Business Day Reporter

THE rebuilding of The Mills — the original Premier Milling head office in Newtown, Johannesburg — has been completed following a fire that badly damaged it in November 2003.

Pat Flanagan, one of the owners of Urbsol Props, the owner of The Mills, said the damaged part of the building — about 1000m² — was rebuilt at a cost of about R3,5m. The building was insured.

The part that was damaged has been let to film and television company Ochre Media, says Flanagan.

It was rebuilt in accordance with the original design.

The Mills comprises about 6000m² of gross lettable area on stands 31, 32 and 33 in Newtown and a further 5000m² on adjacent stands 28, 29 and 30.

The 6000m² is virtually fully let and Urbsol Props is now planning the total restoration of the buildings on stands 28, 29 and 30.

The group says the space that has been created to date is suitable for creative businesses such as advertising agencies, architects, media and marketers.

"The next phase will also suit those in the film, marketing, arts, theatrical and other fields. The Mills is also home to the Fuel Cafe and Songwriters Club. As occupancies rise so restaurants, bars and retail outlets will form part of the mix," says Flanagan.

Situated at the Carr Street off-ramp from the M1 South, and forming part of the inner city central improvement district, The Mills has already seen new investment worth about R12m. This will increase a further R9m as the next phase gets under way.