Architect and Builder November/December 2018 | Page 16

NTSHONGWENI, KZN
With all development rights in place, civil construction on the much
awaited Ntshongweni Urban Development will commence in early
2019. This 2,000-hectare project located 30km west of the Port of
Durban on the N3, is the next logical urban precinct expected to unlock
significant economic activity for the city’s largely underserviced outer
west subregion. Ntshongweni Urban Development is ultimately set
to provide a framework for environmentally sustainable, community-
centric and inclusive urbanisation.
As the primary land steward, Tongaat Hulett is responsible for
the overall development vision and concept framework plan that
aligns with public sector policy, plans and objectives. This extends
to the creation of compelling and tailored real estate solutions
for developers, investors, future residents and end users within
Ntshongweni Urban Development. The site is situated with
KwaNdengezi and Dassenhoek to the south, Summerveld to the
west, Assagay and Hillcrest to the north and on completion will
provide critical spatial, social and economic linkages to the existing
surrounding communities.
The first phase of the multiple phased development, the Retail
and Urban Core will anchor the Ntshongweni Urban Development
as a mixed use, urban precinct centred around a new regional
retailing offering. This will be followed by a variety of other uses
including residential, logistics, recreational, warehousing and leisure
components. The pioneering design will make substantial provision
for the site’s ecological wellbeing as well as responding to the needs
of the people who use it. Tongaat Hulett Developments Managing
Director, Michael Deighton says, “All development rights for the
Retail and Urban Core are in place and we officially have the go
ahead to break ground in the first quarter of 2019.”
Deighton concludes, “Despite the current economic downturn,
we are fully confident in Ntshongweni’s immense potential to bring
more people closer to essential employment opportunities and urban
services and amenities while creating a favourable investment climate
for investors and developers. These far-reaching socio-economic
benefits are why the development is regarded as a catalyst for
change in this underserviced semi-rural area.”
IRENE BOULEVARD, IRENE
Abland, together with its partners Giflo Developments and
SOM, have commenced work on a new mixed-use precinct called
Irene Boulevard in the heart of Irene, south of Pretoria. This site
will become the new home to Barloworld Logistics, a division of
Barloworld who will be vacating their Sandton offices to occupy
this new site.
“What started as a retail centre deal has now evolved into a mixed-
use precinct, where Abland will be integrating retail and commercial
offerings. The mixed-use precinct came to life after Abland shared
their master plan with Barloworld and they were impressed with
the offerings of the precinct and immediately bought into the bigger
concept,” says Thinus Delport, Development Director, Abland.
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The precinct will bring a bespoke lifestyle and a 16,000m 2 shopping
centre to the Irene market with the Barloworld Logistics headquarters
comprising 5,500m 2 of the property. Designed by Nsika Architecture
and Design, the precinct will have a striking design making it very
visible and difficult to miss from the N1 highway.
Phase 2 of the development, which is the retail leg, will offer
convenient retail and lifestyle amenities which include; a leading
national grocer, new and existing restaurants, beauty and health
facilities, giving the shopper all the services they would need from
a centre. Construction teams broke ground mid-March 2018 and
are aiming for completion of the Barloworld Logistics headquarters
in April 2019.
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