Statement by Premier Shilowa on the announcement of the Gauteng Provincial Government precinct

Issued by the Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government

17 November 2003

As announced in my end-of-year address to the legislature, the Gauteng Provincial Government is ready to proceed with the establishment of a government precinct within the Johannesburg inner city.

The establishment of the precinct is an indication of our confidence in the future of the city and our efforts, together with the City of Johannesburg and other stakeholders, including the private sector, to revive the city and turn it into a world-class African city.

We believe the initiative will send an unequivocal message that, as government, we are here to stay. Our status will change from being just tenants in rented property into one of the biggest property owners in the central business district. There are already indications that others will follow suit and that the development will have a positive impact on the property market in the city.

Together with the Legislature precinct and the High Court and Magistrate's Court precincts, we are confident that we will restore the Johannesburg CBD's status as the preferred location for business.

As we move towards the tenth anniversary of our democracy, the establishment of the precinct also symbolizes the stability and permanence of our democracy and governance in the province.

As indicated, the precinct will extend from Rissik Street in the east to Sauer Street in the west, Pritchard Street in the north and Fox Street in the south.

We have over the past period conducted negotiations with property owners and have secured the relevant buildings. These buildings together cover 150 000 square metres and constitute 6% of the CBD's property market.

The following buildings form part of the GPG Precinct. This includes buildings already occupied by the provincial government as well as newly acquired buildings:

• Bank of Lisbon Building, Sauer Street, between President and Market Streets
• Corner House, Sauer Street, between Fox and Commissioner Streets
• 75 Fox Street, Fox Street, between Simmonds and Sauer Streets
• Old South African Reserve Bank building, Corner of Fox and Simmonds Streets
• 30 Simmonds Street, Corner of Fox and Commissioner Streets
• Chaplin Building, Adjacent to 30 Simmonds Street, between Fox and Commissioner Streets
• Standard Bank Tower, Corner Fox and Simmonds Street
• Old Mutual Building, 69 President Street
• FNB Building (formerly Colonial House), Corner Simmonds and Commissioner Streets
• Thusanong House
• (formerly Littorn Building), Corner Commissioner and Fraser Streets
• ABSA building, Corner Commissioner and Fraser Streets
• New Library Hotel, Corner Commissioner and Fraser Streets
• Customs House, Corner Market and Fraser Streets
• Sage Towers and Sage Centre, Simmond Street, between President and Pritchard Street
• Library Chambers, Next to Sage Centre
• Volkskas Building, Market Street
• SA Perm, Corner Commissioner and Simmond Streets
• Rand Water Board linked to Customs House, Fraser Street

For more information contact Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087