Business Interest in Umhlanga
Prior to the 1980’s, Umhlanga was a quiet residential and holiday town nestled on the Indian Ocean coastline just north of Durban. City planners initially wanted to create an area of low cost housing on the tracts of sugar cane fields between the N2 highway and M4 freeway leading north from Durban City. Fortunately, a wiser city planner saw the golden potential for this area and plans were instigated to form a commercial hub on the outskirts of Durban proper. What is now known as Umhlanga Ridge has become a prime retail, office and residential node.
In 2000, The Borough of Umhlanga was incorporated into the eThekweni Municipality. Development continued and Umhlanga Ridge is now the epicenter of business interests in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Most Blue Chip Corporate Companies have their regional head offices in this area, with smaller office units housing upmarket SME business entrepreneurs. Unilever, Derivco and Tongaat Hulett are just some such companies who call this area home to their National Head Offices.
Gateway Theater of Shopping has been described as both the largest shopping centre in Africa and the largest in the southern hemisphere. This mall is a hub of high end retail outlets with a multitude of entertainment interests including Ster-kinekor movies, restaurants, nightclubs and fun children activity options.
Further development in the mid-2000’s created the Umhlanga Motor City, where flagship dealerships for almost every motor manufacturer vied for prestigious position in the affluent suburb.
King Shaka International Airport opened its doors in May 2010 in time for the FIFA World Cup, hosted in South Africa. Being just a 15 minute drive from the Umhlanga, this catapulted the area further to form a business hub of even more importance.
The area north of Durban through Umhlanga and into Ballito on the Dolphin Coast has been identified as the fastest growing development area in the country. Commercial and Residential Property prices have skyrocketed. With this, a variety of Home Centre and DIY outlets have formed a hub in a commercial node just south of Gateway Shopping Mall, bordering the N2 Freeway.
Inland of Umhlanga Ridge lies Mount Edgecombe, an exclusive gated residential complex housing the Mount Edgecombe Golf Course. Upmarket Business Office Parks, a small retail shopping centre and light industry parks form the business commercial interest in Mount Edgecombe.
Hotels, Guest Houses, B&B’s and Holiday Apartments have expanded with the growth of business interests in the area. Business or Holiday Travelers can select from a variety of accommodation options – from luxurious opulence as provided by The Oyster Box and Beverley Hills Hotels, to simple adequacy at the City and Town Lodges adjacent to Gateway.
Whether it is for business or leisure, Umhlanga assures absolute pleasure.
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