Warsaw UNIT, a 200-meter-plus skyscraper developed by Ghelamco Poland and designed by Polsko Belgijska Pracownia Architektury PROJEKT, has been awarded as many as two statuettes in the prestigious European Property Awards 2022-2023 contest: as the best office building in Poland and for the best architecture among high-rise buildings.

Warsaw UNIT won in the Office Development and Commercial High Rise Architecture categories. European Property Awards recognize the highest achievements of companies operating in all sectors of the real estate industry. For more than 20 years, property market experts have granted awards to the most innovative and original commercial and residential buildings in Europe.

Warsaw UNIT has been recognized for its state-of-the-art technological and environmental solutions, which significantly increase the comfort and safety of the building’s users. The jury also awarded the architectural design of the skyscraper. Its body – with a distinctive corner – creates a metropolitan dominant and perfectly reflects the character of the dynamically developing business part of Warsaw.

“This is another such significant award for Warsaw UNIT, which we are very proud of. Our skyscraper is designed to create the best working environment. Our projects focus not only on modern architecture. All amenities are created to meet the highest technological and environmental standards and to satisfy the needs of the most demanding tenants. Warsaw UNIT is certainly one of the best office buildings in Europe, as confirmed by numerous prestigious awards, including European Property Awards,” says Jeroen van der Toolen, Managing Director CEE, Ghelamco.

“A great motivation in the work of an architect is when many years of creating concepts, solving design conundrums and the work of a staff of people are rewarded with such a prestigious award as the European Property Awards. Then we know that what we create – that is, what is an integral part of the city – is appreciated and met with such a positive reception. After all, this is the environment of hundreds of thousands of people who work in office buildings, drive by them, or walk by them, and are both its direct users and simply observers of the developing urban composition of Warsaw. We create architecture for each of these audiences. Every word of appreciation reaffirms how worthwhile it was to pay attention to every architectural detail and think through every solution, because only the collection of these smallest components produced the effect that the most distinguished jurors appreciate. We are very grateful and feel honored that the Warsaw UNIT project was so highly appreciated,” says architect Adam Wagner, President of Polsko Belgijska Pracownia Architektury PROJEKT.

The international finals of the contest will be held in February 2023. At a gala in London we will find out which projects will be awarded the title of the best in Europe.

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The company, which operates as a part of the global financial group MetLife, will occupy the 21st floor of Warsaw UNIT, the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced skyscraper in Poland.

Employees of MetLife Europe Services Limited will move into their new office in Warsaw UNIT, in the business center of Warsaw at Rondo Daszyńskiego, this December. The company will have 1,500 sq m of state-of-the-art office space at its disposal. The lease agreement was signed with Ghelamco, the developer and owner of the skyscraper, for a period of 7 years. The tenant was supported in the transaction by the consulting firm CBRE.

“MetLife is another global brand that has chosen Warsaw UNIT for its headquarters. Our building is relied upon by leaders in their industries, both Polish and international, who do not accept compromise in the quality of the working environment. The highest level of security, state-of-the-art technologies and eco-friendly solutions used in the building create an ideal space for innovative businesses to operate and grow. We welcome MetLife as our new tenant. I am convinced that Warsaw UNIT will provide ideal conditions for further development of the company,” says Jarosław Zagórski, Commercial and Business Development Director, Ghelamco Poland.

“After 25 years, MetLife is moving from its offices in Powiśle to modern headquarters in Wola, one of the capital’s fastest growing districts. We are very pleased with this change, especially because we will be working in the most eco-friendly and technologically advanced office building in Warsaw,” said Piotr Sztrauch, EMEA Controller and Warsaw Center of Excellence Executive Lead.

“Warsaw’s office market saw strong activity among tenants in the first half of the year. Nearly 0.5 million sq m of space has been leased, of which 30 percent in the booming business district of Wola and Rondo Daszyński area. The Warsaw Unit building is located in the heart of this part of Warsaw, and our client was looking for a modern office in a perfectly connected and functional location. Other important selection criteria included safety and ability to create a friendly working environment, supported by state-of-the-art technology solutions, as well as ecological issues and maintaining the highest environmental standards. Warsaw Unit turned out to be a great choice. I’m glad that we were able to accompany MetLife in this successful search,” says Joanna Andryszczyk, Senior Consultant in CBRE’s office space department.

MetLife is one of the world’s leading financial services companies. It offers insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management services, helping individuals and institutional clients build the most secure future possible. Founded in 1868, the company operates in more than 40 markets worldwide, holding leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. In February of this year, MetLife, Inc. was included in Fortune’s 2022 list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies”.

About Warsaw UNIT

With 46 floors and a height of 202m, Warsaw UNIT is the most hi-tech and environmentally-friendly building in Poland, which perfectly reflects Ghelamco’s ESG strategy. The building was the first skyscraper in Poland to receive a BREEAM certificate with the highest possible rating of ‘Outstanding’. In addition to this, the building has also been awarded Green Standard Building certification as well as a WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL v2 pre-certification and a ‘Building Without Barriers’ certificate. Moreover, Warsaw UNIT features Ghelamco’s patent Signal OS operating system, which comes with its own app to help monitor savings and energy usage. Anti-pandemic solutions have also been applied within the building. The ventilation system is secured at central ventilation points with anti-viral UV lamps and it additionally allows people to work in pure fresh air while at the same time clearing the inside of the building of smog.

Warsaw UNIT will also be the first skyscraper to be powered by 100% clean energy, cutting CO2 emissions over the building’s life cycle by more than half. This is a result of Ghelamco’s photovoltaic farm construction program announced in May this year.

The skyscraper stands out with its elegance and timeless architecture as well as with its original solutions such as the kinetic façade that takes the form of dragon scales and waves in the wind, or with Skyfall Warsaw, which is the highest viewing terrace in Poland. It is fully glazed and includes a special moving platform, which guarantees an unforgettable experience.

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Shopee, a global e-commerce platform connecting shoppers, brands and sellers, opened its local Shopee Poland office in Warsaw UNIT, one of the most hi-tech and environmentally-friendly office blocks in Poland.

Shopee Poland launched its new office in the Warsaw UNIT building in Warsaw’s business centre next to Rondo Daszyńskiego in May this year. The lease was signed with Ghelamco, the developer and owner of the office tower. The tenant was supported and advised in the transaction by CBRE.

“Warsaw UNIT attracts strong and innovative brands. We not only offer them the best address in Warsaw, but also, and above all, the highest quality, and security as well as the most up-to-date technology and environmentally-friendly solutions. Into our ranks, we now give a warm welcome to Shopee, a global e-commerce platform that has quickly gained popularity among online shoppers and sellers in Poland. I believe that Warsaw UNIT will provide the ideal working environment for the further development of the company,” says Jarosław Zagórski, the Commercial and Business Development Director at Ghelamco Poland.

“The dynamic and collaborative office space in the Warsaw UNIT building will serve as a base for us to further grow our local Shopee team, improve our platform and services and make them more accessible to users and businesses in Poland,” says Ian Ho, Head of Shopee Poland.

Shopee, a part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), was first launched in 2015 in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It offers an easy, secure, and engaging online shopping experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. In 2021, Shopee was launched in Poland where it helps homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Globally, it was the top-ranked app in the Shopping category by downloads for the first quarter of 2022. 

“Rondo Daszyńskiego is the office heart of Warsaw. Excellent communication with each of the Warsaw districts and rich gastronomic facilities are the elements thanks to which the employees of current and future tenants feel very comfortable here, and the location attracts new companies. These factors were also very important for our client, for whom, apart from the undeniable advantages of the building itself, the satisfaction of the Shopee team was important,” says Joanna Andryszczyk, a senior consultant in the CBRE office department.

With 46 floors and a height of 202m, Warsaw UNIT is the most hi-tech and environmentally-friendly building in Poland, which perfectly reflects Ghelamco’s ESG strategy. The building was the first skyscraper in Poland to receive a BREEAM certificate with the highest possible rating of ‘Outstanding’. In addition to this, the building has also been awarded Green Standard Building certification as well as a WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL v2 pre-certification and a ‘Building Without Barriers’ certificate. Moreover, Warsaw UNIT features Ghelamco’s patent Signal OS operating system, which comes with its own app to help monitor savings and energy usage. Anti-pandemic solutions have also been applied within the building. The ventilation system is secured at central ventilation points with anti-viral UV lamps and it additionally allows people to work in pure fresh air while at the same time clearing the inside of the building of smog.

In May this year, Ghelamco announced that as part of its ESG strategy, Warsaw UNIT would be the first building in Poland to be 100% powered by clean energy sourced from solar farms.  As a result, CO2 emissions over the entire life cycle of the building will be more than halved.

The skyscraper stands out with its elegance and timeless architecture as well as with its original solutions such as the kinetic façade that takes the form of dragon scales and waves in the wind, or with Skyfall Warsaw, which is the highest viewing terrace in Poland. It is fully glazed and includes a special moving platform, which guarantees an unforgettable experience.

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Ghelamco has signed an agreement with NTT, one of the world’s IT market leaders. The organisation will occupy the 20th floor in the over 200-meter-high Warsaw UNIT skyscraper, benefiting from a total of 1,000 sqm of state-of-the-art office space. The tenant was supported in the transaction by Savills, which was also responsible for technical consultancy as well as project management and implementation.

Located in the heart of Warsaw’s business centre, with 46 floors and 57,000 sqm of modern workspace, the skyscraper developed by Ghelamco is one of the most technologically advanced buildings in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe.

“Warsaw UNIT is a building created with the present and the future in mind. The solutions implemented in it will provide tenants with a comfortable and healthy working environment for many years to come. The highest standard of the building is appreciated by the great leaders of their industries – companies that have already decided to move to our office building. Now we are also welcoming the global NTT brand to this group,” says Jarosław Zagórski, Commercial and Business Development Director at Ghelamco Poland.

“Hybrid work requires employers to adapt their offices to meet changing needs. In companies that follow this model, satisfaction levels among employees are significantly higher than in those that have approached the concept with scepticism. However, simply saying that ‘from today we are working remotely’ is not enough,” says Robert Makuch, Chief Financial Officer, Board member at NTT. “As a company providing remote working solutions, we know that combining ease of use with secure access to corporate resources can be a challenge. However, with experience in implementations in more than a dozen organisations, we know how to meet them, and we will use the best practices developed with clients ourselves when changing offices.

NTT Ltd. is a global provider of IT services and infrastructure. It works with partners around the world to achieve the best business results through intelligent solutions based on data analytics, remote collaboration and the latest cybersecurity products. NTT’s solutions enable companies to undergo digital transformation. Globally, it serves 80 percent of Fortune Global 100 companies to the extent of cloud computing, data center, contact center, remote collaboration or IT infrastructure implementations. In Poland, NTT cooperates with global Enterprise organisations, the Polish banking sector and the public sector.

“The area around Rondo Daszyńskiego in Warsaw is attracting more and more technology companies, as evidenced by recent transactions on the office space market. NTT was looking for a modern space that would allow it to develop its teams and arrange an employee-friendly space. Such an office was provided by Warsaw UNIT, which is one of the reasons why our client chose this building for its headquarters. In addition, the space on the 20th floor provides a fantastic view of the Warsaw skyline, which will certainly be appreciated by the company’s employees,” says Marcin Sabowicz, Associate Director, Office Agency at Savills.

Warsaw UNIT is the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly building in Poland, perfectly in line with Ghelamco’s ESG strategy. This is confirmed by numerous certificates, including BREEAM, in which it was the first high-rise building in Poland to be awarded the highest possible rating of Outstanding, as well as Green Standard Building, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL v2 (pre-certification) and “Barrier-free building”, which means it is fully adapted to the needs of people with disabilities.

Warsaw UNIT features the Signal OS operating system developed by Ghelamco with its own app, anti-pandemic solutions, electric vehicle charging stations, extensive bicycle infrastructure or energy-saving and recovery systems. It will also be the first skyscraper to be powered by 100 percent clean energy from photovoltaic farms built by Ghelamco, which will more than half the building’s CO2 emissions throughout its entire lifecycle.

The skyscraper is also distinguished by its elegant, timeless architecture and original solutions, such as an art installation in the form of a dragon’s scale waving in the wind or Skyfall Warsaw – Poland’s highest fully glazed viewing terrace with a special moving platform, guaranteeing guests an unforgettable experience.

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Ghelamco launches construction of photovoltaic farms with a total capacity of 10 MW. By 2024 the company intends to achieve energy neutrality. Warsaw UNIT will be the first skyscraper in Poland powered entirely by clean electricity.

The construction of photovoltaic farms by Ghelamco is a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking project in the developer’s ESG strategy and a significant step towards becoming totally energy neutral. The photovoltaic farms will be constructed in six locations within the Opole region.

– We have been buying energy with green certificates since 2015, but this was not sufficient. We wanted to take another major step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Therefore, we decided to produce clean energy ourselves. Among other things, Ghelamco in Poland wants to achieve energy neutrality by 2024. Soon, we will present other revolutionary solutions that make up our ESG strategy – says Jeroen van der Toolen, Managing Director of Ghelamco Poland.

Warsaw UNIT will be the developer’s first skyscraper to become 100 per cent powered by clean energy. The skyscraper is already the most ecological office building in Poland, having among others the BREEAM certificate on the Outstanding level, that is the highest that can be obtained, and received pre-certification from the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI) in the latest WELL v2 Core system.

Warsaw UNIT is just the first step in reducing CO2 emissions. Ghelamco aims to power its entire office buildings, its current investments, as well as its own office space with energy generated from its own renewable sources. This is an unprecedented case in terms of the entire country. According to Ghelamco, an increasing number of international and domestic corporations are implementing ESG strategies; the requirements for office space are growing.

– Innovative projects implemented by Ghelamco determine the trends for sustainable development. This is of great importance for our tenants. Besides clean energy, Signal OS analytical platform, which is a great tool for constant monitoring of energy consumption, is also offered to our tenants. By choosing Ghelamco’s office buildings, companies which implement ESG strategies are guaranteed that their business can contribute to reducing carbon footprint – informs Jarosław Zagórski, Commercial and Development Director at Ghelamco Poland.

– The crucial competitive advantage of the project designed by us is related to considerable reduction of CO2 emission from the produced electricity owing to its own renewable source. Ghelamco will use the highest quality panels that will guarantee efficient energy production for a period of 30 years. Also in this project we analyse the whole life cycle of the product from the perspective of the lowest possible impact on the environment – adds Jarosław Fiutowski, member of the Management Board responsible for ESG strategy and innovation at Ghelamco Poland.

The very first photovoltaic farms with a total capacity of 10 MW will cover the annual energy demand for Warsaw Unit. The carbon footprint of the skyscraper was previously analysed by Ghelamco. By using renewable energy, the CO2 emissions for the Warsaw Unit over its entire life cycle will be reduced by 53%, and in terms of media consumption, by up to 70%.

The contract related to the implementation of the first of the farms was concluded with the Polish company Revolt Energy. Production of clean electricity is planned as early as in the third quarter of 2022.

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Warsaw UNIT fully adapted to work in a post-pandemic reality. The effectiveness of the solutions used in the high-rise building has been confirmed by the WELL Health-Safety Rating certificate.

This is another WELL Health-Safety Rating certificate awarded to a Ghelamco investment. Earlier, the group of the world’s safest buildings was joined by another of the developer’s flagship investments in Poland – The Warsaw HUB complex. The SWECO company was responsible for supporting the Ghelamco team and coordinating the WELL Health-Safety Rating certification process for the entire Warsaw UNIT complex.

“The comfort and health of the users of our investments are our priority. Our buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies developed in cooperation with the scientific community” – emphasises Jarosław Zagórski, Sales and Development Director at Ghelamco Poland.

The WELL Health-Safety Rating is a certification that proves in an objective, scientifically backed way that the procedures implemented in a building – as well as the regular inspection of its key systems (such as, among others, ventilation and plumbing) – have a positive impact on reducing the risk of COVID-19 hazards.

To ensure the health and safety of employees, Warsaw UNIT uses state-of-the-art technologies developed by Ghelamco together with scientists from the Warsaw University of Technology. UV lamps have been installed in the lifts and the building’s air conditioning system to effectively disinfect the space and air, ensuring maximum sterility. Additionally, in the so-called ‘pandemic mode’, the air conditioning system can only run on fresh air. The building’s water quality is also regularly tested by laboratory tests, while numerous filters and sensors carefully monitor the air quality, ensuring that the interiors of Warsaw UNIT remain smog-free.

Employees of the complex are informed about all related procedures via a mobile application, which is part of the building operating system Signal OS, developed by Ghelamco. The app is also used to grant access and invite guests, preventing uninvited people from entering the building. 

About Warsaw UNIT
Warsaw UNIT is one of the most technologically advanced skyscrapers in Poland. The architectural design is the responsibility of the Polish-Belgian Pracownia Architektury Projekt. The building is managed by CBRE, an international consultancy firm, which also has its headquarters there. The building’s tenants also include the insurance company Warta, which occupies 13 floors.

UNIT sets trends in ecological construction, which is confirmed by such certificates as the Green Building Standard and BREEAM, in which the high-rise building received the highest possible rating as the first skycraper in Poland. It also holds the title ‘Barrier-free facility’, signifying the building’s adaptation to the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility. There is also extensive infrastructure for cyclists: bicycle parking, changing rooms and showers.

Warsaw UNIT is also recognised around the world for its unique, fully glazed terrace at the top, which leans out of the building, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience. It is the only attraction of its kind in Europe.

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The biotechnology giant and producer of the vaccine against COVID-19, American Moderna, has chosen the Warsaw UNIT skyscraper as its new office. In the new location, it will open a business services centre that will support Moderna group companies located all over the world.

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Warsaw UNIT’s latest Ghelamco’s skyscraper has received a BREEAM certificate at the Outstanding level, the highest possible rating. This is the first certificate at this level for a high-rise building in Poland and the second one in Warsaw. The certificate was awarded based on the BREEAM International New Construction 2013 system.

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Warsaw UNIT, a new state-of-the-art skyscraper and one of the most modern buildings in Poland, has gained an unusual tourist attraction. At a height of almost 200 metres, a unique venue opens Skyfall Warsaw. It features a moving glass platform that guarantees an extreme experience for visitors.

Built by Ghelamco, Warsaw UNIT is the tallest building at Daszyńskiego roundabout. It catches the eye with its slender silhouette and so-called dragon skin, an installation of tiles that react to every gust of wind, “enlivening” the lower section of the façade.

Skyfall has just opened on the 46th floor of Warsaw UNIT, with a stunning panoramic view of Warsaw’s bustling central district. At the heart of the site is a quadruple glass-floored platform, at a height of almost 200 meters, which leans out of the building by 15 degrees, offering visitors a breathtaking experience never before seen in Europe. 

Skyfall Warsaw is the only attraction of this type on the old continent, similar ones can only be found overseas. There is the Skydeck with a glass floor in the Willis Tower building in Chicago, and there is a swinging Tilt in the 360 Chicago skyscraper. Skyfall Warsaw is unique in that it combines both of these attractions, making it the only place of its kind in the world.

“We strive to make the skyscrapers we build open to the inhabitants of Warsaw. Warsaw Spire has Europejski Square, and the Warsaw HUB boasts a unique link that directly connects it to the metro. We wanted Warsaw UNIT to also offer its own highlight to the people of Warsaw. During the popular Museum Night, we invited the people of Warsaw to our office — located on the 41st floor of Warsaw Spire – and we were visited by thousands of people. This inspired the idea for Skyfall Warsaw; a place which would guarantee spectacular views and extreme experiences” — says Jeroen van der Toolen, Managing Director for Central and Eastern Europe at Ghelamco.

Skyfall Warsaw is not just a viewing platform. It is also a space with a usable area of 500 sqm, providing the opportunity to hold meetings for up to 200 people. It houses three rooms, all available for exclusive hire. Guests have at their disposal, among other things, two terraces with closable roofs, a bar, along a selection of carefully selected multimedia and technical equipment. Mac Stopa from Massive Design is responsible for interior design — a well-known and widely appreciated creator of modern, innovative and unconventional interiors, who has been cooperating with Ghelamco on various projects for a long time.

Initially, Skyfall Warsaw will be available to companies and organisations. It will be made available to individual customers in the first quarter of 2022.

About Warsaw UNIT

Warsaw UNIT is one of the most technologically advanced skyscrapers in Poland. The architectural design has been developed by the Polish and Belgian Architecture Studio: Projekt. The building is managed by CBRE, an international consulting company, which also has its headquarters in the building. The building’s tenants include the insurance company, Warta.

The building uses Signal OS, a proprietary operating system for buildings. Thanks to it, the users receive, e.g., access to a mobile application enabling them to access the building or invite guests and reserve parking spaces. The skyscraper has also been equipped with innovative solutions which will allow the building to immediately enter the so-called pandemic mode. The Warsaw UNIT includes equipment such as UV lamps installed in the elevators (they will be activated in cabins in “stand-by” mode) and in air-conditioning systems. The building received pre-certification from the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI) in the latest WELL v2 Core system, which takes into account the user well-being. It is also currently subject to the WELL Health-Safety Rating certification process, which assesses the preparedness of buildings to operate during the pandemic.

The building has been given the Green Building Standard certificate, and is currently subject to the advanced BREEAM green certification process, along with the “Barrier-Free Facility” certification process.

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EuropaProperty magazine announced the winners of the 11th Annual CEE Investment Awards for investment, sustainable development, and business excellence in Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw UNIT won in the Office Project category.

This year, Ghelamco projects were awarded in two categories. The Bridge, which is a new Ghelamco project, was awarded in the Future Project category, while Warsaw UNIT won in the Office Project category.

The 11th annual EuropaProperty CEE Investment & Manufacturing Awards are recognised as one of the most important and valuable real estate events in Central and Eastern Europe. The forum and main awards gala were a hybrid style event celebrating and recognising the top-performing companies from the region for their phenomenal achievements in commercial real estate.

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