The revitalisation of the historic precinct and old production area south of Paardevlei, on AECI Ltd’s property at Somerset West. is set for further boosts as new tenants take occupation and existing tenants expand their facilities.

The AECI site, at 1 000 ha equivalent in size to Cape Town’s city bowl, continues to attract a range of projects, including housing as well as commercial and industrial projects, says Wendy Viola, sales and marketing manager of Heartland Properties in the Western Cape. Heartland Properties, a member of the AECI group, is responsible for the ongoing realisation of land and assets that have become surplus to AECI’s operational needs.

“The latest projects include residential and commercial developments on land between the N2 and Main Road, and in The Triangle and The Interchange, south of the N2, “ says Viola. 

“There is also strong demand for space in the historic precinct in quiet park-like surroundings on the banks of the Paardevlei, and in the old production area which houses stores and workshops of varying sizes. The area enjoys excellent access to the N2 and R44 road networks, good security and ample parking.   All buildings within the precinct are currently available to lease only. However, Heartland is planning the redevelopment of the site and this will release mixed use opportunities for investors, owner occupiers and developers.”

The precinct has a core of Sir Herbert Baker-designed buildings dating from 1900 which formed the management and administrative area of the original factory and currently provide space as regional offices for First National Bank, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, Conservation International and a variety of other organisations.

John Russell, portfolio manager of Heartland Leasing, which manages the assets on site and the leasing of all premises, says that Damelin College has signed a medium term lease for Quinan House as a base for their local operations.  Quinan House was completed in 1901 as a home for the first factory manager. The double-storey building has 570 m² of space and is a national historical monument.

Another building in the precinct, with an area of 370 m², has been leased by Maple House, an exclusive nursery school while Trident Analytical,  an Irish medical research company, has also taken laboratory and office space for their local operation.

In addition Stone Three Signal Processing, a specialist data processing company, has taken a separate double-storey house designed by Herbert Baker and his partner Francis Masey, with a floor area of 348m2.  There is also interest in the old AECI main office block of 500 m² which has become vacant as a result of company consolidation and relocations, says Russell.

He adds that in the old production area restoration of what is regarded as one of the real treasures of the site, the power station first completed in 1903, is continuing and will eventually provide further tenant opportunities

Part of the old power station is used by Flagstone Winery for bottle and barrel storage.  It is one of two buildings occupied by Flagstone, the other being a former glycerine refinery, now used as the winery.

Flagstone, which is expanding its facilities to include a tasting room, is one of two wineries operating at Somerset West.  The other is Ingwe, whose vineyards are in the Sir Lowry’s Pass area.

ends 

ISSUED FOR  Heartland Properties

BY Michael Kerkhoff & Associates

INQUIRIES Wendy Viola/John Russell 021-852-1111

                   Mike Kerkhoff 021-424-5280