A 45-year commitment to innovation and design excellence in the commercial building and construction environment has defined Bentel Associates International as a major multidisciplinary design practice.  Their achievements have substantially contributed to the proud reputation of South African architecture both locally and internationally.  The name Bentel has become synonymous with quality, aesthetics and commercial viability.  Major clients include Abland, Atfund Properties, Anglo American properties, First National Bank, Investec, Liberty Life, Pareto, Pick ‘n Pay, Sasol, Sanlam, Shell SA and Tsogo Sun.  In addition to the local property market the company currently has projects in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. 

Recognising the diversity of talents necessary to provide a comprehensive design service to corporate and institutional clients, the practice has established specialist divisions capable of functioning jointly and or independently and of interacting positively with demands of clients and the needs of project development. 

Bentel Associates International (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of specialist skills including architectural design and development, property development consulting, master planning, interior design, graphic design and store planning, which together form the capability of the company to maintain a staff compliment which is fully experienced and capable of running projects well in excess of R1 billion.  Examples of this capability are manifest in the Montecasino Leisure and Casino complex in Johannesburg  (R1.6 billion) and the Canal Walk shopping centre Cape Town (R1.4 billion). 
 
This synergy results in an original and practical approach to design which complements the Company’s primary aim, both in design and construction, which is to produce buildings of high aesthetic value and quality in design within the limitations of time and budget. 

The company originated in 1960, with Len Bentel and Dennis Abramson as the founding partners.  Originally a general practice with a focus on retail projects, the company has grown through the years into a widely recognised, multi award-winning organization.  The Company pioneered the design and introduction of internal mall shopping centres and the “Theme Centre” concept.  In the late 1960s, the Company was approached by Pick ‘n Pay to undertake store planning for the rapidly expanding group.  This marked the beginning of Bentel Associates’ long relationship with the supermarket giant and the Company became the architect for many of the developments in which Pick ‘n Pay was the anchor tenant. 

Rapidly establishing themselves as a premier retail architectural firm Bentel Associates undertook the design of the first fully enclosed shopping centre in South Africa, Randpark Centre, now known as Heathway Centre, in Blackheath Johannesburg, which opened in 1968, and was followed by a multitude of similar centres around the country. 

Later Bentel Associates was involved in the concept and design of the country’s first hypermarket which opened in Boksburg in 1975.  The concept was then developed nationally and has been highly successful. 

More than any other form of architecture, retail architecture is subject to the critical test of its success, where public approval is measured directly in shopping volumes and retail turnover.  The immediate and continuing success of the many shopping centres designed by the Company is testimony to its design skills and expertise.  Most recently, Liberty Midlands Mall was awarded “Commercial Building of the Year” by the Kwazulu Natal Master Builders Association, and Clearwater Mall was awarded best Retail Project of 2005 by SAPOA.

As one of South Africa’s leading "Theme Architects", Bentel Associates International are responsible for some of the most colourful and dramatic shopping centres and complexes in South Africa.  Theme centres were becoming popular throughout the world in response to an increasing desire amongst people to experience other cultures and environments.  The concept worked well in the Workshop in Durban; the design converted the original locomotive workshop into a retail complex with Victorian features.  This award winning design was heavily themed and ingenuously executed.  Further theme centres were developed and the design of the Canal Walk shopping centre saw the opening of Bentel Associates offices in Cape Town in 1997. 

Through the years, the Company has also become involved with casino design culminating in the magnificent Montecasino complex in Fourways.  This complex was also highly themed and the final plans were only drawn up after intensive research and attention to the most minute design details.  Providing a challenge to the practice, the Canal Walk and Montecasino projects were completed concurrently. 

The 1990s saw the advent of Sandton Square, renamed Nelson Mandela Square.  Bentel Associates expertise was utilised in the retail and adjoining structures around the Square, The Michelangelo Towers site was not originally included in the plan and was envisaged at the time as an office block with a retail component linked to Sandton Square.  The now well-known Michelangelo Towers project is nearing completion and will be the tallest building on the Sandton skyline when it is completed.  With prices ranging from R1.5 to R28 million per residential unit in this prestigious mixed-use development, the innovative building will fetch some of the highest prices per square metre in Africa. 

The new millennium also brought the challenges of transformation and the company’s expansion into the international arena, both of which have served to increase its capabilities and expertise.  In 2003 Bentel Abramson and Partners was relaunched as Bentel Associates International.  With a fresh corporate identity, the company opened its first office in Dubai in the Middle East in 2003, followed by offices in Mumbai and Riyadh. 

Current contracts include three new shopping centres in India where Bentel Associates are recognised for their expertise and innovative design while paying attention to commercial viability, practicalities of design implementation and local aesthetic values.  Also under construction are the Lagos Palms complex in Nigeria; the ACSA International Terminal at Johannesburg International Airport; Greenstone Mall, Modderfontein; the N1 City Mall Extension in Cape Town; Liberty Midlands Mall extension in Pietermaritzburg and the Red Sea Mall in Jedda. 

The company has won many awards through the years and is a proud example of South African architects’ tenacity and commitment to design excellence.  Their most recent award was the 2005 PMR Diamond Arrow Award for outstanding customer service excellence. 

The practice has always been an equal opportunity employer and the criteria for employment of staff throughout their 45 years of existence has been and continues to be based solely on merit.  With a registered bursary scheme at Wits University and other sponsorship and funding activities, Bentel Associates has always strived to make a substantial contribution to empowerment and education. 

The Company is also committed to the empowerment of previously marginalized firms of architects and other professional consultants by the transference of skills as well as joint ventures on certain projects where two firms are jointly appointed to a project.  Mentoring is also an important aspect of their empowerment policies. 

Bentel Associates International employs all races and genders with the nationality of staff being predominantly South African but with a fair proportion of international nationalities as well.  Whilst contract workers are employed, Bentel Associates International maintains a stable and permanent staffing policy.  The staff compliment, architectural work completed and projects still under construction, all combine to form one of Africa’s largest architectural practices.  The total staff compliment is around 120 with the majority of staff members working in the Johannesburg office.  Senior members of staff have been with the practice for many years and are widely experienced in various fields of architectural application.

Bentel Associates International is committed to developing a sustainable building philosophy.  In practice, this means consideration of appropriate materials, the sensitive use of design and technology to conserve energy, and visual design solutions that are flexible, sensitive and courteous to the environment within which the new building is sited. 

This approach also implies a process of constructive interaction with governmental agencies and corporate clients, for it is with these – the primary generators of the built environment – that any meaningful strategy for a sustainable built environment will lie.  The company is actively involved with the CSIR and other agencies in the pursuit of this ideal, as well as endorsing the use of EIAs for all the developments where an impact is anticipated. 

The tradition of excellence will continue into the future.  As CEO Alfred Abramson says, “The last 45 years have created a solid foundation which will enable the company to continue to develop its capabilities and skills, keep on the cutting edge of good architecture, service clients in a comprehensive and responsive manner, and create buildings that enhance the built environment and quality of life.” 

Ends

For more information please contact:  
Stephen Roberts – Bentel Associates International

Tel:      (011) 884 7111
Fax:      (011) 884 7110
eMail:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website:     www.bentel.net

Issued by:    Estelle van Staden – FVS Marketing and PR

Cell:      083 267 1669
Tel:      (011) 791-2886
Fax:      (088) 791-2886
eMail:     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.