Sponda Plc Stock Exchange Release 25 November 2013 at 12:00
Sponda to develop office building complex for Sweco in Ilmala, Helsinki
The property investment company Sponda Plc and expert, design and consulting company Sweco have signed a preliminary agreement on a three-building office complex to be constructed in Ilmala, Helsinki for use by Sweco. The Ilmalanrinne office building complex, with a floor area of approximately 15,000 square metres, will be built in a prominent location along the railway line and next to Pasila’s excellent traffic connections at Ilmalanrinne 1.
The construction of the property will start in spring 2014, and the project is estimated to be completed in December 2015. The investment amounts to approximately EUR 57 million. The office complex is 83% pre-let.
Two parking floors will be built under the six-floor office building with parking spaces for some 277 cars for the entire project. Sponda also has an opportunity to expand the office complex with two more office buildings.
Aiming for a low-energy office
Ilmalanrinne is built as a low-energy project, aiming for the international LEED Gold environmental certificate. Energy efficiency and environmentally friendly sustainable solutions are emphasised in the design and construction of the project, utilising the energy and life cycle expertise of Sweco, which will act as the developer consultant in the project. The design solution meeting the set energy efficiency requirements is ensured in all design phases through energy calculations.
Energy consumption during use is decreased through well-insulated windows, solar protection of windows, need-based lighting and ventilation, and efficient ventilation heat recovery. The building will also provide readiness for a solar energy system.
Diverse energy production methods will be investigated in the project. District cooling has been chosen as the cooling system. Upon completion, it will also be part of Sponda's Energy Efficiency Programme, which is Sponda's initiative that strives for energy conservation in partnership with its clients.
Sweco’s values, needs and business principles were the starting point in the premises solution offered by Sponda, emphasising functionality, comfort, efficiency of space use and flexibility in addition to sustainable values and energy efficiency. The flexible premises will offer Sweco expansion opportunities in the future.
Pasila to become the second centre of Helsinki
Sweco’s future premises will be located next to the Ilmala train station, along Hakamäentie and therefore feature excellent connections with all forms of transport from local to long-distance traffic. Ilmala’s and Pasila’s excellent public transport connections and location in the bicycle network of the Helsinki region will facilitate the use of environmentally friendly commuting options.
Significant regional development projects are underway at the Ilmala and Pasila districts of Helsinki. Within the next few years, plenty of new office space will be constructed in Ilmala, and the number of jobs in the area is expected to increase by 7,000. In Pasila, on the other hand, a major project is underway with the aim of developing Pasila into the second centre of Helsinki and a business hub.
Sponda Plc More information: Kari Inkinen, President and CEO, Sponda Plc, tel. +358 400 402653
Sponda Plc is a property investment company that specialises in commercial properties in the largest cities in Finland. Sponda’s business concept is to own, lease and develop office premises, retail properties and shopping centres in environments that promote the business success of its clients. The fair value of Sponda’s investment properties is approximately EUR 3.3 billion and the leasable area is around 1.4 million square metres.
