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LEEDS' BUSINESS WORLD JUST GOT GREENER ... AND COOLER

Friday 1st October sees the opening of the UK’s Greenest High-Tech offices, and no, they’re not in London, but Leeds, thanks to local developer Citu's commitment to regenerating local communities and choosing the city as the home for their pioneering low carbon development.

Opening the doors for the first time to the business community, the launch of Greenhouse and their 'offices of the future' has been 3 years in the making, as developers worked to regenerate a run down 1930's seasonal workers lodge, into a mixed used contemporary, sustainable, high-tech development.

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The multi-million pound regeneration of Shaftsbury House has been a  labour of love, but now Citu proudly reveal what lies beneath...wind turbines, solar power, 100meg next generation internet, heat exchange systems and car clubs are just some of the things that make this commercial office space like no other in the region.

Greenhouse boasts 15,000 sq ft of Grade ‘A’ sustainable office space over four floors, which has been built around the courtyard area of the development, to maximise natural light. Committed to creating mixed use developments to enhance sustainability Greenhouse uses the latest technologies throughout the building to effectively reduce tenants carbon footprint (65% less than recommended guidelines) and will provide SMEs energy saving facilities that will dramatically reduce their energy bills by up to 60%.

To optimise energy resources, heat is shared between apartments and offices at key points in the day to ensure there is never energy wastage. If offices require extra heating or cooling during the day they can draw that from the renewable resources, which are then channelled back into the apartments come home time, to ensure the building is working hard for its tenants and residents 24/7.

100meg next generation internet and a full IP Network ensures these office have the fastest broadband in Leeds and are ideally placed for video conferencing facilities. The free onsite gym and onsite deli along with the beautiful landscaped courtyard and car share club creates a sustainable community of its own.

Fraser Stride, Marketing Director at Citu said: “What's exciting about the office space in Greenhouse is that it's within a much wider community, and has so much to offer so many different types of business. We've had interest from SMEs looking to reduce their carbon footprint; FD's looking to reduce their energy expenditure, but also from a wide range of creative and media focused businesses who are excited about the next generation broadband and the scope this could have for them. We welcome anyone interested in what makes Greenhouse tick to attend the open day, whether or not they're looking for new office space.”

Chris Thompson of Citu, who was involved in securing the Shaftsbury House site for development said of their 3 year project: “Our techniques meant this has not been the cheapest way to build, but it's not all about profit for us. Sustainability has been designed into Greenhouse, from the ground up. It's not a bolt on or afterthought, it's green blood flowing through the building, and we're very proud of what it's achieved.”

“It's the blend of technology and use of natural resources that makes this development really work. A huge challenge was to reduce energy consumption but increase the standard of living – and this made it a very exciting project”

Commercial space is available from a single desk to 4,800 sq foot offices.

Behind the scenes tours will be available at the launch to learn how renewable energy is used across the development, and how technology is combined with nature to get the very best out of the resources on site.

All businesses are welcome. To request a place at the event, and book onto a tour, you can register at www.greenhouselaunch.co.uk

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Notes to Editor
Interviews available with Fraser Stride or Chris Thompson at Citu
Interviews available with Citu's first tenant
High Res images available for download

 

LEEDS' BUSINESS WORLD JUST GOT GREENER AND COOLER