By Xolile Bhengu

There is a growing trend towards "green" buildings as companies become more environmentally aware.

FirstRand Bank has invested more than R1-billion in its new offices in Fairlands, Johannesburg.

The new home of FirstRand Bank divisions Wesbank and First National Bank Home Loans occupies 15 hectares and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Pace Property Group managing director David Green said Fairlands was part of a welcome global and South African trend towards environmentally conscious commercial developments.

He said: "Major corporations and architects are under huge pressure to bring 'green buildings' into the country . They are cheaper to run and economically efficient. It (the Fairlands building) is absolutely welcome in the property sector as more people have become aware of the environment."

Wesbank and FNB Home Loans said the Fairlands building would be an example of best-of-breed, environmentally friendly development.

Heat sensors in the lights turn off and on according to how many people are in the office, an innovation said only to have been previously used by multinational DiData.

Solar energy will be used to heat water in the building.

It took more than a year to clear the former state-owned wasteland, which will have, in addition to the existing World Wide Wear centre, other commercial buildings, and an inclusionary housing development.

The divisions have a lease agreement for 30 years through Rand Merchant Bank, who have a long-term agreement of 50 years with the City of Johannesburg.

The Fairlands site will house 3000 Wesbank employees, and 2 000 FNB Home Loans employees, although it has a capacity to cater for 12 000 people.

The three-level building is located on the corner of Beyers Naude and Wilson roads, and can be seen from the N1 highway.

To avoid worsening the already bad traffic congestion in the area , the Bank has expanded both Beyers Naude and Wilson roads.

A sample of 450 employees of both divisions contributed to the ideas for the building, noting environmental awareness and community as their priorities.

FNB Home Loans chief operations officer Richard Angus said the location of the new office was also due to the congestion in the city: "Parking (in the Johannesburg CBD) has become problematic, and we wanted a building that would house the most staff in one place, and have an open plan.

"We have spoken to the public transport authorities to avail more routes for commuting staff. The work we have done on the surrounding roads will accommodate any new traffic congestion resulting from the construction," Angus said.
 

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