Craft Homes’ development secures preliminary certification from the Green Building Council South Africa, projecting future energy savings of over 37% as one of only a handful of South African residential developments to reach this milestone
Craft Homes has confirmed that Riverstone Wetland Estate, its residential development set along the rehabilitated wetlands of Magaliessig in Fourways, has been awarded preliminary EDGE certification by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA), the local certifying body for the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) EDGE green building standard.
The certification comes just days after Craft Homes was named a winner in five categories at this year’s International Property Awards, with Riverstone recognised specifically for sustainability alongside sister developments Iconic Melrose (design and architecture) and Bryanston Country Estate (marketing).
EDGE, which stands for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, is an innovation of the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. It combines an online platform, a green building standard and a certification system used in more than 170 countries, developed to provide a measurable, financially credible case for building green and to help mainstream green construction globally. To qualify, developments must demonstrate a minimum 20% reduction in energy consumption, water usage and embodied energy in building materials relative to a local building standard.
Riverstone comfortably clears that threshold across all three categories: projected savings of 37.54% on energy, 20.76% on water and 36.07% on embodied energy in materials. Final certification will follow on completion of the entire development.
Reinier van Loggerenberg, CEO of Craft Homes, says: “Riverstone was built around the idea that you don’t have to choose between a beautiful, liveable estate and a genuinely sustainable one. Getting the EDGE numbers independently audited and approved is proof that the wetland-first design decisions we made on paper actually hold up in practice. This is the discipline of building around a wetland rather than simply building near one and having the certification body confirm it.”
He adds: “The International Property Awards judges recognised Riverstone for sustainability, and this certification is really the technical backbone of that story. It’s also validation for a much bigger team than ours – the auditors, the engineers, the architects – who had to solve problems most residential projects in Gauteng never have to think about. We’re proud to be able to point to a number now, not just an intention.”
Set 500m from Montecasino and Fourways Mall, Riverstone Wetland Estate comprises 12 apartment blocks and 275 units across seven typologies, ranging from studio to two-bedroom units, all positioned to preserve and make use of the rehabilitated wetland as a recreational amenity for residents.
The development sold 60% of its Phase 1 units over its launch weekend. Features include 24-hour security, fibre connectivity, metered water and solar backup power systems designed in line with the efficiency measures now formally approved under the EDGE audit, as well as energy-efficient lighting, low-flow water fixtures and onsite renewable energy.
Riverstone’s EDGE certification also unlocks direct financial benefits for buyers financing their purchase through South Africa’s major banks. ABSA offers an interest rate reduction of 0.25% for Level 1 EDGE certification, along with a rebate of up to R56 000 on registration and submission of the final certificate.
All banks offer a 0.25% main bank rate reduction in interest rate for new and existing clients. In addition, Nedbank offers 103% loan-to-value bonds for first-time buyers and up to 50% off attorney bond registration fees. First National Bank offers cash back of up to R55 000 on qualifying purchases below R2 million and Standard Bank offers a rebate of up to R55 000 for developments purchased directly from the developer before 31 January 2028.
Occupation at Riverstone Wetland Estate is progressing in phases: Phase 1 has already been occupied, with Phase 2 estimated for occupation this year, Phase 3 in April 2027 and Phase 4 in July 2027. Bond and transfer costs are included if secured by our mortgage origination team within 30 days of reservation. The development is on show every weekend from 12pm to 5pm at 14 Daniel Road, Magaliessig, Fourways.
