Sustainable Commercial Spaces in Cape Town: Building a Greener Future

Traditionally, office buildings have been major consumers of resources, and a source of pollution, but the green building movement could see the situation totally reversed.

The potential to build and rebuild office spaces that are not only carbon neutral but also contribute to sustainability is a game changer – and Cape Town has taken a huge initiative with environmentally sound practices becoming a major force in developing the city.

Green buildings are not only better for the environment: they also use less water and electricity, resulting in lower running costs, and attract higher rentals, especially amongst future forward tenants.

In this article, we take a closer look at the green building approach, what constitutes an environmentally sustainable building, and how Cape Town compares to other major cities as it strives to turn its concrete jungle into a green oasis.

Cape Town in context: the evolving green building landscape in SA

The green building movement may have had its roots overseas but it’s currently flourishing in South Africa.

The country as a whole is undergoing an office space transformation as several cities – most notably Cape Town – renew and rebuild their aging office space stock.

Companies are pulling out the stops to save on overheads as the cost of electricity continues to rise and load shedding cuts into productivity, adding an extra impetus to go green.

The green building council of South Africa (GBCSA) was established in 2007 with the World Green Building Council (WGBC) providing both support and input. This allowed the local council to structure itself successfully to change the way buildings were designed and constructed.

15 years later, South Africa has just had its 1000th building certified by the GBCSA, with the number of annual certifications increasing tenfold since 2008.

SA’s commercial property sector has been due for an upgrade for many decades, with the older buildings constructed in the mid-20th century – particularly the period of economic expansion in the 1960s – having aged considerably.

The second wave of construction which began after 1994 in some metros – typically outside of traditional CBD’s which were beginning to fall into disrepair, was less pronounced in Cape Town, where the CBD retained its role as the heart of the economy.

Nonetheless, the Mother City has a fair number of buildings which are past their prime and are now scheduled for demolition or renovation. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce green building practices in new projects and retrofit older buildings to reduce their carbon footprints.

The benefits of green construction

Certified new green buildings account for more than two million square meters of development, with savings in electricity, water, and waste disposal motivating companies to invest in this type of office space.

  • Green buildings can result in annual savings of 76-million kilowatt hours,
  • Carbon emission reductions of 115-million kilograms and 124 million litres of water savings per year are expected to result from green building projects.

These statistics paint a bright picture of South Africa’s future office space industry, both in terms of the availability of modern desirable premises and a shrinking negative impact on the environment in line with sustainability best practices.

But before estate agents and tenants can set their sights on green buildings, it’s essential for developers to comply with industry standards.

How the Cape Town Commercial property sector is going green

Recently, commercial property developers have been enthusiastically seeking certifications including:

  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and
  • BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

These designations provide an assurance that the buildings have met exacting sustainability criteria and provide objective proof of their green performance.

Green buildings are required to have energy-efficient systems, renewable energy sources, water-saving plumbing, and sustainable materials. All of these incremental improvements result in lower operating costs and a reduced carbon footprint.

Smart technologies are coming to the fore as a powerful way to save power and keep the planet sustainable on a building-by-building basis.

  • Advanced building management systems, sensor-based lighting, and HVAC controls, help to reduce power consumption.
  • At the same time, green energy sources including solar panels and geothermal heating help make buildings power independent as they seek to go off grid.

For property owners and tenants, these features translate to lower power bills, better indoor air quality, and an overall improvement in the office environment.

The benefits of green buildings

Green building technology can bring a raft of benefits to owners and tenants alike. There are two main categories of green benefits: financial and environmental.

Green buildings boost profitability

Green buildings typically have lower operating costs due to reduced energy and water consumption.

Consequently, they usually attract higher rentals and property values, as tenants and buyers embrace the “sustainability premium” for GBCSA certified properties.

Green buildings are more likely to stay compliant with future environmental regulations and are less prone to market fluctuations. This future proofing makes them excellent long-term prospects.

Environmental benefits for ESG excellence

As companies embrace environmental, social, and governance measures of success in addition to the traditional financial metrics, green buildings are becoming an instant boost for ESG rankings.

    • Lower carbon emissions, resource management, and waste reduction are some of the ways green buildings can help to combat climate change and conserve the planet.
    • Green buildings also support healthy and safe communities, with air and water quality, biodiversity, and a smaller carbon footprint helping to transform society.

Is your business ready for a green office space in Cape Town?

By now, it’s clear that green buildings are the paths to the future, and the Mother City has embraced this trend with great passion.

The news that Cape Town approved the same number of building permits as Johannesburg last year came as a surprise to many, but Capetonians have noticed the surge in office building construction over the past decade.

  • Investor confidence and construction activity in the city has created new opportunities for green buildings.
  • The Portside in Foreshore, easily the most recognisable and prominent office tower in the city, boasts a 5-star GBCSA rating – and it’s not alone.

If your business is committed to sustainability, our team would love the opportunity to introduce you to a diverse portfolio of green buildings and green office space rentals in the Cape Peninsula.

From premises in the CBD to Century City, Claremont, and beyond, Commercial Space has the experience and industry connections to help you secure the ideal office space even in the current market.

To learn more about the benefits of green buildings and why your business should consider relocating to one, contact our area specialists today.