Exxaro’s new Centurion corporate headquarters completed

Growthpoint Properties has completed Exxaro’s new head office, a R600m green building opposite the Centurion Gautrain Station.

Exxaro, a leading South African producer of coal, commenced its long lease in the new development’s 18,500m2 of gross lettable area in May after six weeks of early occupation. It will relocate all its operations to the new headquarters, consolidating its current offices in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The building has five storeys of office space above four levels of basement parking.

A major challenge in the building’s construction was the site’s dolomitic bedrock. More than 100 boreholes were drilled to create a three-dimensional model of the bedrock. High-lying dolomite pinnacles were blasted and drilled down, upper layers of soil were compacted and a steelreinforced concrete raft foundation with sensor monitoring was laid. Organic dolomite also inspired some of the design elements.

“The building is in tune with top commercial buildings in the world’s most prominent urban centres,” says Growthpoint head of asset management Paul Kollenberg.

The development team garnered five-star Green Star SA Design certification from the Green Building Council of SA. Energyefficient measures include a performance-glazed façade, zoned lighting, waterefficient fixtures, rainwater harvesting, water-wise landscaping and a hydro panel that generates water from air. The building has dedicated parking for hybrids, electric cars and scooters, and secure bicycle racks. Innovative bathrooms include waterless urinals for women.