Great Portland Estates awarded landmark smart building rating
Great Portland Estates’ Hickman building has become the first office in the world to be awarded the top rating in a new benchmark for smart buildings.
The 75,300 sq ft building, on Whitechapel Road, EC1, has been awarded a platinum rating under WiredScore’s new SmartScore certification.
Launched in April, SmartScore identifies buildings that use cutting-edge technology to give tenants an exceptional experience and future-proof the asset as a sustainable, cost-efficient property.
Great Portland Estates’ Hickman building has become the first office in the world to be awarded the top rating in a new benchmark for smart buildings.
The 75,300 sq ft building, on Whitechapel Road, EC1, has been awarded a platinum rating under WiredScore’s new SmartScore certification.
Launched in April, SmartScore identifies buildings that use cutting-edge technology to give tenants an exceptional experience and future-proof the asset as a sustainable, cost-efficient property.
GPE’s Hickman uses Sesame, the company’s smart workplace app, to let tenants book meeting rooms, check air quality, receive transport alerts, and control lighting and temperature. The building’s technological foundation is its digital twin, a virtual replica used during construction that is now connected to the building’s management system.
“You know what real estate companies are like – everyone wants to claim to be the smartest. What is so useful about WiredScore and SmartScore is that it’s a recognised benchmark. It’s a brand that is tried and tested around the world,” James Pellatt, GPE’s director of workplace and innovation, told EG.
The company has four other buildings undergoing SmartScore certification. “Our vision for innovation is continuous innovation to enhance occupiers’ workplace experience,” Pellatt said. “We want to make sure that when an occupier comes to our building, they get the optimum experience for them as an organisation but also their staff as users.”
WiredScore is currently reviewing 87 buildings globally for a SmartScore certification, 42 of which are in the UK and Ireland. Tom McClellan, WiredScore’s country director for the UK & Ireland, said real estate has already made strides as an industry, but that the journey is only just starting.
“We are really in the foothills of the smart journey in the built environment,” he added. “It’s a long journey and it’s going to change and evolve incredibly rapidly. And if you lay on top the pivot point of a post-pandemic return to the office, there are a lot of things that will need to be thought about.”
To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@eg.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @EGPropertyNews
