Greenhouse development Location: Beeston Hill, South Leeds. Greenhouse is a part restoration and part new-build of a redundant 1930’s art-deco period hostel into one of the most pioneering low carbon mixed use developments in the UK.
The inspiring project comprises 172 studio, 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, 15,000 sq ft of office accommodation with support facilities, a gym and deli situated over 8 floors on a 2.1 acre site within a 10 minute walk of Leeds city centre.
The site was identified by local development company, Citu, to develop a scheme which would champion the regeneration of the Beeston Hill and Holbeck area in addition to creating a benchmark for sustainable development nationwide.
Key development features:
- An on-site electric car club scheme
- A bike-by-the-hour service
- On-site recycling facilities
- Allotment scheme to encourage occupants to grow their own produce
- ‘A’ and A+rated appliances
- Floor-to-ceiling windows maximise daylight
- Private space in form of residents courtyard
- On-site residents gym
Citu has demonstrated that energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable technologies can be successfully integrated within an existing building to dramatically improve the air tightness and building performance.
Features
A groundbreaking IP (Internet Protocol) network is being installed into each apartment incorporating a high speed dedicated internet line which will provide TV over IP (IPTV), Voice over IP (VOIP), high speed data access and Door Entry Systems. This system will enable each resident to view their utility and media bills from their TV as well as provide a community portal to help in ‘placemaking’ of Greenhouse, building a community and helping to improve the standard of living.
The other key benefit of this system is providing tangible energy usage data translated into carbon emissions and £’s to each resident. The TV will provide real-time consumption data which will be benchmarked against the average user. This easy to use data will focus attention on reducing your own carbon footprint and ultimately changing behavioural patterns. How people use the building will determine its energy usage so Citu is aiming to cultivate ‘sustainable thinking’.
Other key features include:
- On-site low and zero carbon technologies; Ground source heat pump technology will be in operation;
- There will be 212msq of roof top solar thermal collector panels which will provide year round energy to heat the domestic hot water system;
- Roof-top mounted wind turbines generate electricity which • feeds directly into the landlords supply to provide the energy for communal lighting.
Low Carbon
The Government is in the process of re-defining ‘zero carbon’. Currently, Greenhouse is one of only a handful of developments in the UK where the promotion of high standards of construction and design have been demonstrated in compliance with the Government Code for Sustainable Homes at Level 4.
From an initial concept formulated in 2004, Citu has progressively worked to create unique, energy saving technologies and systems aimed at changing the way that people live and work. With respect to the long-term eco-transformation of the UK’s cities, through Greenhouse, Leeds is leading the way for a greener future.
In times of increasing uncertainty within the property and construction industry, Greenhouse demonstrates the achievability of delivering a sustainable scheme in a difficult economic climate; maximising the benefits of an existing building and demonstrating on and off-site Low Carbon technologies in an urban context. Greenhouse provides a benchmark for future development projects and demonstrates the practicalities of the Governments policy shift towards Zero Carbon homes. Costs
The first phase of 100 apartments were released in 2007 which Citu sold within the first 2 weeks. In September 09, the next phase of apartments were launched to coincide with the unveiling of the show apartment. The apartments range from around £59,000 for a studio to £237,500 for a spectacular penthouse with panoramic roof terrace.
For more details please contact citu ltd, email: [email protected] or call 0113 234 6686.
