3 minute read
Joburg Business District
A WORLD-CLASS BERTRAMS MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE
Anew design-savvy, the environmentally conscious mul�purpose centre is currently under construc�on in the Inner-City Eastern Gateway, Johannesburg. The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), the implemen�ng agent, has begun the construc�on of the Bertrams Mul�purpose Centre on the eastern edge of the Inner-City Central Business District.
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In the sod-turning ceremony, the Executive Mayor, Councillor Mpho Phalatse, and the MMC for Health and Social Development, Councillor Ashley Sauls I, were in attendance on 26 May 2022.
Construction SA Magazine• July 2022
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Construction SA Magazine • July 2022
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The suburb, Bertrams, is one of the oldest in Johannesburg. The shiny new facility will offer social development services to the people of Region F. The skills centre has served the community for many years, with sewing, cooking, baking, and early childhood development, among other offerings. In her keynote address, Mayor Phalatse said she is pleased to hear that the JDA is the implemen�ng agent. The Execu�ve Mayor highlighted that JDA projects ensure that local businesses, especially Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises are beneficiaries during the construc�on phase. Once completed, the Betrams Mul�purpose Centre will support local economic development, encourage further investment and upgrading in the area and promote improved social cohesion. The construc�on of the Bertrams Mul�purpose Centre aligns with the JDA’s vision to build a more welcoming, compe��ve and resilient Johannesburg that is a be�er city to live, work and play in. The project also aligns with the Joburg 2040 GDS outcome of efficiently and effec�vely delivering sustainable social and economic infrastructure projects. The aim is to develop resilient, liveable, sustainable urban environments - underpinned by infrastructure suppor�ve of a lowcarbon economy. Good infrastructure is the backbone of a healthy, growing city economy. The Bertrams Mul�purpose Centre will house a community hall, senior ci�zens support, women’s empowerment centre, childcare, social development offices, youth and skills development facili�es and a basketball court. The construc�on works for the Bertrams Mul�purpose Centre comprise the demoli�on of exis�ng structures and the construc�on of a new mul�-storey mul�purpose centre which will stand as a new landmark presence in the area. The Crea�ve Axis Architects is the team doing the design for this project and drew their inspira�on from the award-winning Westbury Transforma�on Development Centre (WTDC). Another JDA implemented a world-class facility that emerged as a winner in Architectural Design: Mixed Use Architecture at the 2019 Architecture Master Price (AMP) awards.
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Construction SA Magazine• July 2022
THE GREEN WEAVE AND AGRICULTURAL ELEMENTS
The facility’s green elements mean the mul�purpose centre is energyefficient and sustainable, with a lower carbon footprint causing a minimal impact on the environment. A street-facing agricultural garden has greenhouses with training rooms, and hydroponic and aquaponic facili�es will form part of the construc�on works. The garden component will extend to the roof through balconies and ver�cal interior spaces. IDEALLY LOCATED FROM A SPATIAL PERSPECTIVE
The site of the Bertrams Mul�purpose Centre is adjacent to the Greater Ellis Park. The sports precinct is part of the revitalisa�on project by the JDA to transform the area into an eyecatching, accessible hub linking sport, educa�on, residen�al and transport sectors. It is strategic and conveniently located adjacent to public transport like Rea Vaya BRT service, numerous buses, and taxi routes to the CBD and eastern suburbs of Jeppestown, New Doornfontein, Troyeville and Kensington to access the facility. The breath-taking mul�purpose centre upgrade is an inspira�on that will provide opportuni�es for social interac�on, empowering and mo�va�ng youth, the elderly, and sports lovers to par�cipate in sports and improve their lifestyle to stay healthy. The policy of the City of Joburg is to reach the 30% local spend and provide access to employment opportuni�es to local contractors to par�cipate in the delivery of the associated scope of works. Once the facility is complete, the City of Johannesburg will hand it over to Social Development Department.
Construction SA Magazine• July 2022
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