Deloitte SA, one of the country’s leading professional services firms, will resume occupancy of its new African headquarters, co-developed by leading property developer and investor Atterbury and JSE listed - Attacq Limited, once SA’s novel coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown is over. Some 3,500 staff members will work from the building, but the premises have room to accommodate almost 5,000 people in time. This provides Deloitte with additional workspace flexibility, which is especially relevant in a time that calls for workplace facilitation of social distancing protocols.
The ultra-modern property is located in the sought-after Waterfall Precinct, which is well known for its easy accessibility, world-class infrastructure and central location between Sandton and Pretoria. The new building currently consolidates Deloitte’s two former Gauteng offices – Woodmead and Pretoria - into one attractive, modern building with 42,500m² of quality workspace.
The new HQ was designed with the future in mind, with smart building technology and interactivity integrated throughout, making it responsive and adaptable to the needs of the workforce today as well as in 10 or 20 years’ time. The HQ development began in late 2017 and was completed on 31 January 2020. Deloitte’s move into the building was all but concluded when the government announced a nationwide lockdown at the end of March 2020.
Mike Jarvis, chief operating officer at Deloitte Africa, says, “We are looking forward to working from our new offices when it is deemed safe to do so. The new building promises improved efficiency, integration and sustainability for the firm’s Africa headquarters. This is good for our business, our people, our clients, and the environment. The benefit of developing office premises with the ability to expand means that it is suited to our long-term capacity needs – and potentially the short-term, post-COVID distancing protocols too.”
James Ehlers, managing director of Atterbury Property Developments, says, “We’re thrilled to have created a new home for Deloitte. The new building supports the functioning of the organisation and its people in a welcoming, modern workspace. This project is an achievement of which everyone involved can be incredibly proud.”
Atterbury, the leading South African property developer and investor, has more than 25 years in property development, investment, and asset management in South Africa and internationally. It has established a proven track record of delivering excellent tailor-made development solutions.
Atterbury’s development manager, Arno du Plessis, says, “We prioritised overall efficiency and savings in developing the new user-friendly headquarters for Deloitte’s clients and employees. The building’s operational, environmental and cost efficiency is integrated across its ground floor, six offices levels and four basement parking levels with almost 2,000 parking bays.”
Waterfall City has cemented its place as the top business node for South Africa’s leading companies. The precinct is known for its world-class, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings, and Deloitte’s new headquarters, designed by innovative commercial architecture practice Aevitas, have been awarded a LEED Silver rating for its positive environmental impacts. The new head office’s energy performance goes well beyond the minimum standard required to reduce environmental and economic effects. It includes solar panels, backup power, enhanced ventilation, rainwater harvesting and storage, and indigenous landscaping.
Enzo Oosthuizen, Attacq’s Development Manager, adds, “The building’s unique racetrack design and large internal atrium promote integration and connectedness among staff, while making the building amenable to future subdivisions, should the need arise. With its spatial layout, sustainable design features and impeccably planned links that tie into the precinct’s walkability, the new Deloitte HQ perfectly fits in the Waterfall precinct.”
Waterfall’s access to quality infrastructure and other amenities such as health care services, schools, retail offering and fitness facilities makes it the ideal location for companies prioritising work-life integration. The flagship Deloitte building is located on a prime position facing the N1 highway, just off the Allandale interchange, with close proximity to public transport systems. The building itself features cyclist facilities and preferential parking for ‘green’ vehicles. The choice of location by Deloitte affirms that the vision for Waterfall City resonates with blue-chip companies in SA.
“Over the past few years, we have been deliberate in our efforts to create an urban live-work-play environment within Waterfall City. Key to this is offering a unique mix of office, hotel, light industrial and residential solutions that promote safe and sustainable spaces where people can connect. We are thrilled to welcome Deloitte to Waterfall City; they are yet another example of the confidence that major firms have in expanding their operations within our precinct and speak to the quality of our corporate consolidation proposition,” says Melt Hamman, CEO of Attacq.
The new Deloitte HQ was developed as a 50/50 joint venture between co-owners Atterbury and JSE-listed Attacq Limited.
