Newlands HQ sets benchmark for modern financial offices

• 4,200m² HQ blends corporate credibility with human-centred design
• Trend Group delivers end-to-end workplace strategy and execution
• Office design shifts toward wellbeing, flexibility and employee experience

A new standard for financial office space‍

Office space is being redefined and fast. For financial institutions, the challenge is no longer just about location or size. It’s about creating environments that balance professional credibility with human connection, particularly in a post-pandemic world where workplace expectations have fundamentally shifted.

This is exactly what PPS set out to achieve with its new 4,200m² headquarters in Newlands, Cape Town, delivered by Trend Group.

The brief was clear: Create a workspace that reflects the gravitas of a financial institution, while also fostering a sense of belonging, comfort and community.

Trend Group: Strategy-led workplace delivery‍

Trend Group is not just a design firm, it operates as a fully integrated design-and-build partner, delivering: 

• Workplace strategy
• Design and planning
• Construction and fit-out
• Furniture procurement

With more than 17 years’ experience and over 1,000 projects delivered, the company has positioned itself at the forefront of high-performance commercial interiors.

For PPS, Trend was involved from day one, working closely with leadership and department heads to ensure the space reflected real operational needs, not assumptions.

Purpose-driven design in action‍

The PPS headquarters reflects a growing shift in office design:

1. Professional, yet personal

The space balances:

• Corporate confidence
• Warm, approachable design

Private client suites, collaborative zones, and meeting spaces are carefully curated to feel both aspirational and accessible.

2. Human-centred materials and layout

Instead of sterile corporate finishes, the design introduces:

• Warm timber tones
• Natural stone and brass detailing
• Greenery and external views

This creates a grounded, calming environment, a key factor in employee productivity and client experience.

3. Volume without coldness

The ground floor features:

• High ceilings for openness
• Carefully managed acoustics
• A central coffee bar to anchor interaction

The result is a space that feels expansive but not impersonal.

Built for belonging, not just work‍

One of the defining features of the new HQ is its focus on employee wellbeing and inclusivity.

Facilities include:

• Fully equipped on-site gym
• Cafeteria designed for social connection
• Dedicated wellness room
• Multifaith prayer and reflection space
• Rooftop balcony for informal interaction

This reflects a broader shift: offices are no longer just places to work, they are ecosystems that support people holistically.

Collaboration and execution‍

Delivering a project of this scale required tight coordination.
Trend worked closely with the landlord’s professional team while the building shell was still being completed, ensuring: 

• Alignment on timelines
• Flexibility during construction
• No compromise on quality

This integrated approach is increasingly critical in complex commercial developments.

Sustainability and local impact

While not formally certified, the project integrates key sustainability principles:

• LED lighting and motion sensors
• Water-saving fittings
• Locally manufactured desks and furniture
• Support for South African designers and suppliers

This aligns with growing investor and tenant demand for environmentally responsible office environments.

The bigger shift in office investment

The PPS headquarters reflects a broader trend in commercial property:

• Offices must justify their existence through experience
• Employee wellbeing is now a business priority
• Design quality directly impacts tenant retention and performance

For investors, this means:

• Older, outdated office stock faces increasing pressure
• High-quality, design-led spaces command stronger demand
• Location alone is no longer enough experience is the differentiator

The new PPS headquarters is more than a corporate office, it’s a statement about the future of workspaces. It combines:

• Strategic design thinking
• Human-centred environments
• Operational efficiency
• Long-term sustainability

For financial institutions and office investors alike, the message is clear: The offices that win going forward won’t just house people, they’ll engage, support and retain them.

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