Development to change the face of Durban

THE R4.5 billion international award-winning Oceans Umhlanga development is set to change the face of Durban. The mixed-use project will comprise 500 apartments, the worldclass Oceans Mall, and the recently launched five-star Radisson Blu Hotel Durban Umhlanga.

The development was the brainchild of businessman Vivian Reddy. Speaking at a briefing and tour of the hotel on Thursday, Reddy said a lot of hard work went into the project.

“This project is a success story because when we started there were 400 objectors to this project. We overcame the 400 objectors, then we had to move the recreational facilities that were here and other operations that had been functioning in the area.

“There were major costs for relocations and there were 45 000 truckloads of sand that needed to be taken out,” said Reddy.

He said the project would create about 18 000 temporary jobs and 3 500 permanent jobs.

“We contribute R135 million to the city every year in terms of rates and utilities. It is the most empowered project – there are about 23 000 working class shareholders that own shares in this hotel and they own about 30% of the hotel.

“The Radisson group is the secondlargest hotel group in the world, and it brings in big business.

“When you Google ‘Radisson’,

Umhlanga comes up – it’s on the map. After being open for 48 days we’ve had about 32 functions in this venue. It is world-class,” Reddy said.

“Next door we’ve got a shopping centre. We’ve introduced international brands. There will be 22 shops that were never in KZN. This helps bring in tourism. The mall will be officially opened on October 19 and open to the public on October 20 (It opened in two phases. The second phase opened in March).

“The mall will employ about 2600 people. Fifty percent of the tenants are black South Africans. We will have about 20 restaurants. We’re changing the face of Umhlanga Rocks,” said Reddy.

“Above that we have 500 apartments and sales for those are going well. Construction will get started at the end of October. This project is the biggest mixed-use development in South Africa at R4.5 billion. It’s going to be creating a tourist destination,” said Reddy.

ethekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said the city anticipated more investors being drawn to Durban through the Oceans project.

“We are very happy and impressed by our investors because even during the hardships of the economic challenges we’ve faced they still have appetite to continue with their investments.

“We are happy because a lot of jobs are going to be created here, stimulating our own economic growth as a city and contributing to our revenue. This mall brings back our tourists because international brands have not been here for such a long time. People will now spend their dollars and money here,” said Kaunda.

He addressed the challenges faced by commuters during the development process.

“We are investing our money as a city to ensure that we build a public transport facility for taxis and ensure that buses have enough space to park.

“The mall itself will accommodate many vehicles which will also unlock the challenge of congestion in this area,” he said.