While there is buzz around Gauteng’s new R84 billion smart mega city being built in Modderfontein, another high-budget development is taking place east of Pretoria.

Dubbed “The East Capital”, the Hazeldean development is a R44 billion project adopted and approved by the Tshwane metropolitan district.

It is being developed by the Hazeldean Consortium, comprising development giant Abland and Sable Homes.

The city will be accessed off the N4, and will see the development of a new R90 million road – the PWV17 – which will link the N4 and the R21. Known as Hazeldean Boulevard, the road should start construction in 2016.

The land held by the consortium covers 950 hectares. The project spans residential, commercial, retail, utility and mixed-use zones.

The development’s master plan includes a 100,000 square meter mall, along with hospitals, more educational facilities, retail and hospitality and tourism buildings.

The Hazeldean Consortium is also in negotiations with the Gautrain Management Agency to motivate a Gautrain landing station in Hazeldean as part of the next phase of rollouts for the transport system.

Feasibility studies into the possible 140km extension of the system are expected to begin in early 2015.

Several developments have already been completed in the area, including residential areas, estates, Hazeldean Square shopping mall, office parks, schools and a retirement village.

Internet infrastructure

According to Abland’s Hendrik van Zyl, the development has a hybrid of Telkom lines and fibre solutions in place.

“In our model developments within Hazeldean we have Fibre-to-the-Home, installed, managed and backed by ATEC systems and technologies.”

“We offer telephony, data and IPTV to our residents, and we are expanding on this model as it becomes feasible on the various developments,” Van Zyl said.

He noted that Abland has also received approval for a wireless mast to be installed, but the group is waiting for final approval before proceeding.

“Furthermore we are in negotiations with Telkom for a gated fibre product,” he said.

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