HB Reavis becomes the world’s first developer to register a project with a new version of BREEAM Communities International

International real estate developer HB Reavis has once again shown its commitment to user wellbeing and sustainability by successfully registering several of its developments in the heart of Bratislava with a new version of BREEAM Communities International. These schemes form part of an emerging district, Nove Nivy, which is the first urban area in the world registered with the new BREEAM Communities International standard. HB Reavis’ developments will also bring much wider community benefits to the area, including additional green spaces, retail and connectivity.

BREEAM Communities is an assessment method used to measure, improve and certify the sustainability of large-scale development projects, created by the UK’s Building Research Establishment. While the regular BREEAM appraisal assesses a single building, BREEAM Communities focuses on the wider environmental impact a larger development will have on its surroundings. This community-based standard takes a holistic approach in assessing a project’s effect on social and economic wellbeing, natural resources, energy use, infrastructure, housing provisions and economic facilities, while acting as a framework for master-planning. The International version of the standard was released earlier this year. The entire Nove Nivy district aspires to be BREEAM Communities International certified, including the yet to be built Twin City Tower, Stanica Nivy, new office schemes, public infrastructure (technical and transport) and greenery.

The new Nove Nivy district in Bratislava is an area totalling ca 230,000 sq m, which will comprise of eight separate developments including the exceptional Stanica Nivy – a bus station of international significance, accompanied by a contemporary shopping destination and a fresh food market. Nove Nivy will be a coherent territory within the city which, through revitalisation of the location’s current brownfield, is set to become the new and vibrant central business district of the Slovak capital.

Pavel Trenka, CEO of HB Reavis said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the Nove Nivy district has become the first cluster of projects in the world to register under a new version of BREEAM Communities International; this demonstrates our commitment to shaping cities and delivering exceptional spaces for people to enjoy, whether they live in, work in or visit our developments.

Trenka added: “Our aim is to continue to deliver this extremely high standard in future developments. Agora Budapest is the next project in the pipeline, for which we will again aim to secure BREEAM Communities recognition.’’

HB Reavis recently started construction on the Nove Nivy district’s latest development – Stanica Nivy (Nivy Mall and bus station) – an exceptional new retail destination, comprising of a supra-regional shopping centre, A-class office space, a redeveloped bus station and a modern marketplace, totalling approximately 133,000 sq m. It will feature outstanding green credentials, including an urban garden equal in size to two football pitches.

This public green space on the roof will bring much needed greenery to the city as well as introduce a truly unique meeting space for both business and leisure. Professionals, visitors, shoppers and those who live nearby can enjoy lunch with friends or colleagues, have a business meeting on the grass, or exercise during lunch breaks. Even the schools nearby can utilise this exciting new urban outdoor space as a temporary classroom. It will also have bat boxes and beehives, offering children an opportunity to learn first-hand about the importance of bees within the environment. Furthermore, visitors will be welcome to buy groceries from the fresh market and grill their own meals on the rooftop barbeques.

Designed by London architects Benoy and local architectural practice Siebert+Talas, the project will play a significant role in reviving this part of the city, and will create a whole new destination providing an excellent retail mix, outstanding services along with great culinary offerings and accessibility enhanced by public transport and bicycles.

BREEAM is the most widely used strategy in the world to assess sustainability in buildings. Its methodology is improved constantly and adapted to stay ahead of best practice within the industry. This has resulted in a vast improvement in building standards worldwide, in turn also improving quality of life for the inhabitants of these sustainable developments. In its nearly 30 year span, BREEAM has expanded its reach into 78 countries and with its recently redeveloped standardised approach, it will certainly grow into many more.

Earlier this year, HB Reavis’ flagship development in Warsaw city centre, Varso Tower, was also awarded the first WELL Core & Shell Precertification in Europe, by the International WELL Building Institute™, further affirming the developer’s dedication and commitment to sustainability across its projects.