Towers Main , Johannesburg
TRANSFORMATION AWARD
Towers Main is a redevelopment of an existing abandoned 30-storey 1970 ’ s building in Johannesburg ’ s CBD into a mixed-use office and residential development .
It also includes public ground and mezzanine floors , featuring a coffee shop and entrance lobbies to office and residential tenants , an art gallery , and a sensitively activated piazza including the only open area seated amphitheatre in Johannesburg overlooking the pedestrian realm .
Above this , there are nine office floors ( with ABSA as the tenant ) and thereafter , nineteen residential floors ( 518 units ) ranging between small studio units and 2-bedroom apartments . A clubhouse area on floor 15 offers magnificent views of the city and includes a business centre , gym and children ’ s area .
A full revamp of the façade was also completed . A lightweight ETICS façade was introduced , with the external painted vortex swirling pattern adding new life and vibrancy to the Johannesburg skyline . On the office levels , a contemporary curtain wall was introduced as well as window wall glazing , allowing for improved passive design strategies with regards to heat loss and heat gain .
The vision behind the redevelopment was to create a multifunctional , inclusive and diverse neighbourhood , which is also in keeping with the global new urbanism trend . This design of a redeveloped city building by AMA Architects has therefore extended the lifespan of this landmark building on the city skyline and is a standout repurposed project .
Armond Boshoff , CEO of Atterbury South Africa , says : “ Towers Main was designed to change lives for the better , and we are thrilled that SAPOA has recognised its transformational impacts . It has brought new life back into the Johannesburg CBD , enabling people to live closer to where they work and helping them save precious time and a fortune in transport costs . It contributes to addressing the city ’ s housing backlog and gives people all the amenities that they need and want to enjoy quality of life . Winning these awards from SAPOA is indeed a great honour . It is a testament to the exceptional quality of the team we have at Atterbury and the distinctly successful developments we deliver .”
Towers Main was developed for Divercity Urban Property Fund . The substantial investment in inner- Johannesburg has furthered Divercity ’ s purpose to renew and re-energise South Africa ’ s urban centres by developing unique inner-city precincts . Divercity ’ s key shareholders and stakeholders are Atterbury Property and Ithemba Group Investments , and its cornerstone investors are RMH Property and Nedbank Property Partners .
Owner : Divercity Urban Property Fund Developer / Development Manager : Atterbury ; Ithemba Architect / Project Manager : AMA Architects Quantity Surveyor : Kaofela Quantity Surveyors Structural Engineer : WSP Group Africa Civil Engineer : WSP Group Africa Electrical Engineer : WSP Group Africa Mechanical Engineer : WSP Group Africa Fire Consultant : Fenco Fire Engineers & Consultants Lift Engineer : Solutions for Elevating Environmental Consultant : WSP Group Africa Main Contractor : WBHO and Motheo Construction Group ( JV )
SAPOA Awards 77