A modern R84 billion development enhanced with smart city elements is destined for the centre of Gauteng's cities of Sandton, Kempton Park, Bedfordview and Midrand. This metropolis will be named “Modderfontein New City” and is set to become the central spine of a new modern tech savvy heart to Africa's powerhouse, Gauteng.
Artist's impression of the proposed Modderfontein New City.This is according to David Ingle, Seeff’s Managing Director in Edenvale, Bedfordview and Modderfontein, who says plans for this city have been made public following the sale where AECI sold 1 600 hectares of land and buildings, as well as Heartland Properties, to developer Shanghai Zendai, who are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
The development will be carried forward by the firm’s local subsidiary, Zendai Development South Africa (ZDSA).
The area will be developed into a mixed-use hub and current plans include a financial district, upwards of 30 000 houses, a university precinct, several office and industrial nodes, medical facilities, hotels and shopping centres and warehousing and industrial parks.
Ingle says in addition, ZDSA is also working toward creating a ‘heritage precinct’ in the old part of the village.
According to the company’s web page, the vision for the proposed city is to re-energise this growth node by creating sustainable developments which offer an ideal environment for business, industry and communities to prosper and grow.
The development of the city will also create around 200 000 jobs during the project lifecycle.
Ingle says he envisages Modderfontein New City to be an ultra First World city integrated into the heart of Gauteng's landscape, setting the benchmark for first world African living.
The proposed education precinct artist's impression. The area will be developed into a mixed-use hub and current plans include a financial district, upwards of 30 000 houses, a university precinct, several offices and industrial nodes.“Residential offerings predicted for the city include a mix of luxury apartments, sectional title complexes and free standing cluster style homes. Retirement offerings are planned; these will be linked to amenities suited to this type of development.”
Alongside Modderfontein New City to the west lies Linbro Park that consists of a number of residential and agricultural stands measuring between one and two hectares each on average, says Ingle.
“This precinct is set to house upward of 10 000 new homes on top of those planned for Modderfontein and there is already much interest in the area with land prices doubling in the last three years alone.”
He says property prices in the area indicate a 300% increase in value over the last eight years.
The northern boundary of the new Modderfontein precinct is adjacent to Century City's development in the North along their southern boundary. "This forms a modern city spine in the heart of Gauteng's economic corridor,” he says.
The Modderfontein area is also traversed by the Gautrain with a proposed new station situated in the city centre of Modderfontein. The platforms for the station were constructed during the initial phases of the Gautrain line construction.
Ingle says from the proposed Gautrain station you will be able to reach Centurion or any other station on the line within a maximum of 12 minutes. Not only will this make travelling easier, less time-consuming and affordable by eliminating e-tolls and fuel bills, but it will doubtlessly also improve productivity in the workplace.
“All things considered, Modderfontein New City will be a game changer for the future prosperity of Gauteng.”
He says although the north-east of Johannesburg has been previously considered as underdeveloped, a fresh sense of activity is emerging with the ongoing success of Linbro Park and future prospects of Modderfontein New City.
All this expansion offers an ideal opportunity to astute developers to choose from an array of investments from which they will most probably benefit significantly in the near future.
