Two iconic sites in the upmarket Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre – the Oval Sites reflect the form framed by the sweeping arcs of the Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard as it splits around them, are being released for development. Tongaat Hulett Developments, the property arm of Tongaat Hulett, offers these jewels in a most sought after location.

Located at the heart of the swanky business, residential and leisure hub, these last remaining sites account for 30,000 m2 of the 640,000 m2 within the mixed use Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre excluding Gateway and offer very special opportunities for developers. The two sites may well be attractive to a single developer, given their proximity to each other and the potential to create something exceptional.

“The Oval Sites are zoned for 17 storeys of mixed use buildings, so they offer potential for truly iconic structures,” explains Andile Mnguni, Development Executive at Tongaat Hulett Developments. “The closest in height comparison to that is a 12-storey residential zoning with the balance between 4 and 8 storeys. Buildings of scope and majesty can be designed for the Oval Sites, which will boast sea views from the top floors.”

The location is suitable for an important set of buildings. “The sites have road frontages on all sides,” notes Mnguni, “meaning that the structures will be able to be viewed from all angles. This uninterrupted panorama implies that bold, magnificent architecture can be used to create exemplary buildings.” It should be noted that if the sites are acquired by separate purchasers, the design proposals will need to complement each other to create a coordinated look for the environment.

These sites afford an extraordinary investment opportunity for the discerning buyer. With the Gateway Theatre of Shopping less than a kilometre away and the proposed strong transport links, the buildings on the Oval Sites are likely to find appeal among respective occupants. The King Shaka International Airport is a short 17km away and the sites have been earmarked to include a station on the GO! Durban route, eThekwini’s Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network. Links to the Durban city centre in the south as well as to Bridge City in the west are incorporated in the plans.

All bulk infrastructure is in place, so the stands are ready to be connected by the developer to the network. A well-established management association attends to the common interests of its members in the Umhlanga Ridge Town Centre, ensuring that the local environs are well looked after. “This is a highly strategic location,” concludes Mnguni, “and it represents a matchless investment opportunity.”