Overview
The project forms part of the City of Durban’s initiative to redevelop and regenerate the inner-city. Centrum Precinct: Gugu Dlamini Sub-Precinct Development Site Project is a catalytic land development project located in the inner city and has remained under-developed over the last two decades.
The development entails a mixed-use precinct, a new super basement parking garage with public service buildings, integrated with high-density residential, hotel, retail, and commercial development.
The 13.5658 hectares’ site comprises the largest single area of the central city and provides the potential for comprehensive redevelopment.
It is expected that part of the Gugu Dlamini Sub-Precinct will be tendered to Private Developers to develop mixed-use facilities with the objective of improving urban connections, economic viability, public efficiency, and productivity through clustering of government services and various mixed facilities.
Find our more about the project here.
Progress (2026)
- BAC EOI approval for non-award received – 24.07.2024
- CPU and Real Estate are to review and de-risk the site to make it more attractive for development.
- The team has presented a proposed way forward in Q1 2025/2026 to CIC (18.08.2025). A de-risking option was presented to make more land available to the private sector by densifying City functions. Authority was sought to proceed with a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Market, once Section 14.2 of the Municipal Finance and Management Act (MFMA) for disposal was approved at Council. CIC deferred the decision of this item to the next CIC meeting as further engagement was necessary at an Executive level. The item is still awaiting a CIC decision and the team has agreed to go back to CIC for approval of recommendations and targeting the 23rd of February 2026.
Next steps
- City support to proceed with best option (CIC): Feb 2026
- New Land plan and Valuation undertaken (Centrum) and commencement with drafting of RFP: March 2026
- Seek approval in accordance with Section 14 (2): April 2026
- Prepare RFP and commence SCM process: June 2026
- Advertise Bid: July 26 to Feb 2027
- Tender Evaluation/SCM approval: April 2027
- Contract Negotiations: July 2027
- Developer Appointment: Sept 2027
- Implementation: 2027- 2032
Challenges
Once the Developer is appointed and depending on the feasibility of their proposal, funding may be required for infrastructure upgrades to support the development.
Project info
- Investor: Private Developer (TBC)
- Investment value: R11.5-billion (Estimate)
- Construction period: 2025 – 2030+ (Estimate)
Contact
Potential property developers/investors interested in this development are encouraged to contact Invest Durban. Please include a brief introduction to your business or investment objectives via the secure form below:
Investment opportunities in Durban
Invest Durban act as a partnership between the Metro City Council and the private business sector, offering a free investor advisory service, plus key promotion, facilitation, aftercare services between all investment stakeholders.
