'Greenest' office block approved - 06 January 2009

Architects say they have been given the go-ahead to build Jersey's greenest office block.

Demolition has now begun on the six-storey, 100,00 sq ft building site, which fronts both the Esplanade and Seaton Place. Naish Waddington Architects said it was on track to achieve "Jersey's first and highest" rating by BREEAM, the UK basis for measuring energy-efficiency. The office block is being built for the JCN group of companies.

It will feature white columns on the facades and some Jersey granite.

"We hope that the design of 44 Esplanade raises the bar,  both architecturally and environmentally".

 It is set to achieve a rating of 63 - very good - in the BREEAM measure of energy-efficiency and sustainability of new buildings.

Site constraints prevented the building getting an excellent rating.

Naish Waddington spokesman said: "We hope that the design of 44 Esplanade raises the bar, both architecturally and environmentally, for the new office developments in the pipeline both along the Esplanade and those planned by Hopkins for the forthcoming Esplanade Quarter".

Demolition has commenced and construction is due to start in February 2008, with completion in September 2009.

View Article on BBC News website.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/jersey/7042070.stm