http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6091/absa16de.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2866/absa26be.jpg

http://www.myimagehub.com/userfiles/dysan1/IMGP0486.JPG

NAME: ABSA Building
LOCATION: CBD
STATUS: U/C
FLOORS: 16 (+2)
HEIGHT: ???
USE: Offices

The ABSA Building in the CBD (across from City Hall; Smith St.) is being brought into the 21st century with a curtain wall facade of glass and steel as well as an extra two storeys in keeping with Durban's newfound height boom.

An adjoining building has been demolished and that site is being used for more parking facilities and future office expansion.

Spire
This is 16 (existing) plus 2 new, so its 18F total

the most important things, are that the cbd is getting many benefits from this project:

1) A new modern building with greater height

2) A change from the existing C-grade Space to A-grade space.

3) And this dev shows confidence i the inner city, which will lead others to follow.

I already love the way the inner city is changing and my shopping trips there of late have proven to me that many great deals are to be found, and some of the coffee shops are good!

sweet much bigger project thank i thought it was

its heart warming to see such great developments in our cities CBD's. Durban has SA's best skyline.

Ill second that!

maybe the other buildings in the cbd are taking note of absa's move, cos i spoke to Epa today and they working on redesigns for 2 other cbd buildings

Mike, If you speak to EPA again and you have a relationship with someone there who could get info, I wonder if you could get the height of Monte Blanc, It feels taller than 132m and 40F and I have mailed EPA before to clarify but no luck.
Cheers

will try get that info.

by the way...this dev is progressing well! will try get into the cnd soon to get some more update pics of it. but the glass covers the whole front now.

sounds cool, did EPA mention which buildings they are looking at refurbing? Hope its some of those crappy 60s styled monoliths
Look foward to hearing back from EPA on Monte Blanc

the buildings that are planned for refurb are:

Natal Bank Building
Lever House
Salmon Grove Chambers
The newly named council building opposite city hall between the royal and the playhouse...dont know its name.

These exclude the councils plan to remove the council pool opposite city hall and erect a new council building there, which at this stage is planned to be 17F

what that was a cool pool, scuse the pun. Spent many hours there as a kid .Did you ever get feedback from EPA on Mt Blanc

no feedback from epa yet, still waiting!

but absa is looking good, i wonder where all the staff are while this is going on?

An R80-million contract to refurbish and extend Absa Towers on the corner of Gardiner and Smith Streets, one of Durban central business district's busiest pedestrian and vehicle intersections was awarded to Siyeza Ross Joint Venture, and construction operations are moving swiftly.

Because of its location, safety is the single most important aspect of this contract. Besides the usual health and safety specifications issued by the client, Absa Ream, for this project, Siyeza Ross also has its own health and safety management system in place and this is constantly monitored by both client and principal contractor. Key Projects, the project managers, are working in conjunction with the contractors to ensure that all hazards are identified, assessed and that precautionary measures are
put in place. Non-conformance, and any incidents and risks identified during walkabouts are discussed at the fortnightly safety meetings and corrective action is agreed and implemented.

This strict adherence to safety ensured that the site was placed second in contracts between R50- and R200-million in the current KZN MBA Occupational Health and Safety competition.

The scope of the project includes:

• demolition of the existing car park

• construction of a new 12-level car park, which includes one floor of offices

• internal gutting of the existing 15-floor tower block and its refurbishment, with all new services, including new lifts

• construction of an external curtain walls

• halo feature, Smith and Gardiner Streets.

Having commenced in January this year, the 18-month project is some 40 percent complete and on schedule to be handed over at the end of June next year.

The professional team on the project includes Elphick Proome Architects, WSP Africa Civil and Structural engineers, Chew Bowen Marais, fire design by WSP Consulting Engineers, quantity surveyors, Francis Williams-Jones Kgole; and mechanical and electrical engineers, Absa Ream. Safety consultants on the site are Swift Safety.

I will take it that the 12F carpark is a separate building..so does that count as an additional building for durbs...giles?

http://files.photojerk.com/andrewharv/durbsabsatower.jpg

Must get some update pics....must be looking good now!

Giles...as i mentioned in an earlier post, will the other 12F building (parking garage) count as another building for durbs?

If u take a look at all the major cities in SA, almost 35% of all the building are owned by the Banks, I mean look at Joburg, its infested with properties owned by banks, they even call it "Bank City". By the banks renovating their properties, it will pick up the value of property in the CBD's, & so people will continue to invest & upgrape their properties.

PS: SA BOY, do u know who from EPA worked on Mt Blanc, I also know some people there. We also had a holiday flat at Mt Blanc on the 9th floor. The pool was kinda small for the whole building, but when ever we used it nobody was around to join in, everyone was at work! I am sure that Mt Blanc was only 34 Floors, might be mistaken (should play in the lifts alot!)

they aiming for a July completion, so i take it that work is nearing an end...doesnt look like it tho

Mike the 12F parking structure is not classified as another building as its not "occupied" by people. I asked the standards committe and thats the rulling, even if there was 1 F of office , shops etc then it could be .
Durbsbooi, dont know who at EPA worked on it, but if you could get info from them it might be more accurate than the source for the 40F and height (got from the council)

well its 12F parking, and 2F of commercial space on top of that which is connected to the main building...that make any difference?

look at post number 14.....

Here's a newer render...a bit clearer

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1543.jpg

and a look at construction

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1542.jpg

^^Thanx dys, cant remember when last I went down to that part of town.

who is the contractor? EPA are archites and Ill add them along with WSP but dont recognise the other names of logos

i'm down there often, like shopping in town.

dont know the contractor...but i know key projects are the project managers

Looks really worldly and attractive in those new renderings :)

Do keep us updated :)

-thryve

Will do :)

Trying to get more renders... Work should be complete by year end

Construction pics. updates? :)

they started putting that rings on, I could see it from exibhition center,
this building looks tiny next to the Old Mutual building.

See? I can't be accused for not caring about Durban stuff.

I've been trying to get new construction shots of this baby for weeks now... anyone can help?

-thryve

if i went into town i cld get...u wont find any on the net

Im always freeken driving, havent perfectd the art of taking pics while driving as yet!

dude thats almost as good as drinking and driving ull neva get the hang of it ;)

^^Speak for ur self ;)

Drunk driving is probably one of the stupider things someone can do.

Anyways... can we PLEASE have an update, dysan? And San Raphael and Spinnaker must be incredible now... can we please get some updates?

OK...here is a pic i took in early dec. i didnt post it cos i want to go back and get some good shots..(this was taken while driving). it really is looking beautiful.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/IMGP1889.jpg

Drunk driving is probably one of the stupider things someone can do.

Anyways... can we PLEASE have an update, dysan? And San Raphael and Spinnaker must be incredible now... can we please get some updates?

LOL, I was talking about drinking coke & driving, ......not alcohol, thats just stupid. :)

OK guys...here she is...basically completed!!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa4.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa5.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa7.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa8.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa2.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa9.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absaj.jpg

It's hot...

Will take you on a proper CBD walking tour when you down again buddy

Very clean-lined, modern, sexy.

I love it !!! :):)

that structure is hideous otherwise superb interiors and remaining parts of the exterior..

wow what an improvement, I was looking at the pics of her that I took 5 years ago on emporis and it was a bland old building before. mike can I use these on Emporis? Please send me a PM with your full name so I can credit you.
Cheers

Its looking stunning, the structure is Different, but sexy. Only thing that brings this building down is its height, its surrounded by monster's so it look tiny! If it were 15 storeys higher it would be the best in the CBD, but I still love it! Fab interior, very modern & sleek, & the atrium is magnificent!

Wow fantastic pics Mike. I think it looks fantastic. At night time it makes quite a statement when it's all lit up. And with Old Mutual's new developments across the road the centre of the CBD is going look pretty impressive!

^^ Thats the good thing, all the developments are very concentrated at the moment.

ABSA.

2 buildings away is the old mutual dev.

across the road is the soon to be announced refurb of the old std bank hq which moved to kingsmead at the beginning of the month.

Then the new tower next to devonshire parkade (3 buildings from absa)

The massive R60m refurb of a 16F tower in west street that is well underway with its facade changing alot too.

The conversion of office to retail and residential in the mr price building (corner west and field)

The new central council building opposite city hall, across from post office.

And re dev of mercury house imminent




So there is loads on the go. and the cbd does not need "major work" like mo likes to always point out, just a good touch up and polish. its a vastly different style and feel cbd to cape towns. always has, and always will.

well said mate, Durban central CBD area was always in good nick , its just the southern parts around Albert Street that wenet very Hilbrow but I belive the council is forcing change there, Any news on that new CBD tower?

Mike could I ask if we could consolidate all the Durban developments into a singel post (know its a mission) as we keep forgetting about things like that 20 ofdd story office tower, the ICC office tower, Grinrod place, The new one near John ross house etc, Pretty please with a big cherry on top
TA

^^ Thats the good thing, all the developments are very concentrated at the moment.

ABSA.

2 buildings away is the old mutual dev.

across the road is the soon to be announced refurb of the old std bank hq which moved to kingsmead at the beginning of the month.

Then the new tower next to devonshire parkade (3 buildings from absa)

The massive R60m refurb of a 16F tower in west street that is well underway with its facade changing alot too.

The conversion of office to retail and residential in the mr price building (corner west and field)

The new central council building opposite city hall, across from post office.

And re dev of mercury house imminent




So there is loads on the go. and the cbd does not need "major work" like mo likes to always point out, just a good touch up and polish. its a vastly different style and feel cbd to cape towns. always has, and always will.

sounds really good will get to see it all in early may hopefully, how far are these developments from the hilton? do you suggest walking or not?

ahhh a bit far for me, but then Im a lazy bugger. sort of from The entrance to the V&A at Auto Atlantic to the BMW paviliion

well said mate, Durban central CBD area was always in good nick , its just the southern parts around Albert Street that wenet very Hilbrow but I belive the council is forcing change there, Any news on that new CBD tower?

Mike could I ask if we could consolidate all the Durban developments into a singel post (know its a mission) as we keep forgetting about things like that 20 ofdd story office tower, the ICC office tower, Grinrod place, The new one near John ross house etc, Pretty please with a big cherry on top
TA

Will do that today. will place in Durban thread

sounds really good will get to see it all in early may hopefully, how far are these developments from the hilton? do you suggest walking or not?

You could walk. The route i'd suggest is:

Leave Hilton, walk along walnut past the ICC. Turn right at Tilt Niteclub and walk between the DEC and the reserve bank.

Cross the road and go into the Workshop shopping centre while walking thru the AIDS garden of rememberance. You'll now be next to the Old Durban central railway station (which romansa pointed out to me was supposed to be the design for the Toronto central station, but by mistake they got Durban's design and we got there's).

From there you will see all the CBD buildings and will easily be able to make your way to the city hall and all thats surrounds it.

From the Hilton to City hall is a 10 min walk if you dont stop

You could walk. The route i'd suggest is:

. You'll now be next to the Old Durban central railway station (which romansa pointed out to me was supposed to be the design for the Toronto central station, but by mistake they got Durban's design and we got there's).



The Durban roof is designed to withstand 6 feet of snow and as luck would have it, the TO one was a tropical roof design that collapsed in the first snow storm it was in.
Another bit of mindless trivia

I don't think this was the original station planned for Durbs (because it has undergone serveral upgrades and rebuilding efforts since) but if you look at the current Toronto station design (Union Station) it would fit in PERFECTLY with the other historic buildings in Durban's downtown. It's very much along the lines of the current Post Office and City Hall look (same colour and big columns in the front etc). Check out this links to see what Durban could have had...

http://va6bc.no-ip.com/peggys_cove/Union%20Station%20Toronto.jpg

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/c/c6/275px-Union_Station,_Toronto.jpg

And this one to see the story about the mix-up of the Toronto and Durban plans (along with other interesting Durban architecture trivia)...

http://www.durban.co.za/factfile/default.asp?txt=historical_sites

thanx so much buddy!! yeh that does look like it would have fit in perfect in durban. would mirror the post office

hey guys..what amount of money is reserved for the kings park station pre 2010 and for the main station in the CBD?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/411754794_976eaa915f_o.jpg

U know, Iv been to city hall soo many times, but never noticed this dudes statue, maybe its coz everytime I went there it was in the evening.

bud there are a good 10 statues around city hall

.......oh really :runaway:

just kidding, I knew there were statues, but never stopped to look at them :dunno:

Yup, there are statues all over the place there.

Mo's pic is funny. Here we have the ABSA Tower but Nedbank getting all the branding attention (from this angle and in this pic, anyway).

Upgrade of ABSA (Bank) Towers 291 Smith Street Durban



Overlooking Durban’s central city is the R85m (US $ 14m) revamped building that due to its location, size, design and prior history is already set to become a landmark development in the area.

In Durban’s CBD, the customer functions of ABSA bank were in sporadic areas throughout the city and their leases were on the verge of expiring in a few years, therefore, in 2003 ABSA bank decided to consolidate all staff into one central building. Yet, the developers felt it was unnecessary for the construction of new building, so they opted to renovate an existing one.

The ABSA owned13-storey UBS building, originally built in the 60s, comprising of a central banking hall and a small parking garage was selected. Yet, there was a problem. "Though well positioned across from Durban’s City Hall on 291 Smith Street, the building did not meet with ABSA bank’s current corporate image due to its aged condition and architectural style," says Mike Treyvellan, Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Regional Manager for ABSA Ream Property Solution Managers.

Yet, before the first brick could be cast, the project had to be designed. Elphick Proome Architects whose mission statement boasts their commitment to excellence, provided the role of lead designer, architects as well as interior designer. Commencing in January 2005 this project will be completed in September 2006

Design & construction

This building has already become a landmark as it is the first development in Durban’s CBD in a decade. Interesting features of this building include the 16-storey corner tower and the 22 metre, floating halo suspended atop the tower. Internally, attention drawing features are the 14-storey atrium and its 8th floor mezzanine canteen. All these features deliver powerful visual interest in the city.

The 291 Smith Street upgrade will incorporate both the external refurbishment of the building, the demolition of the existing parking garage, the erection of a new garage and additional floor space above that garage as well as the total renovation of the internal foyer and all the office floors. Spanning a total of 12,960 sq metres, the bank comprises of 13 floors of offices; 10 floors of parking equaling 7,407 sq metres including space that accommodates 280 parking bays for staff; additional lifts; executive and training room levels as well as new staff canteen and a remodeled entrance lobby.

Challenges

Major construction challenges revolved around the logistics of navigating operations within the limited space of a fully operational and populated site. The banking hall was fully functional and occupied with patrons while construction occurred over the 14 floors. Additionally, Durban’s CBD congestion of existing buildings posed an obstacle for contractors to effectively navigate materials around and to site.

Other challenges related to detailing complex structural issues with large glazed facades. Using a NEC contract on remodeling a project was also a daunting task due to the contracts complex project management systems and controls which are best suited to a Greenfields Project. Not withstanding this, the NEC contract provided a sound and comprehensive contract mechanism for a remodeling project of this scale.

Benefits

"Not only will ABSA bank be prominently and proudly visible in the CBD, but in the office building we will also be able to control issues such as rentals, security, maintenance and cleaning," sums up Treyvellan. Additional spin-offs of this project is that it supports ABSA’s commitment to Black Economic Empowerment by ensuring all consultants, contractors and the majority of suppliers are Durban based, which is in line with ABSA’s approach of supporting the local economies of its various operations. Lastly, the project is a further indication of ABSA’s attempts to uplift the CBDs nationally, having already undertaken numerous projects in Johannesburg CBD over the past five years totaling approximately R400 million (US $57 million).

Perfecting professionalism

The completion of this landmark building on the already historical site has permanently etched a positive view of the professionals capability in the minds of the clients as well as the patrons that will utilise the building. George Elphick, Director of Elphick Proome Architects (EPA), comments on the synergy of the professionals’ efforts. "A highly cooperative team with a common focus employing intensive coordination assured a successful project." - ABSA INTERIORS 2: View of atrium mezzanine canteen looking west.



Professional Team



Project Managers Maponya Development Key Projects

Architects Elphick Proome Architects Incorporated

Interior Designers Elphick Proome Interiors

Quantity Surveyors Francis Williams-Jones Kgole

Structural Engineers WSP

Wet Services

Engineers WSP

Fire Engineers WSP

Mechanical Engineers Absa Ream

WSP

Electrical Engineers Absa Ream

WSP

Façade Engineers Pure Consulting Engineers

driving in the rain, sorry for the quality, my camera decided to focus on the rain drops than the building :bash:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g160/amgosai/Sky%20Scrapercity/28062009520.jpg

Durbs - you should have opened the window?

lol, yeh and get swearing from my dad for ruining the interior of his car :lol:

4 by EPA and then a bunch from flickr by Chris Bloom

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa1-1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa2-1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa3.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c128/dysan1/absa4-1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/3887367551_5df4c708d8.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/3888241992_32ef9dc428.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/3888081354_efdee51f99.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3875498120_3f24bb8974.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1391/1463634747_2e84e3fcd1.jpg

That's a nice building, the last photo was taken from the same position I was the last time I took one of Durbs photo, I love that area and hope that it has improved even further.

not convinced about the UFO.

Is teh Nedbank building behind due to a refurb too?

^^How I'd wish this were 10 Floor's higher.

& yes the Nedbank building is due a refurb and was planned to last year, but bunch of architects put a hold to it, their agurement was that the facade was an architectural stepping stone in terms of modern facade design and they would like to see it preserved..... IMO it looks like shit, but hey Im just a project designer, WTF do I know?

^^ yup the Nedbank one is held up in the courts. It became a huge deal with people from all over the world getting involved to stop it

ABSA seems to have very iconic buildings in the various cities. Similar to the one in CT, Its very hard to miss.