14 / 56
12
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
FEBRUARY
2016
PROPERTY
The development is strategically
positioned in Johannesburg’s
leafy green suburb of Parktown,
surrounded by the city’s leading
education, cultural and heritage node.
Situated in a prime position on the corner of
Empire and Hillside Roads, Hill on Empire is in
Parktown’s green belt, at the gateway to the
city, surrounded by Wits University and many
of the city’s cultural landmarks.
The first of the four buildings being
constructed in this secure R700-million
precinct will be complete in June 2016 .
Abland saw the potential in this uniquely
located site almost a decade ago, acquiring
and land-banking it for the right opportu-
nity to optimise its investment. Since then,
portions of the site have been developed to
house the SAPS headquarter and a BP
filling station.
Donald Majola, development manager at
Abland, explains that the development coin-
cides with a growing demand for new, quality
office space in the node. “The Parktown area
hasn’t received new product for the past 10
to 15 years, although many office buildings in
the node have received revamps,” he notes.
One of the changes that played a big factor
in commencing with this development, is
Johannesburg’s new transport corridors,
which now place Hill on Empire at the cross-
roads of many transport systems, giving it
exceptional accessibility.
While always well positioned, the site is
now ideally connected with the BRT Rea Vaya
bus stop a mere 50 metres away from Hill on
Empire and the closest Gautrain bus stop
100 metres away. In addition, Empire Road is
a main route for Metro Bus and minibus taxis.
The park also has good highway access to
easily connect it to the entire Johannesburg
Metro and beyond.
Contributing to this are the significantly
higher efficiency levels that new office devel-
opments are able to offer their users. Not
only is this environmentally mindful, but it
also translates to financial savings for
its occupants.
Majola notes: “At Hill on Empire we are
creating a quality asset in a safe environment.
Its buildings will have large floor plates,
facilitating easily sub-divisible and flexible
offices. The office park will feature generous
parking, great security and will be ideal for all
HILL ON EMPIRE
Abland is developing the 35 000 m
2
A-grade office park
development in Parktown called Hill on Empire. This is the
first new office park development to be constructed in this
Johannesburg node in more than 10 years.
kinds of companies but especially financial
institutions, call centres, training or education
centres and any people-intensive businesses.”
The development of Hill on Empire on
this prime site purchased over a decade ago
shows that a strategic investment by Abland
is good thinking. “We’ve invested in a great
node with strong heritage and we are creating
a property asset not only for its owners but
also for the people who use it and its commu-
nity,” says Majola.
Abland’s relationship-building approach
to property development will also continue
long after Hill on Empire is complete. Its
property management company, Abreal, will
continue nurturing strong relationships with
excellent property management that focuses
on the needs of tenants.
>
Donald Majola, development
manager at Abland.