The new home of around 100 of Pretoria’s advocates is steadily taking shape in Atterbury’s Club 3 development, and there is much excitement among the legal professionals who will move here from the city centre on 1 November 2017. We spoke to Ilse Vermaak-Hay, one of the organising committee members, about the plans for The Club Advocates’ Chambers.
Why the move to the suburbs?
The main objective is to get out of the city centre for a better working environment; and secondly to get ownership of our offices. Up until now the Brooklyn Advocates’ Chambers were the only possible move one could make if you wanted the option to buy.
How did you come to decide on Atterbury as the development partner?
There have been other projects of this nature since we identified the need to move around three years ago, but nothing came off the ground. A deal like this is complicated, because there are about 300 advocates in the city centre building, and we all operate independently, but are thrown together in accordance with Bar Council rules. So simply to get consensus is already a huge challenge – we all like to argue! – and to find the committee who would shoulder the responsibility to work on behalf of the others was a further challenge. On top of that, the Bar had ruled that there was no pressing need for extra accommodation until 2017, which further slowed matters down. The informal chairman of our organising committee, Etienne Coetzee, had made enquiries during this time and Atterbury was identified as a developer that could deliver what we needed. And finally the time came!
Will the Chambers exclusively house advocates?
Yes, and the majority of these will buy their own office, with a smaller minority who will rent. Ownership is on a sectional title basis, where you will own your office, and have shared communal spaces, exclusive use areas, and the like, with levies according to your share in the scheme.
Have you made decisions about the design of the interior?
We are going for a modern look that is classic and formal, rather than techno modern, to suit the nature of what we do; there will be lots of wood, glass and aluminium. There will be a central atrium with impactful lighting, and you will be able to look up towards the offices on the higher floors.
What are you looking forward to in terms of new facilities that your current building doesn’t have?
This building has an outdoor element, overlooking the park, which not only offers a spot to get fresh air, but also a beautiful natural outlook, which is so different from the grimy, run-down city centre where we currently are. And it offers the ability to walk across the road to several restaurants where you can meet clients; it’s a safe environment that offers variety. We find that clients don’t feel safe coming into town to the Chambers for consultations, so we will welcome that change. The environment at the Club is professional and creates a good impression, and from that point of view it is the ideal location for us… in the new business Mecca of Pretoria.
The Club Precinct will also house a Planet Fitness gym and a day clinic in addition to The Club retail section in close proximity to the Advocates Chambers. For more information on leasing opportunities, call 012 471 1600.
