Working with like-minded professionals in stylish, functional surroundings is a dream for any independent businessperson. Jackie Raubenheimer, leasing administrator for Attspace, gives a peek into the inner workings of the brand-new Attspace concept, which includes Atterbury’s Western Cape office in the historic La Gratitude Manor House in Stellenbosch.

Tell us more about the Attspace concept and what makes it so unique.
Attspace was established in the second oldest building in Stellenbosch, famously known as La Gratitude Manor House and which was originally home to the Reverend Meente Borcherds. By applying exceptional business skills and financial planning, he could build La Gratitude in 1798. To this day this landmark building has retained its prominent stature in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch. That legacy drove the vision to create a state-of-the-art, ultra-modern environment inside the richly historic building, presenting a location where like-minded people can come and build on their greatest accomplishments, to make a positive contribution to the economy for the next 300 years to come.

And so Attspace was born under the Atterbury brand – our first co-working office concept with the covetable address setting it apart from anything similar that is available. It offers the perfect solution for those who need for comfortable desk space within a trendy, working environment, and includes 15 hot desks, dedicated lockers, shared kitchenettes, pause areas and fully equipped boardroom facilities. La Gratitude also includes an in-house restaurant which enables tenants to conveniently entertain clients in style after meetings.

How much space is available to let in the building – and is it in open-plan format or separate offices?
La Gratitude offers just over 1 000 sqm of office space. There are two larger offices on the first floor, each with their own boardroom and a shared boardroom. The ground floor is home to six unique offices, varying in size.  Each tenant has been hand-picked to ensure a similar business ethos to create integration within the working environment.

Attspace is an open-plan area, located on the ground floor, with shared kitchen and boardroom facilities, equipped with latest technology as required by businesses operating in the 21st century.

How is the leasing going?  How many tenants have been signed up so far and how full is the building at this stage?
The office space is fully leased, and the co-working ground-floor space is now available to let. We have secured five shared workspace users and the interest has been very positive.

What kind of tenants are these – can you give us a typical profile?
As befits the prestigious business address, we find that people with a similar professional business approach fit the typical profile – entrepreneurs, small-business owners and global businessmen who might require a local base when not travelling internationally…

What is the most frequently asked question that you get from prospective tenants?
“What’s included?” “Can we braai on a Friday?” “Can anyone make use of these lounges?”

Most prospective tenants comment on the patio which has views of the Stellenbosch Mountains and is an ideal location to drink your daily cup of coffee or braai on a Friday afternoon.

Is the Atterbury design aesthetic applied throughout, or do tenants get to decorate their own offices? If it’s the Atterbury look and feel, tell us more about the designer touches that make it unique?
Tenants are allowed to decorate their own offices in alignment with the Heritage guidelines. The Atterbury team opted to decorate their space with “Tribeca Corner” black walls and furniture that compliments the timber Oggie floors and thatch roof perfectly – a really slick and professional look.

The common spaces were decorated by Basalt interiors and have a perfect combination of antique and modern.

Overall, we went for shades of black, grey and copper with hints of colour in Attspace, using mostly lighting and textures to create the modern and elegantly rich look. Each furniture piece was carefully selected for comfort, keeping to the unique style and colour scheme.

What feedback are you getting from tenants already in the space, including the Atterbury team?
The feedback has been so positive… everyone considers it an upgrade in their status to have opened offices in La Gratitude. The Atterbury staff have settled in and are enjoying their comfortable new home. I can see the awe and amazement when visitors first visit the building… we truly handpicked every detail and went back and forth until we were happy with the final product – and it shows. We see tenants showing their visitors their new offices and the building with pride and excitement. Once the restaurant opens for trade, the building will really be set up for success, restoring the historical La Gratitude to its former glory.