Architect and Builder February/March 2019 | Page 48

PROJECT FEATURE
CENTRE POINT
CENTRE POINT
Milnerton, Cape Town
CLIENT
PIC
PROJECT MANAGERS
Lazercor
ARCHITECTS
KMH Architects
QUANTITY SURVEYORS
GM Quantity Surveyors
CIVIL, STRUCTURAL, WET SERVICES
AND FIRE ENGINEERS
Sutherland Engineers
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
McAvinchey Consulting Engineers
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS
BVi Consulting Engineers
HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTANTS
Frontline SHEQ
TECHNOLOGY
Fringe IT
MAIN CONTRACTORS
Aveng Grinaker-LTA
PHOTOGRAPHY
Archigraphy
InfrastructurePhotos (Aerials)
Below:
Longitudinal Section
48
T
he Public Investment Corporation (PIC), on behalf of the Government Employees
Pension Fund, purchased the original Centre Point buildings in 2007. The client felt
strongly that a retail led mixed-use model was crucial if the development was to
integrate positively and sustainably contribute to their vision of a renewal of Milnerton’s
historic CBD. The Public Investment Corporation appointed Lazercor Developments in
August 2009 to undertake an assessment of the existing buildings.
Background
Centre Point was originally built and completed during the early 1970’s. The original
building was situated on the lower third of the site, the rest of the site being occupied
by the Cambridge Hotel. Over the years, as the need for more retail was required, the
centre was expanded into the upper two thirds of the site making for a confusing series
of interconnected spaces and level changes. The existing buildings where built on to the
site boundaries without much interaction with the public realm and with little landscaping.
Following their study of the existing buildings, the consultant team advised the client
that due to age of the buildings, their relative degree of dilapidation and the confusion
of the internal environment, the existing buildings could not be successfully refurbished
to deliver the vision the PIC had for the future of Centre Point. This outcome lead to the
PIC’s ultimate decision to demolish the existing buildings and their brief to the team
for a new building.
Concept
Designed by KMH Architects, the concept for the new Centre Point was a mixed-use
building which, within the constraints of the retail typology, responded positively to
the surrounding neighbourhood, acting as a catalyst for positive change both from
a programmatic and design point of view. The existing built fabric of the old CBD of
Milnerton is not exemplary so a conscious decision was taken early on to make a
bold, vibrant and layered statement introducing excitement and colour into the fabric
of old Milnerton.
Centre Point