The dynamic landscape of Umhlanga Ridge is set to change again early in the new year with the investment by the Mercedes Benz car dealers NMI-DSM in a new R110 million showroom.

Durban businessman Yunus Akoo, who is in a partnership with Barloworld, will spend R110 million on a new "lifestyle" centre on the Ridge.

Akoo, deputy mayor Logie Naidoo and managers from DaimlerChrysler and Barloworld turned the first sod on the site last week.

It represents the consolidation of the Mercedes Benz, Jeep and Mitsubishi brands in Durban.

The R110 million outlet, opposite Gateway shopping centre, will be followed by another showroom for trucks in the nearby Riverhorse Valley development, also next year.

The lifestyle centre, which will boast separate Mercedes, Jeep and Mitsubishi dealerships on new buildings, will occupy 15 500m2 of the total 50 000m2 Ridge development.

The company will market the Ridge destination by building the dealerships around a mini conference centre, coffee shop, playground, boutique and golf putting green.

At Riverhorse, the company will spend R50 million.

Existing outlets in Pinetown and Durban's Old Fort Road will remain, while the facility in Winklespruit will close down.

NMI-DSM employs more than 650 people and has a turnover of about R2 billion. - The Mercury