{"id":822963,"date":"2025-05-02T16:58:41","date_gmt":"2025-05-02T14:58:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=822963"},"modified":"2025-05-02T16:58:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-02T14:58:41","slug":"a-look-at-bmws-5-star-circular-headquarters-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/822963\/a-look-at-bmws-5-star-circular-headquarters-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"A look at BMW&#8217;s 5-star, circular headquarters in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>German automaker BMW&#8217;s circular office in Midrand, Johannesburg, won a 5-star rating for its environmentally friendly features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BMW, which also owns Mini and Rolls-Royce, moved into its South African headquarters in Midrand in 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The iconic building is located next to Pretoria Main Road and off the N1 Highway. It is close to Grand Central Airport and the Midrand stop on the Gautrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>About 600 associates work in the building, with diverse fields including marketing, human resources, business strategy, and example sales for the BMW brand, Mini and BMW Motorcycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main building in Midrand is part of an &#8220;open campus,&#8221; which also includes the offices of the Financial Services section and the on-site training centre.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group&#8217;s website states, &#8220;Our uniquely designed atrium garden invites you to take a moment of relaxation and reload your energy. &#8220;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Green Building Council of South Africa awarded the building a 5-star rating in 2015 for its environmentally friendly features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rating made BMW South Africa the first automotive company in South Africa to receive the rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rating considered the indoor environment quality, energy, transport, water, materials, land use, ecology, emissions, and innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Variables that added to Midrand HQ&#8217;s GBCSA 5-star rating included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Glass and solar-controlled louvres installed within the internal fa\u00e7ade of the building, enabling enhanced daylight and thermal comfort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>90% of the office\u2019s usable area now has an external view, providing good levels of daylight for occupants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The peak electrical demand on the building was reduced by 30%, which included an extensive use of LED lighting throughout the building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5% of the parking bays are now dedicated to alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles, while 5% are reserved for motorbikes, mopeds and scooters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water-efficient sanitary fittings were installed throughout the building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water meters were installed for all major water uses and connected to a Building Management System to support proper facility management of water consumption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A dedicated storage area was provided for waste recycling, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All topsoil impacted by the construction was separated and protected from degradation, erosion, or mixing with fill or waste, and it still remains onsite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to its Midrand headquarters, BMW has a manufacturing plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, and an IT hub in Menlyn, Pretoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A challenging time for the German company<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654-1024x585.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822970\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-7-e1746188907654.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Despite its large presence in South Africa, the German car brand is facing a series of challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the last nine years, the brand reduced its dealership network in South Africa, dropping from 55 in 2015 to 46 in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A BMW spokesperson<a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/motoring\/818612\/another-major-car-brand-closing-dealerships-across-south-africa\/\"><strong> said<\/strong><\/a> several factors contributed to the reduction in its dealership network, primarily the country&#8217;s challenging trading conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group also added that it was scaling down to service-only operations and consolidating to achieve operating efficiencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from the operational changes, the increasing importance of affordability in South Africa is a major contributor to the decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>BMW said that the drop in vehicle sales over the period was partly driven by the exchange rate over the last decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2013, the rand to US dollar was just over R10\/$. Fast-forward twelve years, and the rand recently hit its worst-ever R19.93\/$.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTherefore, all brands needed to increase vehicle prices above normal inflationary and production cost increases,\u201d a BMW spokesperson said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis has placed the premium segment into a new price bracket, encouraging a buying-down trend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Images of the BMW HQ in Midrand<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-offic-10-e1746188963101.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822971\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-9-e1746188939194.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-4.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822972\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-2-better.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-5.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822966\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-3.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-822969\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/bmw-head-office-6.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>BMW South Africa&#8217;s office in Midrand is renowned for its Green Features and circular design. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":822964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11119],"tags":[5365,12951,12081],"class_list":["post-822963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motoring","tag-bmw","tag-mini","tag-rolls-royce"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=822963"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":822988,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/822963\/revisions\/822988"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/822964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=822963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=822963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=822963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}