Highest and most visible bank opens

THE provincial head-office of the FirstRand Bank opened just over an hour ago in uMhlanga amidst much fanfare. The R480-million building is positioned at the highest and most visible point in uMhlanga. The opening of Acacia House, which encompasses FNB, RMB and Wesbank, as well as the asset management arm, Ashburton, was attended by the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mike Mabuyakhulu, who said he hoped that the opening of the multi-million Rand establishment would serve as a stimulus for other private companies to pursue expansionary growth in the province. FirstRand’s CEO, Sizwe Nxasana, said the group considered its investment with Acacia House to be an extension of its continued commitment to investing in the development of the city and region: “…creating much-needed jobs in line with government’s employment development and social upliftment agenda.”
Quick facts:
The building area is 44 661m²
15 business units from six locations have moved in
800 staff, 728 parking bays, 51 meeting rooms
70% of all demolition and construction waste was recycled and reused
Cyclist facilities are provided for 3% of the building staff
Smoking within the building is prohibited and no provision has been made for smoking areas inside the building
Dedicated cycle routes in basement as well as cycle facilities
Fitted with 20 white noise/sound-masking devices