Impti du toit

Imperial Bank Terraces, Vision Development's R60-million office and retail complex under construction at the Tyger Waterfront, is set to take cutting-edge technology to a whole new level. The modern block nearing completion will host the first wireless "hotspot" in a private development of this kind in South Africa.

A hotspot is an area flooded with a radio signal, enabling businesspeople to connect wirelessly to the internet using their laptops, cellphones or personal digital assistants, providing these have the requisite transmitter, explains Chris Tapsell of Group 3 Properties, the marketing agent. The hotspot area will be open to occupants and visitors, allowing people on the move to extend their virtual offices.

They will be able to access internet and intranets, corporate databases, and e-mail facilities from this location, he says. Most wireless hotspots are currently found in international airports, hotels and other public areas. But the Tyger Waterfront is about to score a double coup, as the Waterfront Cascades, Group 3 Properties' residential development situated there, will be equipped as a hotspot at the same time. Both hotspots will become operational early next year.

Imperial Bank Terraces offers five floors of office accommodation, retail space on the ground and first floors, and two levels of underground parking. It is one of the very few Triple A-grade office complexes in the Tyger Valley area, according to Charles Robertson of Vision Development.

The modern block's sophisticated amenities, which include 24-hour high-speed internet connectivity and trunking facilities for data communication, attracted the notice of Imperial Bank at the outset.

The financial institution, which will be the anchor tenant, has taken 1 000m2 of accommodation - about 20% of the building - in which to house its regional headquarters. The rest of the building has been designed to offer clients maximum flexibility in terms of space, with office and retail units sizes starting from as little as 50m2. Buyers and tenants who want bigger units will have the freedom to choose the size that best suits their needs. Office and retail units range in price from R399 000 to R2 million.

The developers have negotiated a deal with Rand Merchant Bank, which will offer buyers 100% bonds - a first for commercial property in SA, says Tapsell. Investors are also offered a guaranteed one-year rental deal, similar to that implemented with huge success at CapeGate Village.

To measure up to its prestigious Triple-A grading, Imperial Bank Terraces is being constructed to a high standard, with attractive features such as a foyer with "floating" sculptured ceilings and dramatic staircases.

Quality external finishes include aluminium windows, stone cladded walls, cobblestone and brick paved driveways and visitors' parking areas. Buyers will be able to select from an extensive range of superior internal finishes.

The grounds of the north-facing access controlled complex will be extensively landscaped and will have several water features. A major advantage is the building's prime position at the entrance to the Tyger Waterfront, with direct access onto Carl Cronje, where local authorities plan to build on- and off-ramps to the N1 motorway next year, says Robertson.

Imperial Bank Terraces will be launched at the HomeX exhibition to be held at the Bellville Velodrome from October 24 to 26. l For more information contact Christine Flowers on 082 870 7292