The face of the city centre is changing. Several projects are either being planned or already under way to boost inner-city development.

One of those is a multimillion rand building development on the edge of the CBD.

The former Telkom site at the corner of Beatrix Street and Soutpansberg Road is set to be transformed after Absa signed a lease agreement of 10 years and started work on the R47 million building project.

When completed, it will be the bank's regional home loans headquarters.

Hein van Greunen, general manager of the Northern Region Absa home loans centre, said the move out of the Church Street building to the new site, near the now-empty Pretoria Academic Maternity Hospital, would allow an expansion of the centre. The new site is 9 200m2.

"We chose the location because of land availability and its central location," he said.

He said this was ideal because it was accessible to people using both public and private transport, with a taxi rank nearby and ample parking space being planned.

Van Greunen said Absa wanted to have a functional building that would accommodate their customers and use this to contribute to inner-city development.

Khwela City CEO Dawie de Villiers said the project was a joint venture between his company and Abland Manapa.

Abland Manapa had previously worked on the 22 000m² SAPS Maupa Naga building, which cost R112 million, and the SAPS Crime Prevention Autumn Star building, which cost R46 million.

Van Greunen said the relocation of the home loans centre would require a transfer of all staff and the hiring of new employees.

The building will also have a canteen, an open-plan design and recreational space for staff.

Khwela City financial director David Hewer said construction was due to be completed by the end of this year.

Other major developments in the city include the new State library, under construction in Andries Street, and the Department of Public Administration's newly refurbished offices.

The Department of Public Works also has plans for a new building for the Department of Education in Struben Street next to the Civitas building, which itself is undergoing a major refurbishment.

And, De Villiers said, the Department of Public Works had already leased ground next to the Absa home loans centre for a new head office for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The Tshwane Metro Council is also working on plans for the upliftment of the city centre. These include a taxi complex in Bloed Street.

In addition, private developers are converting office blocks into flats.

Pretoria News - 6 March 2007