April 20 2023
Internal Developers (ID), a division of Cushman & Wakefield | Broll, has completed the turnkey office design and fit-out for Thebe Investment Corporation’s new head office at Inanda Greens Business Park in Sandton.
Thebe Investments was founded in 1992. It has grown from a capitalisation loan of R100,000 to having an investment portfolio of more than R11bn.
ID approached the office’s interior design as an opportunity to express the character and values of Thebe Investments as an African investo.
Thebe’s new head office is situated within the environs of the Inanda Club polo fields, located in building nine of the ten buildings with varying designs that make up the Growthpoint Properties owned Inanda Greens. Growthpoint is the largest real estate company in Africa. Inanda Greens is connected to Sandton Central with all its main arterials and the nearby Sandton Gautrain Station.
The secure office park has full backup power, its own nine-hole golf course and an on-site restaurant-coffee shop.
Heather Muller of ID’s design team said that the internal office design drew its inspiration from African Modernism and from Thebe’s history in SA.
Expressing this in a contemporary manner was achieved with earthy materials such as stone flooring, marble countertops, timber tables, screens and ceiling baffles; as well as earth-toned fabrics and geometric patterns in the furnishings. Stucco plaster has been used in places for the wall finishes, giving a rustic feel.
Thebe’s corporate colours are used as accents in furniture, wall finishes, cushions, rugs and other décor pieces.
“We wanted to create a professional yet approachable and comfortable environment for Thebe’s staff to work in through the use of these different fittings and finishes,” said Kimon Sarmis of ID’s design team.
“The new ways of work require new and fresh working spaces that create an inviting environment for employees and stakeholders alike, that allow for both individual space and are also conducive to collaboration. The creative and innovative designs from ID have helped us to co-create and achieve an exceptional working space, with employee wellness at the centre, allowing for creativity, while showcasing our values and heritage at the same time, making it such a pleasure to be at the office with colleagues,” said Grathel Motau, Thebe’s Group Financial Director.
The office spans 530 square metres of usable office space. The internal spaces extend onto a feature balcony to be used by staff for events.
t is this transparent approach which ultimately resulted in ID winning the pitch for the Thebe head office project. Initially, based on costs, ID wasn’t the client’s first choice. Thebe, however, came to appreciate that although ID’s costs may have seemed higher, they were in fact more comprehensive.
“When a thorough costing is undertaken, the client avoids bearing the brunt of unexpected additional expenses. Thebe appreciated our open-book approach to costs and timeframes,” said Bathobile Chime, Client Solutions Director at Cushman & Wakefield | Broll.
Moving to ID provided Thebe with openness, transparency, constant communication, and responsive and accessible engagement.
“We believe in pushing the envelope and offering exceptional service and quality, durable products at affordable levels and doing this transparently by working hand-in-hand with our clients,” said Tandi Jacobs, Operations Director at ID.
“Thebe last had all its staff in the office before the pandemic. Now, its people love coming to the new offices. This is a powerful endorsement of the compelling quality of space created, given that Thebe’s previous offices already offered a great experience,” the group said.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za