Menlyn Maine brings sustainable city living to Pretoria

Africa’s first green city and the address of choice for living, working, shopping and entertainment. This is the vision for Pretoria’s Menlyn Maine precinct. Planned and developed with people-friendly “ new urbanism ” principles in mind, the precinct, launched in September 2016, is envisaged to be a modern city space, with all amenities within shouting distance.

Picture a modern-day version of a village of yore, with people living, working, relaxing and interacting in a high-quality, sustainable, pedestrian environment. At 315 000m 2 , the mega-development will comprise offices, a shopping area, hotels, a casino and entertainment zone, and parking for 5 000 cars.

More than 500 residential apartments and a specialist hospital will be added by 2019. The mixed-use development’s smart building design will incorporate energy efficiency, recycling, environmentally friendly waste management and roof gardens, attracting residents to its comfortable, stress-free, green lifestyle .

The precinct aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Neighbourhood Development green-building certification from the US Green Building Council. In addition, all buildings aim for a minimum four-star Green Star SA rating. Wide pavements flanked by landscaped gardens and green lawns will attract visitors to the area, while special paving with grooves and buttons will aid pedestrians who are blind or partially sighted.

Additional features will include dedicated cycle lanes and wheelchair access. The Central Square shopping area is the focal point of the development and offers a bespoke customer experience, with high-end stores, classy restaurants, health and beauty outlets, an office tower, a hotel and gym, all positioned around a central piazza.

Menlyn Maine’s entertainment hub will include Time Square, one of the country’s largest casino complexes, with two gaming floors, 2 000 slot machines, 60 casino tables and a variety of monthly promotions and events. The wide range of dining options include Spanish tapas; a buffet-style eatery; a microbrewery; a grill and bar; an American and Asian fusion restaurant; a coffee bar; an interactive concept kitchen with music; Indian cuisine; a Chinese restaurant; rooftop dining; and more.

Once completed, the 16-storey residential The Trilogy Collection will comprise more than 500 exclusive apartments, varying from 30m 2 to 215m 2 in size. Residents will have access to day care, meeting rooms, a rooftop pool, a terrace bar and round-the-clock security. The Capital Menlyn Maine hotel features the latest amenities and a luxury conference hub, seating more than 300 delegates.

Facilities include an outdoor pool, a spa, a restaurant, bar and lounge. Accommodation includes 60 executive rooms, 72 standard rooms and six rooms specifically designed for wheelchair users. The precinct boasts three bus stations, linking to the Gautrain, the bus-rapid transit system taking commuters to Hatfield, and Pretoria’s city bus routes.

A few minutes’ drive gets you to the N1 arterial route via the Atterbury and Garsfontein interchanges, which leads to OR Tambo International Airport. Find Menlyn Maine precinct at the corner of January Masilela Road and Aramist Avenue in Pretoria.