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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
MAY
2017
18
PROJECTS & CONTRACTS
Murray & Roberts Western Cape is a division of Murray & Roberts
Construction which is being purchased by a consortium led by the
Southern Palace Group of Companies; this will create the first major
black-owned infrastructure and building construction business in
South Africa.
Working in collaboration with Metle Construction, specialists in
high-end Cape Town residential projects, Murray & Roberts Western
Cape has been on site since April last year. The well-publicised
project includes a building on each side of the busy Victoria Road
between Clifton and Sea Point, with the eight sumptuous Presidential
Residences cascading down to the water’s edge below the road, and
the 15 plush Luxury Residences climbing up the hill above the road.
Being developed by DA’Realty, the investment subsidiary of the
Dubai-based, multi-national Darvesh Group, the development will
encapsulate premium standards of quality and exceptional attention
to detail, to create an atmosphere of sophistication and refinement.
The Group has marketed the apartments to their database of
wealthy local and international buyers, and most have already been
reserved. Indicative of how sought after this development will be, the
Darvesh family will be keeping a top floor apartment for their own
use, which will comprise a four bedroom, 530 m² penthouse.
The Presidential Residences, each occupying their own level with
lift access, range in size from 270 m² to 600 m².
The Luxury Residences across the road are sized from 140 m²
to 550 m², with three units to a floor; prices there range from
R95 000/m² to R120 000/m².
The high values associated with the development have much to
do with the fact that there is simply no more land for development
on this popular and wind-protected section of Cape Town’s eastern
seaboard. It is also designated as a ‘scenic route’ so is subject to
stringent building regulations.
The working context
The urban environment and tight space constraints also bring their
own challenges for the contractors, according to Simon Dutton,
senior contracts manager at Murray & Roberts Western Cape.
“To comply with municipal by-laws and in consideration of our
neighbours, our working hours are restricted during weekdays, and
there are no building activities on Saturday afternoons, Sundays or
public holidays,” says Dutton. “This arrangement also accommodates
the high volume of tourist traffic, as it is a very popular area for
visitors; even the Argus Cycle Tour comes through this route.”
Safety is a key consideration, as traffic is generally heavy along
the narrow road, and there is plenty of pedestrian traffic. There has
even been a special concession to keep the ground floor pharmacy
open during the construction phase, and it will continue to function
after the Aurum is opened.
During construction closed-circuit cameras focused on various
points on the road between the two buildings ensure that traffic and
pedestrian behaviour is closely monitored, and that construction
staff are safely managing the traffic flow while accepting the
necessary deliveries of concrete, bricks and other materials.
Two tower cranes, one for each side of the road, facilitate
quick and efficient lifting of materials to the workspaces where
they are needed.
Intricate structural changes
Much of the construction work has been focused on intricate
structural changes which require intense supervision and care, says
Dave Griffiths, partner at Metle Construction and project director for
the Aurum refurbishment.
“The exacting requirements of the owner and architect require
that many complex adjustments and improvements are implemented
to enhance the residents’ experience of living in this spectacular
space,” says Griffith.
He highlights that where engineered demolitions are required,
these are overseen and signed off by a certified engineer.
“Quality and engineering standards remain the watchwords, so
wherever we consider that extensive adjustments need to be made,
we call on the engineer for checking and go-ahead,” he says.
The distinctive curving colonnade at the ground floor entrance
to the Ambassador will be retained for the Aurum although it will be
Polishing Bantry Bay’s
GLITTERING JEWEL
Bantry Bay’s moniker as the ‘Monaco of Africa’ is no
longer a stretch of the imagination, and even less so
now that Murray & Roberts Western Cape is making
good progress with the Aurum luxury lifestyle devel-
opment by extensively revamping the old Ambassa-
dor Hotel and Suites.
Murray & Roberts Western Cape is in partnership with Cape Town’s Metle Construction Project Management on DA’Realty’s Aurum development in
Bantry Bay. Construction work on the Aurum Presidential Residences must contend with confined spaces and constant traffic flow.