ABLAND: Ground-breaking Approach to Property Development

 the heart of Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD), property development continues, with stunning new buildings alongside incredible renovations providing living spaces designed to inspire.

The Mother City, from the backdrop of Table Mountain forward to the exciting Foreshore and V&A Waterfront, is a vital organ in the South African system and growing and improving it has become essential. Primary property development business, Abland, is taking the lead, pumping money, expertise and fervour into a brilliant new project on Loop Street.

While some companies wound activity back as a result of the pandemic, Abland displayed strength, following a carefully crafted strategy and achieving goals in the toughest of times.

 “We have had an interesting year, but things have calmed down and we are back on track,” Director, Grant Silverman tells Enterprise Africa.

“During the hard lockdown, we were doing nothing. Companies got a big fright and then everyone got used to working from home, and then they realised it’s not always efficient to have all your staff working at home. Companies have realised that there must be a balance. The old school way of thinking about being in the office all the time is over – technology is here.

“We have just started construction on the Rubik which is our mixed-use development. We have broken ground and anticipate completion in August 2023. It will be made up of 79 residential units and that will be split between one, two and three bedrooms. Just below the residential will be 5000m² of offices. We will also have retail on the site.

“The development itself has state-of-the-art security and access control with separate entrance and lifts for the commercial and residential. The residential area on the roof will have fantastic panoramic views of Cape Town and Table Mountain with a rooftop braai and pool area. We have designed the building to be as energy efficient as possible.”

THE RUBIK

With one-bedroom apartments starting at R2,180,000, the project is expected to drive the market for a new style of living in central Cape Town – secure, comfortable, and aspirational.

Demolition and earthworks began in 2019 and construction started earlier this year. The building will be double glazed, with an air-conditioning system that does not use water evaporation for cooling, energy efficient lighting and water heating systems that complement Green Star initiatives.

This R500 million development is expected to enhance the city’s live, work, play feel and offers the chance for businesses and investors to generate good returns, while also delivering high-quality residential units for those looking to buy on a sectional title basis.

Apartments have floor to ceiling windows to make the most of light and views, winelands and beaches are close by, and Loop Street sits in the centre of cosmopolitan Cape Town, recognised by The Telegraph as the Best City in the World for seven years running to 2019.

Abland recently completed another high-profile development in Cape Town, the 35 Lower Long building which is home to 4-star green rated P-Grade office space. The 86-metre glass clad tower is a far cry from the 80s-built structure that previously sat on the site.

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) has certified hundreds of structures around the country, but there remains major scope for improvement. Abland has made its intentions regarding its footprint clear and aims to be a developer of choice when it comes to first-class environmental standards.

“Buildings will definitely shift as the move goes more to green star buildings – we have made the change to go with more efficient buildings already. That will be a big focus going forward. As developers, we have always carried a bad rep around not caring as much for the environment, but the opposite is true; we take it very seriously and it is something that we always look at,” states Silverman.

PROPERTY EXPERTS

Historically, Abland is an expert in the delivery of a range of property development projects. The company has expertise across all industry spheres and is recognised as a mark of quality.

“Abland is a privately-owned company that has been around for 35 years,” details Silverman. “Our developments in South Africa are focussed around Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, we also have a few developments in Durban. As one of the largest developers in the country, we do handle developments everywhere, in all the provinces.

“The main focus for us in the past was office space and office developments, and we still do that today – from office parks all the way through to high-rise buildings. Over the years, we have completed a number of industrial developments and distribution centres, warehouses, manufacturing centre, data centres, and more.”

Currently, he reports, there is a large focus on the retail sector. “It includes shopping malls and convenience shopping centres. We have opened two this year and we have broken ground on another three. We have a fantastic pipeline of retail centres.”

Abland has also proven its worth in other industries, successfully completing hotels, car showrooms, and fitness centres. “We are now a general developer and we have completed most of what you can do in the property sector,” smiles Silverman.

A major factor behind the company’s success is its ability to foster flourishing and lasting relationships. Working alongside contractors, landowners, financial institutions and a host of other stakeholders, Abland is collaborative and does not drive a one size fits all solution.

“We enjoy partnering and we partner with institutions, funds, smaller developers and more. We use each other’s expertise and they like the way we structure our deals. We partner with everybody; we are not a company that comes in and takes over. We are very much a team player,” confirms Silverman.

GROWING PIPELINE

As South Africa deals with its fourth Covid wave, albeit more understood, many companies are still nervous. But Abland has taken an optimistic stance, starting projects and furthering its pipeline.

“We are growing, there are a lot of developments in South Africa,” Silverman confirms. “Looking at our pipeline, it is very exciting. The larger companies are looking to the future and many of them have right-sized while going into new and more efficient buildings. We have engaged a lot of the multinationals where they have asked us to rationalise the space they have. In the old days, nice big spaces with everyone having their own room was common but we have all now learnt to work from home and balance the flexi working lifestyle. People will go back to the office and that will be good for us.

“We have a number of developments in the ground now,” he adds. “We are busy with a few offices, and we have the S&J Industrial Estate development which is a big industrial park in the east of Johannesburg – that has gained fantastic traction. In Cape Town, we have just finished a fantastic high-rise in the foreshore which is now fully let. And then we have Atlantic Hills industrial development on the N7 which is progressing well.”

The S&J Industrial Estate is described by Abland as the ‘benchmark for industrial precincts in South Africa’, covering 210 hectares, and home to logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution centres. Atlantic Hills is an industrial development with easy access to Cape Town harbour. The 44-hectare site will be merged into the City of Cape Town’s Integrated Transport System providing public transport access from Milnerton, Parklands, Plattekloof and Durbanville.

“Industrial will grow as all of the big retailers move online to make it easier for people to get things delivered to their door,” says Silverton.

Part of the larger Abcon Group, Abland draws knowledge from across the entire property industry, sharing insight with realtor, property management, residential, and asset management divisions. The Abcon Group’s 150 people are experts and the company keeps its internal operations lean to drive efficiencies.

PROUDLY SOUTH ARICAN

With most now expecting the disastrous market conditions created by the pandemic to be a thing of the past, and with many expecting inflows of foreign investment as the Rand price becomes attractive, the property development industry is ripe for quick recovery and growth. The construction industry is a major driver of the economy and a job creator, and the government will be quick to fund investment into this area. Major successes from the likes of Waterfall City, Steyn City, and Century City are encouraging prospects to be turned into projects quickly, and Abland is ready to assist.

“We want to grow where we can,” admits Silverman. “We are a proudly South African company and we are here to stay for the long-run. Everyone was under pressure through the last year, but we were fortunate we had some projects in the ground. We are growing and people will move back to offices. All those people who gave up offices or downsized will come back to the market and that will improve our position further.

“We did manage to get through it, I wouldn’t say unscathed, but it’s upwards and onwards from here,” he adds. “We have projects in the ground, we are breaking new ground, and we’ll take it from there.”

The excitement generated in Cape Town, and at other sites around the country, are helping to fuel interest in Abland, and interest in the industry. Right now, with so much pressure and uncertainty in markets, it pays to partner with a symbol of strength. Abland remains confident.

“We will keep going, breaking new ground, building buildings and working on industrial, retail or wherever the need is,” concludes Silverman.