Developer beefs up green credentials at Viadux
Salboy has amended plans for the commercial phase of its £300m mixed-use Manchester scheme.
Working with architect SimpsonHaugh, Salboy has now submitted amended plans to “significantly increase the environmental credentials” of the development’s phase two element.
The new plans for the 251,000 sq ft office building involve vastly increasing green spaces with 900 sq ft year-round winter gardens on every floor, rooftop gardens and an expanded main lobby entrance.
The aim of the amendment is to build into the scheme features that will enable future commercial tenants to operate their businesses in a carbon neutral way.
Updated exterior for Viadux. Credit: Simpsonhaugh / Salboy 2022
Salboy is targeting environmental accreditations including WELL Core certification and Gres B at Viadux.
Simon Ismail, co-founder and managing director of Salboy, said: “Occupier wellbeing and amenity are at the heart of Viadux, as well as our commitment to developing living and workspaces that help deliver a more sustainable future.
“Adding more high quality amenity, alongside winter gardens and roof gardens, promises to give occupants plenty of space to relax, breathe and enjoy.”
Work is well under way on the residential element of Viadux, at the former Bauer Millett site, close to the Manchester Central complex. This part of the scheme will offer 374 apartments in a 40-storey tower.
Phase two, the 14-storey office building, is now under construction, expecting to complete in the third quarter of 2024. Domis is the contractor.
Knight Frank is the leasing agent. Associate Matt Shufflebottom said: “Viadux will push the boundaries for quality and occupier amenity whilst meeting important sustainability targets to provide much needed Grade A workspace for the city.”
I suspect the institutions probably wouldn’t have been too interested if they hadn’t.
By oscar
What about the cabin footprint of the actual construction – all that concrete, steel and glass. How will that be offset? – sound like greenwashing.
By A
@A – we reached out to Salboy regarding your question. Here’s what they said: “Our main aim with this planning amendment is to allow future tenants to operate in a carbon-neutral way within the limitations of the existing planning applications, which was some time ago now, on top of what is already an incredibly unique, complex site. It also addresses the behavioural and cultural changes in the way we work, creating break out spaces with the winter gardens and a more open and welcoming lobby area. These changes are a positive practical step in the right direction.” – Julia
By Julia Hatmaker
A – the developers are not making any claims about the capital carbon footprint of the construction so I don’t see how it can be deemed green washing.
Making interventions ensure the operation carbon footprint is offset is still valid.
By Anonymous
If Salboy want to demonstrate that this isn’t greenwashing there’s an easy solution – a commitment to publish an embodied carbon analysis of the project, as well as committing to publish in use energy data.
Without evidence all we have is words, and unfortunately there’s far too many words and not enough genuine action on net zero at the moment.
@Julia, would you be able to ask if they’re able to commit to publishing this data to back up their words?
By Oli