Architect and Builder September/October 2015 | Page 14
NUMBER 1 ON MUTUAL, PRETORIA
Number 1 on Mutual, designed by
Gass Architectural Studios, is a new
multi-story development in the heart of
Pretoria. The site, near Church Square, is
mostly undeveloped and provides the ideal
opportunity to densify the urban landscape
with a mixed-use development that includes
retail, offices and apartment-style units.
An existing heritage listed building,
Ons Eerste VolksBank, is located on
the southernmost part of the site and is
commonly known as the ‘Red Building’.
The brief from the client, City Property
Administration, was to design a contemporary
building on the northern portion of the site
that enhances the urban fabric, ensures
the most economical development plan
for the site and maximises the residential
component of the building.
The new building is situated along Madiba
and Mutual Streets and creates an arcade
space on the south side, between the
existing ‘Red Building’ and this new building.
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The arcade will be landscaped with trees,
providing a green, outdoor spill-out area for
restaurants. The arcade will also link into
the existing Capitol Towers to add further
retail opportunities and create a new route
to Church Square.
The ‘Red Building’ will be refurbished
to include an upmarket restaurant on the
ground floor and offices on the first floor. The
building will be restored and refurbished in
keeping with its original character.
The new 15,300m² building will have a
basement parking level and three parking
levels above the retail ground floor providing
parking for 210 cars. The 142 residential units
are a mix of studio, one bedroom and two
bedroom units. The apartments are planned
around a landscaped courtyard on the fourth
floor that provides recreational facilities.
The contemporary architectural style of
the building has a corner-facing orientation,
using a variety of aesthetically pleasing yet
hardy finishes, including face brick, textured
plaster, and off-shutter concrete. It also
incorporates an eye catching brick ventilation
screen that will enhance the streetscape.
The existing sidewalk will be upgraded
and landscaped to welcome users into the
building directly from street level.
Architects: Gass Architectural Studios
Project Manager: Gonang
Consulting Services
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