The Precinct, a commercial office complex consisting of three buildings strategically located at the entrance of Grand Baie, Mauritius, becomes the first commercial complex in Africa to achieve EcoDistrict certification.
Greg Pearson, CEO, and co-founder of Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA), a subsidiary of Grit Real Estate Income Group (Grit), a London-listed company, and the developer of The Precinct, commented on the achievement: “We are exceptionally proud that The Precinct has obtained EcoDistrict certification. It’s the first time a commercial project in Africa has achieved such a status, and it reflects our vision of establishing global real estate benchmarks on the continent. The EcoDistricts Protocol is a rigorous framework for sustainable urban development, aiming to achieve sustainability centered around the needs of the population and economic vitality in neighborhoods and districts at the local level. The EcoDistrict certification represents a new milestone in our pursuit of responsible real estate development and a zero-carbon footprint. It complements the 5-Star Green Star certification that The Precinct’s Unity Building obtained not long ago.”
In addition to this landmark asset, GREA has also developed the recently inaugurated Artemis Curepipe Hospital and is currently engaged in constructing the Artemis Coromandel Oncology Center, both located in Mauritius.
Shevira Bissessor, Chief Operating Officer of GREA and Head of ESG for Grit, stated: “Collaboration has been a crucial catalyst in becoming the first commercial project in Africa to achieve EcoDistrict status. While the technical support and implementation were provided by Grit and GREA’s development team, the contribution, commitment, and participation of tenants such as Dentons and Workshop 17, non-governmental organizations, and other partners in our family played an essential role in obtaining this certification. The EcoDistrict certification is mainly based on three imperatives: equity, resilience, and climate protection. Evaluators consider six priority areas, including place, prosperity, health and well-being, connectivity, ecological infrastructure, and resource generation, among others, in their assessment process. The EcoDistrict certification largely aims to guide us towards a carbon-neutral future. To maintain this certification, our progress towards set goals will be measured every two years.”
The project currently consists of the Unity Building, a futuristic office building designed with employee well-being and work-life harmony in mind. Besides the Unity Building, two other office developments, namely Freedom and Harmony, will be constructed gradually.
Greg Pearson explains that the 5-Star Green Star rating is a certification tool applicable to a specific building, while EcoDistrict certification encompasses a progressive approach to sustainable development at the neighborhood level rather than an individual building.
By adhering to the EcoDistrict protocols’ requirements, companies can collectively and individually make their operations and development more robust and sustainable.
Independent consultants, including Solid Green, provided guidance for obtaining the EcoDistrict certification and the Unity Building’s 5-Star Green Star certification.
Grit is the main tenant of The Precinct, where the group’s global headquarters are located.
Bronwyn Knight, co-founder, and CEO of Grit, concluded: “Having this iconic calling card, The Precinct, is the best way to showcase the world-class standards that can be achieved in Africa. The story of The Precinct is about harnessing African talent. It is designed to set a global standard in Africa to accommodate multinational tenants with operations on the continent. The essence of The Precinct is to bring together like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs so that they collaborate on ideas and initiatives that will shape and transform the future.”