About the Project

Comfort of the tenants is supported by high quality building management and a special, environmentally friendly fan-coil system that reacts to temperature changes whilst opening and closing windows. Key features include:

• 15,745 sq m office space
• 399 underground parking spaces
• Central Buda location with excellent transport links
• Built in 2010

The building incorporates:

• Unique architectural design
• Full height glazing and natural stone facades
• Office areas filled with natural light
• Suspended acoustic ceiling

Why did this building undergo BREEAM Certification?

The client chose BREEAM In-Use to enhance the reputation of the building and to make it more attractive for prospective tenants.

“The Union Investment Group is the competence centre for asset management within the co-operative financial services network. Sustainable economic management has always been at the core of our business concept. It is our task to manage the assets entrusted to us profitably and to increase the company value of our customers and our partners”says Ingemar Hunold, Project Manager – Sustainable Real Estate, Union Investment Real Estate GmbH.

Green Strategy and Environmental Features

The asset performed well in the Pollution and Waste categories, and had an Outstanding score in Transport.

Under Transport, Krisztina Palace is located at the foot of the Buda hills on one of the main thoroughfares of the 12th district in central Buda. The building is 2 minutes walking distance from the railway station, one of the largest public transport hubs on the Buda side in terms of metro, trams, trains and bus stops. The building also connects easily to the M1/M7 motorways. It is equipped with shower rooms and lockers and changing facilities for cyclists.

In the Pollution category, emphasis is placed on managing waste and disposal methods using environmental friendly and economically efficient solutions, such as the operation of a waste compactor and collection of recyclable wastes.

The building’s overall performance in the Management and Land-use categories were also improved during the certification process (improved communication with tenants, enhancing the ecological value of the site, improved environmental and purchasing policies, etc.).

Future Plans

Several buildings in Union Investment’s worldwide portfolio have already been certificated using BREEAM-In-Use.

As a result of the BREEAM In-Use assessment, the facility management company have improved the means of communicating with tenants. This will be further developed in the future.

Opportunities will be evaluated to use alternative sources of water for irrigation, with groundwater or rainwater systems considered for future investment. The usage of alternative (renewable) energy sources or energy providers will also be considered.