Global plant-based company Upfield signs lease for 10,000 sq ft of office space
Southworks sets a benchmark for sustainability and ESG in commercial office developments
Southworks, the landmark smart office building in London developed by MiddleCap, has signed sustainable food pioneer Upfield as its second tenant.
The plant-based consumer goods company has signed a lease for 10,000 sq ft of the new development, encompassing the entire fourth floor and adjacent roof terrace.
Upfield selected Southworks to align with its purpose of delivering a better plant-based future for people and planet. As the largest plant-based consumer product company in the world, the move will support the company’s aim to be carbon neutral by 2030, including a 25% reduction in total footprint. Its team will move into Southworks this summer.
Developed by MiddleCap and designed by SPPARC, Southworks is a seven-storey, 70,000 sq ft scheme located on Rushworth Street in Southwark, close to Borough Market.
The building was named “the smartest office in the world” at the Real Estate & Building Futureproof awards, as it brings together technological and natural features to form a landmark post-pandemic, future-proofed office. Sustainability and wellbeing factors were prioritised throughout design and construction to create an optimum space for companies, employees and the environment.
Southworks became the first UK building to achieve the Smart Building Certification Platinum certificate, only the second globally, and has recently also been certified as BREEAM Outstanding.
The new building features a number of technologically innovative measures (more info below), which when combined with high-quality architecture and design elements, create a responsive and productive environment that enhances users’ safety and wellbeing.
Tomáš Jurdák, Head of Real Estate at MiddleCap, said:
“Upfield’s decision to sign at Southworks highlights how the building’s smart and sustainable credentials are attracting environmentally-conscious tenants from a whole range of industries.
“As our first commercial development in London, it’s fantastic that organisations are keen to move into this exemplary workspace and create a new green business community in this exciting neighbourhood.
“As part of MiddleCap’s ESG commitments, Southworks sets a benchmark for sustainable and smart offices in London, which in turn is attracting tenants who are looking for space which helps them achieve their own ESG targets.”
Damian Guha, General Manager UK & Ireland at Upfield, said:
“All of us at Upfield are looking forward to moving into our new office space in Southworks. Some of us have had the chance to visit the building and the feedback has been great!
“As a plant-based foods company sustainability is at the core of our purpose. Moving into a sustainable office is perfectly aligned to our own ESG agenda, part of which is to achieve net zero office based-emissions by 2030. In addition, Southworks also offers a wonderful and inspiring space for us to come together in probably the smartest office building in London, allowing us to support our new approach to work and combining the best of two worlds by supporting an environment for face-to-face collaboration as well as flexibility for all our employees.”
Colliers and Knight Frank advised MiddleCap while Cushman & Wakefield acted for Upfield.
Smart features
Embedded with an Internet of Things (IoT) technology developed by Dutch proptech company bGrid, Southworks features a central sensor platform functioning as the building’s ‘brain’, with the sensors plugged into the HVAC system and lighting controls. The system also measures other environmental variables such as internal and external air quality, density, occupancy and noise levels.
The use of smart sensors and IoT-based technologies helps to ensure air, water and electricity resources are delivered cleanly and efficiently throughout the building, therefore reducing energy use and maximising environmental performance.
The office building is also equipped with the global tenant engagement platform OfficeApp’s smartphone app, which provides the building’s tenants with seamless access to a variety of services and amenities, including on-demand desk and room booking, F&B ordering, community engagement, issues reporting and communications. It enables touchless building access, live occupancy, environmental and air quality information and contactless temperature and lighting controls.
About Upfield
At Upfield, we make people healthier and happier with great tasting, plant-based nutrition products that are better for the planet. As a global plant-based company, Upfield is the #1 producer of plant-based spreads & cheeses with more than 100 brands, including iconic brands Flora™, Rama, Blue Band, ProActiv, Becel, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Country Crock and Violife®. With headquarters in Amsterdam, we sell our products in over 95 countries and have 15 manufacturing sites throughout the world. The company employs over 4200 Associates. Since 1871, we have been the authority in the spreads category which gives us unmatched experience, know-how, and inspiration. We are focused on leading in this new era focused on delivering healthier products that are great tasting and have superior quality and help us deliver on our mission to create a “Better Plant-based Future.” For more information, please visit our website at www.upfield.com.