Sustainable office projects in Romania that have LEED or BREEAM certification for green buildings had a total leasable surface of 1.3 million sqm, representing almost half of the local office space inventory, according to real estate consultancy firm Colliers.

“Developers focus more and more on their buildings’ long-term efficiency and sustainability due to the advantages that green certifications provide: a lower energy consumption, maintaining a competitive rent and even improved tenant retention,” said Oana Stamatian, associate director of Colliers’ Real Estate Management Services (REMS) department.

In 2017, some 39 green certifications were issued in Romania, up from 29 in 2016, according to Colliers data. Some 24 such certifications were granted to office projects, both new and old ones. While all new office projects aim to get sustainability certification either from LEED or BREEAM, some older projects, that have been on the market for over 10 years, have also started to get such certifications as they are trying to remain attractive for tenants.

In Bucharest, of the 2.3 million sqm of existing office space, 45% has green certification, compared to only a third of the office inventory in Prague and Budapest.

editor@romania-insider.com