breeam certifications

GREAT NEWS: Globalworth tenants coming back to the office

GREAT NEWS: Globalworth tenants coming back to the office 400 600 BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB

Weekly increase in physical occupancy. Globalworth launches the OFFICE RENAISSANCE campaign, to further promote the return of tenants back to their office space.

  • After more than a year where the vast majority of people have been working from home, the ongoing vaccination program, the gradual relaxation of certain measures taken by the authorities to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing desire of corporations and workforce to return to the office are manifesting in a gradual increase in physical occupancy rates in the Globalworth buildings.
  • In recent weeks we have recorded a weekly 4% average increase in physical occupancy in our properties in Romania, Globalworth data shows. 

In this context, Globalworth – the leading office investor in Central & Eastern Europe and the office market leader in Romania – launches the OFFICE RENAISSANCE campaign, to further promote the return of tenants back to their office space. The campaign, inspired by the artistic direction that Globalworth has always followed, underlines the Group’s welcome back message to their tenants and the people physically working or visiting their properties. More and more companies are joining the Globalworth District, the largest business community in Romania and have announced their intention to physically return to the office. Their decision was supported by our common belief that a healthy and safe working office environment increases productivity, promotes creativity, innovation and consistency, and fosters relationships and corporate culture.

„These past few months have been hard on all of us and what we all miss the most is human interaction. Office life is not only about work, but also about being part of a community. And it was only after we started working from home that we truly understood its importance. We are delighted that the Globalworth District is returning to the office, evolving to a more hybrid-ecosystem and we have chosen to welcome our tenants through the OFFICE RENAISSANCE campaign.

Inspired by the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, we wanted to emphasize the rebirth of the (office) life, the rediscovery, the connection we have missed so much”, said Georgiana Oltenescu, Group Head, Marketing and Communication at Globalworth.

Globalworth and the Globalworth Foundation, committed to the fight against COVID-19, have contributed over EUR 1 million to several initiatives. In Romania, they supported the medical staff and in partnership with public hospitals (5 hospitals in Bucharest and Onesti), as well, NGOs and other authorities. In addition, they provided to the authorities c.300 sqm space in class-A City Offices building to be used as a vaccination center. The center which is centrally located in one of the most densely populated areas in the South of Bucharest opened in March 2021 and had over 33.000 people vaccinated in this period, providing important help in the national fight against the pandemic.

As many corporations invite or require their employees to return to the office, it very important that they follow the necessary health and safety protocols, as they provide for physical wellbeing and peace of mind. Globalworth implemented a series of safety and hygiene measures such as rethinking the traffic circulation inside its buildings, taking measures to ensure the increased efficiency of the HVAC system, installation of antiseptic carpets, application of floor stickers indicating safe distancing, informing employees and visitors about the rules in place when visiting a property (keeping distance, washing and sanitizing, wearing a mask, etc), installation of disinfectant dispensers, performance of frequent cleaning and disinfection of high traffic areas, introduction of touchless solutions etc.

Since the very early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adopted a very hands-on and proactive approach. Our top priorities have been, and will continue to be, the health, safety and wellbeing of the people working and visiting our properties. We believe that our initiatives and the detailed and continuous communication with our +210 tenants who lease space in our 16 high-quality offices in Bucharest have been providing the necessary assurance for them to actively start implementing their return to the office, the company officials say.

Globalworth is a listed real estate company active in Central and Eastern Europe, quoted on the AIM-segment of the London Stock Exchange. It has become the pre-eminent office investor in the CEE real estate market through its market-leading positions both in Romania and in Poland. Globalworth invests, acquires, develops, and directly manages high-quality office real estate assets and industrial and logistics parks in prime locations, generating rental income from high quality tenants from around the globe. Managed by over 200 professionals across Cyprus, Guernsey, Romania and Poland, Globalworth has a combined portfolio value of €3.0 billion, as at 31 December 2020. Approximately 92.5% of the portfolio is in income-producing assets, predominately in the office sector, and leased to a diversified array of c.650 national and multinational corporates. In Romania, Globalworth is present in Bucharest, Timisoara, Oradea, Arad, Constanta, and Pitesti, while in Poland its assets span over Warsaw, Wroclaw, Lodz, Krakow, Gdansk and Katowice.

Member News: Alukonigstahl reports 21.5 mil. EUR turnover last year

Member News: Alukonigstahl reports 21.5 mil. EUR turnover last year 400 315 BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB

Alukonigstahl Romania, the local subsidiary of the European market leader in aluminium, PVC and steel systems registered 21.5 million euros turnover between January – December 2020 and it further targets business consolidation on the traditional office and commercial segments, as well as business expansion on the premium residential segment, given that the pandemic outbreak highlighted Romanians` need to live in better conditions.

Alukonigstahl is exclusive dealer in Romania for Schüco (world lider in aluminium and PVC systems) and Jansen (steel profiles supplier), and more than 85% of the company turnover in 2020 was represented by the sale of premium  Schüco aluminium profiles. In 2020, Alukonigstahl delivered Schüco aluminium systems for more than 75.000 sqm of curtain wall for new real estate developments and in 2020 it has already secured a number of 20.000 sqm. A series of well-known office projects signed with Alukonigstahl for joinery or curtain walls (such as  U Center, Offices Jiului, Isho Timisoara, Millo Office, Dacia One, Sediul Continental din Timișoara, Skanska Equilibrum 2, AFI Tech Inox 2), as well as a number of premium residential projects (Win Residences / PSC Group or Nusco City, Neo Timpuri Noi, Neo Mamaia).

“Through our projects and partnerships, we have been pioneering this segment in Romania and up to present we developed several large “Schüco neighbourhoods”. Alukonigstahl targets a business acceleration this year, considering the numerous investments we made in business streamlining and adaptation to the new market context. We aim to consolidate our existing portfolios through digitalization and by streamlining our supply chain, as well as to expand on new segments, such as the residential sector, which has a high growth potential in Romania,”  Attila Beer, Country Manager Alukonigstahl Romania and Moldova states. 

The industrial metals prices registered a significant increase in the last months, at London Metal Exchange. For example, the price of copper, largely considered as an economic indicator is higher than in the last 9 years and it almost doubled in the last 12 months. As compared to Spring 2020, the price of aluminium increased by about 50% and the price of rolled steel strips increased by more than 75%.  

Alukonigstahl has recently implemented a series of processes of digitalization and reorganized its supply chain and owned warehouse in Jilava. In 2020, the company launched its own digital platform – AKS Connect, where clients can place orders and follow their deliveries online, in real time. In H2 2021, Alukonigstahl will continue its digitalization process, by launching a new platform. 

Technology, hi-tech and energy efficiency solutions integration in windows and doors systems of new real estate projects is a major trend registered in the last 3 years. „The window is not just a window anymore, it does not only provide pleasant aesthetics and fresh air. Through our partners Schüco și Jansen, who invested substantially in technology in the recent years, we can now add a decentralized ventilation system, which brings fresh (warmed and filtered) air into the room, without the need to actually open the window – which can bring noise, dust or allergens in the interior,” says Attila Beer. 

Other major trends are the windows, balcony doors and sliding doors systems used mostly in the residential compounds (projects such as Cloud 9 Residence, Luxuria Residence, Sea One, Nordis Mamaia, Tomis City, Wings Residence) or the Schüco PVC joinery, which gained ground in the last year  (projects as Buenavista International or Win Herastrau). 

New niche solutions have also been developed, with the advancement of historical buildings restoration trend. Dragomira monastery and Domnita Balasa church are such examples, where old joinery was replaced with modern, isolated Jansen steel windows. 

BREC GREEN: LOGISTICS EQUALS OFFICE IN VOLUME OF NEW BREEAM CERTIFICATIONS

BREC GREEN: LOGISTICS EQUALS OFFICE IN VOLUME OF NEW BREEAM CERTIFICATIONS 1067 600 BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB

40 new BREEAM certifications in the last year in Romania

A total of 40 real estate projects obtained the BREEAM certification in the period between January 2020 – April 2021, according to data provided by BRE Group (the UK organization that provides sustainability BREEAM certifications) to BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB (BREC). 16 of the newly certified projects are office buildings and business parks and 15 are logistic parks or retailers` logistics centers.   

The residential segments account for fewer BREEAM certifications in the analyzed period (5 residential projects, mostly outside of Bucharest). A single retail project obtained the BREEAM (Excellent) certification – IKEA Pallady Store and a single hotel obtained the BREEAM Excellent standard in this period (Radisson BLU hotel in Timisoara).

“Over the past three years we have seen tremendous growth for BREEAM in Romania; the ambition of real estate clients in Bucharest, in particular, has driven greater uptake and a desire for more credible sustainability performance for assets. This is a trend we expect to continue and congratulate organizations like BREC in their leadership and commitment to BREEAM,” states Dr. Shamir Ghumra, Head of Building Performance Services – BRE Group for BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB.

BREEAM provides several sustainability standard classes (Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding) according to criteria such as energy efficiency, space health, reducing the carbon footprint in construction or demolition processes and protection of biodiversity, innovation, reducing the water consumption, sustainable recycling solutions, transport & alternative mobility.

Globalworth CampusThe Light One building (recently sold by River Development to Uniqa), a portfolio of buildings in the logistics developer CTP portfolio in Bucharest, Sibiu and Pitesti or Lidl and Emag logistics facilities are several of the significant investments that obtained the BREEAM certification in this period.

The recently introduced European NZEB (Net Zero Energy Building) standard requires all new constructions or buildings undergoing major rehabilitations to have a nearly zero energy consumption level.

Buildings under NZEB standard will have a high energy performance, with at least 30% of the total energy consumption necessary ensured through the building`s own renewable sources or at a distance of maximum 30 km from the building. 

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a voluntary green building sustainability rating system established in the UK for assessing the environmental performance of buildings. BREEAM does this through third party certification of the assessment of an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, using standards developed by BRE. This means BREEAM rated developments are more sustainable environments that enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources and make for more attractive property investments.

In Romania, buildings are certified either under the BREEAM (UK) standard or the LEED (USA) standard  and more recently introduced WELL standard (focused on occupiers` health and wellbeing). 

”Considering the European NZEB standard, the active competition on the local real estate market and the need for differentiation, as well as the solid sustainability principles of large corporations (the main clients of the real estate industry), we expect developers to converge to a green future in terms of buildings` sustainability,” states Despina Ponomarenco, President of BUCHAREST REAL ESTATE CLUB.

In the pandemic context, the interest in buildings sustainability and health has been significantly growing. If several years ago the office buildings were the main beneficiaries of sustainability certifications, we can now see numerous logistics projects which have been already certified or are undergoing a certification phase, BREC representative ads.