NEWSWORTHY
GROOT PHESANTEKRAAL VIEW OPENS
Groot Phesantekraal View in Durbanville recently opened its doors, bringing an exciting new shopping and lifestyle destination to the area. Spanning 30,000m 2 and developed by Abland Property Developers in collaboration with Sasol Pension Fund, the centre offers a diverse range of retail, dining and entertainment options for the rapidly growing community of Durbanville and beyond. The modern convenience shopping centre is located just northeast of Durbanville on the corner of Okavango Road and the R312, Klipheuwel Road. It functions as a vital part of the dynamic Groot Phesantekraal precinct, which combines the charm of the area’ s historical farming roots with new modern developments that cater to the region’ s evolving needs. Grant Silverman, Director at Abland Property Developers, shared his excitement about the shopping centre opening, saying:“ We’ re incredibly proud to deliver this groundbreaking project. Groot Phesantekraal View offers a blend of convenience, leisure and quality retail in a unique setting. It’ s a major investment in the area and a catalyst for growth. This new shopping centre will enhance the lifestyle in this community, and we look forward to seeing it become a vibrant hub for locals and visitors alike.”
GVK-SIYA ZAMA COMPLETES 96 RISSIK STREET FOR TRANSNET
GVK-Siya Zama has officially completed the restoration of 96 Rissik Street in Johannesburg, delivering Transnet’ s new head office while safeguarding one of the city’ s most prominent Edwardian landmarks. Completed just prior to Heritage Month, the project stands as a celebration of Johannesburg’ s architectural legacy, ensuring that a building once left to decay now endures as a reminder of the city’ s rich history and heritage.
Moreover, the restoration anchors the broader regeneration of Johannesburg’ s inner city. By weaving heritage into the fabric of modern infrastructure, the project strengthens the city’ s renewal efforts and positions the CBD as a place where history and progress coexist.
“ This marks not only the completion of a restoration project, but the revival of a piece of our shared history, made even more meaningful as the handover took place on the eve of Heritage Month,” says Jabu Serithi, Managing Director of GVK- Siya Zama’ s Gauteng operations.“ By choosing to restore rather than replace, our client honours that legacy while creating something entirely new, a bridge between historical roots and contemporary aspirations.”
The redevelopment carefully balanced conservation with forward-looking design. Original timber windows, decorative plasterwork, tiled passages, and the Transnet Heritage Library were meticulously protected, while new features such as glassfronted meeting rooms, flexible office layouts, and a landscaped atrium create a vibrant, post-COVID working environment. Together, these choices ensure that the building remains both functional and culturally significant.
Externally, the restoration reinstated the building’ s historic northern entrance, widened pavements, and returned its façades to their Edwardian clarity. Inside, previously hidden elements such as fireplaces, fanlights, and a historic railway control panel were revealed and retained, reinforcing a tangible link to the building’ s origins.
The project also extended its impact beyond the site itself. Built-environment students gained rare, hands-on training in heritage refurbishment, while nearby schools and communities benefited from support initiatives ranging from uniform donations to winter relief programmes. In this way, the restoration became a platform not only for architectural renewal but also for social investment.
“ Adaptive re-use is not a compromise between past and future; it is a model for sustainable, culturally rooted development. This building stands restored not just for today, but as our collective contribution to the generations who will follow – a reminder that we chose to be custodians of our heritage while being architects of our tomorrow,” concludes Serithi.
10 News Watch