A R9.4-million showroom and retail outlet under construction by Stocks Building (Western Cape) on the corner of Durban and Rogers streets in Bellville is set to become an architectural focal point. It was designed for Ashley's Motors by architects Boogertman Krige's Cape Town practice, which is notching up its 17th motor facility design and is fast becoming a specialist in this field.

The hi-tech showroom and retail facility of 2 000m2 is on split-levels and sports top quality finishes as a fitting tribute to the exotic cars on display.

Certain key branding elements will be introduced into the Ashley Motors facility to stay in line with the showroom currently under construction in Sandton for Investment Cars, which is also a part of the Forza Group.

The architects met the client criteria by incorporating into the design a double-storey structure with an internal ramp, set to maximise the sun's rays and create a shaft of natural light that will radiate through the building. Night lights, too, will be especially attractive owing to the showroom lighting layout designed by Rawlins Wales and Partners.

When lit, differing shapes of light will spill out into the night. Alongside the showroom adequate and easily accessible parking has been provided and the area will be landscaped.

Dedicated parking has also been created on an upper level deck on the Durban Road side, strategically positioned alongside additional retail space. Jacques du Toit, managing director of Stocks Building (Western Cape), said that when his company got the green light to build the showroom, they were given a mere five months to complete the project.

'We rose to the occasion and set about proving again our ability to work under pressure, comply with fast-track timing and keep the project on track,' he said.