Balwin Properties breaks world record
At a special event on Tuesday, JSE-listed Balwin Properties announced that it broke a world record with its largest Green Edge registration of more than 16,000 units.
This achievement, confirmed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), is a milestone in Balwin Properties’ ongoing commitment to sustainable development and delivering quality green buildings.
Edge, an innovation of the IFC, helps developers design and construct green
buildings in a fast, easy and affordable way.
The IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, created Edge to respond to the need for a measurable solution to prove the financial case for building green and to help jumpstart the proliferation of green developments. The Edge standard is set at a minimum of 20% reduction across energy consumption, water usage and embodied energy in materials.
Balwin Properties founder and CEO Steve Brookes says: “Balwin Properties has always been differentiated by its innovative approach to environmental management while creating quality lifestyle developments. We were the first to offer energyefficient appliances as part of the purchase price of an apartment and today we are exceptionally proud to announce the world’s largest Green Edge registration in partnership with the IFC.
“The Edge software offers us a cost-effective planning tool that helps us to build green based on occupant behaviour, building type and the local climate. Edge registration provides our environmentally conscious buyers and tenants with the assurance that they are minimising their own environmental footprint while saving on utility costs in the long term.”
As an initial phase, Balwin Properties pledged to have more than 16,000 units across seven of its built-tosell and three of its rental developments rated by the Green Building Council SA (GBCSA) as Edge-certified. This is more green homes than those offered by any property developer in the world to date.
“As a large and active residential developer, it is encouraging to see Balwin Properties realise the short- and long-term gains of designing, building and operating green buildings,” says GBCSA
CEO Dorah Modise.
“To do so during an economic downturn when many developers are holding back on upfront costs, shows they have realised the benefits of making better design work harder to increase operational savings and market appeal and accelerate property values.”
The registration is expected to be completed over a period of six months.
The developments to be Edge-certified are: Kikuyu, The Whisken,
The Reid, The Blyde, De Zicht, The Huntsman and Ballito Hills (built to sell); and Greenpark, Greenlee and Greencreek (rental developments), bringing the total to 16 094 units.