CASE STUDY
Renovation provides opportunities for nature
How a once-in-a-generation investment is contributing to a ‘network of nature’ – in the West End and beyond
I n 2025, Redevco will complete the refurbishment of its property on James Street. And beyond letting out vacant space, the project provides a unique opportunity to invest in the building as a whole – including its contribution to nature. “One of the big themes within this is our contribution to biodiversity within the heart of the West End,” says Chris Baker, the company’s UK Portfolio Director. A key feature of the development will be a new, rooftop garden – around 4,000 square feet of accessible, reflective space. “This will be a real garden, and we intend to plant an array of species and have several different areas for wellbeing and mental health”, Chris explains. The building already has a small green wall, which is planned to be upgraded. Internal planting, throughout the building common parts, will bring this outside experience in. The renovation fits with Redevco’s mission, which is to be a force for good while also being an amazing real estate investor. According to Chris, “you shouldn’t think that one comes at the cost of the other.” For him, investing in nature is “a genuine investment in the building you own.” As you’d expect with any project, the challenges Redevco has worked to overcome include cost and practicality. When converting a space that was originally designed for something else,
Investing in nature is not mutually exclusive with investing financially
Chris Baker UK Portfolio Director of Redevco
developers must ask a range of practical questions. Can it structurally take weight? How would you access it? How will the change in use affect others? “A lot of these challenges come when you’re refurbishing an existing building rather than investing in a new build,” says Chris. “You also have to make sure you’re creating something that is inclusive by design, and that you’ve considered things like noise and sightlines, etc.” So, what will success look like for James Street? Redevco will be looking at measurements on things like biodiversity net-gain, and, of course, usage. But Chris is keen to highlight that the project is building on a base where there was little urban greening. “We obviously want to maximise that impact as much as we can, but one step forward is better than not doing anything.” He is therefore taking a holistic view: “If we provide facilities
that make one person’s life better, then that’s significant.” For others considering urban greening projects, Chris outlines two main learnings. First, he stresses that “investing in nature is not mutually exclusive with investing financially.” But beyond this, the importance of collaboration to maximise impact emerges as a key theme. “What often happens is that you concentrate on the building that you’re in, but the building next door will be doing something similar, as will the one over the road,” says Chris. It’s rare that nature works against itself, but making the connection between different patches of urban greening, such as by planting complementary species, can amplify positive impact. As Chris puts it: “Nature will travel if you allow it to, and that is how you get an increased network of nature – in the immediate street, the West End, and ultimately London as a whole.”
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