Aroundtown, one of Europe’s largest real estate companies, has achieved another important milestone in sustainability: all seven Center Parcs parks in the company’s portfolio – in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands – have been awarded the BREEAM In Use certificate for sustainability. This underlines the company’s consistent commitment to environmentally friendly and future-oriented real estate management.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is considered the world’s leading certification system for sustainable construction and property management. It assesses properties holistically according to criteria such as energy efficiency, resource conservation, climate protection, sustainable mobility and user well-being.
Following the successful initial certification of Center Parcs Bispinger Heide, the certification approach was transferred to the other six Aroundtown Center Parcs locations. Aroundtown is thus sending a clear signal to the European leisure property sector and proving that sustainable standards can also be consistently implemented in the holiday park sector.
For the extensive areas with a wide range of buildings of different uses, Aroundtown, together with the auditor, developed a new assessment approach. Buildings with similar usage and comparable performance were grouped together. ‘For us, sustainability is not a trend, but an integral part of our DNA. The BREEAM certification of Center Parcs parks is another step towards taking a leading role in responsible and future-oriented tourism and complements Center Parcs’ sustainability strategy, which includes Green Key certifications, biodiversity programmes and initiatives to promote sustainable guest experiences.’ emphasises Vincent Hakemulder PMO of Center Parcs.
This innovative approach created a consistent evaluation basis and enabled the successful certification of all seven sites. ‘Certifying all seven Center Parcs was a complex undertaking – so we are all the more delighted to have reached this milestone. This proves that sustainable standards can also be successfully implemented in large-scale and diverse leisure properties,’ says Limor Beermann, Chief Sustainability Officer at Aroundtown.
The certificates were presented at a ceremony during EXPO REAL in Munich, Europe’s leading real estate trade fair. The awards were presented in the presence of industry representatives and partners.
