Bentel Associates International entered into two categories, being Mixed Use Architecture and Hotel Architecture, for which they both were awarded.

The Developer of both developments, Amdec Property Developments, appointed Bentel for Architecture and Interior Design services for the Marriott Hotel & Marriott Executive Apartments and Site Master-planning for the full development and Architectural services for the first tower at Harbour Arch.

ABOUT JOHANNESBURG MARRIOTT HOTEL & MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS JOHANNESBURG MELROSE ARCH - Hotel Architecture

‘One on Whiteley’, is a new mixed-use development planned as an addition to the very successful Melrose Arch development, a pioneer of ‘New Urbanbism’ in South Africa. Located in the north-western corner of the precinct, along Atholl Oakland and Sunnyside Roads, the development incorporates hotel, residential, fitness and dealership components, and will contribute to the creation of a sustainable and diverse urban fabric environment that is, Melrose Arch.

As part of this new mixed-use development, the 306-key Marriott hotel and 84-key Marriott serviced apartment offering is branded under the Marriott Hotels and Resorts and Marriott Executive Apartments brands respectively, and operated by Marriott International, one of the largest and leading international hotel operators.

As this is a signature new-build property for the establishment and development of the brand’s footprint across the African continent, particular attention has been given to the design and adaptability to fit with local conditions and how it responds within the existing mixed-use precinct. The hotel contains banqueting and meeting rooms, hotel pool facilities and landscape courtyard, a fitness centre and numerous food and beverage outlets, with the occupants of the executive apartments been able to utilise these facilities at all times.

ABOUT HARBOUR ARCH-Mixed Use Architecture

The brief from the Client was to create a contemporary, urban and pedestrian friendly development. Although this development has been envisioned as a precinct, consisting of six buildings, it can be read as one building over four city blocks.

Three roads, Martin Hammerschlag way, Louis Gardner and Jack Craig Street, dissect the site and ground floor of the building in an east-west direction. The pedestrian movement at the moment is non-existing and by creating an active edge along these streets, it is the intention to attract people into the development. This east-west movement is connected by a north-south arcade underneath the building with a public piazza in the middle. Restaurants and retail activate all edges of the ground floor.

The vertical circulation to the 8th floor is placed within the central arcade either side of the piazza. People can easily access the 8th floor with its park, retail and restaurants. All users and visitors to the development, including the future occupants of the apartments and hotels, will access the vertical circulation on 8th floor and walk through the park and shops to another set of lifts to take them into each of the six buildings.

This ensures that the urban environment is active and a pedestrian culture encouraged as per the New Urbanism theory. Excellent views towards Table Mountain, the docks and sea beyond, can be experienced on the 8th floor and rooftop viewing decks in all the buildings.

Various types of apartments are provided with a larger units taking advantage of the views.

In representing South Africa under the two categories, Bentel is now waiting in anticipation for the outcome of the award competition, as these entries are pitted against other mixed-use and hotel projects from other countries in Africa, for the 5-star prize.