Attacq, the JSE-listed REIT and strategic development partner of Waterfall City, is pleased to announce the certification of Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) for its Nexus 1 building in Waterfall City, which also serves as the Group’s headquarters. Introduced by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2014, EDGE empowers developers to assess environmental impact and make informed design decisions, globally championing green building practices.

The certification represents a double milestone for Attacq, as Nexus 1 becomes the first Green Star Certified building in South Africa to also attain EDGE certification through the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). Partnering with Nedbank CIB, it also marked the first instance of a bank collaborating with a developer and acting as an EDGE Expert in a green building certification.

Attacq's Head of Sustainability, Lourens du Toit, says that the Group's focus on Environmental Sustainability is at the core of its business strategy:

“Attacq doesn’t see the implementation of a sustainability strategy as ancillary to its business. Rather, we incorporate best practises and principles into our decision-making processes. This certification in particular underscores our steadfast commitment to environmental responsibility, potentially setting a new standard for green building practices in South Africa and beyond." The Nexus 1 building, spanning 7,363m², was Attacq’s first Net-Zero Carbon Level 1 development, which now also meets a global benchmark set by the World Bank’s IFC, achieving an 88 percent onsite energy saving. Waterfall City has attracted numerous global blue-chip companies such as DP World, Cisco, Dell, Novartis, Pfizer, Ericsson, Dimension Data and Accenture. The City’s strategic position adjacent to the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Tshwane offers excellent visibility and accessibility within Gauteng, making it an attractive location for ultra-modern light and high-tech industrial, logistics, and distribution businesses attracted to efficient and sustainable buildings.

Nedbank CIB Property Finance's involvement dates back to 2021 when it partnered with the IFC to issue a R1 billion green residential development bond, emphasising its commitment to EDGE-certified residential developments, particularly those focused on affordable housing.

Genevieve Naidoo, Divisional Executive for Property Finance Project Management, Valuations, and Sustainability at Nedbank CIB, lauded Attacq’s collaborative approach as a catalyst in the project’s success: “We are proud to have worked with the Attacq team on the certification of their Nexus 1 building. Nedbank CIB shares Attacq’s vision to promote green building practices and contribute to sustainable development by encouraging environmental sustainability and resource-efficient construction, and our collaboration with Attacq demonstrates our commitment to fostering environmentally responsible practices in the real estate sector."