Main image: Building D Impala Bridge

One of South Africa’s most iconic and respected companies took its first, momentous step into a shared future together with the Irene Link Precinct as work has begun on AVBOB’S new head office at the innovative precinct situated in Irene, Centurion.

New headquarters’ location

AVBOB will move its headquarters to Irene’s multi-use precinct in December 2023, ending a 30-year tenure in the Pretoria central business district (CBD), where they occupied two buildings for their 800 employees. Their new head office will be the latest development in the Irene Link Precinct. According to the owners, Abland Property Developers, Giflo Group and SOM Group, the precinct is a “naturally connected” development, encompassing commercial, retail, residential and lifestyle amenities in one location.

The 11 500m² AVBOB head office – which will be the fourth building in the 75 000m² precinct, situated just off the Botha Avenue exchange on the N1 – is designed to not only meet the requirements and aesthetic storey of the funeral services giant but will be energy efficient, with a four-star Green rating.

Adapting to the “new normal”

“We have seen over the last few years how the line between work and home life became increasingly blurred, which is why creating a precinct where we can link the hustle of business and the harmony of the quality of life is both obvious and necessary in the new ‘normal’,” said Grant Silverman, marketing and lease director at Abland. “It is vital to ensure the wellbeing of employees, which, in turn, ensures the wellbeing of our tenants and thus their businesses.

Balancing work and play

“Irene Link strikes the perfect balance between work and play, integrating 75 000m² of developable commercial space comprising 15 000m² of prime convenience retail, as well as 60 000m² of P-grade office space, to create a highly productive working environment on the doorstep of everyday essentials. With educational institutes, parks and residential nodes close by, it is not only the future of how we will live but the present.”

Featuring cutting-edge design

The AVBOB head office will feature cutting-edge design and will have a visual dialogue with the architecture of the precinct.

Building A, which was completed in 2019, features aluminium louvres.

Building B, which was completed in 2020, has floating concrete boxes.

Building C, which is currently under construction and will be completed in the first quarter of 2023, will feature a curved glass wedge floating above a landscaped podium.

AVBOB’s building, building D, is a “curvilinear building with no beginning and no end”.

“It will be an extraordinarily striking building visually, with no hard edges or corners,” said Silverman. “At its heart is a four-storey atrium, with bridges, escalators, green walls and public spaces. It will feature a ‘walking track’ concept around the entire facade, where desks will sit back at least two metres from the edge to ensure employees are not bothered by sun glare and will be able to walk around the facade to interact with colleagues and other hubs in the business.” AVBOB’s head office will also feature roof terraces to offer incredible spaces “for tenants to breathe and congregate with incredible views over Irene”.

For more information, contact AVBOB:
Tel: +27 12 303 1000
Email: info@AVBOB.co.za
Website: https://m.avbob.co.za/

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