Construction on Cape Town’s first 100% empowerment development, the R390 million residential, commercial and retail lifestyle centre, Icon, is moving apace, with 750 workers currently on site. Photos just taken by Project Manager Andrew Hoeks of Target Projects already give an indication of the impact that the distinctive architecture of the Icon is set to have on Cape Town’s skyscape. Situated on the corner of Hans Strijdom and Lower Long Street, the centre has prime positioning on a 4000m² site in the financial sector of the CBD, with hotels, Cape Town International Convention Centre and V&A Waterfront within the immediate vicinity.

Says Ian Slot, MD of Seeff City Bowl and Atlantic Seaboard, who have marketed the Icon since its launch: “You need to actually be in the building to realise what an imposing structure is being created. The atrium is vast, some of the balconies are enormous, and the views are beautiful. Seeff will soon be organising an open day for the public to view the Icon. I would encourage people to take advantage of seeing this lovely new addition to Cape Town’s skylines.”

Shabodien Roomanay, co-Director of Coessa Holdings, the developers of Icon, is delighted with progress: “The building is growing in both size and stature almost on a daily basis. While the weather has been typically of the Cape Town winter nature, we are excited and pleased that building is on track, and in some areas is exceeding the set programme. We expect the building to be largely completed by the end of the year, with finer finishing possibly taking another month or two.”

Hoeks gives an update on progress: “The structural frame is still progressing well despite several work affected inclement weather days experienced of late. The main contractor is in the process of completing the level 15 concrete slab on block A and has commenced with the vertical elements (columns and lift shaft walls, etc.) from level 13 to 14 on block B.  The roof slab above level 9 (effectively the 10th floor) is presently being completed on block C. The office areas (in block D) were completed a few months ago.  The floors are being completed on a cycle time of less than two weeks per floor (per block).

 “The precast facades have also taken some shape over the past few months, as is evident in the photo.  The precast elements are fabricated off-site in a controlled environment to maintain high-quality standards and are slung into position by means of the static on-site tower cranes. A unique feature of the Icon building is the Sandstone cladding to the commercial spaces, which will start to take shape over the coming months above street level. 
 
“Several units have been completed on the first few residential floors. The perimeter shells of all commercial and retail spaces have been completed with the exception of the ground floor (street level) shop fronts, which will be installed later in the year.  Preparations are being made for potential tenant- specific requirements within these shells. The majority of trades are now well under way on site - evident in the labour force numbers (currently 750 as opposed to 680 at the beginning of July).”

Roomanay has the final word: “We are incredibly happy that by and large we are on target and that we are able to offer an upmarket, five-star development of this type and nature in an area that is now the place to be. We know that we are complementing the many other developments in Cape Town that will all add up to bring people back into the City. That Coessa has been involved will hopefully pave the way for many more similar opportunities in the future.”

If you wish to be invited to the Open Day for Icon, please contact Seeff Atlantic Seaboard’s Ros Corbin on 082 728 6420; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; for sales enquiries contact Seeff agents Lynn Pinn 083 7077 035 or Melanie Truss 083 7077 033.

ENDS

 
Leverne Gething, M.Phil. (Journalism)
Wordsmith and editor
072 212 5417; 021 551 9223
 

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