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Victoria House of Fraser to become UK’s largest all-electric net zero office

1st October 2021

Article by Stuart Clelland

The 470,000 sq ft speculative project in Victoria is the largest of its kind post-pandemic

What BentallGreenOak’s office fund Welput is to speculatively develop a commercial office building in Victoria

Why The building will be all electric, with no fossil fuels used during construction or operation

What next Construction is to start in July 2022, with a target completion of Q1 2026

Welput’s 470,000 sq ft redevelopment of the historic House of Fraser department store in Victoria will make it the UK’s largest all-electric net zero office building.

The scheme will be able to accommodate office demand ranging from 17,000 sq ft through to over 400,000 sq ft and construction is expected to start in July 2022, with a target completion date of Q1 2026.

It represents the largest speculative office scheme in London since the pandemic. The development, which was granted building consent by Westminster City Council in April 2021, will deploy new innovations in ultra-low carbon construction to ensure the carbon emitted through the construction cycle will be offset within six years of the new building’s operation in comparison to the retention of the existing building.

The building will be the largest all-electric office in the UK, 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 surpass BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, EPC A, and WELL ‘Platinum’ certification and RIBA 2030 sustainability targets.

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.

“But 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.”