Planning Department for a job well done,” says Mohamed.

Released by the Communication Department, City of Cape Town.

Media queries:

Cllr Simon Grindrod, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic, Social Development and Tourism, Tel: 021 400 1384 or Cell: 084 200 6060

Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director: Economic, Social Development and Tourism, Tel: 021 400 2589 or Cell: 084 421 4428

2008/09/12