Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) was lauded at the Africa Property Investment (API) Summit on Thursday September 22, scooping a handful of awards.
Greg Pearson, co-founder of the development company, was named Top Africa CEO. Shevira Bissessor, the group’s chief operating officer was named Top Woman in Real Estate. Adumuah Place, located in Accra, Ghana, won best commercial office development while Rosslyn Grove, in Nairobi, Kenya, won best high-end residential development.
The API Summit was held at the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch on September 21 and 22. Thousands of guests attended the conference which saw experienced investors, developers, property managers and other professionals analyse Africa’s commercial real estate industry. The API also included an inaugural Africa Proptech Forum, with presenters including G-Maven’s CEO Will Harris and managing partner of REdimension Capital, Peter Clark.
G-Maven is a data specialist services provider while REdimension capital was established in South Africa in 2021 to accelerate innovation in the built environment.
Pearson said he was honoured to be awarded by his peers.
“It’s brilliant to win this award and I want to thank my team which without its support, GREA would not be such a successful company on the continent,” Pearson said.
Bissessor said GREA had provided her with opportunities she could never have imagined possible.
“It’s been wonderful working here. I have been able to take up so many exciting opportunities,” she said.
GREA has become well-known for its corporate housing projects.
In the case of consular housing, foreign governments are often willing to pay extra rentals to secure premium locations that are close to embassies or high commissions, the group explains. These areas are typically safer, with lower levels of traffic congestion. Considering the demand and location, as well as the higher specification and also quality standards, these assets usually attract a higher development and rental cost.
In 2021, for instance, GREA and US-based Verdant Ventures completed Elevation Diplomatic Residences, a 10-storey, 112-apartment diplomatic specification residential tower in the heart of Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa.
GREA’s major shareholders include London-listed Grit Real Estate as well as the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). The PIC manages trillions of rand in assets on behalf of public sector entities such as the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).