31 COMMERCE CRESCENT
31 COMMERCE CRESCENT
RETAIL SHOWROOM
Located at the intersection of South Road and Bowling Avenue, 31 Commerce Crescent marks the western edge of Sandton’s Kramerville Design Precinct. This three-storey building offers over 5,000 m² of rentable space adapts to a steeply sloping site. The design features a stepped massing, with two levels fully above natural ground and a third partially embedded in the land, creating a sculptural form that feels both grounded and elevated.
A central circulation core on the southern façade, which includes a feature stair and lift, anchors movement throughout the structure. This core is supported by additional stairs at the eastern and western ends for intuitive flow and navigation. On the first floor, an open roof terrace on the southwest wing has been enclosed with a lightweight steel-and-membrane roof, converting 25% of the area into usable interior space without disrupting the original design.
The project’s character is defined by its material strategy, featuring façades that alternate between high-performance glazing, rhythmic face-brick panels, and textured board-marked concrete. This combination reflects the precinct’s blend of raw craftsmanship and precise detailing. Deep reveals and strategically placed openings enhance transparency, privacy, and solar control while engaging key street views.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the design, highlighted by the reuse of an existing in-situ concrete beam-and-slab structure, which minimizes embodied carbon and construction waste. A flat concrete roof reinforces the building’s streamlined form and serves as a durable base for future photovoltaic installations.
With its thoughtful massing, efficient planning, and refined material language, 31 Commerce Crescent exemplifies a contemporary commercial space that enhances the evolving architectural identity of Kramerville.
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Size: 5,800 m²
Completion Year: 2020
Sector: Retal