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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The Warsaw UNIT has been officially unveiled. The highest skyscraper at Daszyńskiego Roundabout stands out for its timeless modernist architecture and state-of-the-art technological solutions. Warta insurance company has just moved into the skyscraper.

The Warsaw UNIT is the tallest building at Daszyńskiego Roundabout in Warsaw that was developed by Ghelamco company. Its unique design combines the modernist heritage of the capital with modern materials. Its podium is decorated by an unusual façade, so called “dragon skin”, which is made of thousands of tiles resembling scales, which react to every single gust of wind. Warsaw Unit offers 57 thousand square metres of modern office space on 45 floors. The skyscraper is located in the immediate vicinity of the “Rondo Daszyńskiego” metro station. The building provides infrastructure for cyclists: bicycle parking, changing rooms and showers. A multi-storey car park can accommodate 400 cars. Polish-Belgian Project Architecture Studio was the designer of the Warsaw UNIT. The building administrator is CBRE, an international consulting company, which has its own headquarters in the building.

Warta is the largest tenant of the Warsaw UNIT. One of the leading insurance companies in Poland has just moved to the building. The company occupies thirteen floors and 20 thousand sq m of office space at the top of the skyscraper. The contract was signed for a period of 10 years.

– We are moving to state-of-the-art office building in Poland, which confirms the company’s remarkable position on the market. I am glad that it symbolizes modernity and openness which are values we have been following every single day as part of our business – says Grzegorz Bielec, a member of Warta’s Management Board; and adds – We have been searching hard for a building which would provide us with extraordinary solutions and the best possible working environment for our team, and would be well connected both to various locations not only in Warsaw but to other Polish cities as well. The new headquarter provide us with opportunities to use our potential even more effectively. A multitude of co-working spaces, high standard of equipment and innovative technological solutions that the office building contains will support Warta’s continued growth. The selection of the new location was certainly affected by the ecological nature of the Warsaw UNIT, as well as a number of applied solutions which strengthen the health and safety of employees; something that plays a key role as part of the current pandemic situation.

– Warsaw UNIT is a building created for the future. The solutions applied as part of it will provide tenants with comfortable working conditions for many years. We are glad that the building has attracted Warta and CBRE companies. We are in the process of signing new contracts, about which we will inform you soon – says Jarosław Zagórski, Sales and Development Manager at Ghelamco Poland.

Technological advancement

Warsaw UNIT is one of the most technologically advanced skyscrapers in Poland. Signal OS, Ghelamco’s proprietary operating system, has been applied in the building. Signal OS can communicate with most internal applications and systems allowing for its unprecedented integration. Signal OS monitors, among others, HVAC, lifts, access control, parking management system, as well as air quality in the building. With Signal OS, users have access to a mobile application that provides, for example, access to the building and the ability to invite guests and book parking spaces.

Pandemic time

Warsaw UNIT has been equipped with innovative solutions that will enable the building to quickly move into the so-called pandemic mode. This special operating mode of the building was developed on the basis of Ghelamco’s internal analyzes. Additionally, the company commissioned a dedicated report including recommendations for building systems regarding COVID-19. The document was compiled by researchers from the Faculty of Building Installations, Hydrotechnics and Environmental Engineering at the Warsaw University of Technology.

Among others, UV lamps have been installed in lifts of the Warsaw UNIT (activated as part of “stand by” mode) and in air conditioning systems. Their application will ensure disinfection of space and air – UV radiation has a proven biocidal effect and destroys microorganisms and viruses in a brief time.

Certificates

Warsaw UNIT has been pre-certified by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI) in the latest WELL v2 Core system, which takes into account mainly the well-being of its users. The building is also in the process of obtaining the WELL Health-Safety Rating, which evaluates the preparation of buildings for operation during a pandemic.

The building has the Green Building Standard certificate and is currently undergoing the advanced BREEAM environmental certification. The skyscraper has also been through the process of obtaining the “Barrier Free Facility” certificate.

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Ghelamco is creating market trends again. Warsaw UNIT is the biggest project in Europe and the only skyscraper in Poland, which obtained pre-certification in the WELL v2 Core system.

Certification in the WELL v2 Core system is a new concept. Ghelamco was one of the first developers in Europe to start working on certification in this system. Interestingly, the pilot version of certification conducted by the developer was the basis for the final determination of its formula in the WELL v2 Core version, and the process conducted had a real impact on the final shape of the certification procedures.

The score obtained by Warsaw UNIT paves the way for receiving the final certification at the highest possible level. SWECO is responsible for supporting the Ghelamco team and coordinating the WELL certification process for the entire building.

The WELL Building Standard is a multi-criteria building certification system that focuses on the comfort of people inside the building. WELL considers primarily those parameters that affect the health and well-being of facility users. WELL™ is based on guidelines developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), global Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency management agencies, and recognized organizations such as ASTM International and ASHRAE, as well as leading academic and research institutions.

WELL v2, on the other hand, is a development of WELL v1, drawing on the experience of users and practitioners, as well as the knowledge of researchers and health and construction experts from around the world. The following 10 categories are considered in the certification process: air, water, nutrition, light, movement, thermal comfort, acoustics, materials, mind and community.

Warsaw UNIT is a building full of modern technologies that will significantly increase the comfort and safety of its users.

The building’s users can, for example, use a mobile application, which is part of the Signal OS operating system. Among other things, the app allows you to access your office from your smartphone and invite guests. In an epidemic emergency, the app will inform users if the building is operating in what is known as pandemic mode.

This is because Warsaw UNIT uses innovative solutions that limit the spread of viruses and bacteria. In pandemic mode, the air conditioning system can only operate with fresh air. UV lamps have also been installed in elevators and ventilation systems to effectively disinfect their spaces.

Warsaw UNIT provides 57 thousand sqm of modern office space on 45 floors. Among its tenants are companies such as insurance tycoon Warta and CBRE, which is one of the world’s largest consulting companies operating in the commercial real estate sector.

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After 48 months construction of Warsaw UNIT has ended. The Ghelamco’s newest skyscraper has already got the occupancy permit. First tenants will be moving in soon.

57 thousand sq.m. of modern office space on 45 floors are available for rent in Warsaw UNIT. Warta insurance tycoon and CBRE, one of the world’s biggest consulting companies in the commercial real estate sector, have announced a lease of space in the building. At the same time, CBRE acts as a property manager. The building is already nearly 50 per cent leased.

– We are proud to have completed one more project at Rondo Daszyńskiego as it has become a real business centre of the city. Warsaw UNIT is a good example of a metropolitan skyscraper with its excellent transport facilities and numerous shops, restaurants, bars, apartments and hotels nearby – says Jarosław Zagórski, Ghelamco Poland Sales and Development Manager.

What makes Warsaw UNIT so special is its architecture, which combines the capital’s modernist heritage with cutting-edge materials. The slender body of the skyscraper reflects the urban landscape in its blue glazing, and its facade is complemented by the so-called ‘dragon’s skin’ just above the street; thousands of dragon scale-like tiles respond to even the smallest gust of wind and bring the sensory illusion of its movement. The lobby is also striking. The tall, two-storey, fully glazed lobby overlooks the street and seems to become part of the city. Projekt PBPA sp. z o.o. is responsible for the design of Warsaw UNIT.

Health, comfort, ecology

Not only is the building state-of-the-art on the outside. Similarly, a special-purpose mobile application will ensure the comfort and safety of users inside, including access to the office. Except that, the skyscraper can operate as part of the so-called “pandemic mode”. This can be ensured by a number of technologies to stop the spread of viruses: the air conditioning system is protected in the ventilation units by UV lamps and additionally can work in automatic mode exclusively with fresh air. UV lamps will be also installed in the lifts to effectively disinfect the space.

A multi-storey car park for over 400 cars, as well as relevant facilities for cyclists including cycle parking, changing rooms and showers, will be located in the building.

Warsaw UNIT is the first skyscraper in Poland that aspires to obtain the prestigious v2 Core WELL certificate which takes the health and well-being of building users into account. It can also be praised for having received the BREEAM “excellent” certificate. The building has already received a Green Building Standard Certificate. The facility is also in the BREEAM certification process.

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The emerging skyscraper Warsaw UNIT in the Warsaw city centre enters the stage of being covered with thousands scales-like plates. Known as the Dragon Skin, it is a unique construction reacting to every puff of the wind, each time changing into new remarkable form. Ghelamco’s project is the first office building in Poland which uses this spectacular technology.

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