Words: Candice Botha | Images: Supplied
Stretching towards the hill from Gateway to Umhlanga is a tract of land that will soon be home to one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most exciting mixed-use precincts – Ridgeside.
“Given its extraordinary location, between the Umhlanga village and the ridge, combined with superb sea views, Ridgeside is being developed as a top-end mixed-use precinct. We’re seeing premium-grade corporate offices, high-end retail and luxury residential facilities being built,” says Chris du Toit, commercial director, Tongaat Hulett Developments. “Its proximity to King Shaka International Airport and the Durban CBD adds to its desirability.”
The R1,2bn Umhlanga Arch development is central and its striking architecture, 163 high end apartments, and office and retail space will ensure that it becomes a landmark in the area. Buyers have snapped up sites at Enigma Private Estate, the fastest-selling estate in the Umhlanga area to date and the only development in the region currently to offer individual stands for sale, which in this pet-friendly estate start at R3,5m.
Developments still to be launched include Ridge 7, by property developer FWJK, a stand-alone sectional title office block comprising a floor area of 7,700m2; a 640-unit retirement complex adjacent to the Umhlanga Manors; and The Skye, a mixed-use space comprising residential apartments, retail spaces and a hotel.
The Taylor-Made Property Asset Managers commercial property investment firm has purchased a site to develop residential units, a four-star international hotel and commercial offices.
“The term ‘dynamic urbanism’ comes to mind when talking about Ridgeside,” says Gavin Rogaly, founder and commercial director, Taylor-Made. “This is a very desirable location and we’re in the final stages of negotiations with a global hotel brand, which has extensively researched the node’s appeal, to develop a 165-room hotel with an additional 40 executive long-stay suites. In addition, we will be developing some 300 to 350 luxury residential units, contemporary offices and destination retail space.”
Du Toit says Ridgeside is a prime location for many high-profile developments and the momentum building there is unsurpassed. “Many national and international brands are now investing in property and the project is facing an exciting future.”
