Architect and Builder January/February 2016 | Page 24

RIGHT:
The original Standard
Bank buildings

Despite its age, its location and size meant that
the building was one of the highest valued assets
within the Redefine portfolio and the highest in the
Western Cape at that time. This led to the decision
to invest significantly in a substantial upgrade to
the property.
Various upgrade proposals were considered, from
a cosmetic ‘touch up’ to a futuristic redesign more
suited to the Sandton skyline than the Cape Town
foreshore and the vision of the City. The decision
was eventually made to upgrade the façades of both
towers and incorporate an additional parking and
office structure between the two.

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Design and Planning Process
Redefine developed a very positive relationship with
the City by entering into talks at a very early stage.
This was achieved through a charrette process. A
charrette is an intensive planning session where the
city, designers, developers and others collaborate
on a vision for development. It provides a forum
for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving
immediate feedback. More importantly, it allows
everyone who participates to be a mutual author
of the plan.
Thanks to the success of the planning process,
final approval from the City, including meeting

The Towers