28 September 2009
Plans to establish a R1.5-billion, purpose-built “telecommunications city” in Kuils River to the north of Cape Town has secured the support of the city government and local business-led organisations, and construction is currently planned for early 2010.
Stellendale Park, to be developed by Cape Town-based Visual International, will comprise buildings designed to host business process outsourcing (BPO) and contact centre operators, telecoms infrastructure to service the facility and surrounding areas, and data centres.
Substantial interest
The conceptual plan for the precinct shows eight buildings, most of which are seven floors high with a two-storey basement, including one building which is planned to be 20 to 30 floors high.
“At the moment, detailed design is being focused on the first building and will follow on a building-by-building basis,” project director Peter Grobbelaar told SAinfo this week.
The buildings will also cater for retail services – including coffee shops and restaurants – a creche, a hotel and a conference centre.
“The interest from the prospective telecommunication, [information communication technology] and data centre customers to take up space is very positive,” Grobbelaar said. “The first BPO customers show substantial interest, and suitability and site visits have already commenced.”
Business process outsourcing
The developers decided to target the BPO market as the sector is expected to grow both locally and internationally, while the South African government also offers support for BPO operators wanting to establish operations in the country.
“SA [is well positioned] to exploit this opportunity given our track record with suitable personnel, technology and infrastructure,” Grobbelaar said, adding that another factor encouraging investment was the country’s cost competitiveness.
Green buildings
As an added incentive, the developers are guaranteeing prospective tenants or purchasers a four-star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa, though they are confident of achieving five-star status.
“Green buildings” are energy efficient, resource efficient and environmentally responsible. Specific measures include better design to reduce heat and maximise natural light and fresh air circulation; using energy efficient lighting and air conditioning; and water-efficient plumbing and water harvesting.
The project has so far gained the support of the City of Cape Town, the local ratepayers association and local residents.
“The project is supported by Accelerate Cape Town as the catalytic BPO project supported by their members in terms of their Cape Town Vision 2030, which is aimed at making Cape Town a top 10 global city,” said Grobbelaar.
It has the full backing of Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPeSA) Western Cape, a non-profit agency dedicated to the development of the contact centre and BPO industry in Cape Town.
SAinfo reporter
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