Growthpoint begins Exxaro project
GROWTHPOINT Properties, South Africa’s leading real estate investment trust (Reit), has commenced its multmillion-rand development of a new head office for Exxaro, one of the largest South African-based diversified resources companies.
The R600m development of the new Exxaro headquarters is the second phase of Growthpoint’s redevelopment of the prime Lakeside office site on West Street, Centurion, directly opposite the Centurion Gautrain Station.
Exxaro’s new corporate headquarters will consolidate its offices in Pretoria and Joburg into a single, thriving workspace, located at a convenient midpoint in an accessible location for its staff and business partners.
Growthpoint’s highly skilled development and workspace design team is delivering an innovative green building. Exxaro, which has business interests locally as well as in Europe and the US, will occupy all of the new building’s 18 500m² of gross lettable area on a long lease.
The development broke ground in February and construction will commence from September this year. It will be complete for occupation in 2019, when it will be able to accommodate up to 1 400 Exxaro staff members.
Growthpoint Properties office division director Rudolf Pienaar said: “We are excited to develop this new head office, tailored to meet Exxaro’s specific requirements that will be a healthy and energising working environment for this leading business, its people and its partners to thrive.”
For its design, construction and operation, the new Exxaro head office is in tune with top commercial buildings in the world’s most prominent urban centres.
Reflecting Exxaro’s environmental commitment, the building is designed for a 4-Star Green Star SA certification from the Green Building Council of SA (GBCSA), which is also in line with Growthpoint’s high-environmental standards for its offices.
Exxaro chief executive Mxolisi Mgojo said: “The new location and style of the building is aligned with our strategy on innovation and consideration for carbon emissions reduction.”
“Growthpoint’s new development for Exxaro also signifies the beginning of the urban transformation along the commercial edge of Centurion and approaching the Gautrain station,” said Nico de Jager, regional asset manager for the office sector of Growthpoint.
“Working with the City of Tshwane, Growthpoint is upgrading the roads and traffic flows in the area, including adding a new right-turn lane from Gerhard Street into West Avenue,” said De Jager. Traffic signal settings on West Street, around the building, will be refined. Also, Growthpoint is working with the city to create a vibrant pedestrian walkway.
“We are invested in improving the areas surrounding the new Exxaro head office. This responds to the growing popularity of the area, increasing development… and the higher number of people who access the area through West Street,” said De Jager.
Growthpoint is the largest South African primary listed Reit and is becoming a leading international property company.
It also owns a 26.9 percent stake in the €1bn (R14.92bn) property portfolio of London Stock Exchange Alternative Investment Market-listed Globalworth Real Estate Investment, the largest owner of office space in Romania.