Construction World September 2015

PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS

BRYANSTON’S commercial developments Johannesburg’s affluent suburb of Bryanston is experiencing an upsurge in the number of businesses moving to the area, resulting in an increase in office developments currently under construction. In recent years there has been a noticeable trend towards an increase in demand from businesses seeking to relocate and these are adding to numerous existing office buildings along Main Road and William Nicol.

extensive visitor parking outside the entrance. The features of the design are the courtyards at ground level with sliding doors spilling out onto rest areas for office workers amid planters and seating. Another feature of the design is a large terrace at second floor level which looks out both west and north over Johannesburg as far as the Magaliesberg mountains. The terrace will become an entertainment area for the building and will include a kitchen and bar. Again, extensive use is made of sliding doors permitting access from the offices onto this delightful terrace area. The building has been designed with energy efficiency in mind and high perfor- mance glass is used throughout. The building is also designed for a VRV central aircondi- tioning system which is currently the most energy efficient option available. Intelligent sensors will be used throughout as well as LED lighting. The west sun is managed by means of solid facades which will insulate the inte- riors of the offices against overheating. This provides for exceptional signage opportunities facing Main Road. An extensive landscaping plan has been prepared by DDV Landscape Design Group. This plan uses indigenous vegetation as well as a dramatic water feature at the main entrance. Comments Barrow Properties’ Mark Uhlmann, “The Crossing and Culross on Main offer suitable tenants the advantage of a prominent and convenient location, nearby retail amenities, a backup water supply and full diesel generator standby power at very competitive rentals. Barrow’s continued involvement from the construction phase to the hands-on property management function allows us to respond efficiently and effectively to our client’s demands.”

This stretch of Bryanston along Main Road is rapidly becoming Africa’s own Silicon Valley, due to the many leading technology and communi- cations companies operating in the vicinity. Microsoft, Dimension Data, Internet Solutions, Software AG, Google SA, amongst others, are all based in the immediate area, while other large corporates include Tiger Brands, Nestlé, GlaxoSmithKline, Ogilvy, Samsung and Synovate. Since its early beginnings in the 1940s, the northern Johannesburg suburb of Bryanston has been sought after among residential property investors. More than 70 years on and the area has retained its appeal, seen solid increases in its residential property values, and now appeals to both residential and commercial property investors. With more land available for development, Bryanston currently has over 560 000 m² of office space. Culross on Main office park, developed by Barrow Properties and completed in 2013, brought to the local market 7000 rentable square metres of A-Grade office space. The park is currently fully tenanted and on the back of the positive demand for the office >

space, Barrow is expanding Culross on Main to include an additional building of 2400 m² scheduled for completion by mid-2016. Barrow Properties was also behind Metmar’s new head office, Corner Main, situated opposite the Dimension Data Campus and across the road from Culross on Main. The Crossing Barrow Properties has another exciting devel- opment nearing completion. The Crossing, located close to the new Virgin Active gym at 1 Cross Road Bryanston will be ready for occupation on 1 October 2015. This development is situated in a prime location in Bryanston at the busiest inter- section of Main Road and William Nicol. It comprises 4 765 m 2 of rentable office area. It is also topographically the highest point in the general area and enjoys visibility and magnificent views northwards towards the Magaliesberg. According to M/Architects, the design of the building is modern and bold. Clean planes define the architecture and extensive use is made of flush glazing on the north and south façades. A dramatic entrance canopy announces the approach to the building with

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2015