Construction World August 2015

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2015
PROPERTY
This new 2 753 m2 office development’s
unique selling points include: a prime
location, golf course frontage andmagnif-
icent fairway views, excellent access, innovative
architectural design which maximises its location
and optimum highway exposure.
Barrow Properties MD Paul Barrow com-
ments; “The Green on Glenhove will be a modern
glass building that optimises the superb views and
exposure to the Glenhove off ramp from the M1
The Silo is an exclusive hotel in all aspects, including its special
location atop the Museumwith 360 degreemountain and sea views.
Renowned industrial designer Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick
Studio, London is the architect for the reimagining of the Grain Silo complex,
which combines both the museum and the hotel above it.
From the outside, the greatest visible change to the Grain Silo’s monu-
mental structure will be the addition of pillowed glazing panels, inserted
into the existing geometry of the upper floors, which will bulge outward
‘THE GREEN ON GLENHOVE’ TEES OFF
THE ULTRA-LUXURIOUS SILO HOTEL
In 2013, the V&A Waterfront announced its
R500-million philanthropic undertaking in the
conversion of the historic Grain Silo complex into
the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. More
than a year into the ambitious redevelopment of this
heritage landmark, an exclusive 5 500 m 2, 28-key
hotel, managed and operated by The Royal Portfolio,
has been announced.
as if gently inflated. By night, this will transform the building into a glowing
lantern or beacon in the harbour.
The size of the suites range from luxury suites at 41 m2 with full height
5,5 m glazing to the 120 m2 double storey family suites, the 132 m2 royal
suites and the penthouse which extends up to 211 m2.
David Green, CEO of the V&AWaterfront said,“This hotel will offer some-
thing rather unique by virtue of its size and incredibly special location. We
believe The Royal Portfolio is the operator that will deliver an exceptional
guest experience and run the hotel to the highest, luxury boutique standard.”
In an independent economic impact assessment commissioned in
2012 and updated in 2014, findings indicated that future developments at
the V&AWaterfront would contribute R223,7-billion to the nominal GDP by
2027, over and above the R259,1-billion contribution of the past 12 years.
In addition to the contribution to GDP, development at the V&A
Waterfront is responsible for impressive direct and indirect job creation.
At its peak, the Silo District development, at a cost of R1,5-billion, will have
2 000 workers onsite.
Green concluded, “Development at the V&A Waterfront is important in
not only ensuring the destination remains relevant and fulfils market needs,
but also in the economic stimulus it provides.”
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Barrow Properties is nearing
completion of ‘The Green on
Glenhove’ a three storey office
development situated on Glenhove
Road in Melrose.
highway. The site is unique in its locality, exposure
and user experience. In some ways this building
can be seen as the gateway to Rosebank, which is
fast becoming a highly desirable location for office
users of all sizes.”
A manicured outlook
Overall, the building is well-positioned on the
Killarney Golf Course, overlooking the 10th green
and the 16th tee and has been designed to maxi-
mise the views over the fairways. Occupants will
enjoy panoramic views of the golf course from
their work place, which gives visual relief, while
retaining contact with the exterior and creating
an idyllic work setting.
Access to the site is off Glenhove Road and
visitors will arrive at a double volume atrium that
spills onto a terrace overlooking the golf course.
A large balcony on the second floor will look
south-east over the course, towards the Johan-
nesburg city skyline.
‘The Green on Glenhove’ will enjoy easy
access to the M1 highway from the Glenhove
Road on and off-ramps, which is of great value,
given the congestion that plagues the entry and
exit points of many commercial developments
in Johannesburg.
The building will also provide maximum
exposure of a tenant’s brand to thousands of
motorists. This is due to the fact that signage
attached to the building’s roof, will be clearly visible
from the Glenhove off-ramp and the M1 highway.
Dramatic architecture
In terms of the design of the building, Architect
Justus van der Hoven fromArc Architects says that
on entry, visitors will be guided along a curved
route, framed by a colonnade and a sheer vertical
wall of concrete that leads into the arrival foyer.
“The overall experience of the building aims to
bring the user in close proximity to nature, with
spaces that slowly unfold themselves onto the
golf course.”
In terms of eco-friendly features, the building's
high-tech facade is made up of three glazing
layers: a protective double-glazed façade on the
outside and a frameless partition glass on the
inside. These building skins are separated by a
ventilated cavity that cools the building façade
by extracting hot air (built up by solar heat gain)
out the top of the building. Conceptually this ties
in with the building's original design – one of
building layers that slide past one another.
Looking at the unique aspects of the devel-
opment Van der Hoven says; “The brief required
positioning the building on the site boundary to
maximise views over the golf course, whichmeant
having a predominantly east-facing orientation.
Fortunately, the design of a performance facade
on the eastern side of the building solved this
challenge and provides thermal protection to the
interior spaces.”
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