This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
WINTEN Property Group’s $1.2 billion 1 Denison building has bolstered its sustainability ratings, becoming North Sydney’s most sustainable office tower, after energy efficiency measures more than halved its energy consumption.
Designed by architects Bates Smart, 1 Denison was delivered by Multiplex in 2020 and features 61,600 sqm of premium-grade commercial office space across 37 storeys, with a lifestyle precinct and basement parking for 225 cars and 568 bicycle racks. It is fully leased and home to corporate tenants including Nine, Microsoft, SAP, Qualtrics, Red Hat, Essilor Luxottica, Indue, Datacom, Galderma, Qualitas Health, Ferrovial and Spaces.
1 Denison is positioned between the new Victoria Cross Metro station that will open in 2024 and North Sydney train station.
It was recently awarded the global WELL V 2 Platinum Certification – the highest possible rating of its type – in recognition of its wellness amenities and facilities, while it has also been awarded a 6-Star NABERS Energy rating and, most recently, a 6-Star NABERS Waste certification as well.
“We are proud to be recognised as North Sydney’s most sustainable office tower. Our sustainability objectives are closely aligned with those of our tenants. Delivering a high-performance building not only improves our environment and assists in meeting tenant ESG (environmental, social and governance) targets – it also reduces building outgoings and expenses for our tenants,” said Stuart Vaughan, chief operating officer of Winten Property Group.
Nathan Chehab, general manager of 1 Denison Street said several core environmental pillars were identified, including reducing energy and waste, “with occupant health and well-being also paramount”.
Since its completion, the total energy consumption at 1 Denison has been more than halved annually, from 3.8 MW in 2020 to just 1.6 MW in 2023, successfully elevating the building’s NABERS rating.
Initiatives implemented by its property management team in collaboration with Conservia, the building management system vendor, included optimising tenant condenser water and chiller staging modification to maximise efficiency and reduce peak demand during summer, effectively resulting in 20% less energy being used for the chiller alone. Peak load lopping is also utilised, reducing the amount of energy consumed during periods of peak demand and further optimising the building’s electricity usage.
In addition, a focus on waste management strategies at 1 Denison aims to achieve 100% landfill diversion and a zero-landfill target.
The WELL Platinum V2 certification recognises 1 Denison’s performance across a range of factors including its purpose-built wellness amenity, end-of-trip facilities, circadian lighting, bi-annual ergonomic assessments, water and air quality testing, stress support program, healthy food options and retailers and annual on-site flu vaccinations.
“Nest, our in-house wellness centre, has been a major point of difference and swiftly embraced by tenants, making it easy for them to incorporate balance and well-being into their everyday work life,” said Jay O’Neill, associate director – facilities management at 1 Denison.
“Nest has also proven to be a significant drawcard in ‘earning the commute,’ with tenants reporting their staff were keen to return to work post pandemic lockdowns,” O’Neill said.
The 300 sqm space is flooded with natural light and offers sweeping views, and accommodates a range of health and wellness activities, including circuit training, yoga classes, boxing, massage, flu vaccinations, skin consultations, chiropractic, and a pilates reformer studio.
1 Denison has also been awarded a 5-Star-Green-Star Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) since completion.
The food and beverage precinct at 1 Denison is also fully leased to restaurants, cafés and takeaway outlets, including BarLume, Poetica, Missing Spoon, SixNature Thai, Stacked, Cali Press, Well Foods Kitchen, Lumos and coming soon, Bourke Street Bakery.
