The firm’s R120-million contract to upgrade the hotel - situated in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank - is nearing completion. Contracts director Graeme Jones reports that practical completion of the bedrooms and public areas has been achieved, and the new-look Rosebank Hotel is now officially open for business.

Grinaker-LTA Building, part of the JSE-listed Aveng Group, expects to complete the external works – including paving and the guard house on Bath Avenue – by the end of September. The construction of the hotel’s new health spa is underway and scheduled for completion in November.

Jones says this refurbishment was challenging due to its extent. “We were faced with replacing all the building’s systems, such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, data and lifts, in addition to the extensive building works. This resulted in time pressures when we had to design around site conditions, as required by the new structure and services.”

Rising to the challenges, however, Grinaker-LTA has delivered a project notable from both a quality and safety perspective, he states.  The site was recognised in the recent Gauteng Regional Master Builders’ Safety Awards, attaining third place in its category.