Ziv Gigi, GTC: City Gate EUR 3.5 million refurbishment project reflects our commitment to sustainable development, responsible construction and asset management
Offering great accessibility, City Gate iconic landmark A class office building is entirely powered by renewable energy sources and offers fast chargers for electrical cars – free for all the tenants.
GTC, one of the leading real estate companies in Central and Eastern Europe, recently completed the City Gate iconic complex refurbishment project, following an investment of EUR 3.5 million, which targeted both the common and leasable areas, with a strong focus on sustainability. As a LEED GOLD Certified office building, City Gate benefited from outdoor and indoor upgrades, such as improvements of lobby, elevators, and various facilities of the building operating systems, special attention being given to the design, quality of materials, furniture, lighting, and energy efficient solutions, as well as to the functionality requirements.
āThe Covid pandemic accelerated a trend that was here before ā office buildings and workspace need to be more agile to respond to the rapidly changing ways people work, connect, and cooperate. Tenants are increasingly aware about environmental quality, design, and energy use and there has been a clear shift,
and now more balanced environments are requested, as people return from extended periods of working from homeā, stated Ziv Gigi, General Manager GTC Romania.
The EUR 3.5 million investment was used to entirely refurbish the units, extend the restrooms, implement a modern architectural concept, replace raised floors, install new carpet, new ceiling tiles LED lighting and also improve the electrical and fire detection systems, creating a unitary bond between design, functionality and efficiency that balances office work with a remarkable location and view over the HerÄstrÄu Park. The new ventilation system with 4 pipes offers thermic comfort, with 100% fresh air intake, in line with the latest COVID-related health requirements. The building offers increased intake of natural light, but for visual comfort the sun light can be controlled by sun blinds. Also, the windows can be opened, offering natural ventilation, which can increase office productivity by up to 11% (according to US Green Building Council).
āThere is a huge demand for better workplaces that respond to the changing needs of a more agile, independent, and environmentally educated workforce. We strive for City Gate to be a magnet, a place where people come to enjoy collaborating and to do great work. The entire complex area is now a high-performance office space, more modern, more elegant, and functional at the same time. All the new solutions implemented are energy efficient, and the achieved goal of the refurbishment process was to offer to our tenants a flexible working environment, comfortable, sustainable, and accessibleā, stated Ziv Gigi, General Manager GTC Romania.
City Gate iconic complex also has the largest parking area in Bucharest – 40.000 sq m – offering access to the underground for +1.000 cars, distributed on 3 levels and accessible from 2 city directions. The parking ramps have de-freezing system and hydro-insulating coating system, while the access is based on plate recognition system, which eases the admission. The building offers fast chargers for electrical cars – free for all the tenants, but also special parking spaces for bikes and motorcycles.
City Gate tenants have access to the additional amenities in the area, including a restaurant, a supermarket, and other retail formats. They also have the chance to spend time after work hours or during breaks in one of Bucharest’s largest pedestrian green spaces surrounded by office buildings and furnished with urban modern furniture to ensure comfortable and relaxing breaks.
Last year, the new design of the City Gate South Tower lobby was completed, and the main entrance was renewed to create a bright, unified, futuristic space. The area is a multi-functional structure with digital features, completed by a 37m2 LED panel video wall behind the reception. The new large revolving doors reduce crowding and enhances the building’s aesthetic value and energy efficiency.
The City Gate Complex has a total leasable area of 47,700 square meters and consists of two tower buildings (ground floor + 18 stories), located in the PiaČa Presei Libere. In 2021, the Group lowered the greenhouse gas emissions of the office buildings in Bucharest by 62%. All GTC Romanian offices are powered by green energy.
