City Development Update: No 1 Silo Building

• Floors: 9 (3 basement + 6 office)
• Type: Mixed-use
• Architects: VDMMA in conjunction with Rick Brown & Associates
• Contractors: WBHO
• Crane count: 3

V&A WATERFRONT’S NO. 1 SILO BUILDING SET TO BE AFRICA’S MOST ADVANCED INTELLIGENT BUILDING

The final slab of the roof has recently been laid on the sixth floor, topping out the building 11 months after the groundbreaking event. The No.1 Silo will comprise of over 18 000m² triple A-grade office space and will form part of the Silo district, incorporating the former grain elevator and silo buildings. The buildings will be the centrepiece of a public plaza that will incorporate a combination of public civic space and commercial development.

The No. 1 Silo building is expected to be one of, if not, the most advanced sustainable buildings in Africa. It will provide its tenants with a healthier working environment and save up to 50% in operating costs in the long term. Environmental sustainable features of this building include the use of seawater from the cold Atlantic Ocean, which will be used to cool the building, while heat generated from the IT server room will warm the reception area.

A key feature of No. 1 Silo building is its high performance, fully glazed, double skin glass facade that will not only maximise views towards Table Mountain as well as the ocean, but ensure optimal use of natural light. Displacement ventilation will ensure that much larger quantities of fresh air are pushed through the building, and for an extended period of the year, the air can be drawn directly from the outside. The superior contaminant removal and fresh air delivery will eliminate sick building syndrome and other such issues that afflict normal conditioned buildings.

Ease of accessibility, given its proximity to the Cape Town city centre and freeway system, the Silo District is geared to become one of the most desirable commercial, retail and residential addresses in Cape Town. The Waterfront is also fast becoming an integral part of City of Cape Town’s expanding MyCiti bus service, creating improved transport options for people working, living or simply visiting. Public access to the district will be further enhanced with the roll-out of Phase 2 of the City of Cape Town’s IRT (Integrated Rapid Transit) system. By the end of the year, the IRT will be operating directly from the V&A Waterfront to Cape Town International Airport. Two IRT trunk stations will soon be located at The Wharf and Silo District within the Waterfront and routes from Blouberg and Camps Bay will also be scheduled directly into the Waterfront.

Construction of the No. 1 Silo building is on-track for occupation in the third quarter of 2013.