Project Details
- Scheme & Version: In-Use International 2015 Parts: 1 & 2
- Location: Dijon, France
- Size: 72,000 m²
- Certificate Number: BIU00000779-1.0
- Asset Performance: 86.7% Outstanding
- Building Management: 88.5% Outstanding
The above information is for the original certification of this project, please reference GreenBookLive for current details
Project Team
- Building owner – Unibail-Rodamco SE
- BREEAM In-Use Auditor – Kelly Moerman
- Auditor Organisation – BOPRO S.A.
About Toison D’Or
Toison d’Or is a shopping mall located in Dijon, France. It is owned and operated by Unibail-Rodamco SE, Europe’s leading listed commercial property company, which specialises in shopping centres, office buildings, and convention and exhibition centres.
In 2013 Toison d’Or was refurbished and extended to provide an additional 12,000 m² of gross leasable area, resulting in a total area of 72,000 m² for shops, restaurants and services. The project aimed to give the mall a new lease of life, using a fresh new interior design to create an exciting shopping experience.
Why did this building undergo BREEAM Certification?
Toison d’Or’s assessment under Part 1 (Asset) of BREEAM In-Use International gained an Excellent (5 star) rating with a score of 78%. The mall gained the highest ever BREEAM In-Use International Part 2 (Building management) score of 90%, giving it an Outstanding (6 star) rating.
Crucial to this success was the commitment of the management, staff and suppliers at Toison d’Or to gaining a high BREEAM In-Use rating. This reflects the belief that achieving high BREEAM scores helps to make the shopping mall a healthy and safe space for staff and visitors alike – providing good accessibility for millions of people with little negative impact on the environment.
“During each BREEAM In-Use audit Unibail-Rodamco’s staff show their enthusiasm to learn about sustainability and improve their processes in order to have a better result after each audited asset. The track record of the certificated assets is the best proof that this attitude pays off.” Stefaan Martel, Director Bopro (and a BREEAM auditor and BREEAM Accredited Professional)
Unibail-Rodamco sets an inspiring example in the commercial real estate sector, and has a positive impact not only on the awareness of its clients and suppliers, but also on the millions of shoppers who visit the shopping centres regularly.
Green Strategy and Environmental Features
A global sustainability policy was established at Unibail-Rodamco in 2008. One of its main targets is to obtain – by 2016 – BREEAM In-Use certification for at least 80% of the company’s managed retail portfolio, with a minimum Very Good rating for building management. In line with this policy it was decided to obtain a BREEAM In-Use rating for Toison d’Or in 2013.
Unibail-Rodamco says that the company sees BREEAM In-Use, not as an additional cost or bureaucratic constraint, but as part of its culture and management, which aims to improve the performance of standings assets on a daily basis.
“The BREEAM approach allows us to integrate and stimulate our tenants and maintenance suppliers, to be sure that each technical device – for lighting, ventilation, heating and cooling etc – will be properly maintained and operated 365 days per year. Also, it helps us to demonstrate to investors that sustainability is embedded in the Group’s processes and in all business units.” Christophe Garot (Group HO Environmental Sustainability)
This approach was also demonstrated when dealing with Toison d’Or’s transport requirements. The Unibail-Rodamco team worked closely with local authorities in preparation for the Toison project, to integrate its transport needs into the urban city travel plan. This led to the opening of a tramway connection at the main entrance to the shopping mall.
Future Plans
Having obtained high BREEAM scores at Toison d’Or, the company aims to maintain and enhance tenant and visitor engagement its sustainability. In particular, they will continue to keep tenants well informed of the company’s initiatives in this area, as the more tenants that participate in sustainable activities the better the performance of the building as a whole.
Looking a little wider, more than 15 additional existing malls operated by Unibail-Rodamco are likely to be BREEAM In-Use certificated in 2014, in accordance with the Group’s policy and targets.