Joburg’s Absa Tower Set for a R400 Million Facelift

One of Johannesburg’s tallest and iconic is set to receive an expensive facelift.

Contractors are reportedly already on site, ready to break ground on the R400 million project. WBHO/Motheo Joint Venture have appointed as the contractor for the project.

“A hoist has been erected up the entire elevation of the 140-metre tall building, one of the city’s 10 tallest buildings, and will be used to take materials to the upper floors. Hoarding has also been carefully positioned around the base of the property,” the group said.

According to DiverCity, the purpose of the project is to renew the country’s urban centres by developing inner-city precincts.

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Towers Main, the key part of the project, is being redeveloped for mixed-use. It will have among others, 520 affordable residential apartments.

Absa will lease back 9 floors with a total 10,000 square metres of office space.

There will also be a visual transformation, particularly to the exterior. The existing façade will be removed and replaced.

“We’re using a special lightweight brick to limit the load on the existing structure. It is designed to be long-lasting, with quality, durable materials used to construct cost-effective, resilient units,” DiverCity said.

The building will also have commercial space, with the first floors comprising of coffee shops, restaurants and recreation. There will be a public park too, and also integrated public transport facilities.

The first residential tenants are expected to move in as early as the end of 2019, but most units will be available as from 2020.

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