CENTURY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS: Big Horizons in Sight

In its prime, Johannesburg CBD was the economic heartbeat of the nation, and arguably the continent. Staggering wealth, unrivalled skills, and unrelenting ambition called the towers of Jozi home. A dense collection of skyscrapers command the skyline and Johannesburg is still recognised internationally for its historic contribution to global industry and cultural heritage. But parts of the city itself are dilapidated. Heritage buildings have been left to decay. And infrastructure has been underinvested. While it remains a vibrant and important global centre, with enviable architecture, the business community is increasingly looking north for places to call home.

The suburbs between Johannesburg and Pretoria have received major investment over the past three decades and while Johannesburg is the known name, much of Gauteng’s – and South Africa’s – vital business is done in Midrand, Rosebank, Sandton, Centurion and other growing nodes outside of the traditional CBDs.

Well-connected by road, in wide open spaces, and with booming industry in every direction, there is no question of economic activity in the region. Shiny glass facades adorn the HQs of global financial services companies in Sandton, and powerful sports cars sit on forecourts waiting for new owners. There’s money and there’s opportunity.

But it hasn’t always been this way. Rosebank, Bedfordview, Sandton and others previously begged the Johannesburg City Council to be included in municipal structures and while the council was unsure based on its budget, agreements were made. Residential developments quickly bought new life to the northern suburbs and companies followed.

The ongoing development of the region is impressive. Property developers often take a nodal approach, buying up swathes of land and developing entirely new neighbourhoods. Waterfall City, Modderfontein, Sunninghill, Melrose, and others have all benefited in a big way from investment. Businesses have set up new offices, international organisations have established an African presence, and the perceived safety and exclusivity of being close, but not too close, to the old CBD has added to the area’s appeal.

RIVERSANDS

In Riversands, to the west of Midrand, Century Property Development is doing great things to urbanise, uplift, and beautify.

The company, founded in 1975 as a developer of shopping centres, has broadened its scope and is now well-recognised for commercial and residential developments. The strength of Century comes through its people – South African property experts. The value, design, and proven return-on-investment has driven the Century brand, and the standard of completed projects has delighted clients whether home buyers or businesses.

Century’s portfolio is impressive. Work in Waterfall City has demonstrated the capital flight and urban blight of the CBD as major organisations have relocated to the once-farmland site in droves. The company boasts the 140-hectare Waterfall Equestrian Estate, the Waterfall Country Estate, the 198-retirment home Waterfall Hills Mature Lifestyle Community, the 24-hectrare Waterfall Valley, the 43-hectare Carlswald Lifestyle Estate in Midrand, the 192 Hilltop Loft Apartments in Carlswald, and many more.

“In each of our projects, we have provided investors with a valuable asset of enduring quality and integrity,” the company states.

“Our campaigns are centred on family values, as wholesome living sets the tone for Century Property Developments’ uniquely South African lifestyle estates.”

In the commercial space, Riversands is a headline for Century. Spacious modern offices are perfectly located for access to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and surrounding towns as well as airports and highways that connect to Durban and the rest of South Africa.

“Riversands Outlet Park offers premium office, showroom, warehouse, and light industrial spaces to clients looking to make an iconic brand statement and find the ideal home for your business. Located in Riversands Commercial Park, Fourways, Gauteng, these premises tick all the boxes in terms of accessibility, visibility, technology and security,” the company says.

REDEFINING MIXED-USE

This is welcomed by major clients, including Massmart, who set up a Distribution Centre in Riversands to serve the entire Gauteng region. Wallmart brand Makro is also an anchor tenant in the area, a 240-hectare site developed in phases.

“Over 30% of Massmart stores are based in Gauteng so this facility will give us the opportunity to deliver fast moving products to these stores at greater speed, thanks to the use of full pallets, with no need for re-packing inside the facility,” said Jonathan Molapo, Chief Operating Officer at Massmart.

Century has no doubt about the significance of Riversands from a commercial perspective: “A development that is already redefining mixed-use neighbourhoods in southern Africa.

“Riversands has been identified as a focus area for strategic investments and will be used as a catalyst for the further economic and social development in the north.

“The development is set to become the preferred commercial address in northern Johannesburg with innovations like the Riversands Incubation Hub gaining the development much attention and praise,” the company says.

Century has deployed its full skillset at Riversands. Not only creating the Outlet Park and impressive commercial spaces, but also in the residential market, ensuring the business community has space for employees to live and play.

The Parks is the new home in the area for those seeking safe, secure, and value for money. 1960 bachelor, one, two and three-bed apartments close to Steyn City and beyond, this is a lifestyle location that is far beyond what is available in traditional centres.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTS

Critically, the Incubation Hub at Riversands is up and running and boasts a 40,000 m² campus for businesses and entrepreneurs to develop and grow. Century is a founding partner and co-funder of the organisation which began as an NPO in 2015. Providing a range of services to enable local organisations, and businesses from across South Africa, the Hub is already supporting a range of different business on their journey from inception to scale, creating employment that lasts.  

This is how Century goes beyond to make a difference. While Johannesburg CBD will always be packed, the new suburbs that the private sector is building will allow for business incubation, safety, charitable work, and – ultimately – sustainability.

“Century Property Developments has set aside 60 hectares of valuable land in Riversands, where seeds indigenous to Southern Africa are propagated and planted out as seedlings, and then replanted to Century’s various developments. Last year, the Century nursery has cultivated over 400,000 indigenous plants and trees. This is in addition to the more than one million indigenous trees already propagated and planted in its current developments. This nursery employs 30 people who are responsible for the propagation of some 50,000 trees and plants a month,” the company says.

As more and more land is opened up in Gauteng, and as more and more people look to the region for a ‘live, work, play’ existence, Riversands and others have become to go-to. Century Property Developments is leading the way in developing sustainably, and the connectedness and quality of construction means that, hopefully, there will be no long-term flight and the northern suburbs will continue to grow for many decades to come.