Growthpoint Properties today launched the first and only property portfolio in South Africa to be highly rated by both the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) and the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), aptly named the Thrive Portfolio.
This premier portfolio combines quality and aesthetics with sustainability for the benefits of their clients and prioritises the health and well-being of the people in the buildings.
Growthpoint’s new Thrive Portfolio comprises 71 dual-rated office buildings in excellent locations nationwide spanning more than 850,000 m2 of office space, and valued at R16.1bn. It is almost half of Growthpoint’s total office portfolio.
Platinum Thrive Portfolio buildings boast a SAPOA Premium- or A-grade rating, as well as 4-Star or higher GBCSA rating or an Energy and Water Performance (EWP) certification. Gold Thrive Portfolio buildings are SAPOA B-grade rated or higher, and have a GBCSA EWP certification or have received at least a 3-Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) certification.
The Thrive Portfolio incorporates smart technology that gives its occupiers the benefit of electricity and water savings, and transparently share the numbers to prove reduced energy costs. The measurable benefits can easily be seen on the multifunctional Growthpoint App. It includes details about all Thrive Portfolio buildings, and near real-time information on electricity and water savings.
Thrive Portfolio buildings are in central locations and most of its buildings provide standby electricity and water. They maximise productivity through the quality and efficiency of Growthpoint’s award-winning designs that create spaces where businesses can thrive. These supportive environments are designed to attract and retain the best talent, foster innovation and increase staff productivity to drive businesses forward.
Rudolf Pienaar, Growthpoint Properties Office Division Director, says: “Sustainability has become paramount and office spaces are being recognised as the ideal locations for implementing sustainable solutions, largely due to the amount of time spent in these buildings. Many clients who occupy our buildings are environmentally conscious, and constantly looking for the next innovation to help lessen their carbon footprints, while prioritising the health and well-being of their people. Our new Thrive Portfolio is an excellent answer for the needs of leading, innovative businesses.”
The innovative new office portfolio is backed by research from a study conducted by Harvard in 2015, which investigated the impact of green buildings on cognitive function. It revealed that CO2 levels are directly linked to occupant cognitive performance. Cognitive scores are 61% higher in green buildings (below 1,000ppm CO2). Added benefits include reduced energy costs, with green buildings paying R2/sqm to R10/sqm less a month. In addition, water costs are also reduced.
Growthpoint applies workspace design, green building development and well-building standards to create space to thrive. The multifaceted interaction of the related sciences and arts ensures that each Thrive Portfolio building maximises productivity, promotes and celebrates innovation, and makes its buildings places where people want to spend time. It also helps to safeguard its clients’ human capital investments.
More information from Rudolf Pienaar, Tel: 011 944 6282 / RPienaar@growthpoint.co.za
