XtraSpace is proud to announce a revolution in the serviced office space industry. On 1 April, 2016, we’re officially announcing our upcoming launch of Africa’s first ever floating office facility onboard a refurbished cruise ship. The ship will be anchored on Hartbeespoort Dam, offering tenants a unique luxury work environment, 7-star service and stunning views of the surrounding Magaliesberg mountain range.
Making history
The idea for floating Flexi Offices was born in 2015, when XtraSpace was searching for a suitable location for a facility to serve the greater Pretoria metropolitan area. The Hartbeespoort area was being considered when XtraSpace Flexi Offices CEO, Mari Schourie, hit on the idea of placing a facility on the dam itself.
“Once the idea occurred to us, it was obvious that this was the way to go,” says Schourie. “Even the smallest cruise ships are luxuriously outfitted. This means we would not only be able to launch the first ever floating office, but also offer our clients a genuine 7-star environment.”
XtraSpace quickly sourced a 100-passenger cruise ship, the Ocean Orient, which had recently been retired from its route between Malaysia and China. After negotiating the purchase of the vessel, XtraSpace had the Ocean Orient sent to a dry dock in Setubal, Portugal, where it was refitted for use as an office block.
The refurbishment of the vessel saw all 42 passenger cabins refitted as offices. These new offices range from one-seater interior offices to ten-person offices with balconies. A number of ship lounges and bars were transformed into boardrooms and conferencing spaces. Following the refurbishment, the newly created Flexi Office facility was baptised “The XtraSpace Excellence”.
Another first
Transporting the XtraSpace Excellence to the Hartbeespoort Dam proved to be a major logistical challenge. Due to severe drought conditions, the original plan of sailing the ship from the Indian Ocean, along the Limpopo River and then to Hartbeespoort via the Crocodile River proved impossible.
Instead, a Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) used for transporting oil rigs will be used to move the ship overland from Richards Bay to Hartbeespoort via the N2 and N4 highways. Once it has arrived at the Hartbeespoort Dam, the XtraSpace Excellence will be anchored 5 kilometres from shore and will only be accessible via authorised vessels.
What to expect?
XtraSpace clients can expect something completely different from the XtraSpace Excellence.
Services and facilities will include:
- free water taxis from Hartbeespoort pier to the ship every 15 minutes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- 42 offices in a variety of sizes and configurations, all with en-suite restroom facilities
- a selection of sumptuous meeting rooms, boardrooms and conferencing facilities
- luxurious pause lounges outfitted with flat-screen televisions, coffee and snack counters and comfortable seating
- a buffet restaurant on the top deck, offering panoramic views of the Magaliesberg mountains
- two third-floor restaurants, including a steakhouse and an Asian takeaway
- an optional concierge service
- free high-speed internet and Wi-Fi
- a 9 hole top deck putt-putt course.
Located just 40 minutes west of Pretoria and 30 minutes south of Brits, the XtraSpace Excellence is within easy commuting distance, travelling against the traffic from nearby city centres. It’s location on the dam also makes it the most secure office facility in the country.
Apply for office space now
We expect to see massive demand for units on board the XtraSpace Excellence over coming weeks. To avoid disappointment, please ensure that you book a tour of the facility as soon as possible.