CONCOR BUILDS MOMENTUM WITH FAST TRACK PROJECTS

Caption: Work is underway in the Oxford Parks Precinct with a project to construct two office buildings with a common basement and podium.

Concor has remained active in the building sector with the company having successfully completed several major fast track projects in 2023. Among others, this includes the Trevenna Super Basement project in Pretoria, 5 Parks Boulevard in the Oxford Parts Precinct, the Eastgate Sustainability Project and tenant reconfigurations at Westgate Shopping Centre.

Martin Muller, Contract Manager at Concor, says the new year also started on a positive note with projects spread across new build, refurbishment and repurposing of existing facilities, all of which are on tight construction programmes.

“Our multi-disciplinary teams are agile and have the requisite skills sets to deliver quality on these projects despite the varying scopes, and the fast track nature of all,” he says.

Commenting on current projects, Muller says work is underway in the Oxford Parks Precinct with a project to construct two office buildings with a common basement and podium. “What is exciting on this project is that Concor will be piloting Green Star V2. Our team is experienced in constructing to green star requirements as this was a feature of many of the structures within the Oxford Park Precinct, and we are well positioned for this challenge,” he says.

“Implementing and executing V2 will result in some learning curves for subcontractors, however the Concor team has the skills set to guide the process and we will work closely with the professional team to ensure we meet the requisite new benchmark.”

Another interest project is the refurbishment of an existing office building in Pretoria, which will see this building that dates back to the late 1970’s turned into an A Grade office facility. Concor has an established track record undertaking this type of work and apart from the challenges of working within the confines of the inner city, Muller says this is a straightforward 14 month contract.

Extensions to and the refurbishment of an existing shopping centre in Pretoria is another of the contract secured by Concor this year. The company understands the demands of working in live shopping centre environments and has successfully completed numerous such projects safely. This is also on a tight timeline of five months.

Also in Pretoria, the company is constructing a taxi holding facility which will provide a much safer environment for daily commuters in this area. This project started in February 2024 and is scheduled to completion in April 2024.

Muller says that an important aspect on all projects is the inclusion of subcontractors from the surrounding areas. “With competent core teams in place, we use the services of SMMEs and emerging contractors who can offer appropriate services such as wet trades and some finishes.”

This is aligned with Concor’s ongoing commitment to uplift local communities in the area in which it undertakes projects. Muller explains that awarding subcontracts is not where this ends, and ongoing support and mentorship is provided to these companies to ensure their sustainability over a longer term.

“An example where this has paid off is within the Oxford Parks Precinct where Concor has been building for more five years. Over this period of time, we have assisted in developing a number of subcontractors to competency levels that has seen them continue to work with the company and with other players in the market,” he says.