Property developer Abland has procured the property adjacent to the Hillcrest office park, in Pretoria, with a view to building a further 1 500 m2 of office space at a cost of R27-million.

Construction began early this month.

Abland director Thinus Delport tells Engineering News that discussions are under way to acquire the remaining properties in the block, which would allow the company to build another 3 000 m2 of offices.

The R240-million Hillcrest office park which was completed in 2007 and com- prises four buildings totalling 16 500 m2, is situated between the thriving suburbs of Hatfield and Brooklyn, on the corners of the busy Lynwood and Duncan roads, in Pretoria.

The office park provides workspace for clients ranging from property deve- lopers to business banks, an embassy, government agencies and a medical aid provider, besides others.

The new Hillcrest Boulevard shopping centre, within walking distance of the office development, brings added convenience to Hillcrest office park tenants, along with basement parking (five bays for every 100 m2).

The company is also engaged in discus- sions with the city council regarding the nodal upgrade, as it plans to be involved in creating value for the surrounding area by providing new street signage and furniture, upgrading road markings and, perhaps, even converting the traffic lights within the node to solar power.

Client Service

Marketing executive Renier Swarts notes that the leasing of the new buildings has begun, and Abland will provide a turnkey office package and a full list of client services.

“The outlook on property development has always been good, but Abland changed its strategy severely, owing to the economic conditions,” says Delport.

The company believes that office, retail, leisure and industrial vacancy rates will increase, depending on the area or centre.

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