19 November 2019
Longevity Partners Netherlands issues its first BREEAM certificates
Having opened its doors nearly two months ago, Longevity Partners B.V. has issued its first BREEAM-NL In-Use certificates to Klépierre. As part of our assignment for Klépierre, Longevity Partners have certified four prime shopping centers, representing over 100,000 m² GFA of retail space. With a total property value of €24.4 billion, Klépierre is the pan-European leader in shopping malls. The four shopping centers received a Very Good (***) score and were certified by Roger Toussaint, BREEAM In-Use Assessor and Managing Director at Longevity Partners in the Netherlands.
Some of the sustainability measures that Klépierre has put in place at the shopping malls include: a separate sewage system for rainwater drainage, green roofs, the separation of different waste streams, water-saving measures in sanitary facilities, and the application of a thermal storage installation (heat and cold storage) that partially supplies the shopping center with energy from a locally generated renewable energy source.
These certifications are part of a larger 5-year mission for Klépierre. As part of its ‘Act For Good’ CSR policy, the Group has committed to certifying 100% of its assets by 2022. Klépierre has gone beyond the traditional asset per asset certification approach to adopt a full portfolio approach thanks to an innovative, long-term partnership with the Building Research Establishment (BRE) and Longevity Partners.
BREEAM In-Use certification makes it possible for shopping centers to commit to reducing operating costs and optimizing environmental performance and occupants’ well-being. By certifying these assets Longevity Partners are playing an important role in the greening of the commercial real estate industry at large, therefore working toward our ultimate goal to help the world transition to a net-zero economy post Paris Agreement.
The following prime shopping malls were certified:
Hoog Catharijne, Utrecht
The recently renovated shopping center ‘Hoog Catharijne’ received a BREEAM In-Use score of “Very Good” at the Asset level. In addition, a score of “Good” at the Management level was achieved. Hoog Catharijne is the Fashion and Food destination of the Netherlands and will reach 30 million visitors in 2019. Approximately 56.593 m2 was in scope for this assessment. Hoog Catharijne has an average energy rating A.
De Markthal, Rotterdam
Markthal is an iconic building in Rotterdam City Center, with a mix of functions; market, shops, restaurants, apartments and parking. The design is by architect Winy Maas of the well-known Rotterdam architectural firm MVRDV. The assessment was limited to the large market hall on the ground floor and the general areas on the 1st and -1 floors, representing approximately 4.896 m2 GFA. De Markthal has an average energy rating A.
Alexandrium Shopping Centre, Rotterdam
According to Klépierre, the Alexandrium Shopping Centre, representing approximatively 14.234 m2 GFA, is the most complete and fashionable indoor shopping destination of the province South-Holland. The Shopping Centre has 140 shops, covering any fashion, food and lifestyle products, and receives approximately 8 million visitors a year. The shopping center has an average energy rating A and an extensive green roof, representing over 50% of its area footprint.
Villa Arena, Amsterdam
The home furnishing shopping center is located next to the multifunctional football stadium Amsterdam Arena, home base for Ajax. Approximately 29.227 m² was certified within this assessment. Villa Arena has an average A+ energy rating.
About BREEAM
BREEAM (Environmental Research Assessment Building) is one of the most widely used sustainability labels in the world. The Netherlands has its own country specific scheme, which was developed by the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC). It is an assessment method to determine the sustainability of existing buildings. When awarding the BREEAM-NL In-Use certificate, nine issues related to sustainability are tested: Management, Health, Energy, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land use & Ecology, and Pollution. The score is expressed in number of stars, from one to five.