Recognising the demand for more luxury living and office space within the stylish and centrally located Melrose Arch precinct, Amdec has responded with the development of both upmarket apartments and exclusive rooftop office space.
The latest phase of Melrose Arch, the striking R2-billion One on Whiteley, includes the first Marriott branded properties in South Africa – the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch and Marriott Executive Apartments Melrose Arch. It will also include a health club and luxury motor retail, and eagerly awaited luxury residential apartments.
“An apartment at Melrose Arch is more than an asset, it’s an investment into the ultimate lifestyle experience, and the good news is that more people will now be able to participate in this experience with construction of One on Whitely is due to commence in May 2016,” says Nicholas Stopforth, joint MD of Amdec Property Developments.
Amdec Group, recognised as South Africa’s leading developer of New Urban lifestyles, has used its 26 years of experience in the property industry for its visionary projects like the iconic Melrose Arch mixed-use precinct in Johannesburg, the newly-launched The Yacht Club development on Cape Town’s waterfront and its award-winning Evergreen Lifestyle retirement villages.
One on Whiteley boasts 178 exclusive upmarket apartments with the highest quality finishes, including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as penthouses. The designs are intended to be flexible to match the lifestyle of residents, and include both simplexes and duplexes. Amdec has released the apartments for sale on the first four of One of Whiteley’s six floors.
“With the development of One on Whiteley, we are growing our community, introducing new consumer markets and creating even more great reasons to visit Melrose Arch. In addition, everything that residents need, including upmarket restaurants, entertainment, doctors, dentists, gyms, commercial outlets and a host of international fashion and retail offerings, and offices, are all within easy walking distance,” he says.
Stopforth believes that these are just a few of the many factors driving the powerful demand for residential property at Melrose Arch. “People want to be here for the safety and security Melrose Arch offers, as well as all of the amenities and convenience. They want the full experience.”
The same goes for leading businesses.
In addition, Amdec is extending five office buildings situated around the well-known Melrose Arch Piazza with an additional floor that is set to redefine boutique corporate space in Melrose Arch. The 4 800 sqm of new office space will be constructed from industrial steel and glass, providing a chic executive aesthetic and great views of the precinct and its surroundings.
“The original design of these Melrose Arch Piazza office buildings always included a top floor, now we are crowning them as always intended,” says Stopforth.
He adds that all the lifts and cores of the buildings in the Piazza were originally installed to serve the new top floor, now this development will boost Melrose Arch’s offices to new heights. Construction on the rooftop office development has already commenced.
With a high representation of blue-chip companies, including such well-known brands as DuPont, Bidvest Group, Lonmin, British Airways, Royal Bafokeng Holdings, Stanlib and Worley Parsons, Melrose Arch is the ultimate address in Johannesburg to conduct business.
“Demand for office space at Melrose Arch continues to be strong, with low vacancy levels. Its corporate appeal is enhanced by the many facilities it houses for businesses and their employees. With two internationally renowned hotels, and a third being added, as well as a host of quality restaurants, Melrose Arch is particularly popular with multinational businesses,” Stopforth says.
He adds: “Currently, Melrose Arch has effectively no vacant office space and, with the good levels of demand for space here, we expect the new rooftop offices to be substantially let prior to completion. All five rooftop office suites will be complete before the end of the year, with the first set to finish as early as September this year.
