Background Deciding to embark on a unique development path , Legacy Group Chairman Bart Dorrestein approached one of the founding partners of Co-Arc International Architects , Emeritus partner Francois Pienaar to design the project . The two share a relationship and friendship dating back to the 1970 ’ s . Pienaar had been one of the lead architects responsible for the design of Rand Afrikaans University , now University of Johannesburg , on which Dorrestein led the construction team . This relationship continued into the 80 ’ s , when Dorrestein was responsible for the building of the Ekurhuleni Civic Centre designed by Pienaar and then into the 90 ’ s , where the two worked together again on Nelson Mandela
Square and the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton . The master plan and urban design framework for Sandton Square that Pienaar had collaborated on , involved connecting the public space of the square with its surroundings . Links were created between the square and Sandton City by means of an overhead bridge , while other business nodes in the area were connected through pathways and boulevards . A major link between Nelson Mandela Square and Village Walk , recently redeveloped as the MARC , located on the corner of Rivonia and Maude Street had never materialised . Now years after the initial urban design framework set out by the urban designers , Pienaar was fortunate to be able to implement a portion of the original vision of the project ’ s streetscape through the Leonardo ’ s colonnade .
Development Flexibility Key to the success of the project was the early understanding by the entire design and development team of the client ’ s vision of a tower building encompassing flexibility to adequately respond to the ever-changing market driven demand for various uses within the building and the combination of these uses at any height in the building . Although the Leonardo was initially conceived as a 42-storey development , the first detailed brief was to be a 33-storey building of 45,000m ² largely comprising office floors , considerably less than was ultimately built . To support the dream of a tower the Developer , at an early stage , made the required investment into founding structures , parking provisions and necessary infrastructure planning to meet the demands of the highest option . Due to market demand for the product on offer The Leonardo has grown into a unique mixed-use lifestyle development encompassing 125,500m 2 spread over 55 storeys .
Design Process During the initial sketch design stage , the requirements for a wide range of potential occupants and users lead the design for a high tech , high end address with the design responding to the climate as outlined in the brief . Added to the primary requirement for accommodation and commercial space was the inclusion of a retail portion , food and beverage facilities and family driven facilities which would respond to Sandton ’ s social and economic needs and serve both local and international users .
The design team , responding to the development dynamics , explored a large variety of possible tenant options and identified various uses across various floors through the height of the building . Ultimately , three main uses where identified for the tower portion of the development , these being residential , hotel and
38 The Leonardo