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Somerset Mall supplemented by modern and secure Office Park or R125 million |
6 May 2006 - Weekend Argus
Somerset Mall, the Helderberg’s growing shopping centre complex, is to be supplemented by a stylish new office park to the value of R125 million. The office park, to be known as Somerset Links Office Park, will be developed by ASLO Properties adjacent to the R290 million luxury lifestyle residential Somerset Links development, also being developed by the company.
The Somerset Links Office Park is situated on a 2 hectare site on the southern side of Somerset Mall with a central security entrance on the newly improved De Beers Avenue, the main artery road leading traffic to Somerset Mall.
The office park consists of seven blocks of offices, each with its own entrance and secure cellar parking. The office blocks provides for two 2-storey, three 3-storey, one 4-storey and one 5-storey buildings with balconies for entertainment.
ASLO Properties’ MD, Ivan Smook, said the office park was designed in such a way that office staff at Somerset Links Office Park will be able to make use of the residential facilities of Somerset Links. This includes a swimming pool, a touch-rugby field, a child care centre, gym and other facilities, providing for a live, work and play scenario. The offices are also adjacent to the Vodacom golf-driving range with a golf-shop and restaurant.
The office park provides for a total of 10 500m² of saleable and/or lettable space with some of the smaller office blocks offering a total of about 1 000m² of space. The 5-storey office block provides space of 4 000m². Buyers or tenants can choose the modular size of space required to suit their needs, ranging from 60m² to 4000m². Prices range from R685 000 (excl. VAT).
Smook said parking usually poses a problem for visitors at most offices. “We however made sure that this will not be the case at Somerset Links Office Park. While 4 parking bays are required for every 100m², we increased it to 6 parking bays per 100m²,” he said.
The office park is ideally situated for lunch time and after hour shopping, while the Strand with its stretched out beaches is only a few minutes drive away. For the travelling businessman, the N2 highway to and from Cape Town International airport is easily accessible with a mere 15 minutes driving time.
Christof Albertyn of the architects Albertyn Viljoen who is responsible for the design of the office park said the design focus was on the maximum use of windows and glass for contact with the scenic surrounding environment.
“Balconies were also very important for us to provide for entertainment areas and staff parties. To provide for the needs of smaller companies, the office blocks were designed in such a manner that it can be easily sub-divided. This will make it possible for companies to buy or rent a whole office block or only a portion of a building.
“Because staff usually spends quite some time at the office during the day, care was taken to make the surroundings as pleasant as possible with lots of green areas between the buildings. Entrance to the buildings can also be gained by wheel chairs with toilets provided for impeded persons,” Albertyn said.
Construction on the first two office blocks has already started. It is expected that it will be ready of occupation at the end of the year
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