| 50 Pitt Street is first Sydney CBD refurbishment to get Green Star Rating
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One of Sydney's older commercial properties to have undergone a significant refurbishment is the city's first existing building to achieve a 4-star Green Star - Office Design rating.
50 Pitt Street was purchased by WA property group, Hawaiian, in November 2006 and the building is currently undergoing a substantial fit-out that will see its exterior and interiors refurbished to a modern A Grade standard.
Not only will the building have a contemporary feel to it including a new stylish lobby and tasteful office floor interiors but it will go much further in terms of the finished product. Services in the building are seen as a key element of achieving tenant satisfaction and delivering a quality product.
Hawaiian is committed to environmentally sustainable developments and its 'greening' of 50 Pitt Street will encompass a holistic refurbishment throughout.
New lifts and a new chilled beam air conditioning system will be fitted into the property, alongside Green Star compliant interior and exterior paint finishes, carpets and other fixtures. Energy uses will be able to be measured by individual tenancies and CO2 outputs will be monitored on a floor by floor basis.
Other features that recognise the Green Star rating include parking space for bicycles, lockers and showers for tenants, a dedicated recycling waste storage area, and the elimination of ozone depleting insulants.
Hawaiian's General Manager, Investments, Evan Briers is thrilled the property is the first existing commercial building in the CBD to achieve the Green Star certification.
"We have been committed from the beginning to undertake a sustainable refurbishment of 50 Pitt Street and our vision has always been about achieving a 'green friendly' environment for our tenants," said Mr. Briers.
"Our refurbishment shows that existing landlords can achieve responsible outcomes with older properties," he added.
The Green Building Council Australia has applauded Hawaiian's initiative and the Council agrees that it is imperative that other landlords adopt a similar responsible stand with respect to the environment, particularly for building refurbishments.
"Hawaiian has taken on the new challenge facing the property industry of greening existing stock and, through the Green Star certification for the refurbishment of 50 Pitt Street, has shown great leadership and direction. It is now up to other property owners and developers to follow Hawaiian's example," said Green Building Council Australia's Executive Director Suzie Guthridge.
HBO+EMTB, the design firm commissioned for the refurbishment of the property, has been committed to a green refurbishment from the beginning.
Engaged as architects, interior designers and Green Star Accredited Professionals, the design team worked within the constraints of the early-seventies building, utilising the GBCA's 'Green Star - Office Design' ratings tool.
Managing Director, Kevin Fitzgerald says "50 Pitt is another example of HBO+EMTB's commitment to sustainable, responsible design. For us, the Green Star rating system has meant an investment in staff development - over 15 have trained as Green Star Accredited Professionals. This offers clients real expertise in green initiatives across all our design disciplines."
Hawaiian's purchase of 50 Pitt Street is the group's first acquisition into the Sydney property market, and was made as part of a strategic initiative by Hawaiian to diversify its property portfolio into the east coast of Australia.
Hawaiian's significant portfolio includes extensive commercial, retail, industrial, hospitality and development properties including three CBD towers in Perth and Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome.
The company is currently building Stage 1 of the new Bishops See development at the West End of St. Georges Terrace and is aiming for this development to achieve a 5 Star Green Star design rating. |
Posted on Friday, 14 September 2007 |
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