The Elvee
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 ARCHITECTURE / Mixed-Use Building Architecture
Company Name:DMV Architecture Cc
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):Dal Venables
Architecture Firm:DMV Architecture
Construction Company:BSP Construction
Client Name:Elvee Property Investments
Photo Credit:Ray Truter Photography
Project Location:277 Main Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa, 6001
Design Status:Completed
Website: View
Video URL:View
Project Description:
The Elvee is a mixed use building on Main Road in Walmer, designed to serve both public and professional needs through a thoughtful blend of spaces. The ground floor hosts a mix of restaurants and hairdressers, creating an active, welcoming environment that draws people in and encourages interaction. Above, the first floor accommodates a range of offices tailored to professionals such as designers, retailers and accountants. This mix of tenants brings a dynamic energy to the building, encouraging connection and collaboration across industries. Architecturally, the building is broken into three smaller volumes, reducing its scale and creating a more human experience. These are linked by an internal walkway, with a central staircase and overhead skylight introducing natural light and ease of movement throughout. Materiality plays a key role in both performance and aesthetic. Concrete, brick and exposed roof rafters provide durability and cost efficiency, while glass and polished concrete floors add a clean, contemporary finish. The Elvee balances practicality with design, delivering a modern, connected space that supports both business and everyday public life.
The Elvee is a mixed use building on Main Road in Walmer, designed to serve both public and professional needs through a thoughtful blend of spaces. The ground floor hosts a mix of restaurants and hairdressers, creating an active, welcoming environment that draws people in and encourages interaction. Above, the first floor accommodates a range of offices tailored to professionals such as designers, retailers and accountants. This mix of tenants brings a dynamic energy to the building, encouraging connection and collaboration across industries. Architecturally, the building is broken into three smaller volumes, reducing its scale and creating a more human experience. These are linked by an internal walkway, with a central staircase and overhead skylight introducing natural light and ease of movement throughout. Materiality plays a key role in both performance and aesthetic. Concrete, brick and exposed roof rafters provide durability and cost efficiency, while glass and polished concrete floors add a clean, contemporary finish. The Elvee balances practicality with design, delivering a modern, connected space that supports both business and everyday public life.
Project Innovation / Specification:
The Elvee’s innovation lies in its ability to deliver a highly functional mixed use building through simple, considered design moves rather than complex systems. The division of the building into three smaller volumes reduces perceived scale while improving circulation, light penetration and user experience. These volumes are connected by an internal walkway, creating a cohesive yet flexible environment for both public and private use. A central staircase and overhead skylight introduce natural light deep into the building, enhancing spatial quality while reducing energy demand. The layout allows for adaptable tenancy, accommodating a variety of commercial users over time. From a specification perspective, the project prioritises robust, cost effective materials such as concrete, brick and exposed roof rafters, paired with glass and polished concrete floors for a clean, contemporary finish. The integration of solar energy systems and water storage further supports performance and long term efficiency. The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning, material honesty and adaptability can deliver innovation in a practical, accessible way.
The Elvee’s innovation lies in its ability to deliver a highly functional mixed use building through simple, considered design moves rather than complex systems. The division of the building into three smaller volumes reduces perceived scale while improving circulation, light penetration and user experience. These volumes are connected by an internal walkway, creating a cohesive yet flexible environment for both public and private use. A central staircase and overhead skylight introduce natural light deep into the building, enhancing spatial quality while reducing energy demand. The layout allows for adaptable tenancy, accommodating a variety of commercial users over time. From a specification perspective, the project prioritises robust, cost effective materials such as concrete, brick and exposed roof rafters, paired with glass and polished concrete floors for a clean, contemporary finish. The integration of solar energy systems and water storage further supports performance and long term efficiency. The project demonstrates how thoughtful planning, material honesty and adaptability can deliver innovation in a practical, accessible way.
Project Sustainability Approach:
The Elvee’s sustainability approach is rooted in practical, long lasting design decisions rather than applied add ons. The building makes use of durable, low maintenance materials such as concrete, brick and aluminium, reducing the need for frequent replacement and ongoing resource use. Its cost efficient construction approach also minimises material waste. Natural light is prioritised through the central skylight and generous glazing, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and improving occupant comfort. The division into smaller building volumes allows for better ventilation and a more responsive relationship to the site. The building is further supported by solar energy and water storage systems, reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure and improving overall resilience. Shared amenities and common areas optimise space use and reduce duplication of resources across tenants. As a mixed use development, The Elvee supports urban densification, reducing the need for travel between work, services and leisure. This contributes to lower transport related energy use and encourages a more walkable, efficient urban environment.
The Elvee’s sustainability approach is rooted in practical, long lasting design decisions rather than applied add ons. The building makes use of durable, low maintenance materials such as concrete, brick and aluminium, reducing the need for frequent replacement and ongoing resource use. Its cost efficient construction approach also minimises material waste. Natural light is prioritised through the central skylight and generous glazing, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and improving occupant comfort. The division into smaller building volumes allows for better ventilation and a more responsive relationship to the site. The building is further supported by solar energy and water storage systems, reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure and improving overall resilience. Shared amenities and common areas optimise space use and reduce duplication of resources across tenants. As a mixed use development, The Elvee supports urban densification, reducing the need for travel between work, services and leisure. This contributes to lower transport related energy use and encourages a more walkable, efficient urban environment.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The Elvee contributes positively to both its immediate surroundings and the broader Walmer context. At a local level, it activates Main Road through ground floor retail, increasing foot traffic and supporting nearby businesses. Mixed use environments naturally encourage spending, job creation and small business growth, strengthening the local economy. Regionally, the development reinforces Walmer as a vibrant commercial node by introducing a diverse mix of uses within one site. This creates a more resilient urban environment where work, leisure and services coexist, reducing travel needs and improving accessibility. Socially, it encourages interaction and a stronger sense of place, supporting a more connected community while contributing to long term urban growth and revitalisation.
The Elvee contributes positively to both its immediate surroundings and the broader Walmer context. At a local level, it activates Main Road through ground floor retail, increasing foot traffic and supporting nearby businesses. Mixed use environments naturally encourage spending, job creation and small business growth, strengthening the local economy. Regionally, the development reinforces Walmer as a vibrant commercial node by introducing a diverse mix of uses within one site. This creates a more resilient urban environment where work, leisure and services coexist, reducing travel needs and improving accessibility. Socially, it encourages interaction and a stronger sense of place, supporting a more connected community while contributing to long term urban growth and revitalisation.
Profile Description:
DMV Architecture is an award winning-architectural practice based in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, working on projects across South Africa and beyond. Our work spans private homes, commercial spaces, institutional developments and hospitality destinations, each defined by a deep understanding of place and purpose. We always aim to create spaces that reflect our clients’ vision, respect their surroundings and enrich daily life. At DMV Architecture, we do more than design buildings. We create architecture that endures.
DMV Architecture is an award winning-architectural practice based in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, working on projects across South Africa and beyond. Our work spans private homes, commercial spaces, institutional developments and hospitality destinations, each defined by a deep understanding of place and purpose. We always aim to create spaces that reflect our clients’ vision, respect their surroundings and enrich daily life. At DMV Architecture, we do more than design buildings. We create architecture that endures.
Previous Awards Won:
124 SFL – 2025 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 239 SFL – 2025 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation 441 SFL – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award The Elvee – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 2689 Walmer – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation 115 SFL – 2021 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation Bloomingdales – 2021 Corobrik SAIA National Awards – Commendation Bloomingdales – 2021 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award The 1054 – 2019 SAISC Steel Awards – Metal Cladding Winner 11669 Walmer – 2018 Corobrik SAIA National Awards – Commendation 11669 Walmer – 2017 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 214 Graaff-Reinet – 2017 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award
124 SFL – 2025 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 239 SFL – 2025 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation 441 SFL – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award The Elvee – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 2689 Walmer – 2022 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation 115 SFL – 2021 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Commendation Bloomingdales – 2021 Corobrik SAIA National Awards – Commendation Bloomingdales – 2021 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award The 1054 – 2019 SAISC Steel Awards – Metal Cladding Winner 11669 Walmer – 2018 Corobrik SAIA National Awards – Commendation 11669 Walmer – 2017 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award 214 Graaff-Reinet – 2017 SAIA-EC Awards for Architecture – Regional Award
