Giles Balmer, letting and sales manager for developers, the Rabie Property Group, said about half the space in the 10,400 square metre development had been sold to  owner occupiers with the balance being held by investors.

The first phase of the development comprising 5,132 square metres is expecting to be completed by December with the balance coming on stream in February/March next year . Tenants already secured for the first phase include import / export company Nexxus which has taken a lease over two floors totalling 1,310 square metres.

The Forum, which will offer a high level of security, has been designed to cater for small, medium as well as larger users with flexible modules available from 87 square metres through to 2,800 square metres for the largest stand-alone building.

Balmer said a number of office suites ranging from 191 square metres to a 817 square metre building, allowing for a single corporate identity, will be available to let in the first phase at a gross rental of R115 per square metre.

Phase two, he said, would provide a number of smaller rental opportunities of office suites ranging in size from 87 square metres to 194 square metres.

“As such this development will provide a rare opportunity for prime A-grade office space in Century City for small and medium size tenants.”

Parking is being provided on a ratio of four bays per 100 square metres.  Three of these will be undercover and the fourth an open bay in the internal courtyard. Plentiful additional parking will be available in close proximity to the complex which is also very close to Century City’s public transport interchange.

He said from the level of inquiries they were receiving from smaller to medium size users for commercial space at Century City they were expecting a rapid take-up of the available space.

The development of The Forum follows the successful sell-out of the neighbouring mixed-use Colosseum building where all 8000 square metres of offices have been sold and all but one – a 585 square metre unit – has been let. 

It is being developed in a highly sought-after, strategically located site both within Century City and in relation to the entire peninsula with easy access to the N1. It is also in easy walking distance of Canal Walk shopping centre and the Colosseum’s highstreet restaurants and convenience retailing. A luxury 70 unit all suite hotel, to be run by the Protea Group – also opens at the Colosseum next month.

Balmer said other planned facilities a short stroll away from The Forum and adding to its appeal include a 4000 square metre state-of-the-art gym to be operated by a leading brand, the Stayeasy Hotel, and Ratanga Junction which offers an array of  corporate function and meeting venues.

The professional team includes Maas & Coetzee (architects), AKI (structural engineers), Davis Langdon (quantity surveyors), 4 EM (electrical and mechanical engineers), Planning Partners (Landscape Architects), David Hellig Abrahamse (Land Surveyors) and Rabie (project managers).