Balwin’s corporate office achieves highest green star rating in SA

The rating was awarded by the Green Building Council of South Africa.

JSE-listed Balwin Properties announced that its corporate headquarters at 105 Corlett Drive, Johannesburg, has attained an ‘As Built’ Six-Star Green Star rating – the highest rating of its kind for any office building in the country.

This distinction, awarded by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), recognises the building’s adherence to the highest environmental sustainability standards, marking a milestone for office buildings in South Africa.

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The six-star rating is awarded based on actual building performance rather than design projections alone. According to Balwin CEO Steve Brookes, “Developed by the GBCSA, the ‘As Built’ Green Star rating measures the actual performance and attributes of the building against the original design objectives. This differs from the traditional Green Star rating, that measures design objectives only.”

The headquarters scored 82 points, surpassing the 75-point threshold required for the six-star rating.

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Balwin’s green building efforts included retrofitting the office building with a range of eco-friendly features, such as a rooftop solar array covering both the roof and carports, offsetting up to 50% of the building’s energy use. Additionally, rainwater harvesting systems were installed to reduce dependence on municipal water for irrigation, while low-flow water fixtures throughout the building further conserve resources.

Balwin’s energy managing director, Matthew Whalley, noted that this retrofit earned a unique Net Zero Waste Level 1 rating, a first for a project of this scale, which diverts construction waste from landfills.

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The project’s green infrastructure has also resulted in operational savings for Balwin and its tenants. The solar power array and a supercapacitor, which minimise generator use, support a consistent energy supply. The building’s carbon-neutral footprint aligns with Balwin’s broader commitment to eco-friendly developments across its projects.

“Balwin is proud to set an industry benchmark in South Africa’s green building sector,” said Brookes. The company is recognised globally for its IFC Edge and Edge Advanced-certified apartment projects, which also enable homebuyers to secure bond discounts based on the developments’ low-carbon design.

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