Icons of EXCEL – SAPOA Property Development Awards 2025
According to the South African Property Owners Association, the SAPOA Property Development Awards for Innovative Excellence “stand as a powerful reflection of South Africa’s property sector at its very best – visionary, bold and resilient. Each project is a living testament to excellence, transforming the way we live, work and connect. At a time when sustainability, adaptability and community-centric design are more crucial than ever, this year’s entries prove that South Africa isn’t just keeping pace with global trends, it’s setting them.” The 2025 winners were announced at the annual SAPOA conference in early October last year.
COMMERCIAL OFFICE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
WINNER: IRENE LINK PRECINCT BUILDING E
Architect: Nsika Architecture & Design
Carefully designed for modern businesses, Irene Link Building E includes backup solar power, high-speed connectivity and landscaped roof terraces that encourage wellness and productivity. Its flexible floor plans and contemporary style create a versatile, future-ready workspace. Strategically located near key transportation routes and urban amenities, Building E offers exceptional convenience and visibility, catering to the evolving needs of forward-thinking tenants. – SAPOA
Location:
Building E, Irene Link Office Park, 5 Impala Ave, Centurion, Gauteng
Completion date:
2024
Certification:
4-Star Green Star Office Design V1.1
Type of building:
Corporate offices
Project size:
4 217m²
CORPORATE OFFICE DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION AWARDS
WINNER: AMAZON CORPORATE HEAD OFFICE
Architect: Paragon Group
The Amazon Africa HQ, within the Riverlands Precinct in Observatory, Cape Town, is designed as a high-performance, future-proof campus and features energy-efficient systems, solar PV, grey-water recycling and smart building management. More than just a corporate headquarters, this development establishes a new standard for blending business, ecology and heritage within the African urban landscape. – SAPOA
Location:
29 Gogosoa St, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape
Completion date:
2021 – 2023
Certification:
6-Star Green Star Office Design
Type of building:
Corporate offices
Project size:
7 613m²
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS AWARD
WINNER: RHENUS LOGISTICS FACILITY
Architect: Studio-Mor (Pty) Ltd. Architects + Interior Design
Winning the SAPOA Industrial Development of the Year award for the Rhenus Logistics facility underscores Improvon’s leadership in sustainable, A-grade warehousing developments. This recognition highlights our commitment to designing resource-efficient, future-ready buildings that deliver environmental and financial benefits, whilst ensuring the operational efficiency of the facility, setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the sector. – Improvon Properties (Pty) Ltd., project manager
Location:
80 Ronald Ave, Linbro Park, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Completion date:
November 2023 – August 2024
Certification:
EDGE Advanced
Type of building:
A-grade logistics warehouse
Project size:
30 648m² with provision for a 5 000m² warehouse expansion
INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AWARD
WINNER: V&A WATERFRONT DESALINATION PLANT
Architect: Revel Fox and Partners
The plant uses renewable energy sources to power its operations and provides a dedicated and reliable source of potable water for the entire V&A precinct, making it resilient to drought and reducing dependence on municipal water. The V&A Waterfront is proud and honoured to have been awarded the Innovative Developments award for creating strategies that redefine industry standards and inspire future innovation. – V&A Waterfront
Location:
East Pier Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, Western Cape
Completion date:
Commissioned in 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Industrial
Project size:
The plant has the capacity to produce between 3.3 million and 5 million litres of water a day.
INTERIORS AWARD (SMALL DEVELOPMENTS)
WINNER: EXEMPLAR REITail HEAD OFFICE
Architect: Living Planet Architects
The Exemplar Head Office stands as a testament to the hard work of all involved in designing, building and managing this world class building. The SAPOA award is a phenomenal acknowledgement of the teams’ efforts to bring the incredible space to life. – McCormick Property Development
Location:
204 Von Willich Ave, Clubview, Cape Centurion, Gauteng
Completion date:
May 2023 – June 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Corporate offices
Project size:
3 400m²
INTERIORS AWARD (LARGE DEVELOPMENTS)
WINNER: AMAZON AWS
Architect: Design Partnership and IA Interior Architects
Winning the SAPOA Award on this project is an honour. It reflects our commitment to creating purposeful spaces that elevate experiences, enrich communities, and set new standards. This recognition validates our collaborative approach and inspires us to continue shaping environments that positively influence how people live, work and connect meaningfully. – Design Partnership
Location:
29 Gogosoa St, Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape
Completion date:
2018 – 2024
Certification:
6-Star Green Star Interiors Targeted
Type of building:
Corporate offices
Project size:
24 000m² interior fit-out
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS & OVERALL WINNER AWARDS
WINNER: CANOPY BY HILTON LONGKLOOF
Architect: dhk Architects
The recognition of the Longkloof Precinct as overall winner at the SAPOA Awards 2025 is a meaningful acknowledgement of the power of collaboration, commitment to the design process and a client’s long-term vision. The project showcases how adaptive reuse and precinct-led urban planning can be used to unlock the development of sustainable and resilient contemporary cities. – dhk Architects
Location:
Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, Western Cape
Completion date:
2009 – 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Mixed use: commercial, retail, hospitality and hotel
Project size:
16 500m²
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS AWARD
WINNER: CONSTANTIA LIFE GREAT OAKS RETIREMENT VILLAGE
Architect: ARG Design
Winning this prestigious award was a privilege for MDA Project Managers. Great Oaks Retirement Village sets a benchmark for uplifting retirement developments nationally through its innovative design and approach, delivering exceptional care for the elderly. This recognition reinforces our commitment to excellence, sustainability and community-focused projects. – MDA Project Managers
Location:
3 Schoenstatt Ave, Constantia, Cape Town, Western Cape
Completion date:
August 2022 – March 2025
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Mixed-use retirement village
Project size:
32 568m²
REFURBISHMENTS AWARD
WINNER: PRIMEDIA HEAD OFFICE
Architect: Paragon Group
This award is a recognition of Paragon Architects interventions in breathing new life into an existing building through adaptive reuse, while providing Primedia with a conducive environment to flourish. The design team embraced the industrial base of the building, extending a tradition of transforming such spaces into hubs of creative cultural production. Exposed beams, raw concrete and the expressive use of materials such as facebrick, roof sheeting, steel and glass celebrate the adaptive reuse of the building. HVAC ducts, water pipes and electrical wire conduits were aestheticised and integrated into the design. Transparency and openness were key drivers of the interior layout. – Paragon Group
Location:
15 Fredman Dr, Sandton, Gauteng
Completion date:
8 December 2023
Certification:
4-Star Green Star Office Design V1.1
Type of building:
Corporate offices
Project size:
11 500m²
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS AWARD
WINNER: THE ONE STELLENBOSCH
Architect: Boogertman + Partners
The SAPOA awards are particularly meaningful to us as architects because this accolade affirms our role in making a positive contribution to the built environment and validates the trust our clients place in us to deliver world-class, human-centred design solutions that are contextually grounded, socially impactful and environmentally responsible. – Boogertman + Partners
Location:
16 Dennesig St, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Completion date:
2018 – 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Residential
Project size:
40 000m²
RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS AWARD (LARGE REGIONAL)
WINNER: PARKDENE BOULEVARD
Architect: Skyscape Architects
Parkdene Boulevard marks a dynamic transformation from the former Parkdene Centre into a lively, contemporary retail destination. The redevelopment was carefully planned to cater to the changing needs of the local community, with upgraded infrastructure, improved accessibility and a broader range of food and lifestyle options. Parkdene Boulevard’s revitalisation clearly establishes it as a leading regional hub within Gauteng. – SAPOA
Location:
323 Rondebult Rd, Boksburg, Gauteng
Completion date:
Reopened 24 October 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Shopping centre
Project size:
32 000m²
RETAIL DEVELOPMENTS AWARD (SMALL REGIONAL)
WINNER: LEAPING FROG RETAIL CENTRE
Architect: BAR Architects
Winning this award affirms Abcon Developments’ commitment to purposeful, people-centred precincts and validates our focus on creating retail environments that uplift communities and deliver long-term value. It recognises the discipline and innovation behind Leaping Frog and strengthens our drive to keep raising the benchmark for responsible, future-fit development in South Africa. – Project manager, Abcon Developments Managing Director, Bryce O’Donnell
Location:
Cnr Winnie Mandela Dr & Mulbarton Rd, Sandton, Gauteng
Completion date:
October 2023 – November 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Retail centre
Project size:
13 500m²
RURAL AND SMALL-TOWN DEVELOPMENTS & TRANSFORMATION AWARDS
WINNER: PRINCESS MKABAYI MALL
Architect: MDS Architecture
Winning this award is a powerful acknowledgement of the purpose behind Princess Mkabayi Mall – a development shaped with its community, not just for it. It affirms Moolman Group’s commitment to thoughtful design, local empowerment and meaningful placemaking, and celebrates the collaboration that brought this culturally rich, community-anchored destination to life. – The Moolman Group, project manager
Location:
Oost St, Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal
Completion date:
21 October 2024
Certification:
None
Type of building:
Regional shopping centre
Project size:
30 423m²
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AWARD
WINNER: THRIVE @ CRESCENT STUDIOS
Architect: TJA Architects, Pretoria
Winning this award reinforces Thrive Student Living’s leadership in purpose-built student accommodation and honours all stakeholders that formed part of the team that made this project a reality. It inspires us to keep creating spaces that foster academic success and vibrant communities, where students not only find a place to live but build lifelong relationships. – Growthpoint Properties
Location:
17 Eendracht St, Braamfontein, Gauteng
Completion date:
August 2023 – December 2024
Certification:
Final EDGE-certified
Type of building:
Student accommodation
Project size:
12-storey student residence with 351 apartments
