Welput to develop ‘most sustainable office’ on Victoria Street

Welput is to bring forward its 105 Victoria Street development as London’s largest speculative office scheme since the start of the pandemic and the largest all-electric office in the UK. The 470,000 sq ft SW1 office block – formerly a House of Fraser department store – was granted planning in April, when it became the largest single building ever to be granted consent by Westminster Council. The central London office fund, managed by BentallGreenOak, said it will now develop the scheme speculatively, confident that its target-beating sustainability will prove a draw to occupiers. Ker Gilchrist, who has responsibility for Welput at BGO, said: “London is already showing real signs of recovery following the pandemic and we have absolute confidence in its future as a global hub. Likewise, we have no doubt the office itself will remain the beating heart of the work and culture of business.” BGO said it had proven that building the new development would be a far more sustainable option than retaining or refurbishing the “highly inefficient” existing building. Ultra-low-carbon construction The KPF and Henning Larsen-designed development will deploy new innovations in ultra-low-carbon construction to ensure the carbon emitted through the construction cycle will be offset within six years. Not only will the building be the largest all-electric office in the UK, but Welput has committed to its energy being supplied from fully renewable sources, with no gas supply and no diesel generator, ensuring zero fossil fuels not just in operation but also during construction. As a result, the building is designed to meet or surpass BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A, and WELL Platinum certifications, and also exceed RIBA’s 2030 sustainability targets. The building will be able to accommodate office requirements ranging from 17,000 sq ft through to more than 400,000 sq ft, including 5,500 sq ft dedicated incubator space. Work is expected to start on site in July 2022 and completion is expected in Q1 of 2026. Gilchrist said: “To attract occupiers it is imperative that the workplaces of tomorrow continue to pioneer new innovations and raise the bar for what is possible in terms of sustainability. Rather than just reducing our carbon emissions, we want to be net beneficial to the environment. That means approaching today’s highest sustainability credentials not as a target to aspire to but a baseline to build from.” 105 Victoria Street will also have 30,000 sq ft of green space and terracing– the largest of any commercial building in the West End and equivalent to 10 double tennis courts. This will include a 200m “walk and talk”’ track and an urban farm with community allotments. To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Photo © DBOX for BentallGreenOak