R125-million development planned for Pinetown
The new NMI-DSM building project is anticipated to generate approximately 250 short-term jobs during construction.
NMI Durban South Motors (Pty) Ltd, through their property company, Rapiprop, is currently in the process of developing a new, state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler showroom and workshop facilities on the property on the intersection of Caversham and Hagart Roads in Pinetown.
The property previously housed a textile factory, which burned down a few years ago, leaving derelict buildings on the property for a number of years. Rapiprop has since acquired the property and demolished the derelict buildings and is in the process of constructing the bulk earthworks platforms for the two facilities.
According to Wilanda Stubbs, the dealer principal of NMI-DSM, the Mercedes-Benz facility will be a multi-level, 10 100m² building and will be the first dealership in the country to incorporate the latest Mercedes-Benz brand specifications. The Chrysler facility will also be a multi-storey building, around 3 500m² in extent and will accommodate the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Fiat and Alfa brands.
“Both buildings have been designed to include the latest technology for green buildings and sustainable developments, from recycling the crushed material obtained from the previous buildings on the property to the latest technology in photovoltaic energy generation and water recycling and rainwater harvesting,” said Stubbs.
The total capital cost of the development will be around R125-million, and the project is anticipated to generate approximately 250 short-term jobs during construction, with the emphasis on empowerment and a targeted minimum Level 4 B-BBEE rating for the entire project. Construction of the new buildings commenced in March this year, with the facilities anticipated to become operational in February next year.
Stubbs added that the land size is 14 500m². There will be 366 parking bays. The Mercedes-Benz facility will be four stories high, and the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge (CJD) will be two stories. The two companies are expecting to employ approximately 110 employees.
Mercedes-Benz will have 21 workshop bays, and also facilitate glass and tyre fitment by in-house experts. CJD will have seven workshop bays and both facilities will be able to accommodate approximately 70 cars a day for repairs and servicing. The Mercedes-Benz showroom will accommodate approximately 50 cars, whereas CJD would have the capacity for 30 showroom vehicles.
Stubbs, said: “It’s very exciting. The move is simply for more space. The new development will be good for the community there as well as for business, as it is well-located and will provide growth for new employment,” said Stubbs.
