Regarded as the highest profile investment project in Soweto, it will include the redevelopment of Soweto's famous landmarks - the Orlando Power Station building and cooling towers - into a retail and entertainment centre. There are also plans to build 700 housing units and, in a first for the township, lakeside flats. The total size of the precinct is 300 hectares.
Right: Artists impression of the new Orlando Power Station Mall In all, 90 000m² of land will be developed, including the Orlando Power Station, the Orlando Dam and the Sontonga Koppie on the University of Johannesburg's Soweto campus.
The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), managers of the project, will integrate a number of projects into Orlando Ekhaya, and the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) will develop 250 social housing units within the vicinity of the precinct.
'This will include a new convenience retail strip on Old Potch Road,' says Alan Dinnie, Orlando Ekhaya project manager. 'A new railway line and station will also be constructed.'
To ensure the precinct is 'proudly Sowetan', all developments will be undertaken by consortia with a minimum 35 percent black economic empowerment (BEE) shareholding and by Soweto-based business.
A comprehensive study of the land has been done and the City of Johannesburg has approved a budget of about R50-million, spread over three years, for the start of the project, according to Dinnie.
He says the development will offer residents of Soweto shopping and entertainment opportunities that have been almost entirely limited to Johannesburg, particularly its northern suburbs. It is envisaged it will change the way people view Johannesburg's largest township.
'The vision is to create a destination that is legendary, dynamic and, most importantly, authentically Sowetan,' Dinnie says.
Orlando Power Station
Left: The Orlando Power Station towers are due for a major upgrade.It's not the first time that plans to revamp these premises have been put forward. The power station was a source of electricity for Johannesburg suburbs for years, but was closed down because of high operational costs.
In 2002 there were proposals to turn the power station building, now derelict but described as a 'magnificent structure', into a museum celebrating the social and political history of Soweto. Those plans, however, fell through.
Under the present plans the power station building will be turned into a massive retail centre at a cost of more than R500 000. The existing building will be converted into a mixed-use development comprising of 24 000m² of retail shops, 14 000m² of office space and 14 000m² of stylish loft apartments.
In order to retain the heritage value of the building, the structure will be incorporated into the redevelopment.
The shops will be 'lifestyle and destination focused' to pander to the 'coffee culture'. Plans to develop a new jazz club based on the rich traditions of jazz in Orlando are being investigated by Dijalo Property Services and Old Mutual Properties.
'After the conversion, the power station will rival other international power station conversions like the Tate Modern Museum in London,' Dinnie says.
'This mixed-use development is probably the largest being considered in South Africa and will provide an opportunity for people to live, work and play in a unique and desirable location.'
A consortium comprising of Old Mutual Properties, Standard Bank, Linsela Holdings and a new BEE trust to be formed out of Soweto-based businesses, will redevelop the building.
Orlando housing
Construction of 700 two- and three-bedroom middle-income houses by Katavi Housing, an empowerment group, is scheduled to begin in April 2006.
The group is expected to come up with a townhouse development 'authentically Soweto while remaining aspirational, rather than continuing the trend of importing designs from foreign countries', according to Dinnie.
After completion, units are expected to sell from R200 000 to R400 000 each.
Extreme Heights Centre
The two Orlando Power Station cooling towers will get a new, mind-boggling development - the two brightly painted towers, which rise 100m above the ground, will be developed into a permanent Extreme Heights Centre featuring the only bungee jump in the world to be performed inside a building structure.
There will also be rock climbing and abseiling activities that will give extreme sports fanatics a chance to test their nerves.
A viewing platform will be built around the rim of the towers giving visitors a stunning view of Soweto and the surround area. A plan is under way to open the centre temporarily towards the end of 2006.
Elangeni
In another first for Soweto, a permanent outdoor events stage will be developed on the south shore of Orlando Dam. The 30 000 capacity venue will be developed at a cost of R100-million by a consortium of Soweto businessmen, event organisers Elangeni Property Investment and the JPC.
Based on the success of the popular annual Spice Gold Beach Party, which draws more than 30 000 revellers each year, the facility will include three restaurants, one to be developed in partnership with local shebeen owners, and a conference centre. There is a possibility that Jozi FM, Soweto's community radio station, may find its new home at the venue as well.
Once complete, Minanawe, the Spice Gold Beach Party organisers, hope to use the venue for regular performances by local and international artists.
The dam is also a popular resort for canoeing and other water sports. A clubhouse to host the existing Soweto Canoe Club and other water-based activities, will be incorporated in the development.
Dinnie says the venue is expected to be completed in time for the 2008 beach party.
University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus
Formerly known as Vista University, the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus will be expanded to incorporate Sontonga Koppie as part of the Orlando Ekhaya developments.
The university 'will ensure a carefully planned ecological and pedestrian link between the koppie and the dam', Dinnie says.
'Visitors to Orlando will be able to enjoy both of these natural marvels in a single integrated experience … It is exciting that within two years Soweto will boast a world-class destination that will signify the transformation of South African townships into vibrant cities.'
Gugu Mazibuko, the managing director of the JPC, says the Orlando Ekhaya project is the most ambitious ever to be undertaken in Soweto.
'[Orlando Ekhaya] will transform the area into a sought-after destination for investment, business and tourism.'
Article and photographs courtesy of www.joburg.org.za.
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