Caption: Ralph Heath from Golder with Evert Kleynhans from Atterbury Property Development.  

On Wednesday, 21 November, global environmental engineering consulting firm, Golder Associates, celebrated the turning of the first sod for construction on the premises of the building site in Waterfall City, Midrand. Golder’s building will be the first to be built on this brand new, prestigious development. The company is planning to move from its current offices in New Road, Midrand, to the new building early in 2014.

The architects, Skyscape Architects, is designing a green building to ultimately achieve a 4-Star Green Star rating. Green construction or sustainable building implements structures and uses processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle – from siting to design, construction, operation and maintenance.

The total Waterfall City development – just off the Allandale off-ramp on the N1 highway – is estimated at a cost of R45 billion and set over 1700ha of land. It is forecasted as the largest, single, private property development ever undertaken in South Africa. It will house all of the amenities necessary to live, work and socialise within the precinct itself. This includes hospitals, schools, five-star hotels and more. There will be a fully-functional CBD designed by Boogertman & Partners, consisting of everything from inner-city apartments to a shopping mall, office towers and a public transport hub.

Golder’s MD, Ralph Heath, took spade in hand to mark the company’s territory. Says Ralph: “Golder currently occupies four separate buildings on two separate stands in Midrand. It also has a Randburg branch from where our geotechnical team operates. These separate building structures pose communication and maintenance problems. One building will improve the synergy and communication between our divisions and will be easier to secure and maintain. It will also provide the opportunity to consolidate the Midrand and Randburg offices. We are excited about the opportunities which this new address will inspire”.