Big "T" new development plans.

Turffontein development plans unveiled

PHUMELELA is planning to apply for a basket of rights to develop areas of Turffontein – without affecting racing and training at the racecourse in any way.

The plans include construction of a shopping and leisure complex, an office park and a hotel.

In addition, new race day stabling, horse transport facilities and a trailer park will be built.


Phumelela has made a presentation of its plans to the trainers based at Turffontein, emphasising that the training and stabling of horses will not be affected and that the racing facility will be enhanced by the developments.

The rights application is likely to be made within the next few months, but obtaining the permission is likely to take some time. Commencement of any development is several years away.

“The objective is to improve Turffontein as a destination – on both race days and non-race days,” said David Attenborough, Phumelela’s Chief Executive Officer SA.

“Security will be improved and existing facilities will be considerably upgraded.”

The basket of rights covers “offices, shops, business premises, restaurants, places of amusement, conference and seminar facilities, residential buildings and hotels”.

In the Phumelela presentation, the proposed land uses are described as:

* Horseracing centre of excellence
* Hotel, pubs and restaurants
* Entertainment and leisure centre
* Neighbourhood shopping with supporting niche retail
* Office park
* Community facilities (crèche, medical centre, gym)
* Shared parking

The retail and entertainment complex is planned for the old parade ring and saddling box area. It is described as: “Single-storey convenience retail development, retaining historical buildings, and establishing parade ring environment as a destination place – with public plaza feel, well landscaped and quality public environment.” The convenience retail area will cover about 7 000 square metres.

A three-star hotel is pencilled in for the outside of the track bend after the winning post – linking through to the course’s new public piazza.

A “quality” office park with extensive landscaping is planned for the area along the main straight adjoining the training stables, and will target a “niche market”. The three or four-storey blocks will have protruding basement parking to enable natural ventilation.

The new horse float-loading zone and holding boxes are adjacent to the eastern end of the grandstand. – Mike Moon

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If they´re going to do all those things = massive improved security etc.

Every reason to finally put lights up for NIGHT RACING!

Stage one on straight - Stage two all the way around!

aiming to replicate a casino-style environment?

urely the wrong area for this..

Hopefully they can negotiate to get the dump removed before they start as its now become a hazard trying to get yr car through the stuff thats fallen out the trucks on the road as they turn into the dump. Good luck to all the trainers stabled there while the building goes on..

Personally I dont even think Sol Kerzner could make this work in Turfontein!

" Commencement for development is several years away "

More like 10 yrs away .

Nice to develop fancy looking pictures with a long story about how you going to improve, shopping center , office park etc etc ...

Start with security and lighting .

Another clever PR spin..its like telling your shareholders we have plans for 10 years from now so dont worry about the current situation.

Have to agree with Pirates - can't see it working in the Nigerians home 'turf' - and is surely going to cost a hell of a lot - seems the open bet is not hurting as musch as we have been told - lol

Great plan - I see that they have learned something from the UAE. The Meydan track is styled in the same way and is multifunctional. You need to be able to generate revenue outside of racing too and this is a great idea.

They must learn from the mistake at Greyville and the new stand that casts a shadow over a section of the track which causes growth problems on the track.

Lets hope that this is the beggining of the rejuvination of the area as a whole.

How cool would it be to have an office over looking the track? Not much work would get done on race days though.

had to go ten years as mr ferraris will be retired..can you imagine what turfontein will be in 10 years...hillbrow extension

Heehee Pirates..exactly..I really had to check the date to see it wasnt April 1st.

A comet could also destroy the earth, a nuclear war could destroy the earth, judgement day could also come. no reason to stop living or planning for the future.