Construction and property development

OVERVIEW Construction and property

Cape Town aims to integrate housing and transport planning.

New York has The Battery. Cape Town now has Battery Park, pictured. Fort Amsterdam was built in 1626 as the headquarters of the Dutch West Indies Company on what we now know as Manhattan. The Amsterdam Battery was built on Cape Town’s shores in 1784 to protect the traders of the Dutch East Indies Company from the aggressive intent of other trading powers.

Two walls from the original structure have been maintained in the R300-million conversion of the site of the old Dutch fort to a public park that marks the eastern entrance to the V&A Waterfront. This is part of the larger project to expand development along the canals, which link the Waterfront with the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CITCC) and have become a focus area in themselves. Waterway House, where British American Tobacco has recently established its headquarters, is near the park, as is the Queen’s Hotel, which is undergoing a renovation.

Cape Town has been experiencing a property boom for several years. However, the FNB August Property Barometer reports that the average growth in house prices in select areas such as the Atlantic seaboard (shown on the next page) and the city bowl was much lower in the second quarter of 2018 than it was in 2016. It could be argued that average growth in house prices of 27.7% (Atlantic seaboard) and 23.9% (city bowl) were so high in 2016 that those sorts of figures could not be repeated. FNB property analyst John Loos was quoted in the Sunday Times saying that “people got over-excited” and suggested that there might be an oversupply of flats in parts of the city. The CEO of development company FWJK, Dave WilliamsJones, noted that contractors’ margins were tight but said development would carry on. He also said, “Each new development is worth about 5 000 jobs.”

Research shows that the demand for housing will not abate soon. Cape Town has adopted a long-term Transport Oriented Development (TOD) plan which look at housing density in conjunction with transport patterns. It is estimated that greater Cape Town will need 500 000 new homes by 2023, in addition to 3.5-million square metres of office space, one-million square metres of retail space and 4.5-million square metres of industrial development.

To deal with these issues, Cape Town has established the Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA). The TDA is charged with getting the right mix of urban development and travel patterns. With responsibility for transport, urban planning, public housing and environmental sustainability in one place, there is a better chance of “joined-up” thinking.

Part of this strategy can be seen in plans for mixed housing on 13 sites in Salt River and Woodstock that the City of Cape Town has made available at 10% of market value. Social housing non-profit company Communicare has been working with the city on the project which envisages 30% of the housing stock being available for low-income households, 14% for the gap market and the rest of the houses being available on the open market.

SECTOR INSIGHT

The V&A Waterfront’s Canal District is booming.

Growth areas

George on the southern Cape coast has seen some substantial new developments, including a private hospital built for Mediclinic, some new malls and a number of estates. Fancourt in George was one of the first golf estates in South Africa. In 2017 a set of new plots were offered for sale on what was described as its “prized northern slopes”.

An area that continues to grow in terms of residential property is the West Coast. With mountains to the east, it is logical that areas north of Cape Town will grow: the only constraint is access to water. Blouberg, Parklands and Sunningdale continue to grow and attract good houses for residential property. The MiCiti bus route now serving the West Coast makes commuting to town much easier.

Voortrekker Road in Cape Town is the subject of several interventions to encourage bulking up (businesses and residential). The Greater Tygerberg Partnership is working to provide a catalyst for new developments that will build on the area’s existing strengths: transport links, medical facilities, retail, motor dealerships and residential.

Possible construction projects could respond to the need for student accommodation: 100 000 students are in the area. The Greater Tygerberg Partnership has done a study on students’ accommodation needs and is encouraging building owners to cater to this need.

The Voortrekker Road Corridor already has services and an established built environment, but it also has some dilapidated structures and it also has lots of open spaces. In other words, it has lots of potential.

A pilot scheme will turn the 22ha site of the old Conradie Hospital, which lies not far from Voortrekker Road in the suburb of Pinelands, into a housing development aligned with the provincial government’s concept of Live, Work and Play. With the state (provincial or city government) putting in the bulk infrastructure, costs for developers would be significantly reduced – the quid pro quo is that the developer must then set aside a certain number of housing units (49%) to grantfunded housing.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Cape Town Transport and Urban Development Authority: www.tda.gov.za SA Estate Agency Affairs Board: www.eaab.org.za SA Institute of Architects: www.saia.org.za SA Institute of Valuers: www.saiv.org.za

PROFILE Maritz Electrical

Delivering projects within budget, on time and to clients’ expectations, every time.

From commercial electrical applications to high-end floodlights and sports stadiums and spotlights using state-of-the-art products, Maritz Electrical delivers end-to-end electrical solutions tailored to clients’ needs.

Delivering service excellence and exceptional quality are key differentiators for Maritz Electrical and what clients have come to expect.

Maritz Electrical is an empowerment company established by Kurt Maritz in January 2000. Maritz Electrical is BBBEE compliant (Level 1 contributor). It is ISO 9001 certified and fully compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety Act with a full-time, trained safety representative.

In 2018 the company’s three branches were consolidated, with all 150 staff members now working out of a newly renovated 3 000-squaremetre factory and office facility in Athlone. The company employs full-time, licensed installation and master electricians. The company’s artisans have completed the ORHVS.

Maritz Electrical places great emphasis on its relationship with clients, private or commercial, and prides itself on the ability to respond to any contracting requirements in an efficient and costeffective way. Maritz Electrical aims to contribute positively to the South African economy, provide excellent workmanship and be a leader in quality service provision.

Select current projects

Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium is undergoing a R40million revamp and Maritz Electrical is part of the team of contractors charged with making it happen to the highest specifications. Apart from Varsity Athletics and national championships, Stellenbosch hosted more than 150 international athletes over the summer as they prepared for the World Athletic Championships.

Maritz Electrical has been contracted by the municipalities of Stellenbosch and Overstrand for electrification of large housing projects. This is a relatively new area for Maritz and one in which the company is building specialist skills.

World first

In 2017, St George’s Park became the world’s first International Cricket Council-compliant, LED-lit stadium and the first such stadium to be fitted with theatrics. Maritz Electrical won the contract to install the Musco Lighting system at the venue after visiting the US with officials from Eastern Province Cricket and the national cricket board.

Over four days in December 2017, the famous ground celebrated the landmark of being the first South African venue to host a day-night Test match, against Zimbabwe. The R27-million contract was completed on time and on budget by a team from Maritz Electrical led by Warren Williams. Two project managers from Musco Lighting supported the installation. The lights on top of the Duckpond Pavilion were hoisted at night, the process being illuminated by floodlight.

Other flagship projects

• Cape Town Grand Parade: Re-lit with Musco fixtures to improve the lighting level to reduce the personal crimes being committed because of poor lighting. • Cape Town Festive Lights including Adderley,

Strand and Main streets: Maritz Electrical installs the popular Festive Lights. • Security lighting for waste-water treatment plants:

Musco’s metal halide and LED system is the preferred product of Cape Town’s Department of

Water and Sanitation and Maritz Electrical is the proud installer.

Services

Maritz Electrical works closely with its customers, ensuring that the task or project is completed on time and on budget, using the highest-quality products available. In particular, Maritz Electrical has become a premier supplier and installer of dedicated sports lighting. This includes schools, universities and multi-sports stadia.

The company works in all residential and commercial areas of electrical installation and maintenance. Its electrical services include project management, design, supply and installation of electrical systems including: • Electrical and reticulation services • Testing and commissioning • Water analysis, monitoring, management and purification systems • Lighting and power • External lighting • Mechanical services integration • Emergency switchgear • HV and LV switchgear • Pre-planned maintenance.

Professional memberships

BBBEE Level 1. ISO 9001 certified. Electrical Contractors Association. Master Builders Association member. Member of South African Institute of Lighting (SAIL).

CONTACT DETAILS:

Physical address: 11 Noll Avenue, Athlone, Cape Town 7764 Tel: +27 21 703 0867 Fax: 0864 552 436 Email: tenders@maritzelectrical.co.za Website: www.maritzelectrical.co.za