Developers hope that construction of the controversial R70-million "life-style centre" at the Sea Point Pavilion will begin in June after a revision of the original design in an attempt to win over local residents.
The new proposal will be submitted to City of Cape Town planners next month and, if approved, forwarded to the provincial government for the final go-ahead.
Developers say a "pessimistic" estimate of the completion date is December 2002.
After much opposition to the earlier plans - mainly from owners of nearby flats who fear losing their sea views - the design has been amended to include:
- A two-storey 30-suite hotel (down from 60 suites in the original proposal) on the Camps Bay side of the swimming pools.
- A shopping complex on the town side, with about 13 shops and restaurants. The complex will be on three levels, with one level below ground.
- A small gymnasium in the existing building.
- Underground parking below the shopping complex and an extension of the existing parking lot, above ground, for two blocks along the Promenade.
The swimming pools will be surrounded by the new buildings.
"We know this is a sensitive issue," said developer Farrell Bernberg of On Track Developments. "We have been running focus groups with the people who complained and have tried to incorporate their concerns into the new drawings. Of course, we can't promise to satisfy them completely, but we don't want to build in defiance of the locals."
Although the developers aren't advertising until they receive final approval, interest in the shopping complex is high.
"It is virtually fully tendered," said project manager Clive Lurie. "We can't release a client list yet, but it will be small niche shops."
Names being bandied about include a small Pick 'n Pay - like the Pantry opposite Camps Bay beach - and a McDonald's, possibly on the swimming pool level.
The consensus in the area is that some kind of development is necessary to upgrade what the council calls "one of the most strategically located parcels of real estate in South Africa".
Several failed commercial ventures have left the existing building vacant and vulnerable to break-ins. Residents say the area isn't safe at night and authorities believe it isn't living up to its tourism potential.
Also, the council spends R5-million a year to maintain the swimming pool - after a recent R28m upgrade - and wants to pass this cost on to the developers.
Sea Point ward councillor Jean-Pierre Smith said he was in favour of the development "in principle", but would be watching closely to make sure it enhanced the area.
"The sooner that part of Sea Point is developed, the better," he said. "It is an eyesore."
But he said residents were "deeply concerned" that they would lose their views. "The other problem is that rezoning this area as a business zone could set a precedent for future developments. "
Smith said that certain aspects of the revised plans would benefit the city, but others would be allowed "over my dead body".
"Extending the parking lot down the promenade is a big problem. There aren't many open spaces in the city where people can come from all over and spend time. You can't turn the lawns into concrete - I really will fight this."
The Sea Point, Fresnaye, Bantry Bay Ratepayers' and Residents' Association was cautious about the development after strenuously resisting the original plans.
"We need to examine the revised design carefully and discuss it in the committee," said planning committee chairperson Grace Pick.