Denser housing now a reality
New residential buildings along major routes in the east are mushrooming but there are fears the existing bulk service infrastructure might not be able to handle the growth.
The densification of areas along the bus rapid transit (BRT) route in the east of the city is gaining momentum.
Several developers are grabbing the opportunity to erect high-rise buildings for residential use.
However, fears were being expressed that the bulk service infrastructure in areas such as Lynnwood, Menlo Park and Brooklyn would not be able to handle all the new development.
In terms of the Tshwane metro’s spatial development plan, developers could now build up to 200 units per hectare near BRT stations and 120+ units further away from the bus stations.
The existing norm in the affected suburbs was one housing unit per between 600 and 1 000 square metres – meaning 16 units per hectare in Lynnwood and 18 units per hectare in Menlo Park.
“Currently some developments in Brooklyn comprise 700 units per hectare,” said DA councillor Siobhan Muller.
Muller stressed that the building of residential units within walking distance from a reliable transport system was supported by the DA, but the proper measures had to be in place before such development started.
She said new legislation, which was not in place yet, would compel developers to enter into a service agreement with the city.
This would seek to ensure that adequate bulk service infrastructure such as water, electricity and sewerage was in place before building tower blocks for residential purposes.
“But this is not happening yet and the developers are not yet responsible for bulk service infrastructure – taxing the existing infrastructure.
The area around Loftus Versfeld stadium was also set to become another residential and mixed-use space like the ambitious Loftus Park with residential, retail and commercial office components.
Retha Schutte, Pam Golding Properties regional executive for Pretoria, said the rapid growth of the Tshwane municipal area had been nothing short of astonishing.
“Regions such as Menlyn are becoming the new mini-Sandtons of Pretoria and now we are seeing areas around the Loftus Versfeld stadium being earmarked for massive redevelopment.”
Schutte said the development of the Loftus area was being led by the construction of a new residential apartment block directly opposite the stadium, called 441@Kirkness, by developer Coza Investments.
“Usually we see retail and commercial property spearheading the development of growth nodes, but in this case a residential space is leading the way,” added Schutte.
She said that 441@Kirkness consisted of 56 luxury apartments, which had been put to market by Pam Golding Properties for R998 000.
“With the area set to boom, the developers of 441@Kirkness have seen the huge need for affordable accommodation in the area, which is conveniently situated nearby the very heart of Pretoria and has a range of commercial, educational, medical and retail facilities,” added Schutte.
The 51sqm one-bedroom apartments are situated within easy reach of the Union Buildings, numerous embassies, major transport routes, the Hatfield Gautrain station as well as Tshwane’s BRT service routes, which makes commuting easy for executives.
Renier Swarts, marketing manager at property developer Abland, said the new Loftus Park would consist of commercial office space, a destination retail component, residential area, a public exhibition centre, hotel, gym, and several restaurants in an open-air piazza.
“Loftus Park is a tremendously exciting development and is an indication of how much faith developers have in the region,” Swart said.
“It is our aim for this mixed use space, the first phase of which will be completed by September 2017, to stimulate an entirely new growth node within the area.”
She said rent would be between R8 500 and R10 000 a month for a furnished unit.
The building features wireless internet, an elevator and aluminium windows, 24-hour state-of-the-art security with manned gates and CCTV cameras.
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