Sustainability Accreditation Ever More key to Successful Office Projects

According to CBRE, 98 office buildings in Budapest are green certified, representing 43% of the total stock in its database.

Skanska is now building H2Offices, its tenth office project in Hungary, with the retail area and restaurant regarded as one of its most important features, according to the developer.

“Our partner for this in the first phase of H2Offices is Kantin, which has leased 1,200 sqm and will provide premium food in a premium-designed environment,” says Skanska.

“We are sure that the presence of such a service provider in the building complex will be a big advantage for any tenant in their decision-making. Negotiations are ongoing with further potential ones. H2Offices is also designed to obtain WELL and LEED certifications and is already pre-certified for WELL and Access4you ‘Gold,’” the company explains. The Access4you organization promotes accessibility in the workplace.

“As for the Budapest office market, it is in good shape, but of course, we see that there is a slowdown in decision-making processes, especially with the major players. However, activity is higher compared to the previous year, and we see that the demand for premium offices remains. Budapest has good potential, and the capital specifically is popular with investors,” the developer insists.

“There have been significant investment transactions lately and there are more in the pipeline. Nordic Light Trio, our ninth project and the final phase of the Nordic Light office complex, is our first office development in Hungary to obtain the WELL Core & Shell “Gold” certification. We are also proud that the building got the Access4you “Gold” certification for accessibility. In 2021, our global group climate goal has been updated; by 2030, we will be able to reduce our emissions by 70%, and in 2045 we aim to reach zero emissions,” Skanska adds.

CEE First

Horizon Development’s Szervita Square Building project has successfully completed its LEED certification process.

“Confirming the great sustainability initiatives and future-proof solutions implemented within the project, Szervita Square Building also received its LEED Platinum environmental rating, making it the only LEED “Platinum”-certified mixed-use property in CEE, and endorsing Horizon Development as a flagship development company with a clear ESG agenda,” the company comments.

Elsewhere, Atenor has announced that RoseVille on Bécsi út has been awarded a BREEAM “Excellent” sustainability rating. Construction work on the project is ongoing, and it is expected to be handed over in the third quarter of this year.

“Atenor’s aim is to create the city of tomorrow: a city that is more resilient, inclusive, attractive, better suited to the needs of its citizens and, therefore, a pleasure to live in,” says Zoltán Borbély, country director of Atenor Hungary.

“Given the challenges of the future, this can only be achieved in a green and sustainable way. Therefore, at Atenor, we build our buildings in line with the United Nations sustainable development goals,” he adds.

In addition to sustainability certification, the developer is in the process of attaining an Access4You “Gold” rating. According to Atenor, the primary aim of the development, designed by Artonic Design Architect Studio, is to create a human-centered workplace that fits organically into the historical townscape of Óbuda and serves the needs of the tenant companies.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of January 14, 2022.