West Tower’s refurbishment takes CBD to new heights · 2011. 1. 24. · West Tower’s...
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18 Words SAMANTHA MOODLEY | pictures JON IVINS West Tower’s refurbishment takes CBD to new heights THE REVITALISATION of Durban’s central business district is one of the great success stories of recent years. It’s clear that a new spirit of business confidence pervades the area, with hundreds of millions of rands having been spent on breathing new life into a string of run-down buildings. The latest such project to bear fruit is the R60-million revamp of West Tower at 331 West Street. When the Nimro 159 consortium bought the building in September 2006, they realised that a complete overhaul would be required. The 14-storey eyesore had stood almost completely vacant for three years. They wasted no time in changing that. By the end of that year, plans were already in motion to transform the building into a magnet for local office workers, shoppers and visitors. By February 2007, construction had already begun. Now, just over a year later, the transformation is complete. Derek Hager, commercial manager for Astute Properties, the managing agents for the property said the renovation was done with the aim of making it a magnet for visitors. “The new West Tower certainly goes a long way towards making Durban’s city centre a more hospitable place.” He said the revamp was also aimed at increasing foot traffic, which in turn would pique the interest of potential tenants. It’s a strategy that’s obviously proved successful because the office space is already fully occupied. State-of-art air-conditioning and the latest security measures make it both a cool and safe place for visitors and tenants. “There are 65 closed circuit TV cameras in and around the building, constantly monitored by security guards. Smoke detectors are located throughout.” A similar high-tech approach was taken to the design. “Layers of concrete were removed from the front of the first three levels and replaced with glass to make them visible from outside,” said John Arnold, principal of Astute Properties. But it’s the variety of shops and eateries that will most appeal to the average visitor. From big name brands like Wimpy, Absa, Levi’s, Sheet Street and City Girl to smaller businesses like Field of Greens takeaway and TL photos, there’s something for
Transcript of West Tower’s refurbishment takes CBD to new heights · 2011. 1. 24. · West Tower’s...
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Words SAMANTHA MOODLEY | pictures JON IVINS
West Tower’s refurbishmenttakes CBD to new heights
THE REVITALISATION of Durban’s centralbusiness district is one of the great successstories of recent years. It’s clear that a newspirit of business confidence pervades thearea, with hundreds of millions of randshaving been spent on breathing new lifeinto a string of run-down buildings.
The latest such project to bear fruit isthe R60-million revamp of West Tower at331 West Street.
When the Nimro 159 consortiumbought the building in September 2006,they realised that a complete overhaulwould be required. The 14-storey eyesorehad stood almost completely vacant forthree years.
They wasted no time in changing that.By the end of that year, plans were alreadyin motion to transform the building into a
magnet for local office workers, shoppersand visitors. By February 2007,construction had already begun.
Now, just over a year later, thetransformation is complete.Derek Hager, commercial manager forAstute Properties, the managing agents forthe property said the renovation was donewith the aim of making it a magnet forvisitors.
“The new West Tower certainly goes along way towards making Durban’s citycentre a more hospitable place.”
He said the revamp was also aimed atincreasing foot traffic, which in turn wouldpique the interest of potential tenants. It’sa strategy that’s obviously proved successfulbecause the office space is already fullyoccupied.
State-of-art air-conditioning and thelatest security measures make it both acool and safe place for visitors and tenants.“There are 65 closed circuit TV cameras inand around the building, constantlymonitored by security guards. Smokedetectors are located throughout.”
A similar high-tech approach was takento the design. “Layers of concrete wereremoved from the front of the first threelevels and replaced with glass to make themvisible from outside,” said John Arnold,principal of Astute Properties.
But it’s the variety of shops and eateriesthat will most appeal to the average visitor.From big name brands like Wimpy, Absa,Levi’s, Sheet Street and City Girl to smallerbusinesses like Field of Greens takeawayand TL photos, there’s something for
