The new Parklane Office Park is centrally located at the junction of the N2 and M5 freeways, opposite Vincent Pallotti Hospital, notes Neil Potgieter, managing director of Grinaker-LTA Building Cape. This office park is being developed by property developer Exdev.

Potgieter says the site is being used as a training platform for artisans, enabling trainees to work in a wide range of trades and attain different levels of trade competency. “We are undertaking training and offering certifications in trades ranging from scaffold erection to brickwork, plastering and tiling,” he explains. The aim of the scheme is to retain and develop a core artisan base within Grinaker-LTA Building Cape. “In the past, the Western Cape was renowned for its high standard of artisan competency. We’re aiming to re-establish this standard and reputation in the current busy construction environment, where the skills shortage is a growing concern,” Potgieter states.

The new office park comprises a semi-basement parking, podium deck and three office blocks. A gatehouse will be located on the paved podium area, while the development’s landscaping includes striking water features, with the landscaped perimeter of the grounds enclosed by terraforce retaining walls.

Challenges for the contractor on this project include extremely restrictive access, with limited working and lay down areas, Potgieter comments. “The weather has also posed some challenges, with construction commencing at the height of the Cape’s wet winter.”

The office park, which will offer a total of 7 040m2 of office space, is scheduled for completion in February 2008.