PROJECTVIEW
TENONQ , SEA POINT
Situated in Sea Point between Kloof and Regent Roads , the eight-storey building will house 53 apartments – the most within any of the buildings in developer , Blok ’ s , urban apartment portfolio . These pet-friendly residences will include : nine one-bedroom apartments with internal dimensions of ± 37m ² or 40m ²; 10 lofts sized roughly at between 41m ² and 44m ²; two two-bedroomed apartments measuring in the region of 70m ² and two twobedroomed garden units with internal proportions of around 92m ² or 108m ². There will also be 28 two-bedroom duplex units measuring at approximately between 72m ² and 87m ² as well as two , three-bedroomed duplex penthouses with estimated proportions of between 111m ² and 117m ². In keeping with Blok ’ s ethos of shared spaces , the building will have a strong emphasis on thoughtfully designed communal facilities such as a roof top garden , swimming pool , braai area , guest lobby with a concierge as well as indoor and outdoor gyms . What ’ s more , to ensure security for all tenants , the building is equipped with access control , CCTV and security guards . TENONQ will also have ample parking with one or two parking bays per apartment , plus visitors , motorbike and bicycle bays . Ground-breaking for the new development is scheduled to take place in March 2017 with occupation to follow during summer 2018 / 2019 .
ALEX MALL – BRIGHT , CONVENIENT SHOPPING FOR THE PEOPLE OF ALEXANDRA
MDS Architecture has designed a new shopping centre which will be located on a prominent site adjacent to the N3 in Alexandra . Located just 6 km from the Sandton CBD , Alex Mall is being developed by McCormick Property Development in association with Valumax .
Louis Pretorius is the partner at MDS Architecture heading the project . “ The site is just off the London Road turnoff on the N3 . Once completed , Alex Mall will offer almost 30,000m 2 GLA . A large percentage of construction labour is local , so there is job creation during construction ,” he says .
The multi-level modern design includes three attractive , colourful entrances on the upper level , another two on the lower level and a long , cascading building .
The top floor of Alex Mall features two soccer pitches in an Action Soccer facility , which is expected to be a significant attraction . A food court is located around the main entrance , including a covered outdoor section . A large taxi rank is situated on the lower level under the slab , helping to ensure that the development meets the growing needs of the surrounding community . The building features high ceilings with an abundance of natural light and interior landscaping , which give Alex Mall a spacious feeling . “ The site has a 20m fall which had to be accommodated in the building . Escalators were used to step down and a lift was included to link the two levels ,” says Pretorius .
The external finish is plastered and includes wall tiles right around the building . The porcelain tiled flooring is laid in traditional geometric patterns in a neutral colour palette . To engender a sense of pride in the township , the demising columns between the shops will feature prints telling the story of the history of Alexandra . Glass shopfronts are high and frameless with promotion and activity courts within the mall close to each entrance . Pretorius says that the best possible use of natural light was a key part of the design of the mall . “ Natural light has been maximised throughout the mall and in all the courts through clerestory windows , reducing the need for artificial lighting and additional heating ,” he says .
In a drive to reduce water demand , rainwater harvesting has been included in the mall ’ s design . Through this initiative , water is harvested from the roofs and filtered for re-use , thus reducing the demand on municipal water . There is an attenuation pond for storm water as well as a series of tanks that take water back into the storage facility , where it is filtered and pumped to the main pressure tank situated over 30m above the lower levels of the mall , allowing for gravity-fed pressurization of the system . Waterless urinals are also specified . Alex Mall will feature two supermarket anchor tenants , Pick n Pay and Shoprite . Over 85 % of the mall has been let to a mix of other national retailers .
Client : McCormick Property Development & Valumax Architect : MDS Architecture Quantity Surveyors : Quanticost Electrical Engineer : ING Plan Mechanical Engineer : Air Cool Structural Engineer : Hannes Hattingh Consulting Engineers Civil Engineer : KLS Fire Consultants : Ronnie Koekemoer Contractor : Mike Buyskes Construction
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