Major local employer LV= set to occupy the modern eco building

Sustainable property developer Grenadier Estates has announced plans to to build an EPC A rated office building after acquiring a site on Exeter Business Park.

To be known as Emperor House, the prominent building will provide more than 22,000 sq ft of accommodation.

Peter Quincey, Director of Property at Grenadier Estates, said: “We will work alongside Summerfield Developments to create the sustainable building, which rekindles a partnership that resulted in the neighbouring Oxygen House, which holds a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’. We are confident that together we will create a super energy-efficient building that is the hallmark of Grenadier’s portfolio.”

Grenadier has also revealed that the insurance firm LV= will take a lease from September 2017 when the build is complete. The company will move all its employees from Pynes Hill to the new building which ensures that the jobs are maintained within the Exeter area.

Jane Dickinson, Head of Protection Operations for LV= based in Exeter said: “At LV= we strive to provide a happy and productive environment for our people to work in. We also take seriously our responsibility to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment and are really pleased that we are able to do both with our move to Emperor House later this year.”

Nigel Hounslow, Director of Summerfield Developments, said: “It will be great to work with Grenadier Estates again, as the two companies worked well together previously and many of the consultants have been retained to develop Emperor House for LV=.”

Peter Quincey added: “We are focused on delivering highly sustainable projects which positively impact productivity by considering the working environment, surroundings and staff welfare. Attention to matters such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort, acoustics and interior layout has a significant impact on the health, wellbeing and productivity of employees. All these factors have been discussed and incorporated in the plans for Emperor House.”

The fully serviced, three-storey office building has been designed with two wings and a central circulation core. Key energy efficient features include high levels of air tightness, solar panels and highly efficient gas condensing boilers combined with an efficient air conditioning system. Washrooms with showers and a dedicated cycle park is intended to benefit those who choose to commute by bicycle.