Master developers, The Amdec Group, whose current property portfolio places the company among the country’s largest independent property developers and investors, are transforming an undeveloped swath of land in Port Elizabeth into a shiny, new ‘town-meets country’ neighbourhood the likes of which has never before been experienced in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.
The R7-billion mega development will transform a formerly derelict and isolated 128-ha pocket of the city, conveniently situated on a main arterial route north of the Old Cape Road and located in close proximity to the newly developed Baywest Mall.
Named Westbrook, located 12 km west of the Port Elizabeth CBD, the new neighbourhood has been aptly named both as a result of its positioning and the many watercourses to be found within the suburb.
Backed by the experience and expertise of Amdec’s 26 years of developing South Africa’s most successful places to live, work, play, Westbrook will comprise 3,500 residential homes spread across nine residential villages. Each village will provide a wonderful variety of homes, apartments and townhouses – plus a retirement lifestyle estate and charming retail village office component, medical centre, ‘town centre’ and an already established private Curro school.
“When you create a suburb from scratch,” says Amdec Development Director, Cobus Bedeker, “you’re able to forge a 21st century mixed-use community; to perfectly create appropriately scaled homes for young and old alike – and to determine what public spaces they want to spend time in and what amenities are important to them.” He continues, “We have an amazing opportunity here and we’re thrilled to be able to unlock it. This will have a sizeable impact on the region!”
Catering to a variety of lifestyle needs, and supporting the ‘new urbanism’ principles on which previous Amdec developments have successfully been created, the heart of Westbrook will feature a 160,000-m2 mixed-use node housing a leading medical facility, comprehensive retail offering and business park. All this, plus the added convenience of a ‘walk to work’ reality, with over 40,000 m2 of premium office and commercial space connected by lush parklands, criss-crossed with pedestrian and cyclist-friendly lanes and pathways.
“As part of our vision to change the way people live in PE, we’re looking to create spaces and places that will uplift and inspire the human spirit. This means new homes, fresh designs, innovative ways of living and viewing life,” says Bedeker. “The suburb will comprise 30 hectares of open space that ideally lends itself to expansive parks, picturesque walkways, bicycle paths and children’s play areas – the things that promise to make this suburb so unique!”
Eighty percent of the bulk infrastructure and services (roads, sewers, water, electricity etc.) on this sprawling development have already been established, while nine show houses forming part of the first residential phase, The Ridge, have also been completed and are now available for viewing. Designed by well-known architect, Lance Kinnear, these homes reflect an attractive contemporary village style, all comprising three bedrooms and two bathrooms and ranging in price from R1 million to R1, 5 million.
Four of the nine planned residential estates (including The Ridge) will be launched on this sprawling development over the next 12 months. Each will cater to a wide spectrum of real estate needs – with house prices ranging from R 800,000 to R2 million.
The Westbrook village retail centre will also be launched shortly, and the already existing Curro school will experience further expansion to provide a full and comprehensive school (preprimary to matric).
Designed to raise the benchmark for premium mixed-use estates in South Africa, security at Westbrook is being taken into consideration at every stage of the development process. Twenty-four-hour Westbrook security patrol vehicles will circulate both within and around the perimeter of the estate, visitor access will be managed through state-of-the art CCTV and all Westbrook estate access points monitored by dedicated Westbrook security guards
Enabling residents the enviable ability to live, work, play and learn in a secure, beautiful, and convenient environment, Amdec looks set to deliver to Port Elizabeth a thriving community-rich environment, backed by a solid commitment to quality and sustainability.
More information from Katharine Neill, Tel: +27(0)21 702 3200 / www.amdec.co.za
