Artist’s impressions of the Docklands Hotel, which is due to open in May.
Durban Point Waterfront, at the entrance to the biggest port in Africa, will soon welcome two new world-class hotels to its mixed-use development.
The new additions will be primed to host local and foreign guests during the World Cup and beyond, says Alan Vels, managing director of Signature Life Hotels.
“Construction of the Docklands Hotel and the Anchorage Hotel began simultaneously last year, and the Docklands Hotel will open in May. The new additions will help transform a previously dilapidated Durban precinct into a multi-billion rand investment gem,” says Vels.
“It was a natural progression to have hospitality developments in this re-generation precinct, as a number of nearby attractions and the beaches lend themselves to drawing leisure and business tourists.
“The entire node has been developed to include a mix of business and residential complexes in the area. Also, with some inner city hotels downsizing and downgrading, there was a need for new business hotels on the Durban beachfront area.”
A major drawcard of the Durban Point Waterfront is its proximity to places of interest and its prime location, says Logi Naidoo, acting chairman of the Durban Point Development Company and deputy mayor of Ethekwini Municipality.
“Durban Point Waterfront is adjacent to the R735 million U’Shaka Marine Theme Park, which is a major tourist attraction. It has easy access to the beachfront and is within a 10km radius of the Moses Mabhida stadium,” says Naidoo.
The R110 million four-star Docklands Hotel will have 81 rooms, a restaurant and four conference rooms, seating a total of 400 people.
The R60 million Anchorage Hotel is part of the Life Hotels brand and has 63 rooms, a restaurant and a conference room, which also seats 400 people. This hotel is due to open later this year.
“The Durban Point Waterfront is one of South Africa’s most significant and exciting property development and investment projects, and the addition of these world-class hotels is evidence of this,” says Colin Sher, sales and marketing manager of Durban Point Development Company and managing director of the Broll Property Group KwaZulu-Natal.
More than R1.8 billion has already been spent on development at Durban Point Waterfront, and the final investment figure is estimated to be about R6 billion. The development will include a 44 000 m2 entertainment and lifestyle shopping centre, and different elements in phase one are in various stages of completion, planning and construction.
Call Colin Sher on 031 337 3460.
