Charter Hall to deliver first net zero emissions office building in 2023

Charter Hall is set to deliver its first net zero emissions office building in 2023, as part of its commitment to becoming a net zero emissions company by 2030.

Charter Hall office CEO Carmel Hourigan at the site of the $450m office tower at 60 King William Street. Picture: Russell Millard

Charter Hall is set to deliver its first net zero emissions office building in 2023, as part of the property giant’s commitment to becoming a net zero emissions company by 2030.

The move is being closely watched by the industry as the wave of new towers proposed in the wake of the pandemic will need to hit top green standards to win major corporate and government tenants.

The developer’s $450m office project at 60 King William Street in ­Adelaide will be supported by an ­all-electric central plant, climate friendly refrigerant and once complete, will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.

It is targeting a 5 Star NABERS ­Indoor Environment Quality Rating and a WELL Platinum certification – the highest benchmark in a global ­rating system used to measure how a building’s design contributes to the physical and emotional wellbeing of its occupants.

Kamirice’s office tower at 500 ­Collins Street in Melbourne recently became the first existing building in Australia to achieve WELL Platinum certification.

Charter Hall office chief executive Carmel Hourigan said the King William St project would set a new benchmark for sustainable real estate in Australia.

“Sustainability is a top priority at Charter Hall, and we know that our capital partners and tenant customers are actively seeking out places that align with and support their ­sustainability goals as well,” Ms Hourigan said.

“We continue to measure our performance based on a comprehensive set of ESG criteria alongside key financial and customer metrics, driving us to make decisions that have wide reaching benefits.

“In doing so, we actively create opportunities to deploy capital into existing assets to improve sustainability standards, as well as new developments to deliver lower carbon outcomes.”

Construction of the 14-storey tower in Adelaide began earlier this year. Comprising 40,000sq m of office space, it will become the city’s biggest office building, by area, once completed.

Services Australia will be the anchor tenant, and will relocate more than 2200 staff to its new premises after agreeing to a 10-year lease for 28,500sq m across 10 floors.