13 November 2024
WORKSPACE GROUP
PLC
WORKSPACE OPENS ITS FIRST NET
ZERO BUILDING TO CAPTURE STRONG SME DEMAND
· 57,000 sq. ft. of new high
quality, sustainable work space created through adaptive reuse of
an historic watchmaker's factory
· The project's embodied
carbon is 40% less than industry best
practice
· Strong commitment to the
local community with local suppliers used and large public amenity
space
· Workspace has now
retrofitted c.1.2m sq. ft. of space over the last
decade
· Designed with customers in
mind - 11 leases signed in first six weeks of
marketing
Workspace Group PLC ("Workspace"),
London's leading owner and operator of flexible and sustainable
work space, has today announced the opening of Leroy House, its
first fully net zero building[1]. Originally
built for a watchmaker in the 1930's, it has now been brought back
to life through adaptive re-use. Based in Islington, the newly
refurbished building retains 90% of its original structure and
comprises 57,000 sq. ft. of striking new sustainable work
space.
Sonal Jain, Workspace's Head of Sustainability,
said:
"We take great pride in our refurbishment-led ethos at
Workspace. Leroy House is evidence that retrofitting, not
rebuilding, delivers the best outcomes for our customers, the
community and the environment. By breathing new life into existing
structures, as we have done for over 35 years, we preserve London's
architectural heritage, blending character with modern space that
our customers want.
90% of our customers view sustainability as essential to their
business and over 70% have set their own emissions reduction
targets. This demonstrates that our approach is not only
responsible but also makes good business sense."
Industry-leading environmental credentials
In addition to retaining the
majority of the existing structure, the project used concrete with
over two-thirds recycled content. Through careful material and
design choices, its overall embodied carbon is 40% less than
industry best practice of 500kg CO₂e/m2. At the same time, consideration
was given to the original features of the building, including the
historic façade and brickwork, which were sensitively restored to
preserve its character.
Workspace has ensured that Leroy
House will be a net zero building in operation as well, to further
benefit its customers. The all-electric building is powered
entirely by renewable energy thanks to the CPPA2 Workspace signed last year and the
smart building energy management system allows customers to
actively manage their energy consumption. Additionally, a
well-planned waste management system promotes recycling and makes
it easy for customers to eliminate single-use items. Occupants can
also enjoy views of a 75 sq. metre green roof that supports
biodiversity, along with a blue roof that captures rainwater to
reduce flood risk.
Customer-led design
Leroy House is flooded with natural
light, with large openable windows that
harness natural ventilation, reduce energy consumption and enhance
temperature control for customer comfort. Open spaces are
thoughtfully designed as collaboration hubs, furnished with
sustainable, upcycled pieces to reflect Workspace's commitment to
environmental responsibility.
Leroy House is the latest in a long
line of refurbishment projects for Workspace. It has
retrofitted over 1.2 m sq. ft. of space
over the past decade, creating work spaces that meet the needs of
London's brightest businesses and making significant progress on
its net zero journey. The space has already
captured the imagination of London's SMEs, with 11 leases signed in
only six weeks of marketing.
Maximising social impact
With space for over 100 small
businesses, Leroy House has been designed to be a vibrant community
hub. It features a large public amenity space, including a café,
which is open to both customers and members of the local
community.
Workspace ensured that over 25% of
the project spend was directed to local suppliers. A collaboration
with The eXceL
Project charity delivered a community upskilling programme which
included youth work provisions, mentoring and job readiness
training.
- ENDS -
For further information, please
contact:
Workspace Group PLC
Clare Marland, Head of Corporate
Communications
020 7138 3300
FGS
Global
Chris Ryall / Guy Lamming
020 7251
3801
Notes to Editors
About Workspace Group PLC:
Workspace is London's leading owner
and operator of flexible workspace, managing 4.3 million sq. ft. of
sustainable space with 73 core locations in London and the South
East.
We are home to some 4,000 of
London's fastest growing and established brands from a diverse
range of sectors. Our purpose, to give businesses the freedom to
grow, is based on the belief that in the right space, teams can
achieve more. That in environments they tailor themselves, free
from constraint and compromise, teams are best able to collaborate,
build their culture and realise their potential.
We have a unique combination of a
highly effective and scalable operating platform, a portfolio of
distinctive properties, and an ownership model that allows us to
offer true flexibility. We provide customers with blank canvas
space to create a home for their business, alongside leases that
give them the freedom to easily scale up and down within our
well-connected, extensive portfolio.
We are inherently sustainable - we
invest across the capital, breathing new life into old buildings
and creating hubs of economic activity that help flatten London's
working map. We work closely with our local communities to ensure
we make a positive and lasting environmental and social impact,
creating value over the long term.
Workspace was established in 1987,
has been listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1993, is a FTSE
250 listed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) and a member of the
European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA).
Workspace® is a registered trademark
of Workspace Group PLC, London, UK.
LEI: 2138003GUZRFIN3UT430
For more information on Workspace,
visit www.workspace.co.uk