Number One Central Place in Newtown was officially opened by City and provincial officials on Thursday, 5 May, hosted by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the first major tenant, the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA).

Johannesburg Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo and Paul Mashatile, the MEC for finance and economic affairs, unveiled a plaque in the foyer of the building to mark the opening. Also present was Terry Tselane, the chief executive officer of the GTA.

"With this move the Gauteng Tourism Authority is making tourism services accessible to the majority of our people. We are also demonstrating our commitment and confidence in the rejuvenation of the inner city," Tselane said.

Central Place, a JDA investment, is the large square immediately south of Mary Fitzgerald Square. It contains several heritage buildings, like the Workers' Library and the Electric Workshop - now transformed into the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. The square eventually will consist of retail, office and residential space, creating an area that is used 24 hours a day - it is hoped, and boosting the many developments taking place in Newtown.

Masondo was excited about the developments taking place in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. "This area, the Newtown precinct, represents a place in a state of rejuvenation, regeneration and urban renewal. Your mere presence here today is proof that we are on the right track."

He said 120 000 more people now visited the heritage and entertainment venues in and around Newtown, compared to 2003. "The move by the Gauteng Tourism Authority to this location indicates the growing confidence by business and other sectors in the inner city."

Mashatile added his voice to the growing excitement: "Central Johannesburg has made a decisive break with its past. The result of many years of investment by Gauteng is clearly visible."

He explained that about 52% of all tourists to the country now visited Gauteng, where they spent an average of three days. The province was now rated as the preferred destination for most domestic and foreign visitors, with R35-billion spent by tourists each year.

Central Place borders Jeppe and Henry Nxumalo streets and consists of a U-shaped, three-storey, brick building. Besides housing the GTA, radio station Kaya FM will take up residence and restaurants and bookstores shortly will move into the remaining ground floor space. A carbon copy of Central Place is to be built on the opposite corner of Dolly Rathebe Road and Henry Nxumalo Street.

Residential space is to be introduced on the eastern corner, opposite the Turbine Hall, on the corner of Jeppe and Miriam Makeba streets. The complex will also contain two cinemas, restaurants, a gym and other retail outlets. All buildings are to have underground parking. This is expected to cost R200-million.

There has been massive investment in Newtown in recent years: the R38-million Nelson Mandela Bridge and the R150-million Sci-Bono Discovery Centre are the major projects, but a myriad of smaller, private sector investments are taking place.

One in particular is The Mills, a six-storey office development west of Central Place. The developers plan to convert surrounding buildings into loft apartments. AngloGold Ashanti is to invest in Turbine Hall, establishing its headquarters alongside the building.

The Johannesburg Art Gallery is also to move to Newtown. Other cultural venues in the area are the Market Theatre, MuseuMAfrica, the Dance Factory, the Newtown Music Centre, the Workers' Museum and Library and the Bus Factory. There are also several trendy restaurants, like Moyo and Gramadoelas.

Daytime visitors to Newtown were up 67%, and night-time visitors were up 73%, Masondo said.

Yvonne Johnston, the chief executive of the International Marketing Council, took the podium and said South Africa was the best tourist destination in the world. "Everybody who lands here needs to experience what Johannesburg offers."

She said a recent survey indicated that 92 percent of tourists said that they had had a "fantastic time" in the country, and would certainly come back.

But it was Tselane who summed up Newtown most eloquently: "This is a place of non-stop action and fun."

Johannesburg News Agency