SA Affordable Housing September - October 2019 // ISSUE: 78 | Page 28

PROJECT
Montrose City covers
the housing spectrum
Montrose City Mega
Development is an ambitious
seven-year, R11-billion, mixed,
integrated affordable housing
development in Gauteng’s
Randfontein. It includes
residential, commercial, retail,
a passenger train station,
public amenities, and industrial
development - light and heavy.
By Eamonn Ryan
26
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2019
SAAffordHousing
I
n total, the development will yield 14 000 units, of
which Phase 1 (itself split into Phases 1A, 1B and 1C) is
currently under construction, and will yield 5 602 units to
be known as Montrose Township. The development has at
its heart the upliftment of the community, and empowerment
is consequently key to every activity. There are between 750
and 800 people working on site every day, creating a mini-
economy that is already uplifting the local community.
Sam Mhlaba, CEO of Montrose City Mega Development,
says construction of Phase 1A will take four years, with
construction having commenced in November 2017. Phase
1 has a development cost of R3.25-billion, which includes
housing, infrastructure and schools; Phase 2 is R6.65-billion;
with other amenities such as a Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency
of South Africa) connection an additional R1-billion, as well
as R550-million for renewable energy.
The development was championed by SCM Properties and
Development, which is the main developer and part owner
of Montrose City along with the primary client, the provincial
department of COGTA and Human Settlements.
At an early stage, the client opted to convert the project
to a mixed-use one by establishing offtake agreements
between government departments and local businesses such
as mines, to create an economic component. “The thinking
was that local residents would require job opportunities
within walking distance (where possible) and these offtake
agreements would help establish a host of local businesses
to supply the mines, and other such businesses as may in
Apartments under construction.
saaffordablehousingmag
SA Affordable Housing
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za