First new UK Building to achieve NABERS Five Star Rating

Designed by tp bennett, 11 & 12 Wellington Place, developed by MEPC, the specialist real estate development platform of Federated Hermes, are the first new buildings in the UK to achieve a certified NABERS UK Five Star Energy Rating, completing the Design for Performance journey and setting a new benchmark for energy efficient workplace design. This accreditation recognises not only the design intent but also the verified operational performance, demonstrating that the buildings deliver excellent energy efficiency in practice.

The NABERS UK energy performance rating benchmarks a building’s energy use against real data from offices across the country. 11 & 12 Wellington Place set a precedent as the first offices outside London to secure a Design Reviewed Target Rating of Five Stars prior to construction. Following a full year of occupancy, that rating has been fully validated through operational data, a clear signal of what performance-led, sustainability-focused design can achieve for the future of workplaces.

While several buildings have achieved target ratings under NABERS UK, 11 & 12 Wellington Place are the first to demonstrate that these sustainability goals are being met in practice. This achievement was made possible by the successful letting of both buildings, enabling a timely and comprehensive assessment of their operational performance.

Since completion, 11&12 Wellington Place have attracted leading organisations including Lloyds Banking Group, Arup, EY, GHD, and Hill Dickinson, reflecting a growing market shift towards high-performing, sustainable workplaces and demonstrating how performance-led design is shaping the future of the office sector. NABERS UK provide a trusted framework for assessing the energy performance of office buildings across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and is increasingly recognised as the benchmark for operational efficiency in the UK built environment.

Utilising a renewable energy tariff and on-site renewables, 11 & 12 Wellington Place are net-zero carbon ready, with no on-site fossil fuels, saving a forecasted 407 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The buildings generate the equivalent annual electricity of more than 42 homes from approximately 7,500 sq ft of roof-mounted solar panels.

Incorporating the latest smart building technologies, 11 & 12 Wellington Place offer a wide range of sustainable transport options, including electric vehicle charging points extensive cycling facilities, access to Cycle Super Highway, and the park and ride. The buildings also feature on-site vegetable patches and beehives reflecting a holistic approach to sustainability and wellbeing.

Andrew Leaver, Director and lead architect for 11 &12 Wellington Place said: “Our approach combined energy efficiency, smart technologies, and wellbeing-focussed design. Delivering a NABERS UK Five Star Energy Rating demonstrates that sustainable workplaces can perform exceptionally, benefitting both occupants and the building’s real-world energy performance.”