Transformation to a ‘grade A’ building Portal de l’Àngel, Barcelona

Together with our JV partner Ares we acquired, the El Corte Inglés department store in the heart of Barcelona, with the aim to transform it into a highly sustainable, mixed-use prime location. The JV project represents an estimated total investment of just over €200 million.

For this grade A building (a building with the pinnacle quality that can be achieved) has the most ambitions targets in terms of ESG performance. There will be natural materials used, crafted by local suppliers. Besides this local and social aspect, we integrate in the drafted plans, there will be targets on:

• Net Zero Water Consumption => Water control. Grey waters recycling for irrigation.
• Urban Greening (factor) => Terraces of the building will incorporate local species for creating an urban oasis.
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) => Best in class environmental certificates (Well and Leed Platinum).

Before we started creating and drafting plans we are aimed to take the right choices when we look at the challenges of the building. We discussed the following topics and put our targets first and highlighted them in the definite plans.

Net Zero Water Consumption
Strategies for achieving net zero water consumption include efficient water use, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and restoring natural water systems. By adopting net zero water practices, we can reduce the strain on freshwater resources and promote sustainable water management.

How can we tackle the lack of water of Cataluña (the region where Barcelona is located suffers frequent droughts)? We focus on the reuse of water. For gardening we will be using local species which does not require much water and use drip irrigation and recycle grey water. It is important to make people aware of the importance of water and how to (re)use it.

Urban Greening
An important purpose of urban greening involves integrating green spaces such as gardens, and green roofs into urban environments.

This serves multiple purposes:

• Enhancing aesthetics and improving residents’ well-being.
• Mitigating the urban heat island effect
• Improving air quality.

Which brings us to the question; what can we do with the roof? We can provide the roof with solar panels, green areas with local species of plants and bees. The users of the building can benefit from the natural isolation that f.e. plants can offer. We want to create the ability to have internal events to engage the users of the building.

Biodiversity Net Gain
Urban greening contributes to biodiversity net gain by creating habitats for native plants and animals. It ensures that development projects enhance biodiversity rather than deplete it.

How can we improve the inner space of the office’s areas? Create a light well with plants and a tree so the user(s) of the building can enjoy natural light. We would like to invite people to use the stairs instead of the elevator by showing the stairs thru a glass wall.

By investing in sustainable practices and raising awareness among the residents and users of a building, a city can have a positive impact on the environment and improve the quality for its residents. These initiatives play a crucial role in creating sustainable and resilient cities.