“Phase one construction is at ground level stage in the first five blocks, with earthworks complete. Block six is nearing completion of the lateral support and piling. We anticipate that construction for this phase will be finalised in the next twelve months,” says Rodney Gray, MD of Balwin Properties.

Malakite Park’s gatehouse and main entrance area is also under construction and culvert access to the hotel site, which involves the diverting of the council road, is also underway.   Plans to improve access and traffic flow in and around the office park include new slip lanes, wider roads and new traffic lights.

Malakite Park is the latest project undertaken by Balwin Properties, which has over the last 20 years earned a solid reputation developing and delivering quality residential developments. Similarly, Balwin Properties new focus is aimed at continuing a tradition of quality building standards to match exacting client needs and requirements.   

The upmarket, 12 ha Malakite Park development will offer a premium combination of 50,000 sqm office, 376 residential units and a 264-key hotel. Says Steve Brookes, Chairman of Balwin Properties, “The five level, 264-key conference and hotel facility includes a gym, bar and restaurant and is scheduled for completion before the soccer in 2010.”

The development offers a superb living, working and recreational concept with good spacial design, excellent finishes and value for spend. Offices will be located around a central boulevard and will include franchised coffee shops and food outlets, a gymnasium and jogging track. High level security will be provided by means of on-site monitoring and access control.
Located in a growing node with prime highway visibility and access, Balwin’s Malakite Office Park is close to the 75,000sqm Greenstone Mall and the 55,000sqm Stoneridge Centre, as well as Longmeadow Business Estate, the development offers  one of the most strategically desirable locations in Johannesburg. 

Says Gray, “Malakite Office Park will be developed in two phases, with the first or southern phase, comprising 20,000sqm office space in six buildings. The second phase will include approximately 30,000 sqm and this will incorporate the Malakite Hotel and seven office buildings.” 

Brookes believes the hotel is well positioned to meet tourism and business traveler demand,”We’re particularly excited about the hotel and given the shortage of flexible, upmarket accommodation for business travelers, we believe this has a good niche and will attract serious investors. It’s also an ideal opportunity for an investor to participate from building stage, where fittings to tailor a particular theme or look are still at selection stage.”

The hotel has the modern design advantage which will offer the hotel owners the flexible option of smaller or larger rooms; ensuring better planning and optimization of space.

Environmental concerns have been factored into the development with storm water used for irrigation and central VRV air conditioning offering a far more environmentally friendly alternative, compared to older and more electricity-intensive older air-cooling technology. Solar panels will also provide ample energy for water heating in all blocks and external lighting and thermal envelopes will provide shade for office windows.

Says Gray, “With building on track and a superb professional team driving the project, we look forward to delivering yet another quality development.”