Property built with a purpose

ANDTON has unmatched appeal as a corporate address. The area is eminent, prestigious and offers everything that makes it easier to conduct business, from hotels, gyms and conference centres to shopping, banking and restaurants. So says David Rice, CEO of Redefine Properties, which has more than a dozen commercial properties in Sandton valued at about R3.3bn.

Redefine is a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed real estate investment trust which was founded in 1999. The company became the first South African listed property venture to invest in the UK when it acquired a stake in Redefine International in 2006. Later that year, Redefine formed an enterprise development initiative with black empowerment partners.

These days, the Redefine portfolio comprises more than 250 properties across the country valued at R25bn with a gross leasable area of more than 3km2 in the retail, commercial and industrial sectors. While properties are located in Pretoria, KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape, Redefine is most prominent in the greater Johannesburg region.

But, says Rice, it is Sandton that the company considers its “prime node”.

Aside from its reputation as “the golden square mile of Africa” for business, Sandton, he points out, enjoys the added benefits of the Gautrain, which is an advantage for both business and tourism.

“The Gautrain makes it easier for businesses, employees and visitors to connect with other key nodes in the city and the province. Its direct link to OR Tambo International Airport makes it ideal for companies that conduct business nationally and internationally, and provides quick and easy access for tourists,” says Rice.

As a hub for multinational business, Sandton is leading the evolution of green buildings in SA for which there is an increasingly strong demand.

“It is essential for quality offices in this prominent business node to give priority to sustainability and efficiency. Redefine is responding to this in Sandton by minimising the energy consumption of our buildings, managing the environmental impact of our properties, and building highly attractive and productive work spaces,” says Rice.

Among Redefine’s most recent developments in Sandton is the recently completed multi-tenanted office building at 90 Grayston Drive as well as law firm Webber Wentzel’s new headquarters at 90 Rivonia Road.

Designed by GLH & Associate Architects, 90 Grayston comprises 19,000m2 of office space over 16 storeys. Design features include two atriums and glazed roofing, which provide ample natural light and an open, welcoming feel. The building is fitted with “intelligent blinds” that have sensors to track the movement of the sun, adjusting the blinds accordingly, and light-emitting diode backlighting on the glazed façade for night-light.

90 Grayston — Redefine’s largest completed office development to date — was designed for “sustainability, optimised energy consumption and reduced running costs”. It was awarded a 4-Star Green Star SA rating by the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA).

With more than 90% occupancy confirmed at completion, the property’s primary tenant will be IBM SA, which is set to move in in April 2015. Other tenants include Spencer Stewart Auditors and asset management company Laurium Capital.

Meanwhile, construction is on schedule for Redefine’s headquarters for Webber Wentzel at 90 Rivonia Road, which is where Rivonia Road, Katherine Street and Sandton Drive intersect. The law firm is scheduled to move in in November 2015.

The building makes something of a shining statement on a prominent corner. But, says Rice, “the innovative design minimises its impact on the environment, from its smart use of concrete and steel; photovoltaic cells on the roof to power its common areas; ice-storage heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; to an intelligent façade that reduces air-conditioning requirements. It also features intelligent light switching and utility meters on each floor. Like 90 Grayston, 90 Rivonia Road is designed to achieve a GBCSA 4-Star Green Star SA rating.”

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