Louis Coetzee, contract manager and Colin Ridley, managing director of Big Ben Construction on site at the office block development for Horizon Capital in Park Lane, Century City.
At a time when many construction companies are struggling and downsizing, Big Ben Construction, a niche operator based at Century City, has not only survived but has more than tripled its turnover and has a staff complement of more than 40.
Managing director Colin Ridley says that Big Ben Construction has committed contracts wroth around R280 million in the pipeline and is working to full capacity.
The company, which started off with one major client – the developer of Century City 15 years ago - has grown its turnover exponentially in recent years by diversifying into commercial construction.
“When Rabie Property Group acquired the undeveloped land and associated rights at Century City in 2004 Big Ben had a turnover of around R30m and was completely focused on the residential market, particularly in the Century View precinct where we developed around 350 free standing homes over a four year period.
“From there we moved to the Bougain Villas residential development, which was named the best residential development in South Africa in 2009 by Sapoa (SA Property Owners Association). There we built freestanding homes, but our big break came when we were awarded four of the sectional title blocks in the same development.”
At the same time, Big Ben secured its first commercial project – the FNB offices in The Estuaries development, also at Century City. This was followed by a second office block, for Philip Morris, in the same development.
Then followed a number of buildings at Central Park at Century City, including the new offices for the Century City Property Owners’ Association, the clubhouse and a small office block.
“At the same time we started on Waterstone West which, at 7 000 m2 was the largest development we had ever undertaken.”
Big Ben was also responsible for the luxury freestanding homes on Waterstone Isles, and the entire Waterstone project was named Sapoa’s best residential development for 2010.
This was followed by the 42 unit Little Moorings sectional title development, also at Century City, where Big Ben implemented a number of green initiatives. These include the central heating of water by means of a roof-mounted heat pump system, which the firm is now incorporating into other developments.
Ridley says there is no doubt that Big Ben’s diversification into commercial construction had enabled the firm to ride out the recession.
“Fortunately the two markets tend to follow different economic cycles and if a construction company is adept and comfortable with both types of construction, it is easier to keep a more consistent flow of work, which is critical to our industry to retain the skills acquired and developed in previous projects.
“Residential construction tends to be to high specifications so it forces you to have an eye for detail. We believe this experience and commitment to quality has resulted in clients returning time and again.”
He says work completed to date has included some specialist tenant installations for among others, a dental practice, a dermatological practice, a publisher, a green building for the Intaka Island Environmental Education Centre and two restaurants, Crave and Jacqui O.
Big Ben’s immediate order book totals more than 11 000 m2 of construction area, and includes The Quays mixed use development at Century City for Rabie, an office block for Horizon Capital in Park Lane, Century City, a R6.5million luxury home on Waterstone Isles at Century City and the 5 000m2 Greenford Office development in Kenilworth.
