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year76issue22
20October2014
Proposed development. Image: www.abland.co.za
R1.2 billion construction set for Loftus MICHAEL BONGANI REINDERS The green light has been given for a significant upgrade to Loftus and the surrounding area. The development, which was first brought to light in 2013, has been given the go-ahead after months of planning. The planned construction will begin in 2015 and will take approximately 18 months to complete. The upgrades are planned for the precinct on the northern side of Loftus commonly known as the “sin-bin”. The construction is set to upgrade the Loftus aesthetics economically by building an office precinct and a shopping centre, consisting of offices, a four star hotel, a Virgin Active gym, restaurants and conference facilities, all surrounding an open air piazza. The development is going to be called Loftus Park and will be built in an environmentally
friendly manner. Situated on the corner of Park and Kirkness street, bordering Pretoria High School for Girls, the development is in an ideal location as it is easily accessible and only a short distance from the Gautrain station in Hatfield. Property developer Abland has facilitated the overall development of the project along with Abreal, who will manage the project. Abland Director Thinus Delport said, “It [the project] is in excess of R1 billion and we estimate that the value will be between R1 billion and R1.2 billion on completion.” Delport said that they “are looking at [getting] all the buildings a green star rating, which is obviously important for how you develop these days and we are going to try and make it a green precinct, which would be a first for South Africa”.
Further parking will be constructed in order to cater for the additional developments, including the masses that go to Loftus on a weekly basis for rugby, football and live music events. The new development will also have a positive influence on the Blue Bulls Rugby Union (BBRU). Dr Eugene Hare, chief executive officer of the BBRU, stated that they are “really looking forward to this. For all rugby unions across the country it is a huge challenge to manage amateur and club rugby. This is a huge opportunity for the BBRU to have a sustainable income for the clubs. This constant flow of capital will also strengthen our development with our main focus being on the whole of Tshwane.” Proposed development. Image: www.abland.co.za