Rs2bn Grand Bay project starts

The Rs2 billion Grand-Baie La Croisette project will be executed by one of the largest construction firms in South Africa, WBHO (Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon), in partnership with Mauritian company Building & Civil Engineering Co. Ltd (BCE).

Work has already started on the first phase. The promoters are MaxCity Real Estate Partners (a joint-venture of MaxCity and HV Group), Societe de Sottise and MCB Capital Partners.

Grand Baie La Croisette, according to the promoters, is an innovative concept with mixed-use development where people can live, work, shop and relax – all in one place.

The first phase should be completed by the end of next year.

The objective of the promoters is to create a place where people can find high-end fashion in one cluster, youth products in the second one as well as a recreational cluster, a food cluster and the Esplanade.

Urban lifestyle

Spread over 30 arpents, La Croisette promises to introduce a new urban lifestyle on the island, says the promoters, being strategically located at the intersection of the M2 motorway which meets Chemin Vingt Pieds within a major tourist area.

Phase one will be built over 15 arpents and will create an estimated 500 jobs. At the very heart of the development is the Esplanade, which will be built over 5,000 square metres and is similar in concept to medieval towns in Europe.

It will provide a large recreational area where the public can relax among the water fountains and take part in various activities such as cultural events, sporting events and promotions.

The complex will also have a clock tower which will house lifts that will carry visitors from the underground parking of the Esplanade to the heart of the complex.

The South African building firm, which has several major achievements to its credit, was involved in the construction of the stadiums used during the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

Mark Brooks, Project Manager for WBHO in Mauritius, said: “Grand-Baie La Croisette is an exciting project that includes commercial and residential components. We are very pleased to be part of it. Our focus is on quality and timeliness of project delivery.”

The Mauritian partner, Building & Civil Engineering Co. Ltd. (BCE), was involved in the construction of Villa Tamarin (RES), The Alleys of Helvetia and the headquarters of SQL Business Park in Moka. MaxCity Properties have been active in the property development sector for the past 20 years.

Their track record includes projects such as One Cathedral Square in Port Louis, Emerald Park morcellement in Trianon, Emerald Park shopping complex also in Trianon, and the flagship project Cybercity in Ebene.