Work on Oceans development to begin soon
According to Oceans Umhlanga development director, Pregan Naicker, two new contractors have been appointed to replace the original contractors.
CONSTRUCTION of the Oceans Mall, part of the R4.5 billion Oceans Umhlanga Mixed-Use development in uMhlanga is due to start, according to Oceans Umhlanga development director, Pregan Naicker.
According to Naicker, two new contractors have been appointed to replace the original contractors with one being liquidated and the other in business rescue.
The announcement comes after construction of the development stalled in October last year. At the time, the Northglen News was told the project halted ‘due to certain complications which caused the developer to renegotiate’. Work was then supposed to begin in February this year.
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“It has taken time to negotiate, terminate and to appoint new contractors. The mall has been redesigned from a three floor to a two floor mall with a square. The entire development will incorporate 2 500 parking bays,” said Naicker.
He added construction on the R1.4 billion mall will commence as soon as the revised plans are approved by the eThekwini Municipality.
“The project will create 500 direct and 2 000 indirect jobs. The development will be completed in 18 months. In a few months time the skyline of lower uMhlanga will have 10 cranes once construction streams ahead. There is still a big demand in the Oceans residential apartments and in the past month we sold 12 units,” he said.
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uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, said he was encouraged by news the project will resume soon.
“Ongoing maintenance has taken place on the Oceans site. Unlike other sites that are often left to rot, the developers have made sure that construction will be able to start soonest. I do understand that the halt has caused community concern. And there will always be teething issues during such massive projects. But I am confident that once complete it will not only add significantly to the rates base but also create much needed employment, which is a critical need in our country right now,” De Boer said.
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