Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa January/February 2015 | Page 17
MENLYN MAINE - TRIO OF NEW A-GRADE OFFICES TO GO UP IN AFRICA’S ONLY GREEN CITY
Already home to leading companies like BMW, Nedbank
and SAGE VIP, the multi-billion rand Menlyn Maine green city
development in Pretoria is set to get 26,500m2 of new office space
in three new buildings from the end of 2015 to the end of 2016.
Menlyn Maine Investments is pioneering the Menlyn Maine
development – Africa’s only green city. In the latest tranche of
developments to be announced, it will invest R750 million to
develop three top-class, green A-grade office buildings.
Henk Boogertman, main architect of Menlyn Maine, confirms
the trio of quality office buildings will all achieve at least a 4-Star
Green Star SA rating from the Green Building Council of South
Africa (GBCSA).
Menlyn Maine is South Africa’s first green, mixed-use city.
It’s more than a collection of award-winning green buildings in
one place; everything between the buildings is designed to be
environmentally sustainable too, from sidewalks and streets,
to parks and squares. The benefits go beyond a lighter carbon
footprint and lower electricity bills, to the enjoyment of a quality
experience in a distinguished address of choice for working and
- in soon-to-come future phases - shopping, entertainment and
living, all designed to promote responsible, healthy lifestyles.
As a partner of the Clinton Climate Initiative, Menlyn Maine
is one of 16 green cities being built in various countries, and the
only one in Africa.
“Its superb location has been a key factor in attracting top
business names to Menlyn Maine,” notes Linda Riley, Leasing and
Investment Advisor at Menlyn Maine.
Menlyn Maine is minutes away from the N1 motorway’s
Atterbury and Garsfontein interchanges, right off the main
arterial of January Masilela Road, and a mere 500m from the main
entrance of the super-regional Menlyn Park Shopping Centre.
Its bustling location also means it benefits from exceptional
transport connections. This includes access to excellent transport
links, including three Gautrain bus stops, the new BRT bus system
and a taxi terminus. Menlyn Maine is designed to welcome
pedestrians. Fewer cars on the roads also mean lower carbon
emissions. It is also surrounded by medical facilities, schools,
and all the amenities that come with being in the heart of the
upmarket, growing Eastern Suburbs of Pretoria.
Already under construction, the landmark 13,500m2 West
Tower Office Block is at the heart of Menlyn Maine’s vibrant
future retail and entertainment epicentre. This A-grade ninestorey office tower has been designed to create flexible space
Project Watch
for corporate headquarters or a bustling multifaceted business
environment. It will be ready for tenant occupation in September
2016 and offers ample parking at a ratio of 4.5 bays to every 100m2.
Opposite this iconic tower, The Indus Building (pictured
below) will provide 9,500m2 of A-grade office space across five
floors, allowing for the flexible subdivision of offices.
“Like the other two new buildings it comes with naming rights
for a major tenant taking up more than half of each building,”
explains Riley.
The Orion Building will be developed opposite the 3,200m2
Regus Building, which was completed in June this year. Standing in
a prime position at the new gateway to Menlyn Maine from January
Masilela Road, The Orion Building mirrors its neighbouring offices.
The four-storey building will provide 4,500m2 of environmentally
innovative and flexible lettable A-grade offices, suited to either
a single or multi-tenant environment. Its development will be
demand driven, with completion delivery possible as soon as
late 2015.
“The benefits of offices in a green city go beyond simple
environmental responsibility,” explains Riley. “It also means
smart building design for energy efficiency, recycling,
environmentally friendly waste management and roof gardens.
This adds up to less operational costs and more savings over a
company’s lease period.”
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