Number One First Street joins the environmental elite
Date: 11/05/2009
Source: SKV
Ask Development’s Number One First Street has been awarded the 2006 BREEAM "Post Construction" certificate of EXCELLENT. Only six other office buildings in the whole of the UK have achieved BREEAM EXCELLENT and just one other in the North West.
BREEAM is a measurement of a building's environmental and sustainability credentials. Each year the criteria to reach EXCELLENT status grows harder to achieve in line with advancements in new technology and environmental data. Number One First Street is the only office building in the North West to have achieved the 2006 accreditation at the more challenging Post Construction audit stage.
The BREEAM assessment takes in to consideration the scheme’s regeneration of an inner city brownfield site, the responsible sourcing of materials and using a Considerate Contractor, providing local jobs for local people wherever possible.
Number One First Street improves the ecology of the area, in part by the building’s extensive green roof and the future green wall installation. The latest, most efficient water cooled VRF air conditioning system has been installed further benefitting from extensive insulation of the building fabric.
Number One First Street also benefits from close proximity to public transport links, including overland rail, tram, Metrobus and service buses.
Located on the southern edge of the city, First Street will span across 20 acres and will include approx. 1.2m sq ft of offices, around 1,500 homes and 350,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space.
The scheme will provide Manchester with the first major new pedestrianised thoroughfare in the city for many decades. It will be an amazing 18m wide, 300m long boulevard connecting the community of Hulme through the Mancunian Way to the Hacienda site on Whitworth Street West.
Julian Stott, Development Executive at Ask Developments, said; “Most buildings rarely undergo the post construction audit owing to the risk that a completed building will no longer meet the stringent BREEAM criteria. Sustainability and the environment underpins Number One First Street and the wider scheme so we’re delighted to have attained this high accolade.”
Councillor Richard Cowell, Executive Member for Environment, said: "The City Council is committed to making Manchester Britain's greenest city. We believe that developments which help ensure long-term economic growth should also be able to adapt to a changing environment and to maintain and improve the quality of life essential for Manchester residents, businesses and visitors. Number One First Street is a shining example of how environmental and commercial interests can be successfully combined."