Craft Homes received five awards at the 2026-2027 African Property Awards, held in association with International Property & Travel, including three five-star awards naming them the best in South Africa in their categories. Three of its Johannesburg developments were honoured across categories spanning marketing, sustainability, residential development and apartment design.
The African Property Awards form part of the International Property Awards, one of the world’s longest-running and most respected property competitions. Entries are judged by an independent panel of industry experts on design, quality, service, innovation and sustainability.
Iconic Melrose: two five-star awards for apartment design
Iconic Melrose took two five-star awards for Best Apartment / Condominium Development South Africa for the development as a whole, and Best Single Apartment / Condominium South Africa for the design of an individual unit – this unit design has also been nominated for the Best in Africa award.
At 50 Jameson Avenue, Iconic breaks from the traditional apartment-block formula of long, dim corridors. A central multi-level atrium draws natural light deep into the building and makes room for trees and planting at ground level, while its materials help the building run about 2% cooler. A landscaped deck holds a gym, coffee bar and clubhouse, and the estate offers more than 3 000m² of recreational and green space.
Inside, the apartments reinterpret the clean, functional style of Johannesburg’s 1960s residential architecture. Details include herringbone-patterned flooring inspired by mid-century parquet, fluted glass cabinetry, terrazzo-inspired bathroom finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows. Units range from 33m² studios to three-bedroom homes of up to 153m², priced from R1.259 million to R3.515 million.
Reinier van Loggerenberg, CEO of Craft Homes, says: “Melrose has held its value because it’s anchored by real demand, and buyers there want certainty. Iconic was designed to be both liveable and investable and this recognition tells us the design team got the balance right.”
Bryanston Country Estate: the wall that started a conversation
Bryanston Country Estate earned a five-star Best Development Marketing South Africa award for the Red Wall campaign, alongside an Award Winner title for Residential Development (20+ Units) South Africa.
The campaign began with a single unbranded wall at the corner of Grosvenor and Bryanston Drive, painted bright red. Each week, cryptic new lines appeared on it, sparking WhatsApp debates, memes and radio mentions. Household brands, including Tabasco and SPAR, joined in with their own activations, and a competition to guess who was behind the wall drew almost 6 000 entries.
The campaign reached more than 100 000 people organically before Craft Homes was revealed as the developer. It closed with a community blood drive with the South African National Blood Service, where 123 donors gave blood – enough to potentially save 369 lives.
“We wanted people to feel something before they ever saw a brochure. The Red Wall gave a neighbourhood something to talk about, and then something to give back. To see that recognised on an international stage is a proud moment for our marketing team.”
Riverstone Wetland Estate: living alongside a rehabilitated wetland
Riverstone Wetland Estate in Fourways was named Award Winner for Sustainable Residential Development South Africa.
Set along the rehabilitated wetlands of Magaliessig, the estate places studio and two-bedroom apartments within walking distance of nature trails, birdlife and open green space, and about 500m from Montecasino, Fourways Mall, schools and main arterials. Sixty percent of Phase 1 sold over its launch weekend.
Riverstone has been awarded EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) certification, the green building standard developed by the International Finance Corporation. EDGE requires at least a 20% reduction in energy use, water use and embodied carbon in materials compared with a standard building. Residents also benefit from metered solar, a water backup system, fibre connectivity and 24-hour security.
“Sustainability is no longer a premium add-on. Buyers ask about solar and water efficiency before they ask about countertops. Riverstone shows you don’t have to choose between a green lifestyle and being close to work, shops and schools.”
A team effort
“Five awards across three developments is a reflection of how we work,” says Van Loggerenberg. “We don’t believe in cookie-cutter projects. Every site starts with a blank slate and a conversation about who will live there. This recognition belongs to our architects, designers, builders, sales and marketing teams …and to the buyers who trusted us with one of the biggest purchases of their lives.”
