Growthpoint Properties making their mark in Midrand. And it’s green.

With so much change afoot in the commercial property sector, and with everyone waiting with bated breath for “green tax” to create a pinch on their balance sheets, it’s not surprising to see the rapid rise of officially rated “green star” office buildings and other eco-friendly commercial property. With some award-winning buildings being completed in Sandton, which focus on energy efficient operations and a reduction in utility costs, it was inevitable that other nodes around Gauteng would soon follow suit - the future of green buildings is now.

South African property giant, Growthpoint Properties, has recently completed the construction of a state-of-the-art “green” building in Midrand, which is located opposite the Midrand Gautrain Station. The building - 44 on Grand Central - was completed in 12 months (on time and to budget) and meets the specifications of the Green Building Council of South Africa’s (GBCSA) 4-Star Green Star Rating. The company’s divisional director, Rudolf Pienaar, said that Growthpoint’s drive for green buildings was spurred on by their pursuit of “top quality” properties, which provided businesses with space in which they could grow and thrive.

The green building innovation and energy efficiency applied to 44 on Grand Central includes in its building materials recyclable steel and a fly ash concrete blend. It’s fitted with daylight sensors to aid the daylight harvesting technology; as well as lighting that is energy efficient. The motors, pumps, and fans used in the building are also energy efficient, to complement the roof insulation, air-conditioning zones, and external shading. Rainwater harvesting is the source for irrigating the drought-resistant landscaping outside, and care has been taken to include efficient waste management and recycling.

The 7 000 sqm 44 on Grand Central will not only reduce tenants’ utility costs, but it also offers employees an energising work environment. With the Gautrain Station so close by, employees have the option of alternative transport, and there are even cyclist parking bays and change rooms available for those who want to use a very green mode of transport.

With this latest building, Growthpoint Properties is leading the way in a new era of innovative commercial property and green buildings. Tower Property Fund CEO, Marc Edwards, took Growthpoint as the perfect example of doing business is this new era of development, saying that from the outset, Tower Property Fund (which listed on the JSE in July 2013) had endeavoured to reduce occupancy costs through energy efficiencies and green property management initiatives. Their portfolio consists of buildings with high green credentials and as a result, tenants are experiencing electricity costs of in the region of R8 per sqm - a standard office block clocks up about R35 per sqm.