23 Jun 2004 :

THE first phase of the R12 million AECI Centenary Bridge, a development undertaken by Heartland Properties as a donation to the people of Somerset West, was officially opened by Tasneem Essop, Minister of Transport, Public Works and Property Management, in March this year. It is the first large scale private sector funded initiative in the area.

This investment by Heartland Properties, a wholly owned AECI Group company, has alleviated the traffic problem in the Helderburg basin, and has made access to shopping areas in Somerset West easier and more
pleasurable. The provision of the infrastructure has allowed Heartland to release more bulk for development which means the Triangle will offer a major rates and taxes income potential for the City and will help to establish the Helderburg as a major economic node.

The infrastructure bridges the R44, the main route between Strand and Stellenbosch, and links the Triangle (retail and commercial including the Somerset Mall) in the east with the Interchange (clean industrial and warehousing) in the west. This has the potential to create an estimated R600 million of additional business in the area.

Heartland Properties has become almost synonymous with the Somerset West area, not only for setting new trends in urban design standards, but also for their creative foresight in a region that is full of opportunity.

The area is a critical link between Cape Town - with easy access to the N2 highway - the booming south-eastern coastline and the traditional wine farming areas on the R44 Stellenbosch-Strand route.

A subsidiary of AECI, Heartland Properties was formed to release and put to best use their 1000 square hectares of land assets in the area, through structured property developments.

The potential developed value of this land, says Heartland’s sales and marketing manager Wendy Viola, runs into many billions of rands. It is one of the largest areas of land for development available anywhere in the Cape at the present time.

Through careful planning and consultation with local government, the intervention of Heartland’s developments has already been a major boost for the local economy, creating opportunities for small to medium-sized entrepreneurial activity, and creating many jobs in the area.

The 60 hectare Triangle hosts Somerset Mall, which is well established not only as a firm favourite of Somerset West shoppers, but of people from as far afield as Cape Town. The developers have shifted their focus to the younger set, and will provide exciting entertainment venues such as a climbing wall, a new cinema complex and restaurants such as Primi Piatti.

This third phase will increase the size of the Mall to a total of 70 000sq m.

The Links Office Park south of the Triangle offers a prestigious office
setting, and is already home to Beachcomber Head Office, Appletiser Head Office, the PGA, Nedbank, Sanlam and others. Fairways and Tres Mondi office parks, the first two developments, offered sectional title suites for owner occupiers and investors.

Heartland’s flagship light industrial and clean manufacturing development is The Interchange, where development is booming.

It has easy access to markets and labour pools in the Helderburg basin. Phase I is sold out, and Phase II, consisting of 11 hectares, has been sold to a private developer for ten individual users. Further land is available, and will be released as market conditions dictate.

The Links residential development, set around the golf driving range,
comprises upmarket apartments which will sell from R850 000 a unit. This development is within walking distance of the Mall and the Links office park, offering a true ‘live work and play’ environment.

Future developments, currently in the planning stage, will incorporate the historic AECI precinct, and here the emphasis will be on retaining the existing green nature of the eastern side of the Paardevlei. Tighter development with a higher density will be encouraged on the western side to create a more urban and cosmopolitan atmosphere with residential, offices and restaurants.

Development of this node around the Paardevlei will unlock the greater site and eventually provide access to the coastal area.