Sentinel’s Element 27 in Perth sets green benchmark in emerging Build to Rent sector
Sentinel Real Estate latest Build to Rent project, Element 27, in Perth WA is set to become the first Carbon Neutral Certified apartment building in Australia under the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings.
Located in Subiaco, Western Australia, Element 27 comprises 264 apartments, managed and leased by Sentinel to renters.
The building was designed to incorporate a number of strategies aimed at water and energy conservation, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and durable products for minimal maintenance and waste.
Its key sustainability features include electric car charging stations, a 30kW photovoltaic system for common area energy usage, a rainwater and grey-water recycling system, specialty waste streams, access to a centralised geothermal system, energy efficient appliances, occupancy sensors, an embedded metering network and an impressive 8-star NatHERS rating.
“Driving more sustainable outcomes is at the core of Sentinel’s projects," Michael Streicker, president of Sentinel said.
“Driving more sustainable outcomes is at the core of Sentinel’s projects.
"Folllowing a productive and considered process with Climate Active and the Green Building Council of Australia, it is rewarding to see Element 27, Australia’s first purpose-built Build to Rent project, successfully certified as the first Carbon Neutral Certified project of its kind as well."
Sentinel Fund Manager Australia is the Australian arm of the American development and real estate investment firm Sentinel Real Estate.
The Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings has been established through collaboration between the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, the GBCA and NABERS.
To achieve eligibility and certification against Climate Active’s Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings, a number of operational factors including stabilisation, greenhouse gas emissions, waste from operations, refrigerant impacts and transport emissions are assessed. The GBCA provides Climate Active with validation of projects for certification through industry recognized pathways such as Green Star – Performance v1.2.
“We congratulate Sentinel for their leadership setting the standard for the residential market," Davina Rooney, chief executive officer of the GBCA said.
"The residential sector is responsible for over 50 per cent of Australia’s building related emissions and the Build to Rent sector has an opportunity to set clear leading goals in this space by bringing investor drivers to the residential market,” said Ms Rooney.
Element 27 was the first purpose-built institutional Build to Rent community in Australia, with the first phase operational and fully tenanted since April 2019.
It is the only Build to Rent property currently active in Western Australia.
The second phase of the project is approaching practical completion and expected to open by September 2021, with pre-leasing commencing this month.
Construction of the third phase of the project is expected to begin in Q3 2021.