Durban's new best THING

WELCOME TO THE ARCH – DURBAN’S NEWEST ICONIC LANDMARK AND A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR LIVING, WORKING, STAYING, PLAYING AND SAVOURING THE BEST LIFE HAS TO OFFER, WRITES GREG ARDÉ

Once upon a time uMhlanga Village was a honey pot for Durban’s well-heeled, the hoity-toity, the hipsters and even the hoi polloi when they had a bit of cash to burn. But now there’s a new kid on the block – actually a whole new block – and it threatens to be the talk of eThekwini.

The spectacular uMhlanga Arch has opened with a mind-boggling array of new offerings on a dazzling piece of real estate. The Arch is gifted by virtue of its position, between Gateway and the Village, with commanding views of the city and the sea.

For those unfamiliar with the development, here’s a quick summary of its component parts: an office complex above a SMG motor dealership, the Hilton Garden Inn, a 21-floor residential tower, crowned by The Pencil, a members club, making this the highest point in eThekweni. Behind the iconic glass arch wrapped around an open grass yard is a boutique retail component with a food hall that promises to be a sensory delight. The flagship Hilton Garden Inn has over 200 suites, a business and fitness centre and outdoor pool. The residential block has 187 apartments. This includes 30 lofts of 65m² each and 157 apartments upwards of 95m².

Only 11 apartments are left for sale, and Arch developers Chris du Toit and Marc Rosenberg say sale prices average R31 000/m².

The apartments boast high-end finishes and both the hotel and residences have a range of smart technologies for security, including face recognition and a mobile phone app to control appliances like WiFi, lights, TV and air-conditioners.

The office component – structured around the iconic glass arch and opposite the residential and hotel towers, has tenants like Emirates, Alpha Wealth Investment Company, 91 Asset Management (Investec), Pegasus Wealth, Remax, IFS, Custom Capital, and the Arch developers, the Multiply Group.

Construction on uMhlanga Arch began two years ago and the R1,3-billion development is architecturally distinct and brings together a live, work and play concept that should prove highly aspirational.

It is a carefully curated offering with nine artisanal food and beverage entrepreneurs offering a mouth-watering array of tastes”

Much of the Arch’s ethos will be defined by the highly curated retail and recreational High Street with shops, bars and restaurants. The retail experience – and the subject of another story all on its own – is as highly customised as the food offering with a London, High Street feel.

Sphere Design and Architecture spearheaded the Legacy Yard and Back Yard projects, the food hall and rooftop bar. Sphere’s Rupert Spence and Rhett Roberts were asked to prepare a concept that included multiple vendors with a unique offering to anchor uMhlanga Arch’s recreational node. »

The food hall is flanked by the grass yard on one side and stunning views on the other – taking in the city, uMhlanga and the ocean. “The first task was to reimagine the structure into a more transparent, open space with a wrap-around large seating area on the yard side and also a rooftop bar and viewing deck,” says Rupert. A central atrium with staircase was created to integrate the upper and lower levels and also to allow light to permeate through the building. Easy flow from the yard into the venue, through and up to the rooftop was key. Rupert says the interior was designed as “easy going with well-presented vendor spaces” with a Durban flavour. Each had to be different in terms of concept, detailing and finishes and that presented the biggest challenge. “We want visitors to be treated with the unexpected and to be visually excited as they navigate through the space.”

The food hall has beautiful, big murals created by Durban graffiti artist Damn Vandal. The interesting spaces have a chic, designer bazaar feel with an interesting business model. Chris and Marc say that instead of renting out space, they sought out dynamic owner managed artisanal food vendors, passionate entrepreneurs with a bespoke offering aimed at energising the experience.

We want visitors to be treated with the unexpected and to be visually excited as they navigate through the space”

“We wanted to customise your experience here,” says Marc, adding that there are a host of great franchises at Gateway and in the Village but that The Arch is focused on niche versus commodity.

The developers also turned to Bryan Pietersen for help – the brother of the famous cricketer owns one of London’s most famous experimental cocktail bars, Purl, in Marylebone. He is pioneering the novel eatery offering in the food hall. “It is a carefully curated offering with nine artisanal food and beverage entrepreneurs offering a mouthwatering array of tastes,” says Pietersen.

Among the offerings is a sushi and oyster bar, a burger/barbeque smokehouse, a rotisserie chicken outlet, a pizzeria, a cafe and deli, Indian street food, an ice-cream parlour and a health bar. Pietersen says the offering distinguishes itself from others because of the emphasis on authentic food and the cultural variety of cuisines.

“We have mixed experienced vendors with passionate foodies to create a mix that Durban has never showcased before.” Pietersen says he hopes to achieve an environment that is a multicultural celebration, a place where people can come and enjoy the taste of eThekwini or enjoy the view and cocktails while listening to the best live music on offer. A fusion of experiences and ultimately of what Durban has to offer. *