The crane festooned skyline of Claremont confirms the huge activity levels of inward capital investment into the Claremont Central area through various exciting and large-scale construction projects. The list is long and varied where at the southern end of the spectrum it involves public facilities such as the new Claremont Clinic, Library and Public Transport Interchange, and at the northern end the R0.5-billion project for the redevelopment of the Pick ‘n Pay property which will incorporate a new Virgin Active Mega Gym. Old dilapidated retail properties have been demolished and new residential high-rise apartments have been created in the R300-million project known as The Claremont. Several further major redevelopments have taken place which will see 800 new residential units being created within the Claremont CBD over the next nine months.

What is the reason for this unprecedented development activity? Anthony Davies, Executive Manager of the Claremont Improvement District Company, responded enthusiastically, “The massive boom in Claremont is not merely a result of a buoyant property market, it’s really the result of the City and the CIDC’s partnership over the past six years which has seen a substantial upgrading of the urban management of the area. This has led to renewed confidence by long term investors to seek out opportunities and produce the myriad of large scale property schemes which we see currently.”

Claremont boasts world-class facilities in the form of the flagship retail centre Cavendish Square, The Vineyard Hotel and the award winning Oval Office Park, which has always attained some of the highest rentals payable for office space in South Africa. However, it would appear that there needed to be a specific catalyst for the explosion of activity. Chris Drummond, Chairman of the CIDC and a substantial property owner in the area, feels he knows the reason for the R1.8billion plus of capital investment which is currently being deployed: “The key strategic location of Claremont in the heart of the Cape Town southern suburbs, has always made the location highly desirable for commercial, retail and recreational property. However, in the mid to late ‘90s the area experienced warning signals of urban decay and the trend needed to be dramatically reversed in order to achieve a vibrant future. He added further, “One of the key issues was the urgently needed redevelopment of the bus and taxi facilities which has been linked in conjunction with the development of the Claremont Boulevard to form a unique partnership project of some R50-million between the CIDC and the City Council. This would never have been possible without a body such as the CIDC providing the conduit for this huge inward investment.”

The mood of optimism and a positive attitude is further reflected by the announcement of the Old Mutual Property Group that they will redevelop The Link shopping mall as “Cavendish Connect“ and redevelop the Dreyer Street area between the two buildings. In addition, the CIDC is spearheading the urban upgrading of Main Road linked to a strategic Four Squares project, which will see public open space properly managed and developed for the benefit of all.

Many more projects are in the offing, which we will keep you updated on over the forthcoming months. The CIDC is indeed making Claremont a better place for all.

By Chris Drummond, Chairman CIDC

The Claremont CBD is soon to receive a promotional boost with the Claremont Central campaign aimed at raising the profile of the Claremont commercial district. Key elements will be a website and printed directory due to be launched in January 2007. Businesses and services that would like to participate in this initiative can read more about it further on.

Very recently we moved from our former Operations Room in Toffee Lane into our new Claremont Information and Service Centre on the Upper Ground Floor (near the top of the escalator) in Stadium On Main, where visitors are very welcome. Our extensive 2-way radio network is also centred here where our Toll Free Emergency telephone and radio operator is at your service 24 hours a day throughout the year.

Security and clean streets are always the backbone of an urban upgrade and especially of the Claremont Improvement District. Recently and regrettably this has been very difficult to maintain firstly in view of the distressing 3-month nationwide security strike and more recently with the cleaning staff also on strike nationally. Staff who wanted to work were intimidated and in some instances severely beaten. Nonetheless, under duress many of our staff continued to report for work. Unfortunately they were not visible, as for good reason, they did not wear their distinctive uniforms. The good news is that the strikes are now over and the CIDC is again focussed on winning our streets back to continue to make Claremont a better place for all.

For any cleansing and security emergencies or complaints, please phone 0800-200-597 toll free
or e-mail: davies@cidc.co.za

The site of the old clinic is where the taxi terminus of the public transport interchange and a holding area for about 20 taxis in Old Stanhope Road are currently under construction. Both the terminus and the holding area will have buildings incorporating an office, public toilet facilities and a wash-bay so that taxi operators are able to clean their vehicles. Commuters will enjoy protection from adverse weather provided by the roofed terminus. Contracts for the civil works, building works and the electrical works for the taxi terminus and the holding area have all been awarded and work has commenced on site. These are all due for completion in early February 2007. That will then enable the Bus Interchange to commence construction along with phase one of the Claremont Boulevard road works.

The concept design for the Claremont Boulevard, under the guidance of a project management team, has been completed, as has the detailed design for Phase 1 between Stanhope Road and Hawthorne Road for which tenders will be invited before the end of the year. The Bus Interchange, between Werdmuller Centre and Stadium On Main, is located partly on the public parking area off Newry Street and the existing Fir Street. Provision will be made on the Newry Street edge of the bus facility, as part of the proposed Four Squares greening initiative, for informal trading stalls.

The building contract for the bus terminus has been awarded and work should commence towards the end of January next year on this aspect, with expected completion in mid 2007. Detailed design of Phase 2, from Hawthorne Road to Letterstedt Road, near Newlands swimming pool, is currently underway, with construction for this 2nd phase planned for commencement in July 2007.