The expanding Atterbury family has settled into their brand-new state-of-the-art head office in Bloukrans, the final phase of the Lynnwood Bridge development. We provide some behind-the-scenes insight
What prompted the move to a new office?
We have always been housed in Atterbury developments – from our humble start in 1994 in the Glenfield Office Park, then in Lynnwood Bridge from 2011 until the move to Bloukrans at the end of October last year, when phase three of the development was completed. Our neighbours in Lynnwood Bridge, the law firm Adams & Adams, required more space, and the logical solution was the adjacent Atterbury building. Also, we had been expanding and adding new divisions, so we had outgrown our office. The new office has more boardroom space, and it’s the first time that we’re in a high-rise building, showcasing the kind of developments that Atterbury does. Our location on the top floor of the building (we also occupy part of the fourth floor) has panoramic views over leafy Pretoria East, the park which Atterbury re-landscaped and the Alkantrant library which we rebuilt for the city. This really gives a visitor a sense of what this company is all about.
What were the design objectives for the new head office?
Atterbury specialises in commercial and retail development and we wanted our head office to reflect what Atterbury can deliver. After 20 years Atterbury has entered a phase where the size and scale of our projects are increasing exponentially. We always anticipated that Atterbury’s offering would include high-rise buildings – Bloukrans is five stories and our next major one is the 25-story head office block for PWC which is currently under development in Waterfall City. While sophistication and cutting-edge design was very important, we also wanted to retain the welcoming “family” feeling of the company, which is integral to Atterbury.
How was this implemented?
The interior designer Wytske van Wyk worked very closely with our CEO, Louis van der Watt, in determining the look and feel. The interior is similar to our old office, very organic and earthy in feel, complemented by our corporate colour scheme comprising shades of blue and grey. Loads of heavy rough-hewn wood was applied thoughout the layout, such as the huge boardroom tables designed by Pierre Cronje thus providing a corporate and high-end look, combined with a homely feeling which is further enhanced by several comfortable lounge areas. Wall-panel-size art photographs of Atterbury developments serve as decoration, showcasing the company’s work. The office was effectively designed to provide each division its own space. We offer our personnel an amazing canteen on the top floor that opens up onto an entertainment area that overlooks the park. Visitors step out of the lift into the hearty reception area to the aroma of freshly Barista brewed coffee and the heartbeat of the Atterbury vibe.
We imagine the boss must have an amazing corner office!
Ironically, not so! Louis is not the “showpiece office” type, he doesn’t even have a dedicated allocated space. You’ll see him working here, then there… always hands on, leading the team from in their midst.
How has the new office been received?
The feedback has been great, from the Atterbury team and from visitors and tenants. GrootFM moved in on the first floor and they also love their new office. Next door in the Kaaimans building we have Citadel, Peregrine and the Wealth Corporation as tenants. We like surrounding ourselves with likeminded people, and can’t wait to welcome more tenants into Bloukrans and Kaaimans! It’s a matter of association…
It’s been years since the first phase of the development was started; did anything change from the original plans to when Bloukrans was finished?
Originally the plan was to build penthouse apartments on the top floor, but as time passed, Atterbury’s focus further increased on commercial and retail space and it was decided to rather turn the planned penthouses into office space.
Finally, why the name Bloukrans?
It was named after the Bloukrans Bridge near Tsitsikamma. Pierre Cronje, whose dad was actually one of the engineers working on the construction of the bridge, made us a boardroom table that was roughly based on the bridge’s design. The bridge connection is also not coincidental, considering the names of some of our developments: Lynnwood Bridge, Kaaimans (Kaaimans River Bridge), Bloukrans, Brooklyn Bridge. We also literally build bridges joining buildings, joining developments, bridges over or under highways to allow access to our shopping developments. Atterbury builds bridges…
