open parking area as well as three entrance points to
the 2-levels of basement parking, covering the entire
site of 3,3ha. Apart from the central position of the
open air sunlit piazza with intense landscaping, water
feature and performer stage with an oversized digital
screen, all pedestrian routes culminate in the ‘Pool
of Light’ allowing vertical transportation from the
basement with oversized glass lifts and escalators to
the piazza. This was explicitly done to ensure public
awareness of all retail outlets as well as pedestrian
traffic to office building entrances, the hotel main
entrance and access to the gymnasium, enhancing
the vibe of movement.
The heritage aspect (apart from the already
discussed Sin Bin building) is further emphasised
by four axes into the development culminating in
the Piazza and focused on pedestrian flow and
public approach.
These axes are nominated as Sport from the
South (Loftus Versveld); Residential from the West,
linking the Clydesdale residential area; Art from the
Northwest and Education from the Northeast.
All restaurants link directly with the Piazza with
visibility to the performer stage and digital screen
and offer different entertainment a nd food offerings.
Office space is provided in the office buildings
situated to the North and East of the Piazza and their
respective main entrances leading from the Piazza.
The hotel features a foyer and public space as a
‘walk through’ experience from the porte-cochère
on the West to a spilling out area onto the Piazza
to the North.
Loftus Park
The entire planning concept is focused on move-
ment convenience, experience and awareness of
nature. Emphasis is also placed on the introduction of
several art interventions in specific locations through
the precinct to enhance the public awareness of this
exclusive precinct.
Future phases of 20,000m² are in a design stage
accommodating other uses such as medical, resi-
dential and additional office space.
Development Challenges
Development challenges experienced started with
the rezoning application due to the fact that the
current zoning was agricultural, and the land was
donated by the City Council to the area for sport
development. This exercise took a long time before
approval was finally granted.
An extensive amount of ground water was
encountered when test holes were done to
determine the geotechnical properties of the ground
which was rerouted and pumped into the storm
water network. A considerable amount of the water
is stored below the lowest basement floor and used
for landscaping, etc.
The main challenge was to obtain buy-in from
the surrounding areas on the density, height and
architectural expression of the development. After
numerous presentations and proposals to all the
neighboring stakeholders, the development was
approved, and construction could commence.
Already mentioned was the issue surrounding
the heritage components, but fortunately all
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