Last month, the South African construction industry marked the end of an era with the official closure of Murray & Roberts, a company that has shaped South Africa’s skyline and infrastructure for more than 120 years.
At Boogertman + Partners, we are proud to have collaborated with Murray & Roberts on several landmark projects. Among these was Murray & Roberts’ own headquarters, constructed from 2005 to 2008, a flagship building that embodied progressive corporate architecture.
We also collaborated on Ernst & Young’s headquarters at 102 Rivonia Road in Sandton (completed in 2015), blending functionality with modern design. The shifting floor plates and organic flowing façade of this building symbolised innovation and movement. Inside, an eight-storey atrium with interleading walkways encouraged interaction and connection, while hot-desking, communal hubs and flexible workspaces positioned the building as a pioneer of the modern mobile workplace.
In Cape Town, the ambitious refurbishment of The Standard Bank Building, now known as The Towers (completed 2016) on the Foreshore, stands as one of the most significant urban regeneration projects the city has seen in decades. Originally built in 1972, this “tired old lady” was transformed through an intensive design and charrette process with the City of Cape Town. The towers were revitalised with bold new façades, a reconfigured central structure and an active ground-floor retail space. The double-glazed skin, with fins derived from surrounding topographical features, reflects Cape Town’s landscape by day and transforms into a luminous map by night.
As we bid farewell to Murray & Roberts, we remember their legacy and their contribution to the South African built environment. These projects, among many others, stand as a testament to the enduring impact of their work.
