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The spacious new building on Library Square in Wilderness Road will soon be home to a vastly improved Claremont library. Double volume space and expansive windows overlooking the square give a bright and airy feel to the structure. This will certainly make a welcome change for both staff and library users of the existing pre-fabricated building, which has housed the old library for more than 30 years.

Arthur Craik, of Cityscape, the design services branch of council, who has been involved with the library project since its inception, says that the new library with its improved facilities will be an uplifting experience for all library users. Designed to be south facing so that the space remains cool in the warm summer months, the library will be housed on two levels, with the adult section at ground floor level and the children’s and music sections, accessed via a ramp, on the second level. The second floor will also accommodate staff facilities and workrooms for cataloguing and preparation of books prior to shelving them, as well as workspace for book binding repairs.

Expansive windows overlook the piazza at
Library Square

Project Director, David Talbot of dhk architects, notes that in addition to the south facing design, the glass façade provides an important visual link to the public ‘Library Square’ piazza outside. The library is naturally ventilated through ventilation louvers beneath the glass façade that allow cooler air, from the south façade, into the building. Warm air is allowed to escape through concrete column ‘chimneys’ on the north façade.

According to Principal Librarian, Elizabeth Pugh, the floor space of almost 1400m2 will house approximately 70 000 books, across a vast array of categories. Several computer stations will provide free Internet access to library members and a number of reading tables with daily newspapers and magazines will be available. There will also be an increased number of study tables for students.

Music lovers will benefit from the library’s new music lending section, with a large selection of works on CD, ranging from the classics to more modern choices. A DVD collection is being built up to complement the existing video section. A meeting room, which can accommodate approximately 50 people, will be available to the public for hire. This facility, which includes a kitchenette, is located off the foyer of the main entrance to the library and will thus be available for hire outside of normal library hours.

Whilst construction of the superstructure is complete, the current focus is on the joinery and interior fittings, such as the shelving units, carpeting and the issue desk. The scheduled completion date is early August, when library staff will face the tough challenge of making the move to the new facility as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

Dear Colleagues

I am stepping into the breach in substitution for the normal Anthony Davies column, as he is currently convalescing and recuperating following surgery. We all wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to having him back with his hands firmly on the tiller of the CIDC.

As you will see from this packed edition of The Claremont Clarion a lot is going on and the levels of inward investment and development continue at hitherto unknown levels. It is, however, very important, indeed vital, that we treat the social agenda within the area as an item of the highest priority and the support that we give to expert organisations such as The Haven and U-Turn in respect of adults and to The City Mission in respect of street children is of paramount importance. The CIDC justifiably has a very proud record of social intervention and we’re delighted to have Lorenzo Davids of Urban Issues, handling this important aspect for the organisation.

Chris Drummond, CIDC Chairman

The Claremont Vision, which we launched in 2002, was a broad based and all inclusive approach to the challenges which confronted Claremont. It addressed the needs and requirements of the homeless as much as it addressed infrastructure projects which we wanted to promote, such as The Boulevard and the Public Transport Interchange. On our agenda then, and now, is the upliftment and long-term sustainability of our informal trading community. We are collaborating closely with City Council to try and come up with a model for the future, which uplifts and improves the traders’ lot.

This edition of The Claremont Clarion highlights many of the other activities of the organisation and our key partners. The extraordinary levels of construction and development that have been going on for the past couple of years, come with a price which is short-term disruption and a lot of dust. We all need to embrace the concept that short-term pain is worth the long-term gain, and a rejuvenated Claremont CBD with world-class buildings, investments and environment is a prize worth going for.

Chris Drummond
CIDC Chairman

The mission of the Claremont Improvement District Company is to support the existing and future environment through programmes to ensure that the public space is safe, clean, attractive, exciting, entertaining and user-friendly, ensuring that various bodies and authorities meet their responsibilities, assisting wherever possible and thereby protecting and enhancing the existing asset base and attracting new investment, tenants and customers.

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

Contractors are hard at work putting finishing touches to the upmarket Intaba apartment complex on the corner of Corwen Street and Protea Road, as construction nears completion on this 7-storey mixed use block. The apartment complex, with floor areas varying from 56 to 215m2, is characterised by luxury finishes and attention to detail, with many of the apartments boasting exquisite mountain views and splash pools at the penthouses. Hand-over of the first of the units is currently underway.

The ground floor has a restaurant, Greens, with another as yet unconfirmed tenant, which is in keeping with European and US design trends to create lifestyle precincts in work and living areas. This formerly under-utilised area of Claremont will now become part of the lively and vibey hub centred on Cavendish Square and will be lit up and pedestrian friendly late into the night. The project was designed by Peerutin Architects and the main building contract was handled by Group Five Building.

The almost complete Intaba apartment block on
Protea Road.

Mike Nixon, a leading Claremont property owner, fulfilled a lifetime ambition on 21st May 2007 by literally sitting on top of the world. Mike had previously tried to climb Mount Everest in 2004, but ill-health robbed him of a summit push so it was doubly gratifying to finally make it this time.

Mike summited the 8850m peak from the Nepal side of the mountain and managed to get to the top in time to watch the sunrise in perfect weather conditions. Well done, Mike! Claremont is proud of you.

Palmyra Centre

Southern Suburbs shoppers have something new to look forward to. Insight Property Developers are behind the plan to turn a former property eyesore, the triangular site on Palmyra Road, abutting Claremont station, and previously occupied by a car rental company, into an upmarket convenience shopping facility.

The development, consisting of a ground and first floor, will comprise of 2850m2 of gross lettable area, with a 650m2 Woolworths food only store, as the anchor tenant. The balance of the tenants includes speciality restaurants, gourmet takeaways and boutique line shops.

According to the developers, the centre will have an ambient interior designed courtyard, which will create a warm and inviting space. Rick Brown, of Rick Brown & Associates, architects for the development, comments that the intention has been to create a convenient stop-off destination for local residents and families with the right mix of tenants.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Palmyra Centre on Palmyra Road

The architecture and scale of the development is appropriate to the immediate surroundings of the Claremont vicinity. Ample secure parking will be provided, making provision for approximately 135 cars. Security will also be given priority with the entire site being completely fenced off and security guards in attendance 24/7.

The developers approached the South African Rail Corporation in 2002 and were awarded the 9000m2 site on a 99-year long lease. It has taken several years to get the site rezoned from its former “undetermined transport purpose” zoning to its current zoning for business purposes. Environmental and transport impact studies have been undertaken as part and parcel of the rezoning application with a number of public meetings with the surrounding community and local ratepayers. The preplanning process has now been completed and pending council approval of the plans, construction is scheduled to commence later this year.

Vineyard Convenience Centre

The former Vineyard Service Station (Engen/Quikspa), on the corner of Protea and Main Roads, is in the throes of a major revamp, which will see time-pressured locals presented with a new selection of convenience services and a comprehensive home meal offering. The new centre will be renamed the Vineyard Convenience Centre and will include a Woolworths fresh food department, a well-sized bakery overseen by a master baker, a chicken rotisserie, a Steers take away and a Ster Kinekor DVD outlet. Customers will also be able to draw cash at ATM facilities and to purchase airtime, pre-paid electricity and Lotto tickets.

An architect’s drawing of the new Vineyard Convenience Centre on Main Road, Claremont

“We are in the business of convenience”, says owner Kemsley Hall, “and we want to facilitate customer movement in and out of the store within 10 – 15 minutes to pick up essentials. We want, for instance, for moms on their way home from picking up their kids at school, to be able to pop in and not only stock up on necessities, but also to pick up the family evening meal. We are also ideally located to service the many new residents in Claremont Central, particularly those from surrounding apartment blocks such as The Claremont, Intaba and Paramount Towers.”

According to Kemsley, previous customer transactions had been in the vicinity of 60 000 transactions per month. With the improvements and additional product offerings, they expect this customer count to grow substantially. The current staff complement of 40 will be increased to 95 to handle the expected increase in customer traffic, projected to some 80 000 transactions per month. The store will have 6 till points with a super-efficient queuing system and operating hours of 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A full-time parking attendant will be on the premises to ensure that the 25 parking bays allocated to customers are used for that purpose.

Pilot centres have been on trial at various Engen outlets in the country and the Vineyard Convenience Centre is part of the countrywide rollout, based on the success of these stores in other areas. The “convenience centre” concept follows similar trends in Europe and USA where filling stations have geared up to provide more than their traditional fuel offering.

Construction commenced in early February and despite slight delays due to inclement weather, the expected completion date is mid-August this year. Alpha Zulu architects and Dekon Construction are responsible for the project.

In our February 2007 edition, we announced that Orbis Security Solutions had been appointed as the new security and cleansing provider to the CIDC. In this feature we examine the philosophy and people behind the company.

Orbis Security Solutions whose motto is Swifter, Sharper, Smarter is a Western Cape based security company geared to providing seamless, cost-effective and one-stop security solutions to their clients. They are committed to providing exceptional levels of service and in striving to do so uplift their staff
through continuous skills transfer. Their vision is to become the market leaders in the Western Cape in all aspects of risk management, providing professionally managed and integrated security solutions to clients for whom long-term risk management is key.

The directors and managers of the company have well over 80 years of collective experience in the private security and law enforcement environments. They advocate and provide a very practical and hands-on approach to both management and supervisory aspects. Although their services are centered on the physical guarding function, they have very quickly become renowned for their advisory and consultancy roles. These benefits accrue to their clients as value added aspects. The company makes use of the most up to date technological systems and their operational approach ensures that they are proactive. “Information is key in the deployment of staff and in mitigating the risks that exist,” says Managing Director, Mark Sangster. Due to a substantial presence in Claremont they will strive to contain criminal activity and drive it out in terms of their ‘Containment Strategy’.

The Orbis management team is headed up by Mark Sangster, who is a well-known and respected specialist in local government policing. In 1980 he joined the Cape Town Traffic Service, advancing rapidly through the ranks to become the youngest ever Traffic Manager in 1997. During his 26-year career he held senior management and director positions with the City of Cape Town.

Orbis staff in a skills training session

Orbis patrolman S Faul outside the CIDC
office in Stadium on Main

In 1999 he was promoted to Director of Protection Services and in 2001 he became the first ever Chief of the Cape Town City Police, a position he held until May 2005. “I am passionate about safety”, says Mark, “and as a seasoned policing practitioner, I will work tirelessly to enhance all aspects of safety and security within the Claremont area”.

The balance of the management team comprises Jeremy Horner (Business Development), Ian McGavin (Finance), Stuart Wragg (Operations) and Newton Kies (Human Resources, Training and Development). The CIDC security and cleansing operations provided by Orbis is headed up by Charl Brooks, who is based at the CIDC operations headquarters in Stadium on Main in the heart of Claremont.

Orbis prides itself on conducting its business according to the core values of honesty, integrity and reliability. They believe in open and honest communication, both externally with their clients and internally with their employees. “It is through the deployment of well-trained, dedicated security officers”, declares Mark, “that we will endeavour to enhance the visibility and level of security within the boundaries of the CIDC area of jurisdiction. Numerous initiatives aimed at crime prevention and law enforcement aspects will be launched”. According to Mark, these would include awareness programmes, youth-at-risk programmes, adult education programmes and pedestrian safety initiatives. “With respect to safety initiatives”, says Mark, “particular attention will be given to the youth who frequent the facilities in Claremont. We will work together with other stakeholders to ensure maximum support for social crime prevention programmes”.

A CIDC driven operational forum has already been formed and Orbis are committed to working with all stakeholders in Claremont including the SAPS, Metro Police and other security service providers in their endeavours to make Claremont a safer place in which to live, work and play.

Claremont Improvement District Company
Upper Ground Floor, Stadium on Main
PO Box 24063, Claremont 7735
Tel: (021) 674-0639 Fax: (021) 674 1533
Executive Manager: A H V Davies E-mail: davies@cidc.co.za

This newsletter has been compiled and produced on behalf of the CIDC by
The Executive Connection (021) 671 4297 / 082 2241 222 E-mail: executiveconnection@iafrica.com
If you have any comments or suggestions, please e-mail claremontcentral@iafrica.com

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