Work is now all but complete on a contract to add a third floor, with 1 000m2 of space, to the Spearhead Property Holdings building, formerly Imperial Cold Storage, at the bottom of Buitengracht Street.
This is one of the few historic buildings still remaining on what was formerly the beach line.
It was built in the early 1900s and has an attractive, ornate, plaster-moulded façade and wrought-iron columns. The extra floor is set back and has a low profile so as not to detract from the impact of the ornate Art Deco facade.
Half of the newly created space on the third floor is now occupied by Spearhead's head office, which currently has 500m2 on the first floor.
American Express, part of the JSE-listed Tourvest Group, has relocated to the first floor, joining sister company Seekers Travel, which previously operated from the ground floor.
Darren Wilder, chief operational officer for Spearhead, said completion of the Investec building, the Holiday Inn and Cullinan Hotel, and the imminent coming-on-stream of the Convention Centre and the canal, are all helping to ensure that the neglected "bottom end" of the city is now the place to be. The area will be enhanced by piazzas and walkways linking the buildings and by much needed landscaping.
"One result of these new developments is that the eastern, back side of the Spearhead building will now become as important as the front entrance - we will be facing on to the action on both sides."
A major advantage of The Spearhead, he added, was that it had ample on-site and basement parking - enough for 120 cars.
The third floor premises have over 500m2 of office and deck space. The premises are A-grade and fully air-conditioned. WBHO, the contractors, will complete a new lift core in the next few weeks.
Architects are Calitz Architects. Africon, also tenants, are providing the structural engineering and engineering consultancy services.
Mike Flax, Spearhead's CEO, said the extension was costing R5million and was in line with their policy of adding maximum value to their portfolio.
For more information call Darren Wilder at 021 425 1000
