Situated in the heart of the Bloemfontein Central Business District, FNB unveiled its new provincial head office - First Place, Bloemfontein - for the Free State on Monday, 23 May 2013.
With a total investment of R42 million - over and above the cost of development - First Place, Bloemfontein is built over five levels, and can accommodate up to 400 employees.Seven regional offices have been consolidated into the 8 284sqm landmark building, making it a one-stop service provider for FNB clients. Its prominent position at one of the busiest intersections in the city - bounded by Nelson Mandela Drive, Zastron Street and 2nd Avenue - means it is easily accessible for both employees and clients.
With a total investment of R42 million - over and above the cost of development - First Place, Bloemfontein is built over five levels, and can accommodate up to 400 employees.
Speaking at the opening of the building, Stephen Gooch, FNB Free State Regional Head, said First Place, Bloemfontein demonstrated FNB’s commitment to Bloemfontein and the Free State.
“At FNB we strongly believe in the economic growth potential of the City of Mangaung,” he said.
“Our role as a proudly South African organisation extends further than banking alone. We see this building as a tangible expression of our commitment to this city and region.”
The upper levels of First Place, Bloemfontein enjoy extensive views across the city.Also at the opening, Councillor Moeng, Member of the Mangaung Mayoral Committee, said he eagerly watched as the construction of First Place, Bloemfontein progressed.
“This building has set the standard for all future development and redevelopment in the Bloemfontein CBD,” he said.
According to Councillor Moeng, Mangaung and the Free State are burgeoning economic hubs, and the impressive and inspiring FNB office building is the first of many improvements planned to cement this status.
Joe Chemaly from the Kavod Trust, developers of the building, said as part of a long-term commitment to develop the community and continue growing the province, local suppliers in Bloemfontein - many of which are FNB clients - were used in the construction of the building.
“Free State is one of the richest agricultural provinces in the country, and has the potential to make an even greater contribution to the economy,” says Gooch.
The building offers recreational facilities and areas for trainees to enjoy during breaks.“We encourage corporate South Africa to continue investing in the sustainable and responsible development of Mangaung and the Free State Province at large.”
Designed by Bomax Architects, First Place, Bloemfontein gives clients and staff access to 34 meeting rooms, as well as a flagship training centre.
Apart from the numerous informal meeting areas, rooms and ‘scrum areas’, First Place, Bloemfontein boasts a state-of-the-art conference room, equipped with the latest video conferencing technology, restaurant for employees and a rooftop recreational area with expansive views over the city.
Incorporating contemporary design elements and ‘green’ eco-friendly features that maximise natural light, Gooch said every effort was made to create a welcoming “home-away-from-home” space for employees.
”We love coming to work in this beautiful building - who wouldn’t?”
The building's restaurant offers employees a variety of meals at subsidised prices.Each department has been decorated according to a theme relating to the Free State, artfully demonstrating its roots in the Mangaung municipality and province.
First Place, Bloemfontein facts:
- Generators can back up the building for five days based on fuel housed on site.
- The overall interior design carries through various local and commercial environmental themes such as agriculture, mining, transport and sandstone ‘koppies’.
- A 20 000 litre portable water storage tank provides two days' water backup.
- There are 329 parking bays, with dedicated bays for disabled parking.
- The site has a borehole, which is used for the irrigation of plants and lawns.
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