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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
FEBRUARY
2016
Gavin Tagg, managing director of Retail
Network Services.
it’s about entertainment, education,
emotion, engagement and enlightenment.
“The buzzwords in the industry at the
moment are that shopping centres must
either be the most convenient or dominant.
While I believe this to be true, I think what’s
more important is for shopping centres to
remain relevant to the consumers that they
serve,” said Tagg.
Retail Network Services has a track
record of almost 25 years. It has facilitated
the development of 52 shopping centres
and let over 1,25-million square metres of
retail space during this time.
Besides its reputation for devel-
oping shopping centres with high trading
volumes, long-standing tenants and high
returns, Retail Network Services comprises
an exceptionally skilled and experienced
team, led by Tagg as founder and managing
director. Only 15 International Council
of Shopping Centre (ICSC) certifications
have been awarded in South Africa, and
four of these belong to the Retail Network
Services team. Gavin Tagg, Joe Laubscher
and Jonathan Tagg are all qualified ICSC
Certified Leasing Specialists. Gavin Tagg is
also an ICSC Certified Development, Design
and Construction Professional. He is the
only industry heavyweight in South Africa
to hold both these ICSC certifications.
ICONIC BUILDING IN SANDTON
The 25 000 m
2
development occupies
an island site with seven floors and
a 2 000-car park basement opposite
Sandton City as well as an annex of 10 000 m
2
for future expansion. It is within easy reach of
clients and central transport hubs including OR
Tambo Airport via the Gautrain.
Webber Wentzel has experienced exponen-
tial growth – the partnership has grown from
116 partners in 2010 to 150 partners this year,
with 22 lateral hires in the last 18 months alone.
The firm recognised the need to move all its
people under one roof, supported by an upgraded
technology platform for seamless connection to
clients, teammembers and its network of alliance
partners and best friend firms.
“A more cohesive working environment
brings distinct benefits for our clients. The move
to 90 Rivonia Road represents an exciting mile-
stone in our plans to grow and modernise the
firm in line with global best practice while at the
same time delivering on our key differentiator –
the seamless collaboration of specialist teams,
structured around our clients' needs. This is
about working in a dynamic space that supports
a more focused, client-centric culture that better
delivers on our clients' expectations of an inter-
nationally acclaimed law firm,” explains Sally
Hutton, managing partner of Webber Wentzel.
Managing the rising rental costs of property
in the heart of Sandton’s business district was
also an important consideration when Webber
Wentzel negotiated the deal with Redefine
Properties. The firm has increased its space by
30% for the same cost as its previous rental with
10 000 m
2
retained for future growth. At the
same time, it was an opportunity to create an
environment that focuses on sustainability,
business continuity, productivity and staff
comfort. Many other efficiencies will flow from
the consolidation of the firm (which previously
occupied three adjacent buildings) into one
centralised office.
Webber Wentzel’s new building features:
• 45 boardrooms of various sizes
• Three fully-equipped conference rooms,
one of which is a 200-seater that can be
used for arbitration purposes
• Seating capacity increased by 250%
• Areas dedicated to employee wellness
and exercise
• A library
• A multi-faith prayer room
• 250-seater all-inclusive dining facility
with spectacular views
• 2 000 parking bays for staff and clients
• Significantly enhanced connectivity
• A concierge service for staff and clients
Themodern and energy efficient building, which
achieves a 4-star rating from the Green Building
Council, features an entire floor dedicated to
the health and wellness of its staff, including
an all-inclusive dining facility, a wellness centre
with a doctor, nurse and physiotherapist on
call, as well as a fully equipped gym. Generators
and water-storage tanks ensure that busi-
ness continues unhindered during load- and
water-shedding.
The new development at 90 Rivonia Road
saw the entire Webber Wentzel Johannesburg
team moved in by the end of December from
its three premises in Fricker Road, Illovo, with
the launch of the building set for March 2016.
“This is the perfect opportunity to create an
office and business environment that is fully
aligned to the requirements of our clients and
our people, and most importantly, reflects our
position as a leading law firm in sub-Saharan
Africa,” concludes Hutton.
Law firmWebber Wentzel has completed its relocation to its new
rental premises at 90 Rivonia Road, Sandton. The building, developed
by Redefine Properties, took three and half years of intricate
planning to complete. It will now house the entire Webber Wentzel
Johannesburg staff complement of more than 650 people in one
collaborative space
.
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