The first year that these awards have been presented, the Awards of Recognition are a variation on the annual regional SAPOA Excellence in Property Development Awards. The objective of the awards is to recognise developments that benefit not only tenants and developers but the Nelson Mandela Bay as a whole. The awards also aim to reward and instil confidence in the areas in which these developments are situated and the city, as well as highlight investment activity by the City and Local Government.
The recipients of the Awards of Recognition were clustered in four precincts, namely Richmond Hill Precinct, Parliament Street Precinct, Donkin Precinct and Bird Street Precinct. In Richmond Hill, the Stanley on Bain development and The Matrix were recognised. On Parliament Street, Angelo’s and the Dondi Hotel came up trumps, while in the Donkin Precinct the MSC offices, the King Edwards Hotel, the Grand Hotel and Pagdens all received special mentions. The Bird Street Precinct yielded the highest number of award recipients with the PE Club; Goldberg and De Villiers; Mazars; NMBM Business School; Old Mutual; the Sheriff’s office and 41 Bird Street all being deemed noteworthy.
The judges of the inaugural awards were Paola Horak, Sapoa Regional Chairman and Lawyer; Hilton Stevens, Sapoa Regional Secretary; Mark Bakker, Sapoa Regional Committee Member and Valuator; Hubert Sieg, Sapoa Regional Committee and Architect; and Cisca Van Der Walt, Sapoa Regional Committee and Property Manager.
Said Hubert Sieg, chairperson of the judging panel, “The change in focus of the awards for this year brought about a new perspective from which to adjudicate the nominations and it is encouraging to see how government spending on infrastructure has acted as a catalyst for private sector development. The initiative, resilience and creativity of the developers have been inspirational.”
Richard Thomas, regional executive of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance Cape said "It is pleasing to note the number of our clients who have been recognised for the wonderful developments they have created. It remains Nedbank's strategic intent to play a leading financial role in supporting our clients as they develop and grow their property portfolios in the Eastern Cape.
