Construction has started on a three-storey four-star green office block in the R6-billion Baywest City development.
The office block inside the Baywest City precinct, in Port Elizabeth’s western suburbs, signalled the wide-ranging roll-out of development at the precinct, which included 2,000 residential opportunities, office and commercial space, light industry, a private school, a hospital and a hotel.
The building, which is expected to open towards the end of 2016, is the first green-rated commercial office block for the Eastern Cape.
Architecture firm Activate project director Edward Brooks says the demand for green-rated buildings has grown globally. “Demand has grown among the high business user category. It might come with a greater capital outlay of between 5% and 20%, but one needs to look at the landscape of electricity scarcity and the energy savings the building will make over time,” he said.
The office block will boast a number of “green” features including 40 kW roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system, a rainwater harvesting system and highly insulated walls, roofing and flooring to maintain a moderate internal temperature despite fluctuating external temperatures.
Further, a landmark deal between Baywest and Vodacom will see the installation of the country’s largest greenfield fibre-optic network, securing Baywest City’s future as an interconnected smart city.
