Growthpoint Ninety One Cape Town: Achieves Net Zero Carbon Certification

• The 36 Hans Strijdom building in Cape Town, owned by Growthpoint Properties and leased by Ninety One, has achieved Net Zero carbon level 2 certification from the GBCSA.
• This certification follows a major refurbishment that retained the building's original structure, significantly reducing embodied carbon and enhancing energy efficiency.
• The property is a pioneer in renewable energy integration, participating in the City of Cape Town's electricity wheeling pilots since 2023 and receiving power from the Boston Hydroelectric plant.
• Growthpoint aims for 20 net-zero certified buildings by 2028 and carbon neutrality across its portfolio by 2050, driven by increasing demand from tenants like Ninety One for ESG-aligned properties.

The attainment of this GBCSA Net Zero carbon level 2 certification aligns with Ninety One's increasing demand for buildings with a reduced carbon footprint, reflecting their overarching environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

The prominent 36 Hans Strijdom building, situated in the heart of Cape Town's central business district, has recently achieved a significant environmental milestone. This property, owned and managed by Growthpoint Properties, has been awarded the Net Zero carbon level 2 occupant-emissions-modelled certification by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA). This achievement underscores a growing trend among property developers to transition existing assets towards more sustainable operations.

The entire office building serves as the national headquarters for Ninety One, a blue-chip corporate entity that has occupied the premises for over two decades and now holds a 15-year lease. The attainment of this GBCSA Net Zero carbon level 2 certification aligns with Ninety One's increasing demand for buildings with a reduced carbon footprint, reflecting their overarching environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. The certification of this Growthpoint Ninety One Cape Town Net Zero carbon asset follows an extensive refurbishment.

This major renovation project strategically preserved the building's original concrete structure, a decision that significantly lowered the embodied carbon typically associated with new construction. The upgrade encompassed substantial improvements to energy efficiency, the integration of renewable energy sources, and modernization of the workplace infrastructure. Key enhancements included the installation of high-performance glazing, advanced displacement air-conditioning systems, smart building management technologies, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, stairs were introduced in critical areas to replace escalators, further contributing to reduced energy consumption, alongside various water-saving measures.

Growthpoint Properties views this certification as part of a broader strategy to enhance the sustainability profile of its portfolio. The company has already secured more than 120 green building certifications across its South African properties, demonstrating a clear commitment to environmental stewardship. The decision to refurbish the 36 Hans Strijdom building, rather than replace it, was a deliberate choice to mitigate the carbon impact of construction. By retaining the existing concrete framework, Growthpoint significantly reduced the embodied carbon footprint while simultaneously extending the building's operational lifespan and elevating it to contemporary sustainability benchmarks.

For Ninety One, the pursuit of net-zero ambitions was a primary consideration when opting for refurbishment over relocation. The company's managing director highlighted that this approach demonstrates the potential for existing structures to be reimagined and upgraded to meet advanced environmental standards, rather than being replaced entirely. This strategic alignment between Growthpoint's green building expertise and Ninety One ESG property South Africa goals exemplifies a collaborative effort towards sustainable commercial real estate.

The 36 Hans Strijdom building has also played a pioneering role in the integration of renewable energy within the urban environment. In 2023, it was among the initial properties to participate in the City of Cape Town’s bilateral electricity wheeling pilot, an initiative designed to facilitate the transfer of privately generated renewable energy across the municipal grid. Further expanding its commitment to green energy, the building has also been involved in the city’s pooled wheeling pilot since April 2026.

Through its participation in the Cape Town electricity wheeling pilot, the property receives renewable electricity generated at the Boston Hydroelectric plant. This facility, located near Clarens in the Free State, supplies clean power that is then "wheeled" to the Cape Town CBD, showcasing an innovative model for distributed renewable energy consumption in South Africa. This involvement highlights the evolving regulatory landscape that supports private sector participation in energy generation and distribution, offering commercial properties new avenues for achieving energy independence and reducing their carbon footprint.

This recent achievement at 36 Hans Strijdom is a stepping stone towards Growthpoint's ambitious long-term sustainability objectives. The property group aims to secure net-zero certifications for a total of 20 buildings by 2028. Looking further ahead, Growthpoint has set a target of achieving carbon neutrality across its entire portfolio by the year 2050. These goals reflect a growing imperative within the commercial property sector to address climate change and meet increasing stakeholder expectations for environmental performance.

The success of projects like the Growthpoint Ninety One Cape Town Net Zero carbon certification demonstrates the viability of transforming existing infrastructure into high-performing green assets. It also underscores the market demand from tenants, particularly blue-chip corporates like Ninety One, who are actively seeking properties that align with their stringent ESG commitments. This trend is likely to drive further innovation and investment in Growthpoint Properties green building technologies and renewable energy solutions across South Africa's commercial real estate landscape.

This development highlights the growing imperative for commercial properties to achieve green building certifications and integrate renewable energy solutions, impacting lease agreements, property valuations, and compliance obligations for owners and tenants in South Africa. Lawyers should advise clients on incorporating robust ESG clauses into property agreements and monitoring evolving regulatory frameworks for green building and energy wheeling.

Source: Original reporting via property industry news