STRATEGIES
What Puts The
S
In
BY GAYE DE VILLIERS
T
here is much to be said for the rejuvenation
of decaying suburbs or the creation of
vibrant, thriving nodes within city areas,
but what precisely is it that makes for a successful
precinct, and gives it a clear and appealing identity
of its own?
“What are the key ingredients which signal the
start of a precinct and what shapes this cycle in
its life? How does a precinct attain an identity or
sense of community of real interest to stakeholders
and how can developers positively inf luence the
direction or creation of a precinct?” asks David Reid
investment sales broker for JHI in Gauteng.
“Obvious success stories include Maboneng
Precinct with its popular Arts on Main and Melrose
Arch in Johannesburg, Century City in Cape Town’s
northern suburbs, Gateway’s Newtown centre in
uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal and St Georges Mall in
Cape Town’s CBD.
“Naturally there are different types of precincts.
A precinct may grow from natural town planning
parameters with a combination of shops and offices,
such as Rosebank, Newtown and the CBD in
Johannesburg.”
Reid says it could in a sense be consciously
superimposed on an area, such as Melrose Arch,
Canal Walk and Century City, and Waterfall Estate
– strategically positioned between Johannesburg
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Commercial Handbook 2013
and Pretoria. “Those with vision have identified a
specific locale and because of its unique qualities
and proximity to motorways, public transport and
amenities have decided it has the potential to become
a different type of development within its hub. It
may arise from an assembling of land opportunities
or the purchase of old properties and redevelopment
thereof, but with a central vision and creation of its
own identity.
“Take for example, Rivonia Boulevard, which
has retail, including anchor shops, entertainment,
residential, restaurants and offices, all of which
complement each other to form an identifiable node.
For some time this area went through the doldrums,
but now appears to be re-emerging. One can see
that very often a precinct is driven by developers
who recognise the potential positive aspects of a
precinct and that development land is earmarked and
gradually triggered by incoming trends.
www.reimag.co.za