Construction World

CONSTRUCTION WORLD

SEPTEMBER

2015

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

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

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.”

PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS