Citizen Online
Thursday, November 30, 2006
JOHANNESBURG - A staggering R400 million will be spent to revamp one of Johannesburg's landmarks, Transport House in Newtown.
A proposal by empowerment consortium Ilangabi Developments to transform the three-storey building into a hotel and international gym was selected.
The winning bid was announced this week by the City of Joburg Property Co, council's property portfolio managers.
Transport House, owned by the municipality, is near the intersection of Henry Nxumalo and President streets, just west of the M1.
In terms of Ilangabi's proposal, the planned 23 000m² development will include an 80-room hotel with conference facilities, 3 600m² retail space, 3 600m² office facilities, cinemas and 200 residential units.
Work on the site will start in 2007 and is expected to be completed for the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The development will be in line with the Newtown Urban Design Framework, which identified a need for a development that will complement the fashion district and cultural and entertainment theme of Newtown.