ABOUT NEWLANDS CRICKET GROUND

Sanlam Properties and the Western Province Cricket Association have entered into a joint venture to upgrade the Newlands Cricket Ground and develop its northern precinct into a commercially viable and sustainable 21st century precinct.

The Newlands Cricket Ground (NCG) is an international, national and local treasure that has provided sporting theatre dating back to its inception in 1888. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic international cricket grounds in the world, due to its magnificent location. The primary goal of the development is to ensure that at all times Newlands Cricket Ground remains Africa’s premier international cricket ground.

The City of Cape Town has approved the rezoning of the NCG to transform it into a sustainable mixed-use sport, commercial, education and leisure-orientated precinct. In terms of these rights, the development will now yield an estimated 25 000 square metres of commercially viable gross leasable area.

The NCG will remain a working cricket ground where cricket-related activities enjoy preference.

The introduction of office, entertainment and retail activity will not compromise the key role of the property as an international cricket venue. Indeed, the must-see quality of the spectator experience on offer on a match day will be enhanced to secure the venue’s long-term viability.

In addition, the NCG will become one of Cape Town’s premier Transit Orientated Developments as it is directly connected to the Newlands Railway Station, the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, taxi zones and pedestrian and cycle lanes.

The first phase is expected to be completed in December 2020. The long-term plan will see further upgrades that will take the project into 2024.

We are pleased to announce that AdvTech has been signed up as the anchor tenant for the redeveloped Newlands.

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CONTACT US

Leasing Queries:

Heidi Raymer
083 261 9108
heidi@heico.co.za

Media Queries:

Marzaan Smith
021 553 0315
marzaan@theblueroom.co.za

General Queries:

    Historic Newlands Cricket Ground to become premium mixed-use precinctSanlam and WPCA secure deal to ensure sustainable Newlands

    Sanlam Properties and the Western Province Cricket Association have entered into a joint venture to develop the vacant northern section of the Newlands Cricket Ground (NCG). The objective of the joint venture is to transform the NCG, that currently lies dormant for 338 non-match playing days of the year, into a mixed-use precinct that bustles all-year round.

     

    Newly appointed WPCA Administrator, Prof Andre Odendaal, explains, “The Newlands Cricket Ground is an international, national and local treasure that has provided sporting theatre dating back to its inception in 1888. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic international cricket grounds in the world, due to its magnificent location. Our vision for some time has been to transform it into a busy, community relevant precinct which will ensure its future sustainability and enable the WPCA to fulfil its potential and obligations.”

     

    Sanlam Properties, with a property portfolio valued in excess of R10 billion, works with organisations like the WPCA to maximise the financial potential of their property assets through value-added programmes and management expertise. Ralph Wellhoner, Acting Head of Sanlam Properties, says, “This development is a high-calibre opportunity to unlock the latent potential of the Newlands Cricket Ground – both financially and socially – and it will have a hugely positive impact on the community.”

     

    In July 2016, the City of Cape Town approved the rezoning application to transform the Newlands Cricket Ground into a sustainable mixed-use sport, commercial, education and leisure-orientated precinct. The cricket field and surrounding seating were specifically excluded from any form of development. Excitingly, the NCG is poised to become one of Cape Town’s premier Transit Orientated Developments as it is directly connected to the Newlands Railway Station, the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system, taxi zones and pedestrian and cycle lanes.

     

    The over-riding principle of the development will be similar to that of the V&A Waterfront where commercial usage has been blended very successfully into a working harbour.  In much the same way, the NCG will remain a working cricket ground where cricket-related activities remain sacrosanct. The introduction of commercial, educational and entertainment activity will therefore not compromise the primary role of the property as an international cricket venue. Indeed, the must-see quality of the spectator experience on a match day will be enhanced, the tree-lined pedestrian journey will be improved and the pavilions that surround the field will be given a much-needed upgrade.  

     

    According to WPCA CEO, Nabeal Dien, “Newlands will retain its status as one of the most popular cricket venues in the world and will continue to serve as the seat of cricket development in the Western Province.  The WPCA is the custodian of cricket in the Western Cape, with an impressive 25 000 young amateur cricketers playing under its wings. Additional revenue earned from this joint venture with Sanlam will therefore enable the WPCA to grow cricket, expand its reach and improve the lives of the youth in the province.”

     

    Approximately 20 000 square metres of commercial and office space is being developed. Cafés, restaurants, a cricket museum and other exciting cricket-related facilities will form part of the new NCG. Sanlam will be funding 51% of the development and the WPCA has secured funding from Standard Bank for the remaining 49%. AdvTech, the JSE listed company, has signed up as an anchor tenant. The first phase is expected to be completed by December 2020. The long-term plan will see further upgrades that will take the project into 2024.