Categories

SOUTHWORKS NAMED THE WORLD’S SMARTEST BUILDING AT 
THE FUTUREPROOF AWARDS

OFFICE SCHEME ALSO ACHIEVES WIREDSCORE GOLD STANDARD 

MiddleCap, the real estate-focused investment group, announced today that its Southworks office development on Rushworth Street, London has been named the world’s smartest building and achieved WiredScore Gold rating for its digital connectivity. 

The 70,000 sq ft office scheme beat off stiff competition at the 2021 Futureproof Awards (People’s Choice category), including EDGE Olympic in Amsterdam and Windmill Green in Manchester, thanks to its use of data to create the best possible user environment. 

The landmark office development, MiddleCap’s first in the UK, will be an exemplar smart building when it completes in June. It will provide an ideal working environment that enhances users’ health and wellbeing whilst optimising its sustainable credentials. 

Southworks achieved WiredScore Gold certification by meeting criteria in four key categories: infrastructure, wireless, power and connectivity. The assessment praises Southwork’s sufficient capacity and flexibility for tenant needs and highlights the vast measurements taken against potential service disruption. 

Earlier this year Southworks was announced as the first building to achieve a Platinum Smart Building Certification, being only the second building to globally secure this rating.

Southworks’ technology-first approach and number of integrated design and management features will create a responsive and productive environment promoting wellbeing and sustainability. Some of these include: 

  • A single ‘digital backbone’ – created through applied bGrid technology – links a series of sensors to the Internet of Things, which connect, measure and deliver feedback to building users. The sensors will be plugged into the HVAC system and lighting controls, and will also measure other environmental variables such as density, occupancy and noise levels. The data generated by this network is fed into the building management system, optimising the environment and ensuring it becomes completely demand-driven. 
  • A dedicated app (OfficeApp) through which occupiers will be able to directly control heating and lighting to their own preferences and book meeting rooms, creating the optimum working environment.
  • Facilitation of more effective communication between building managers and occupiers, with messages and notifications being able to be shared in both directions through the OfficeApp.
  • Technology optimised for risk management in the support of longer-term social distancing by monitoring the flow of people throughout the building together with real time information about indoor and outdoor air quality.

In addition to its integrated building technology, the design of the building enhances its users’ wellbeing combining technology with natural elements such as natural light, even in the secondary spaces, and fresh air intake through openable windows.

Tomáš Jurdák, Head of Real Estate at MiddleCap, said: 

“The safety and wellbeing of employees is now the top priority for businesses across the world, so pushing ahead with technological innovations is crucial to the future of offices. Southworks was designed and built around the natural elements and natural environment supported by top-notch technology.”

“We are thrilled to see Southworks achieving these awards and ratings, proving that our first UK project is setting a benchmark for commercial space in the city and we hope that others in the UK and across Europe will follow suit.”

Categories

MIDDLECAP TO PROVIDE TRANSACTION CONSULTANCY TO ZFP INVESTMENTS FOR A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION WORTH MORE THAN 1.5 BILLION CZECH CROWNS.

MiddleCap Advisory has certified its position within the M&A sector and on foreign markets with yet another successful transaction under its belt. This time, the company was behind the acquisition of the Woloska 24 office building in Warsaw, which ended up in the real estate fund portfolio of ZFP Investments, a Czech investment company whose shareholders include the oldest management company in Slovakia — IAD Investments. The seller was Belgian developer Ghelamco.

ZFP Investments purchased a 100% stake in Dahlia W24, which owns the Warsaw office complex. This was not MiddleCap’s first experience with a transaction on the Polish real estate market. In as recently as 2020, the company provided consulting services to IAD Investments as its main advisor for the purchase of the D48 building in Warsaw.

“We appreciate that we were able to provide transaction consulting services for this successful business transaction. Both the buyer and the seller had companies on their side with a strong and long-standing reputation, and despite the complexity of the entire transaction, which was exacerbated by travel bans and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, both parties demonstrated a great amount of professionalism and contributed to a smooth real estate closing process. I must also express my gratitude to the cooperating advisory teams, who once again proved to be leaders in their field,” said Marcel Chrapek, Head of Advisory at MiddleCap, as he weighed in on the sale of the Woloska 24 office building.

“At ZFP Investments, we are glad that we were able to complete this transaction even in these difficult times. Woloska 24 fits perfectly into our diversified portfolio. We are convinced that our shareholders will benefit from this high-quality building with renowned tenants,” added Peter Lukáč, Member of the Board of Directors at ZFP Investments.

The Woloska 24 administrative complex is a Grade A office building — the highest-possible classification for office buildings. It was built in 2016 by developer Ghelamco, and its leasable area covers 23.5 thousand square metres. There is both underground and above-ground parking plus changing rooms and showers designed exclusively for cyclists. The office building boasts a high standard of sustainability and has received the highest BREEAM certification. The building is almost 100 per cent occupied, and its tenants include Nest Bank, Arval Group, Hyundai, and Teleperformance.