The development of the R240-million Cradle City Business Park on a 78,9-ha site surrounding Lanseria International Airport, north of Johannesburg, which has received financial backing from Nedbank, is seen as the first step in the creation of a far larger property development.

Indeed, the Cradle City project is being punted as a sustainable green-driven development, which could eventually comprise a mix of residential, commercial, office, retail, hotel, resort, entertainment, warehousing and other elements.

The initiative is being undertaken by Amari Land, which was founded in early 2007 by inter- national property developer Preston Haskell, African mining entrepreneur and Amari Land MD Mike Nunn and Andre van Wyk, a specialist in the planning and rezoning of land. The company is also developing Luano City, a 380-ha mixed-use development in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Amari group focuses on identifying and developing high-economic-growth regions in sub-Saharan Africa situated around pre-existing economic drivers, such as airports.

The vision for Cradle City is to create a mixed-use precinct which will provide the opportunity to live, work, play and travel in an integrated environment which embraces new urban design and green building principles.

Cradle City Business Park will include some 300 000 m2 of light industrial, warehousing and distribution space, as well as 5 000 m2 to 10 000 m2s of retail space. It will also include a restored wetland, about 140 000 m2 of office and business space and over 10 000 m2 of hotel developments.

Nedbank Corporate Property Finance divisional director of financiers Brian Roberts says: “This development is the first of its kind in South Africa, offering occupiers the oppor- tunity to live, work and fly from the same locality. The precinct is anchored by the top-class Lanseria International Airport and is one of the prime emerging nodes in the country, with development strongly supported by the local authorities and government.”

The development of Cradle City will be undertaken in six phases, with the northern elements of the precinct being developed first. The first phase will be Cradle City Business Park proper, with the second phase being a mixed-use area of some 178 ha, including medium- and high-density housing, commercial and retail opportunities and public facilities.
The northern precinct is termed the Green Coast, as it enjoys views towards the Magaliesburg and has natural features that include the Crocodile river and the Jukskei river.

A dynamic ‘city centre’ will be created in the southern precinct, linked seamlessly with the key elements of the development, and will include a regional retail centre with offices, apartments and other elements.
It is envisaged that Cradle City will become a complete destination, with everything required for high-quality, everyday living right on its doorstep in a sustainable environment which integrates with the amenities in its surrounding areas with ease.

“Sustainability demands that urban development is more compact, avoiding the urban sprawl that has been prevalent in South Africa and establishing a quality living and working environment,” says Amari development director Markus Kaps.