SPEEDWELL Development announced a major milestone for its QUEENS District Office project: the attainment of the BREEAM Excellent certification for its design phase, in collaboration with BuildGreen. Located in Bucharest’s thriving new Central Business District, this office development represents a strategic investment in both urban transformation and responsible design.
QUEENS District Office is part of the larger QUEENS District mixed-use development and features 22,500 sqm of premium, flexible office space, which includes 2,500 sqm of ground-floor retail. The building integrates high-performing materials and systems that ensure energy efficiency and superior comfort for occupants. The project is set to establish a new benchmark for sustainable office development in Bucharest, combining cutting-edge energy performance with exceptional occupant comfort. Once completed, the building will be powered by renewable electricity, with zero on-site carbon emissions, and is projected to achieve a primary energy consumption of just 51 kWh/m²/year, exceeding NZEB requirements by more than 40 percent.
This performance will be enabled by a robust green energy infrastructure, including air-to-air heat pumps, a high-efficiency mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery, a 36.5 kW photovoltaic array, and full LED lighting. All systems will be monitored through an advanced Building Management System (BMS), targeting up to a 36 percent reduction in energy use. The building is designed to be rated A+ for heating, hot water, ventilation, and lighting, and B for cooling. Modern heat pump systems—especially air-to-water and air-to-air heat pumps—are designed to scale and can meet the heating and cooling demands of large commercial spaces, including office buildings, and studies such as those by Energy Systems Catapult and Good Energy show efficiencies of 2.5–4.0 times that of gas boilers.
Indoor air quality will be ensured through 100 percent fresh air ventilation, CO₂ and humidity monitoring, and openable windows across 20 percent of the façade. Carbon emissions are expected to be just 7.5 kg CO₂/m²/year, totalling 156.15 tons annually—more than 30 percent lower than average emissions for comparable offices in Bucharest. These efficiencies will translate into up to 40 percent lower utility costs for future tenants, positioning QUEENS as a truly future-ready workplace.
“QUEENS District Office is designed for companies that value people,” said Maria Jianu, Leasing Director at SPEEDWELL. “Offices today reflect who you are as an employer—they shape how teams work, connect, and thrive. And to ensure this remains true not only today but for generations to come, sustainability is embedded from the very beginning.”
“The S in ESG – social impact- sits at the heart of our approach. Today’s workforce, especially Gen Z and Millennials, expects more than just a desk—they’re looking for workplaces that reflect their values. Reports show that one in two young professionals would reject a job if the company’s sustainability values don’t align with theirs,” Jianu continued. “At QUEENS District Office, we are creating a setting that fosters care, responsibility, and community, enabling companies to strengthen their employer brand.”
QUEENS scored 89 percent in public transport accessibility, 86 percent in energy performance, 83 percent in pollution control, and 73 percent in health and wellbeing during its BREEAM evaluation. The project also integrates the principles of Transit-Oriented Development, placing walkability and transit access at the forefront of its design.
This certification reflects SPEEDWELL’s broader ESG strategy, which includes delivering near-zero operational emissions by 2025 and aligning all developments with the European taxonomy for green investment. All projects incorporate Stakeholder Consultation Plans and Economic and Demographic Needs Studies, with attention to health, safety, and community well-being. In 2024 alone, SPEEDWELL reported zero work-related injuries across its sites, full community engagement on all finalised projects, and the reuse of 100 percent of demolition waste in several developments.
“At SPEEDWELL, we define each project with precision, care, and a deep responsibility for long-term value,” said Yannick Van de Parre, Country Manager. “The way we integrate energy performance, wellbeing, and mobility into our buildings ensures that they are resilient, adaptable, and aligned with our commitment to sustainability. We deliver spaces that serve the present while preparing for the future.”
The BREEAM Excellent certification was achieved in collaboration with BuildGreen, a leading ESG and sustainability consultancy in Central and Eastern Europe. Razvan Nica, Managing Director of BuildGreen, highlighted the project’s significance, saying: “QUEENS District Office sets a powerful example of how environmental design and business performance can reinforce each other. The development reflects a holistic ESG approach that is becoming essential across the real estate sector.”
