Concor Buildings’ Oxford Parks development nears full occupancy

30th September 2020 By: Donna Slater - Features Deputy Editor and Chief Photographer

On completion of the Oxford Parks development, the site, situated along Oxford road in Rosebank, will house five buildings on a master basement structure.

Oxford Parks Phase 2 is testimony to coordination on the part of Concor Buildings to ensure the concurrent construction of three different buildings would run smoothly.

This phase includes the simultaneous construction of 203 Oxford road – Life Healthcare’s new 10 000 m2 head office; 8 Parks boulevard – a 4 000 m2 multitenanted building housing, besides others, Metier Private Equity and G+D Currency Technology; and 6 Parks boulevard – 3 400 m2 of offices for Arup, Sony Music and Sony Publishing.

Sony Music, Sony Publishing and Arup have taken occupation of 6 Parks boulevard, which was completed on time.

The first and second tenants in 8 Parks boulevard, meanwhile, took official occupation on September 1, a week earlier than the extended practical completion date of September 9.

The Life Healthcare tenant installation in 203 Oxford road started ground and first floor handover on August 10, with all other floor level handovers on track and with overall building practical completion due on November 2.

This date, which was extended as a result of lockdown delays, will be achieved through client and professional team assistance, identifying risks and dealing with these before they occur, dedicated resources and time management on the buildings.

The buildings, together with Phase 1 – 199 Oxford road – were designed to complement each other and their respective footprints fit together in a jigsaw puzzle configuration, proportionately occupying the site to enhance the use of the pedestrian precinct.

Through bold yet sensitive design of the buildings, together with the hard and soft landscaping of the outdoor piazza area, a natural environment was created ensuring a blend of business, life and leisure for the end-user. Accommodating all parking in basements has shaped a precinct that is pedestrian-friendly and offers a safe retail experience, according to Concor Buildings.

Concor Buildings contracts manager Martin Muller explains that all the buildings are built to be compliant with Green Star design requirements. 199 Oxford road in Phase 1 achieved a 5-Star Green Star rating.

All specifications on the project are in line with Green Star requirements and the buildings in Phase 2 are also designed to achieve 5-Star Green Star ratings.

A comprehensive environmental management plan was adopted that, besides many other criteria, specified the installation of waste management systems to increase recycling from waste generated on the project.

Another environmental intervention was the installation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems in all the buildings presenting energy saving, efficiency and sustainability features including air-cooled systems that eliminate water use.

To enhance energy use during occupation, different striking façades provide the respective buildings with both aesthetic interest and added energy benefits.

The Covid-19 lockdown added a new level of challenges and anxiety to the construction industry. According to Muller, through early preparation and policy implementation, Concor Buildings ensured it was ready to start again on site once the lockdown restriction relaxation permitted construction to commence on June 1.

As such, implemented daily scanning points, wash stations, physical distancing measures, signage and continual communication led to construction activities being back on track from day one after the restrictions were removed.

Risk management became a particularly important part of this project considering that the lockdown delayed construction by more than two months. Concor Buildings demonstrated its agility value by completing the buildings in, or close to, the originally contracted completion dates.

During this period, Concor Buildings ring-fenced long-lead manufacturing items and key focus points with the client, subcontractors and suppliers. These proactive interventions ensured all materials were delivered on time, enabling subcontractors to finish off when the client required the areas for tenants to take occupation.

These measures also ensured the contractor could mitigate most of the additional costs as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown period, ensuring practical completion dates were achieved according to the contract.