South Africa’s Verde Hotels group has won a contract to develop the transformation of an old building in Zanzibar, Tanzania into the archipelago’s “greenest” hotel.

Real estate firm Bakhresa Group is developing the property, formerly known as Mtoni Marine Hotel, and wants it to become pioneering as both a luxury five-star destination and a flagship for sustainable development.

Verde Hotels is best known for opening an airport hotel in Cape Town, South Africa – the first in the world to be awarded Platinum LEED green building certification for both design and construction and operation and management. The hotel offers a carbon neutral experience at no extra cost to the guest.

Said Salim Awadh Bakhresa, chair of the Bakhresa Group, said: “We’re serious about being the leaders of the green economy sector and therefore we approached the developers of Africa’s greenest hotel to ensure that this new development will be the greenest hotel in East Africa”.

Verde Hotels will work with Estim Construction on the project. Together they will aim to secure a Green Star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa.

Hotel Verde Zanzibar will boast renewable energy generation, regenerative drive elevators, a grey water recycling system and power-generating gym equipment. The operator will introduce responsible procurement, waste minimisation and management and indoor environmental quality optimisation into the daily management of the property.

The hotel will feature 142 rooms, luxury suites, a spa, gym, restaurants, entertainment amenities and a marina. The building will feature a contemporary design fused with local Tanzanian elements.

“We want to prove that going green is not only viable on the triple bottom line but makes good business sense,” said Samantha Annandale, CEO of Verde Hotels.

Zanzibar is emerging as a destination for sustainable hotel development. Architects Jestico + Whiles are currently designing a five-star resort there for Czech developer RSJ Private Equity, which is being created to stand out for its positive environmental, social and economic impact.