WORDS: DEBBIE HATHWAY :: PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
A once-vacant, underutilised tract of land is shaping up as one of the Western Cape Government’s game-changer projects to redress spatial apartheid planning
Two of the six residential developments envisaged for the Conradie Park precinct in Pinelands, near Cape Town, are already sold out, indicating demand for a mixed-use complex in the area. Concor Construction won the bid to develop the Western Cape Government land about five years ago.
The mega development comprises social housing, FLISP housing, open-market residential apartments, commercial and retail developments, a creche for 65 children, and two affordable private schools. There will be a laundry, hair salon, convenience shopping centre, and a 22,000m² park where visitors and residents can keep fit and walk their dogs.
The first structures built on this former site of Conradie Hospital in 1938 have been restored and incorporated at the community library and events and social centre.
“We’re essentially building a new, affordable, sustainable, self-contained town for the future, characterised by integration, connection, and inspiration. It’s a first, and the public is embracing the vision and its potential to help address the country’s housing challenges,” says Mark Schonrock, Property Development Executive at Concor Construction.
ALL-IN-ONE LIFESTYLE
Concor Construction partnered with TUHF to fund two of the modern residential developments for sale to the open market. Silvermine is one of the sold-out buildings. Due for completion in August 2023, the four-storey apartment block comprises 31 studios, 45 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments. They measure 29, 41 and 53m², respectively.
Meanwhile, Kings Blockhouse is scheduled for completion in November 2023. This four-storey block offers 55 bachelor units, 57 one-bedroom and 37 two-bedroom apartments measuring 29, 42 and 55m², respectively. Several building designs take inspiration from iconic SA monuments and places after which they are named, and Kings Blockhouse is no exception. This one takes its name and design inspiration from the iconic stone lookout point built on Table Mountain in 1796.
The apartments feature open-plan living areas in keeping with the modern lifestyle trend. Engineered stone is supplied for kitchen countertops, ceramic tiles for the bathroom and vinyl ensures an easy-to-clean flooring solution.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
Fibre Wi-Fi is available throughout. All units have low-flow taps and double-flush toilets while lighting installations cater for energy-efficient LED technology. In power outages, generators power the larger blocks and UPSes for the smaller ones. However, a solar panel solution will be implemented in the future through Concor Construction’s renewable energies division.
“It is truly remarkable for TUHF to be involved with a project of this nature in a year where we are celebrating 20 years of seeing potential where others don’t. The Conradie Park precinct development is a typical example of yet another successful public-private partnership that demonstrates how the private sector can collaborate with developers and Government in redeveloping large tracts of land, thereby increasing revenues for the fiscus, and stimulating local economic development. The precinct is a testament to how affordable housing has evolved, and we are proud to be collaborating with Concor on this exciting journey,” says Velda Derrocks, Regional Manager for the Cape Region.
DIFFERENT APPROACH TO SECURITY
According to Schonrock, the City of Cape Town is moving away from exclusive gated communities, which means there is a different approach to securing multi-functional precincts open to all, such as this one. “Conradie Park will feature strategic ground-floor locations for specific retail offerings. At night when residents are in their units, those retailers will bring in street activity, which builds in a sense of security as well,” he says.
Meanwhile, there will be CCTV camera monitoring 24/7, manned gate security, licence plate recognition cameras, and biometric access control systems in all housing blocks.
There has been a significant capital outlay to address traffic access, water supply, sewer and bulk electrical reticulation for the 3 500 permanent residents living at Conradie Park when it is completed. “Before we started on the site, we did a massive bulk infrastructure upgrade to all the surrounding roads. We built new pedestrian bridges and upgraded all the traffic intersections in the area to prepare for the future residential, commercial and retail elements. That was always a concern of the surrounding communities,” says Schonrock.
Regarding transport, Mutual Station is 400m away and caters to both the northern and the central line. There is also easy access to taxis that leave from the station, along with Golden Arrow buses. Concor Construction is currently in discussions with MyCiti to bring one of its feeder routes closer to the development as soon as possible.
