Owners of once-popular Nelson Mandela Bay nightspot Brookes Hill Pavilion have embarked on a multimillion-rand renovation project which they hope will see the centre regain its position as a prime social attraction in the city.

Over the past year Brookes Hill, which was home to popular bars Toby Joe’s and Tapas al Sol, has stood as an empty eyesore while its owners met with the municipality to discuss how best to improve it.

According to co-owner Peter Pitsiladi, plans for the “tens of millions of rands” revamp have finally been given the thumbs-up by the municipality, paving the way for the building’s partial demolition which started last week.

It will be rebuilt into a modern Cape Town V&A Waterfront-inspired leisure centre, complete with tenants such as upmarket restaurants, health spas and perhaps even chocolatiers, while architects have promised it will look “nothing like the old Brookes”.

The centre was closed in January last year to make way for an office block – plans which the municipality asked developers to reconsider in favour of a tourist-friendly hub.

Up until then it had been the bane of nearby residents, with noisy club patrons often spilling out into the street and becoming embroiled in fights, which on at least one occasion turned fatal.

But Pitsiladi has promised that there will be no rowdy nightclubs or bars in the new centre.

“We are going on a big drive to recruit unique tenants,” he said.

“(The delay in development) was basically getting the plans passed and formulated with the municipality, which wanted the property to have some sort of a public use.”

Although originally envisaged to be ready in time for the Fifa World Cup, the delay in construction now means the centre will be ready in December.

Architect Gillian Adendorff said examples for the centre’s design were sought as far afield as California.

“In California there was a lovely use of spatial designs which incorporated restaurants,” Adendorff explained.

“We had to change the building completely.

"We didn’t want people to think about the old Brookes, so we have cut out the central core of the building to open up the middle to the elements.”

She said natural stone and textured plaster would typify the new structure’s look.

“There will be decks on different levels to create restaurant spaces which look onto the sea,” Adendorff said, referring to the project as “an economically viable revitalisation”.

Unique clients would be approached to occupy the centre, much like the trendy eateries Vovo Telo and sushi bar Fusion which have set up shop in Richmond Hill.

“We want that (Cape Town) Camps Bay feel where you can go and sit out on a restaurant deck in the evening and enjoy the atmosphere,” Adendorff said.

The project has been welcomed by councillors who said the previous centre was plagued by anti- social behaviour and criminal activity.

“I am very encouraged by the plans and the fact that the centre will have more of a mix of businesses and restaurants rather than clubs,” said ward councillor Dean Biddulph.

Source: The Herald