Durban’s latest mixed-use development is expected to attract about R10-billion in investment as the first property sales talks within the business estate section of the Bridge City development kick off.

The 60 ha Bridge City development, a joint venture between the eThekwini municipality and Tongaat Hulett, comprises a 43 ha mixed-use commercial and residential town centre and the recently released 17 ha business estate, about 17 km from the Durban port and 23 km from the King Shaka International Airport.

Tongaat Hulett development director Cyril Gwala said the Bridge City business estate – a greenfield development – was expected to “transform” the surrounding Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu communities and accounted for about R1-billion of the total investment potential.

A 4 ha site within the business estate has already been sold to the municipality for a new bus rapid transit depot, with several other active queries received.

The estate’s transport facilities included a new railway station and line, accommodating about 100 000 commuters daily once Bridge City was completed, as well as bus and taxi ranks.

The Bridge City development also hosts a regional Magistrate’s Court, which opened in May, and the 68 000 m² Bridge City shopping centre, which was currently tenanted by Spar, Woolworths, Edcon Group, Spur and Chicken Licken, besides others.

In addition to potential residential sites available above the shopping centre, existing subdivided and saleable sites are available for mixed-use multistorey residential, retail and office space opposite the shopping centre.

Ithala Bank has secured a site between the court and a proposed hospital for a mixed-use development.

Construction of a much-delayed R1.2-billion, 450-bed public regional hospital was expected to start within two years. The piling and services have already been completed.

The town centre sites priced from R950/m² retail bulk and R300/m² of residential bulk, but prices were being reviewed.

The price of sites within the business estate would start from R1 400/m² of platform area, depending on the topography and the needs of individual investors.