Office accommodation developed by Chartered Land at 2, 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square in Dublin’s Docklands has recently achieved a prestigious ‘Excellent’ rating from the BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) Code for Sustainable Buildings

This is the only development in Dublin 2, and the second ever in Ireland, to achieve such a recognised international environmental standard. The ‘Excellent' rating applies to the three new office blocks comprising 40,000 sq m either side of the recently opened Grand Canal Theatre, which was also developed by Chartered Land.

Commenting on the achievement, Dominic Deeny, Chief Executive, Chartered Land said: "The environmental standards of Chartered Land's office buildings at Grand Canal Square are exceptional. The attractive location, design and energy efficient features combine to provide a working environment which will reduce operating costs and enhance productivity. We are very proud that these sustainable attributes of the development have been independently recognised with the awarding of the highly regarded international BREEAM Excellent rating".

One of the key benefits of an excellent BREEAM rating is a reduction in energy costs. An analysis of the Grand Canal Square Buildings predicted energy use compared to a five year old building with standard air conditioning shows that energy costs will be reduced by 60% and tenants will save €200,000 annually for 10,000 sq m office space.

Assuming an average 3% energy cost inflation per annum over a 25 year lease this equates to €12 million saving. For those currently in an older air conditioned building the savings would be even more dramatic - in excess of €20 million over a 25 year per period.

BREEAM awards performance, over and above regulatory requirements, which delivers environmental, social and economic benefits for those occupying the buildings. The BREEAM assessment looked at criteria ranging from proximity to public transport and the approach to the management of the development through to the quality of air and lighting in the building itself.

This comprehensive process involved evaluating ten specific factors from an environmental impact perspective including Energy; Management; Health & Wellbeing; Transport; Water; Materials; Waste; Land Use; Pollution and Ecology. The offices scored highly on all these factors, thus achieving the coveted  ‘Excellent' rating.

The Grand Canal Square development was designed for Chartered Land by acclaimed international architect Daniel Libeskind and contains three office buildings, totalling 400,000 sq ft. (37,000 sq m) in addition to the 2,000 seat Grand Canal Theatre. Each building has its own distinct identity with strong architectural features including striking glass facades and sculptured shapes.  Set in the heart of Dublin's Docklands, the development overlooks the dramatic square designed by Martha Schwartz.

The office building finishes at 2, 4 and 5 Grand Canal Square are to the highest modern specification with excellent levels of natural daylight penetrating through the external façade and the full height atrium. One of the most distinctive features, in the atrium of 2 Grand Canal Square, is a seven storey ‘Wall of Letters' featuring a passage of 1,000 letters from Finnegan's Wake by James Joyce.

Law firm Byrne Wallace has just moved in to 150,000 sq ft (14,000 sq m) of office space at 2 Grand Canal Square while William Fry Solicitors will occupy 4 Grand Canal Square 122,000 sq ft (11,300 sq m) during 2011.

A further 6,000 sq. m. is available in 2 Grand Canal Square and 11,000 sq. m. in 5 Grand Canal Square. Property agents are Bannon and HT Meagher O'Reilly.

Article Published: 19/07/2010