WORK on infrastructural installations such as water, electricity, sewerage and communications is well under way at Menlyn Maine in Pretoria.

Described as the first connected green city in Africa, it is located in the Menlyn node. Just 12km from the capital’s central business district and accessible from two offramps from the N1, the mixed-use development is also connected to the Gautrain system by the bus rapid transport link at Centurion station.

“Infrastructural work will be completed by the end of January, with the first building to commence construction in February,” says Pam Golding Commercial leasing, sales and investment broker Thys Greeff. “The upgrade of the Garsfontein offramp is due to open next month while the Atterbury offramp and other road upgrades are progressing well, as is the upgrading of the Highlands electrical substation.”

He says the timeline for completion of the entire project is five years.

Menlyn Maine incorporates 143000m² of new office space, 44000m² of retail and 100000m² of residential and hotel space, as well as 5700m² of scenic parklands with indigenous landscaping.

Pam Golding Commercial is now marketing mostly office accommodation to let, ranging in size from 500m², in addition to a limited supply of sectional-title space from 300m² in size, which is available for purchase.

The retail component has already been taken up directly via the developer, Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings — a partnership of Ice Finance, Equity Estates, GP Property Investment Holdings, Nedbank and Absa Bank. Menlyn Maine Investment Holdings has secured the lease of buildings to the government and a leading financial institution.

“Unique and progressive in design and ideally positioned, the hi-tech Menlyn Maine project portrays the new face of SA’s capital city and the Tshwane metro,” says Pam Golding Commercial GM for Gauteng, David Reid. “With a vibrant urban character and world-class design, it offers a healthy balance between office, retail and lifestyle, while taking environmental responsibility to a level unparalleled in this country.”

Reid says Menlyn Maine could not be better situated, in the heart of a residential, retail and business node and close to hospitals, schools, embassies and a golf course.

“Given the convenient location of Menlyn Maine, coupled with the highly desirable environment, this project has extremely high appeal for companies and enterprises right across the business sector,” Greeff says.

“Now that we are marketing commercial space, we are receiving inquiries from tenants representing a broad range of diverse operations, including professionals.”

Source: Business Day