Oceans uMhlanga
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Recently opened in uMhlanga , Oceans mixed use development will transform the lifestyle of the entire northern region of KZN with a unique offering .
Design work on the Oceans Mixed Use Development originally commenced in 2012 . The site had previously been designed as a mixed-use precinct comprising of several sites to be individually developed . This concept was abandoned in favour of a co-ordinated cohesive plan for a single site mixed-use development . Rezoning of the site involved significant interaction and negotiation with neighbours and the municipal authorities .
Three freestanding towers were planned for the development - The Radisson Blu hotel , hotel apartments to the south , and two residential towers spaced over the development to the north . The hotel is an iconic tower representing a gateway to uMhlanga and is located and aligned specifically to protect and enhance the view of the ocean upon entry to uMhlanga . Oceans Mall complements the hotel and residential offerings . For the first time in KZN , a mall has been able to attract twelve international fashion brands who have invested over R300m in their stores despite the recent upheavals in the province . Some of the brands in the Platinum Walk include Gucci , Dolce & Gabbana , Versace , and Burberry .
The development ’ s fully integrated mixed-use scheme creates highly active edges which connect the space to the context . The scheme rejects the typical solid , rectangular box traditionally built over the past 25 years . The architecture responds to the precinct ’ s namesake with soft curvilinear lines . The development connects with Lagoon Drive through the use of restaurants and terraces for outdoor seating . There has been a conscious effort to create strong indoor / outdoor relationships and to integrate the mall into the urban environment . The creation of the Oceans Piazza as a public space articulating the hotel and linking to the mall generates a focus for social engagement in the village . This , like the Lagoon Drive frontage , is activated by the use of restaurants , outdoor seating and entertainment spaces . The inclusion of the Platinum Walk occupied by international fashion stores has been used as a differentiating factor for the tenanting of the centre .
The R1.3 billion Oceans Mall in uMhlanga is a show of confidence in the future of South Africa by the developer . The mall created 3,500 jobs during construction and 1,250 permanent jobs . This mall is unique as it is the only luxury mall in South Africa to have 65 % black tenants and 100 % black owned with the PIC being a co-shareholder .
Developer : Edison Property Group Architects : Elphick Proome Architects ; Architronic Architects Project Managers : PMSA Consulting Group ; Betts Townsend Taylor Quantity Surveyor : Crane Group Consulting Civil & Structural Engineer : Sutherland Electrical Engineers : CKR Consulting Engineers ; Wesdel Consultants ; Igoda Projects ELV Consultants : CKR Consulting Engineers Mechanical Engineers in a JV : ADX Projects ; RPP KZN Consulting Engineers Wet Services : Nala Consulting Engineers Fire Consultant : BVMS Fire Consultants Lift Consultant : Sage Consultants Health & Safety Consultant : Eppen-Burger & Associates Land Surveyor : LD Baker & Associates Landscape Architect : Uys & White Interior Designer ( Hotel ): Source IBA Main Contractor : WBHO Construction
78 SAPOA Awards