African Design Magazine October 2014 | Page 10

New Waterfall City head office development for Group Five One of Attacq’s prime office properties in Waterfall City, the new Group Five Head Office, has been awarded a “5-Star Green Star SA - Office Design v1” rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). The building is one of only seven buildings in Gauteng to receive this prestigious rating. It is also the first building in Waterfall City to receive a Green Star SA rating. Waterfall City is the largest urban concept development in South Africa and is positioned to become one of the strongest and most successful nodes within the market. “We are thrilled to achieve this landmark green rating for Group Five’s new headoffice in Waterfall City,” says Morne Wilken, CEO of Attacq. “The building is an asset to our built environment aesthetically, functionally, economically and environmentally. We believe that it is the first of many green ratings to come for Waterfall.” 10 This leading green building was designed by LYT Architects and benefits from the sustainable design expertise of WSP Africa. The building will also be submitted for an ‘As Built’ Green Star SA rating. The building was completed in January 2014 and valued at R500 million on completion. Bulk earthworks for this 25 500m2 headquarters began in July 2012. As one of the major construction companies in South Africa, Group Five is in the unique position to appreciate first-hand the benefits of green building, and further this movement in South Africa through its own business practices ensuring a positive impact on our environment. It is therefore greatly significant that Attacq has developed this green building for Group Five. Mike Upton, CEO of Group Five, says: “This year marks our 40th year as a listed group on the stock exchange. Over the 40 years the africandesignmagazine.com group has grown considerably and was eventually accommodated in six separated offices across Gauteng. We are absolutely elated to be able to move all of our employees from different locations in Gauteng to one central multi-purpose office complex in Waterfall City.” Upton adds: “Moving into the building this year has been greatly meaningful as it has resulted in cross-business collaboration, increased efficiencies and a faster decision making process. We are proud to form part of the development of Waterfall and look forward to continue building a strong relationship with AWIC.” For Group Five, its new headoffice creates the foundation for greater efficiency through the consolidation of all its smaller offices into one momentous building perfectly situated in Waterfall City. Waterfall not only joins Modderfontein in the east and reaches beyond Kyalami in the west but also spans land on both sides of the N1 highway, from the Woodmead Interchange