As the second phase of the Atlantic Hills Business Park gets under way, the Tygerberg Business Chamber and Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry have welcomed the R2 billion development in Durbanville.
The business park is situated just below the Durbanville Hills wine farm, near the Potsdam interchange with access onto the M12, M13 and the N7.
The land was purchased in 2015 by privately-owned development company Abland, from the original farmer at a cost of R1.7 million. The land had been standing dormant and was no longer used for farming.
About 45 hectares of the 72-hectare estate have been zoned for light industrial businesses.
The first phase of development started in 2015 and the project is expected to be completed by 2018.
The second phase involves the development of 220 000m2 of the 72-hectare estate and includes earthworks and services installation.
The first tenant is expected to take occupancy in January next year. A portion of the park will be developed for mixed use, offering tenants a retail component, including a petrol station with convenience shopping and fast food outlets with the rest made up of warehouses and offices.
Tygerberg Business Chamber chairman Phillip van Zijl said they were excited about the new job opportunities the business park would create. Mr Van Zijl said it would be an asset to the business community in the northern suburbs.
There are currently 112 full-time employees on site undertaking the civil works, while 38 employees were used in the design and approval process.
James Cresswell, Cape regional director of Abland, said the number was expected to increase to about 450 when they start top structure construction. He said they expected to create about 3 000 permanent jobs at the business park. Mr Cresswell said the park was well positioned for future city growth, while offering tenants seeking to escape more traffic-congested areas “perfect placement”.
He said they were talking with the City of Cape Town for MyCiTi bus services to be rolled out to the area, providing public transport access from Milnerton, Parklands, Plattefloof and Durbanville.
Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for transport and urban development, said the proposed MyCiTi trunk route (the T16 between Eerste River and Blouberg) would in the future follow the M12 (Giel Basson extension northwards) past the Atlantic Hills development and over the N7 freeway.
“It is important to note, however, that this route will be implemented as part of Phase 3 only and thus, the route alignment and stops and stations along this route will be determined and finalised only years from now,” he said.
Cape Chamber president Janine Myburgh said the business park was an expression of confidence in the economic future of the Western Cape.
Ms Myburgh said it appeared to be a quality development which would enhance the area.”It is well connected to the road system and it will be taking jobs closer to where people live. We have huge congestion problems in Cape Town and decentralised project like this will help maintain the development momentum without adding to the problems on our roads.”
Two areas of the business park have been earmarked for conservation, primarily to protect a rare species of Renosterveld fynbos that only grows on granite found in this area.
Mr Cresswell said the reserve will be environmentally protected, offering tenants the pleasure of a green space near their place of work.
The industrial estate will have 24-hour security, secure fencing and manned gate houses. Stands will range from 5 000m² to 100 000m² to meet low and high use buyers or tenants.
Mr Van Zijl said the park would be an attractive alternative for businesses.“Abland’s approach that premises on each stand will be purpose-built to the tenant’s specific requirements will make it even more attractive for the business owner who would like to differentiate himself by building a more unique image in a modern well-planned complex,” he said.
Ms Myburgh said it would give future tenants an opportunity to design new buildings to use renewable energy and perhaps even to store rainwater, reducing future utility accounts.