NEWSWORTHY
GRAND CENTRAL TOWERS , MIDRAND
The project consists of 990 social housing units built over four nine storey blocks near to Grand Central airport in Midrand . The site is roughly triangular and covers 1,259 hectares . The property is bounded to the east by Diagonal Street , to the south by Exchange Street , and on the north and west , by Market Street . The project aims to accommodate a maximum of 2,970 residents . The structure consists of a concrete framework with brickwork infills , timber roofs with roof sheeting , and aluminium windows throughout . The external façades comprise of a mixture of yellow and red facebrick walls and internal finishes include tiled floors , plasterboard ceilings to the top floors with plaster and paint to all internal walls . Each floor is 5,391m 2 with a total floor space of 48,523m 2 over 9 floors . Each unit will have its own bathroom and kitchen area and these units will spread between bachelor , one and two bedroom units in different arrangements . The blocks will be accessible to all floors by means of 6 lifts , 5 staircases and links between the buildings . The project will be properly walled and fenced with only one entrance to the property controlled by a single guard house .
NOBLE RESORTS , ROBBERG
Noble Resorts Robberg is a later-life residential development set in the exclusive Whale Rock area of Plettenberg Bay . This R1 billion development will be home to 200 architecturally designed units in a secure estate setting . Designed by Darryl Croome Architects , the resort will house five-star resort facilities including casual and formal dining restaurants , library lounge , artist studio and private cinema to name but a few . Understanding that people ’ s need change over time , there will also be a specialised NobleCARE precinct on site with a medical team accessible 24 / 7 , a clinic as well as a highly specialised Memory Care unit . For further convenience , Noble Resorts Robberg will also be home to a boutique mall , Robberg Village anchored by Checkers Emporium and a collective of retailers as well as restaurants and sophisticated wellness spa . The shopping centre will be built in the first phase of the development , breaking ground in 2023 .
The architecture was inspired by this unique setting , framed by Whale Rock ridge , the wetlands and nearby Robberg beach . The area has been calling for a fresh , new activity node that would bring the Robberg community together on numerous levels , with retail hub , health facilities , retirement and resort living .
The architecture needed to respond to this in scale and form , with contemporary barn-like structures with a combination of white washed walls and charcoal roofs inspired by the coastal architecture of the Southern Cape . Natural earthy materials such as off shutter concrete with timber and charcoal painted steel , provide a distinctive and memorable architectural language . This approach is also sympathetic to the residential character of the area where large scale industrial / commercial structures would be inappropriate .
A key aspect is the integration of landscaping and architecture in a variety of forms . The perimeter of the site will feature coastal trees and reeds , synonymous with the Southern Cape coast , with a jogging pathway which leads through the unique Robberg wetlands with all the rich birdlife and Robberg beach beyond .
Led by Harry Pretorius , the Noble Resorts professional team has collectively over 100 years ’ experience in the building and property development industry . Their proven expertise from project concept to operation means they can take their developments through the entire process from feasibility to design , engineering and earthworks , infrastructure , consents , and construction to completion .
Client : Bridgeport 105 Principal Agent & QS : Farrow Laing Quantity Surveyors Architect : E3 Property Developments Structural Engineers : Luleka Consulting Engineers Mechanical , Wet Services & Electrical Engineers : iX Engineers Fire Consultants : International Fire Engineers SA Safety Consultants : Cairnmead Industrial Consultants
12 Project Watch