The North Coast is growing! We catch up with some of the top developers in Ballito to find out more about them and their exciting upcoming projects.
Murray Collins of Collins Residential
We catch up with the owner of Collins Residential, Murray Collins, about what he’s up to at the moment.
Tell us more about yourself as a developer.
Having been born into a family in property (H. Collins and Sons) and watching my dad on site my whole life, property has always been a big part of who I am. I started my working life as a broker and then the integration into property started when my brother and I started Collins Property Projects. A few years ago, we made some changes and sold Collins Property Projects to a company called Trade Hold, and it was then that my good friend Geoff Perkins convinced me to start in the residential side of things. As a result, Collins Residential has proudly launched developments such as Seaton Estate, Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate, Emberton Estate and Mount Edgecombe Retirement Village to name a few.
Do you feel that buyers’ wants and needs have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown?
We have been at the forefront of experiential estates, which we are exceptionally proud of. We have always known that we were ahead of the pack when it comes to estate living but we did, however, anticipate that the uptake of what we offer would take about five years for buyers to start re-evaluating their needs and seeing that we offer everything they could need from a gated community. COVID-19 hasn’t changed anything – it only just sped up the process. It has made people realise their needs and the importance of buying in a lifestyle estate.
Why did you choose the North Coast for your development(s)? Have you got anything exciting upcoming?
As a group, Collins Residential has identified the North Coast of KZN as a true focus area as it really is a treasure in SA. We have created a master plan that identifies key residential, lifestyle, education, retail and various other opportunities in which we are working with town planners and developers to ensure that the North Coast continues to be a sought-after and vibrant area within South Africa. The master plan will take many years to unfold and by developing the right partnerships, we are hoping to create something really remarkable.
www.collinsresidential.co.za
James Hesse of North Point Ballito
With a prime location on the N2 opposite Ballito’s new town centre, North Point is Ballito’s first considered business estate. We chat to James about what we can expect from this exciting new development.
Tell us more about North Point Ballito? What can we expect from the business estate?
North Point is a mixed-used commercial and light industrial business estate comprising of 51 serviced platforms. The area can expect North Point to be something that is fresh as well as dynamic in its approach and offering to the business community. The region is known for its outstanding residential developments and lifestyle amenities. With the town and regions having grown exponentially over the past two decades, we realised a growing need for a well-positioned, well-planned business estate that offers zoning flexibility to accommodate a wide range of industries and concepts. North Point Ballito is a tactical investment for companies in the trade, tech and logistics sectors.
Location is a huge drawcard for North Point. Could you expand on this a little?
Ballito ranks amongst Africa’s most affluent growth areas. There are over 100 000 economically active consumers within a 10-kilometre radius. Located between the N2 and R102 at the Shaka’s Head interchange, North Point offers immediate access and visibility to major roadways and networks. Possibly the greatest transformation between people and work since the previous industrial revolution is currently underway. Microsoft estimates that five years’ worth of automation progress has occurred in 2020 alone. Assisting the workforce to work more easily from where they live and helping employers in managing the process is fast becoming a major industry.
What is unique about this development?
The development offers a secure, easily accessible and architecturally consistent business environment. There are few places in SA that offer the opportunity to live and work with such an array of lifestyle and schooling options in such close proximity. North Point will be a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in the region. The broad zoning allows almost any industry or business to consider North Point as their choice of address. Despite the recent upheavals, the need for a tactical positioning in the industry will expand in an era to come. We believe in a community of forward-thinking businesses that belong at North Point.
www.northpointballito.co.za