Sustainable real estate development becomes easier to understand when advisors can see it firsthand.
Vert has enjoyed hosting clients at real estate properties that are owned by REITs in the Vert Global Real Estate Strategy. Vert worked with the sustainability team at Great Portland Estates (GPE), a UK REIT with Central London properties, to organize a tour of a Mayfair property. Vert hosted a group of financial advisors and discretionary fund managers at 30 Duke Street, St James’s, to explore how sustainability initiatives are being applied in an active development project.
The visit gave attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the company and project team while seeing how development decisions translate into real outcomes.
The property combines premium office and retail space with a strong focus on sustainability performance.
Great Portland Estates highlighted the building’s credentials, including EPC A, BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Core Platinum, NABERS 5*, and WiredScore Platinum. Together, these credentials point to strong performance across energy efficiency, building design, occupant well-being, and digital connectivity.
The office space has also been fully leased before completion, showing how sustainability, design, and tenant demand align within a prime asset.
One of the most notable elements of the visit was the building’s steel reuse program.
According to Great Portland Estates, approximately 80% of the structural frame at 30 Duke Street was built using reclaimed steel, representing 901 tonnes of reused material.
Reused stone, recycled-content concrete, and 100% recycled aluminum window frames also contributed to the project’s circularity and carbon savings.
The visit also showed that sustainable real estate development depends on coordination across the supply chain.
Great Portland Estates highlighted the collaboration required among planners, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to make material reuse possible at this scale. That kind of systems-level effort is useful for advisors to see, because it turns sustainability from a broad concept into a practical development process.
For advisors, visits like this add an important layer to due diligence and education.
Seeing sustainable real estate development in real life helps connect investment to the physical realities of construction, leasing, and long-term asset performance.
We provide regular insights on sustainable real estate and advisor education on sustainable investing with our newsletters.
Vert Asset Management is a registered investment adviser focusing on sustainable real estate investment that helps financial advisors build resilient, future-ready portfolios. We connect institutional-quality investments with the long-term goals of clients, focusing on both financial soundness and sustainability.
Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.
