Construction World December 2018

T he development is also remarkable for another reason. Embassy Towers has achieved a rare combination of high-density city living and a high-end lifestyle, paving the way for others to follow. Oriented to maximise its northern aspect, the 90-unit building enjoys full views over Sandton and the Magaliesberg to the north, and south over the tree-lined expanse of Johannesburg. As part of the Concor-New City joint venture’s vision to create a high-end product just a few hundred metres from Sandton City, the whole first floor of Embassy Towers comprises amenities including a 24-hour restaurant opening onto a terrace and garden, a reception with concierge function, meeting rooms and small offices for business engagements and recreational facilities including a swimming pool, tennis court and gym. The most striking feature is the concrete pergola roof which crowns the structure; it is 1 930,48 m 2 . This structure, comprising solid and rib sections, is illuminated at night making the building a landmark in the area. EMBASSY TOWERS Every great city is known by its landmarks, and the luxurious Embassy Towers residential apartment building on the Sandhurst Ridge crest is set to become such a feature. Its prominent position adjacent to Sandton’s central business district helps define the skyline of Africa’s richest metropolis. The sleek simple proportions of this 12-storey architectural gem ensure a seamless blend of contemporary and timeless charm with its feature pergola crowning its rooftop now easily recognisable on the city landscape.

The principle of the apartment building is to provide simple, large open spaces so the column grids are larger than most apartment buildings of this nature. The columns – tucked away between dividing walls and the five observational lift cores – not only provide structural rigidity to the south, but also allow exclusive entry into the units. The striking façade is a complex piece of construction, with extensive Volakas marble cladding creating a sense of grandeur while the large expanses of glass give a modern look. The choice of marble and glass offers a maintenance friendly exterior finish. Embassy Towers features two large illuminated horizontal recessed beams on all four facades, constructed between levels four and five and between levels 10 and 11. The construction methodology comprised an aluminium support structure into which slotted marble tiles were slid. Pre-agreed glass panels were supplied for the fully unitised cladding system, and there was little room for tolerance deviation. Attention to detail during construction ensured the tolerances were achieved while precision management of subcontractors ensured the accuracy demanded by the seamless alignment of the glass, marble and balustrade. Another challenge was that all the individual, fully fitted living units in the high-end building had to be completed to the same exacting standards. This involved numerous subcontractors working in confined spaces and called for precision management and careful sequencing. It is also a complex structure in terms of installed services, which are concentrated into the vertical stacks of the fire escapes with plant rooms in basements and roof. A couple of decades ago, similar buildings would have had a fraction of services now required, including TV cabling, Wi-Fi facilities, CCTV and security, fire protection and air conditioning – in addition to water and electricals. The five lifts each service a single or double bank of apartments bringing residents directly to their apartment from the ground floor or basement. Attention was paid to the technical complexities relating to fire protection for the multiple vertical circulations. The global challenge to secure quality workmanship also affects South Africa. Concor Buildings was able to leverage its existing relationships ensuring the requisite quality finishes on the structure. 

PROJECT INFORMATION

• Company entering: Concor Buildings • Client: Embassy Towers JV • Contract value: R450-million

• Start date: 21 April 2016 • End date: 1 August 2018 • Main Contractor: Concor Buildings • Architect: GLH • Principal Agent: SIP Project Managers • Quantity Surveyor: CDL Quantity Surveyors • Consulting Engineer: MVW Consulting Engineers

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