July 2, 2004
By Philippa Garson
THE aim of transforming Johannesburg into a cosmopolitan, 24-hour city patronised by residents, businesspeople and tourists alike has moved a step closer with the awarding of the tender to develop Central Place - a large development zone in Newtown - to C-Max Investments.
The Johannesburg Development Agency, Blue IQ and the Johannesburg Property Company jointly announced that C-Max Investments had won the bid after much deliberation.
The Central Place development will boost the rejuvenation of Newtown
"Although a number of proposals were received, only one met all the criteria laid down by the JDA and its partners for the development of the first mixed use - retail, commercial and residential - complex in Newtown," says the JDA's chief executive, Graeme Reid.
"This announcement confirms our belief that the inner city, and Newtown specifically, is well on its way to effective rejuvenation and we are pleased that C-Max has become part of the vision to create a world class African City by 2030," he says.
Central Place - a large area of buildings and space that abuts Mary Fitzgerald Square to the north, the Turbine Hall to the east and the Bus Factory Craft and Design Centre to the south - is to be transformed into a vibrant 24-hour shopping, entertainment, business, retail and residential hub.
Those already in the area include the Newtown Music Centre, the impressive Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Blue IQ, the City of Johannesburg Heritage Services, Moving into Dance and several small film and media companies.
Work has already begun on Number 1 Central Place, a greenfield office and retail development whose first tenant is the Gauteng Tourism Authority - which is to move there from Rosebank on 1 May 2005.
"Our premises will span three stories including a 60-seater auditorium on the ground floor. It is designed to be secure but accessible to the public," says Terry Tselane, the chief executive of the tourist authority.
"Our move back to the CBD shows our commitment and belief in the city of Johannesburg and supports the tourism potential of Newtown and Johannesburg," he says.
C-Max Investments - a joint venture between Zenprop Group and Ikamva Labantu, an NGO - must get its plans approved in the next six to nine months and hopes to finish building about two years from now.
Zenprop's Rodney Weinstein says C-Max is "thrilled" to have won the tender".
"It gives us a unique opportunity with regard to the physical aspects, vistas and open spaces that Newtown offers. Here you have existing infrastructure, nightlife and a buzz."
C-Max Investments has been involved in the commercial regeneration of the CBD for the past four years.
The company plans to build an eight-storey residential complex with penthouse apartments around two large green courtyards. Weinstein says the units will sell from R400 000.
Ikamva Labantu's Sipho Puwani says he is "totally elated" that C-Max had won the tender.
"It will bring about sustainability for our organisation," he says.
Ikamva Labantu provides health, education, capacity building, food security and poverty-alleviation services for children, the youth, the visually impaired and the elderly.
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