WiredScore Office Developments - Smart Offices Belfast - Chichester House
Declan Flynn

Belfast keeps up to speed as smart buildings move from concept to reality

Posted 10/10/2017 by Declan Flynn, Managing Director at Lisney

Recent decades have seen major advances in how businesses use technology, with an ever-increasing reliance on computers and smart phones to carry out every day activity.

It means the digital connectivity of commercial premises is now among the key considerations for any tenant or prospective occupier, sitting alongside cost and location as the most important factors in choosing new office space.

A natural progression, therefore, has been the idea of a ‘smart building’ moving from a mere concept to concrete reality to satisfy the growing need.

And, as demand increases for connectivity, so too has the need for landlords and agents to prove the reliability of a building’s digital infrastructure.

To that end, the ongoing renovation project at Belfast’s Chichester House by Causeway Asset Management, due for completion before the end of 2018, recently became the first in the city to seek certification under the WiredScore rating system.

The system grades premises on a variety of digital measures, including their resilience to internet outages and their ability to cope with future changes in available technology.

It’s important, because a reliable internet connection is deemed essential to businesses and the work of their employees.

Firms that report connectivity issues also say outages increase stress levels, while also having an adverse effect on productivity.

According to research by Imperial College and research firm Opinium, internet downtime cost businesses across the UK around £7 billion last year due to lost productivity and additional overtime.

The awarding of a certificate can therefore play a major role in attracting new tenants and enhancing the reputation of a building.

While the rating – due to be issued for Chichester House later this year – will make it the first in Belfast to be graded by WiredScore, it certainly won’t be the last, especially as the city’s reputation as a hub for the fintech and cyber security sectors shows no signs of abating.

WiredScore was set up in New York in 2013 with early support from then mayor Michael Bloomberg, and has already become well-established in major cities and business centres including London and Paris.

The company launched its services in the Republic of Ireland earlier this year, and already certification for more than a dozen buildings has been sought.

Dublin is now home to six buildings awarded platinum certificates and a further seven with either a gold or silver grading, while eight more are currently under consideration.

Belfast’s first WiredScore certified building can only help the city compete on the post-Brexit stage. The bar has been raised and Causeway’s plans to launch more WiredScore certified office developments across the city in coming months will only serve to raise it further.

As the impending roll-out of 5G sits on the horizon, Belfast has the opportunity to position itself on the global stage as a ‘smart city’. The introduction of WiredScore certified buildings is a great start in achieving this lofty goal.

Declan Flynn is managing director of Belfast-based commercial property agency Lisney, which works on behalf of many of Northern Ireland’s most significant investors and developers as well as major retailers and businesses.

*This article was originally published on 10 October, 2017 by The Irish News and the full article can be viewed by clicking here.

Share this post

Chichester House Brochure

For more information on Chichester House and Future-Fit Space by Causeway Asset Management download the PDF brochure from the link below.

Download the brochure

About the Developer

Causeway Asset Management Limited is a UK wide, private, multi-disciplinary, real estate investment and asset management company owned and managed by its directors.

More info on The Developer

Chichester Brochure

For more information contact

Declan Flynn or David McNellis

Commercial Agency

Lisney,

1st Floor Montgomery House,

29-33 Montgomery Street,

Belfast

BT1 4NX

Tel: +44 28 90 50 1501

Email: dmcnellis@lisney.com

Stuart Draffin or Greg Henry

Commercial Agency

Lambert Smith Hampton,

Clarence House,

4–10 May Street,

Belfast

BT1 4NJ

Tel: +44 28 90 32 7954

Email: sdraffin@lsh.ie or ghenry@lsh.ie

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The joint agent, their clients and any future joint agents give notice that: 1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and the joint agents have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise


© Chichester House 2024. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy