NEWS
ANGULAR GREEN OFFICE SCHEME THINKS OUTSIDE THE BOX
March 2009
It’s not easy being green, but it’s never been more important for businesses to keep environmental responsibilities at the top of the agenda, according to leading Midlands property developer Bill Houle.
Commenting on recent reports that businesses are putting their environmental manifestos on the back burner due to the economic downturn, Trigram Properties director Bill Houle, argues not only have green buildings never been so in demand, but that far-sighted businesses are only too happy to rise to the challenge of supply.
In partnership with Folkes Holdings and Corum Property Investments, Trigram Propertes is on the brink of the completion of a flagship 44,500 sq ft Grade A office scheme in Birmingham city centre, Langley Point.
Constructed at 20 per cent extra cost, Langley Point is an exemplar of green design. It has already achieved a speculative BREEAM Excellent rating and is also projected to achieve an extremely low EPC rating – a spectacular feat for a building that is not yet complete.
Bill Houle said: “There has been a lot of talk lately about the environmental agenda being sidelined due thanks to the recession – but this is only partly true. Yes, some people are making cuts but most businesses are adopting a far more long-sighted attitude. The advent of government guidelines stipulating all relocating departments must chose a building that has achieved at least a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, has clarified the wider picture. It’s now fair to say that within the next decade most big businesses and even smaller companies will follow suit.
“Very early on we decided we needed to make Langley Point a ‘green’ project and therefore it was critical we secured BREEAM Excellent rating as the gold standard of environmental design. Our approach was innovative - rather than just rehash or tweak old technology, we strove to use cutting-edge methods wherever possible. Thus our completed building will incorporate features including energy-efficient chilled-beam cooling that enables 85 per cent of heat to be recovered for re-use; reclaimed glass, and solar-heated water technology. Furthermore, energy-efficient light technology complete with presence detectors is designed to reduce the amount of time electricity is left running unnecessarily, while a super-sized waste disposal area is set to create extensive recycling provision.
“Langley Point’s green credentials do not end at its considerably enhanced use of technology. We tried to really think outside the box with this project and as a result, the building will contain ample provision to encourage people to cycle to work – such as showers on every floor and, a drying room and 42 cycle spaces.
“Of course, no-one said it was easy being green, and it certainly doesn’t come for free but good property development is just as much about looking to the future as well as the here-and-now. Unfortunately, in the past this fact has often been overlooked and as a result, Birmingham in particular has been left with a mass of outdated stock that in some areas is rapidly becoming redundant. In comparison, Langely Point is spectacularly designed – both on the inside and the out, and benefits from an iconic and visually exciting angular design.
“Unsurprisingly, cost is the key factor within most decisions but businesses need to realise that the two need not be mutually exclusive – in fact, they are inextricably linked. The sooner people open their eyes to this then the sooner the business world can move onto a greener and critically, a more profitable future.
At only £23.50 per sq ft, Langley Point is available at one of the most competitive rents in the city, being significantly lower than any other new build rivals for new Grade A BREEAM Excellent office space.
The building is designed to be flexible - whilst suitable for single occupiers, each floor can be divided to be let either on a whole or part-floor basis.
Situated in the prominent Park Central development at the Bath Row junction with Holloway Head, Langley Point will comprise ground and four upper floors. The building will enjoy unrivalled access to the city’s transport links, being just minutes from Five Ways and New Street Station; served by 9 major bus routes, as well as affording rapid access to national motorway networks the A38 and M6.