The Minister of Public Works, Dean MacPherson, announced plans to reconstruct the long-unused Telkom Towers complex in Pretoria. The estimated cost of this project is between 1.8 and 2.2 billion rand, and all nine buildings will undergo major renovation.
During a press briefing on Thursday, MacPherson stated that the department has finalized a memorandum of understanding with the Infrastructure Financial Support and Implementation Agency (IFISA). A Request for Information (RFI) is expected to be released to the market next week.
This request will seek market input regarding the technical upgrade and modernization of the complex, potential public-private partnership models, commercial viability and financing, as well as the long-term operation and maintenance of the property.
According to MacPherson, upon completion of the work, the department will gain 106,000 square meters of total leasable space, which can be used to maximize state revenue from both existing and new clients.
Furthermore, the reconstruction itself is expected to create over 5,300 direct jobs in construction.
He noted that this will be a huge opportunity to bring client departments back from expensive private leases into quality government infrastructure, while also providing the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure with funds to provide housing for the private sector.
Expansion of Reconstruction in Central Pretoria
MacPherson also stated that the RFI will consider including nearby government facilities in the reconstruction. These include the Department of Public Works building, which serves as the department's headquarters, and the Central Government Buildings.
The renovation of the Department of Public Works building is expected to cost approximately 2.2 billion rand. This project has the potential to free up 63,768 square meters of office space and create about 5,700 construction jobs.
Regarding the Central Government Buildings, its renovation is estimated at approximately 560 million rand. It can provide 41,739 square meters of office space and support the creation of about 1,600 construction jobs.
MacPherson concluded that these three projects combined could create over 12,700 construction jobs and free up approximately 212,000 square meters of office space.