GRESB is one of the world’s leading ESG benchmarking systems for the real estate sector. Each year, it evaluates the performance of more than 2,000 real estate funds and assets based on environmental, social, and governance factors, enabling industry-wide comparison and transparency.

The assessment examines more than a hundred indicators, covering aspects such as corporate governance structures, sustainability strategies, energy and water consumption, emission reductions, and innovative operational practices.

The five-star rating is the highest distinction available, awarded to the top 20 percent of performers within each category. In the Central and Eastern European retail peer group, Allee secured first place, while ranking fifth among nearly one hundred entities in the European non-listed retail category.

“This achievement is not only a prestigious recognition but also clear feedback that our sustainability investments and ongoing developments are measurably enhancing the building’s performance. One of GRESB’s unique features is that it only considers past developments for three years, which means continuous innovation is required even to maintain, let alone improve, performance levels,” said Dávid Tuska, technical director of Allee.

Allee’s GRESB score has been continuously improving in recent years, currently standing at 94 points, placing it among the highest in its category. The most significant progress has been made in energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction, with a 4–5% improvement compared to the previous year. Water management also saw notable advancement, with nearly a 10% improvement, thanks in part to the introduction of a greywater utilization concept.

One of Allee’s key innovations is its climate-adaptive building automation system, which regulates the building’s energy use based on real-time meteorological forecasts and external data. The system dynamically responds to weather changes, ensuring that operations are always optimized for maximum energy efficiency. This technology remains rare in Hungary, demonstrating Allee’s strong commitment to technological advancement.

The shopping center’s electricity supply is 100% sourced from renewable energy. Allee also operates its own solar panel system and, since this year, has entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a domestic solar power plant.

This agreement allows Allee to directly purchase part of its electricity from a dedicated, traceable renewable source, making it one of the first commercial properties in Hungary to implement direct green energy procurement.

The facility continues to enhance its energy efficiency solutions, from upgrading lighting systems and adopting more efficient electric motors to further developing automated control systems, according to a press release. While these investments now primarily serve as fine-tuning measures, they collectively have a significant impact on the building’s environmental footprint.