Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa May/June 2014 | Page 18

SILVERSTAR UNDERGOING R560-MILLION DEVELOPMENT Silverstar, a Tsogo Sun property located in Mogale City on Johannesburg’s West Rand, is currently undergoing a R560million refurbishment. The complex, which opened its doors in March 2008, is being redeveloped to create a variety of additional dining options and an outdoor events area, allowing the complex to host live concerts and events such as the popular Boktown. The development is being undertaken as a single-phase project. Construction started in May 2013 and the anticipated completion date for the development is September 2014. “We realised that our customers enjoy spending time outdoors and to make full use of this concept and our spectacular location, an outdoor square is being introduced,” says Shane Collinson, Director of Operations and Complex General Manager at Silverstar. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding foothills of Roodekrans Ridge, the development brings Silverstar into the open air, with leisure and entertainment facilities built around a large village square. The overall architectural concept of the development revolves around the creation of a mix of dining and lounge experiences, which are located in terraces, courtyards, pavilions and outdoor rooms. The design has been done to reinforce the international trend of cafe and bistro style dining and the growing trend to dine alfresco. 18 Silverstar boasted one of the world’s largest musical fountains, which has now made way for the village square and family dining zone. Although the fountain’s size has been reduced, the splendour of the fountain is not all lost as it will now function as a beautiful water feature and musical fountain at the northern façade of the square and cleverly sets the hotel apart from the activities happening in the square. The use of fragmented dining pods form a subtle transition from the square to the hotel to ensure privacy for the hotel and spa guests while still allowing some of the vibrant atmosphere of the square to filter through. Four new restaurants will dot the square, all offering al fresco dining for the whole family and interactive outdoor entertainment facilities. While the entry court will allow for quieter waterside dining alongside the water feature, the bottom of the square is the more lively arena and will open out into a large space where a multi-million Rand outdoor screen, featuring cutting edge technology, will project Boktown rugby matches and