THE GREENEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA?

Similan Properties is set to be honoured at the African Property Awards on 17 October 2024 in London for their pioneering sustainable residential development, Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate, situated in Stellenbosch. Similan will compete with top property professionals across Africa, to be recognised in the ‘Sustainable Residential Development’ and ‘Residential Development 20+ Units’ categories. The outcome of the regional awards will put them in the running for the prestigious International Property Awards.

“Our vision has always been to set a new benchmark for sustainable living in Africa,” says Harold Spies, founder and CEO of Similan Properties. “Receiving these awards is a testament to our team’s dedication and innovative spirit.”

A Growing Collection of Accolades

Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate has been building a notable collection of accolades, starting with its 6-Star Green Star Sustainable Precincts certification from the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) in June 2024. The 6-Star rating signifies world leadership and innovation in the green building realm, making Newinbosch the first development on the African continent to achieve such a high rating.

“Newinbosch’s 6-Star Sustainable Precincts certification exemplifies greening at the scale we need to really drive transformation within the built environment,” says GBCSA head of technical, Georgina Smit. “If we are serious about transitioning our carbon trajectory and enhancing ecological value, we need more neighbourhoods designed like this to create systemic change. Their holistic approach serves as a model for future developments in South Africa and beyond.”

The African Property Awards will add further to Newinbosch’s growing list of achievements. These awards, now celebrating their 31st year, are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognised on the continent. Judged by an independent panel of over 100 industry experts, the awards celebrate the best in design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability. The top winners in each region will automatically be entered into the overall International Property Awards, culminating in a glittering awards ceremony at the end of the year.

What Makes Newinbosch the Greenest Residential Development in Africa?

Nestled near the lush vineyards of Stellenbosch, Newinbosch Neighbourhood Estate is a middle-class residential development offering affordable, high-quality, sustainable homes to residents and investors alike. What really sets the development apart, however, is the approach to creating an inclusive ‘neighbourhood’ environment which encourages community interaction and social cohesion.

The development is EDGE Advanced (Level 2) certified which recognises homes that are at least 40% more energy-efficient and 20% more water- and material-efficient than conventional buildings. EDGE-certified properties also qualify for a 0,25% interest rate concession from participating banks. Notably, ABSA offers clients up to an additional R55,000 cashback into their bond, and it is hopeful that the homes at Newinbosch will receive another 0.25% interest rate reduction thanks to the 6-Star Sustainable Precincts rating.

Newinbosch is targeting several other GBCSA Green Star certifications, including:

• GBCSA Net Zero Ecology to verify the positive ecological contribution of the landscaping initiatives to the regeneration of biodiversity, featuring local indigenous planting, pocket forests, and an urban farm.
• GBCSA 5-Star Green Star rating for the on-site lifestyle centre, the Grappa Shed.
• GBCSA Net Zero Carbon for the Grappa Shed to recognise the energy efficiency of the design as well as that the building’s operational energy is sourced from renewable sources via an on-site solar- and battery-powered microgrid.

Prestigious awards aside, the EDGE, Green Star, and Net Zero certifications provide independent, third-party verification of the sustainability claims at Newinbosch.

“Third-party certification is important as it ensures we are actually ‘walking the talk’ and not simply greenwashing the public,” says Harold Spies.

Newinbosch’s Far-Reaching Impact

Newinbosch represents a new approach to residential developments within Africa by addressing the urgent need for sustainable and affordable housing in a region beset by economic challenges and a growing environmental crisis.

Phase 1 of the development and The Bosk apartment block have already sold out. Phase 2a is already 68% sold, after launching at the end of June 2024.

Recently moved-in residents, local entrepreneurs, Dirk and Micke Du Toit, are excited to see how the plans and dreams for Newinbosch will be set in motion. “We are really proud to be part of this milestone and the example Newinbosch is setting for other developments and homeowners.”