Achieving ambitious environmental targets has become a matter of concrete economics. This is clearly demonstrated by the extensive transformation of Tomteboda, the iconic landmark just north of central Stockholm. A former industrial property has today become a multifunctional workplace of world-class standard.
“From an early stage, we set high ambitions. Today, we have even surpassed them. Our current goal is to achieve BREEAM Excellent for the entire property—something many doubted at the beginning of the process,” say Bengt Säberg of Newsec and Lars Rönnberg of Co-Pilot.
Institutional investors place high demands on their properties, and banks offer more favorable terms for green investments. Without strong environmental certification, the market becomes more cautious. At the same time, tenants are seeking workplaces that support their own climate targets. Certification provides both access to capital and long-term competitiveness.
The implemented measures have clearly created value: reduced district heating costs, optimized ventilation, significantly lower lighting consumption in common areas, and improved control of technical systems.
Solar installations are often highlighted in sustainability discussions. Tomteboda also has a large rooftop system of approximately 500 m², which during the summer months covers more than 80 percent of the property’s energy needs. However, the greatest energy savings have been achieved through efficiency improvements in district heating, district cooling, and ventilation systems—as well as the replacement of all window sections.
In the case of Tomteboda, this is not about greenwashing. Energy use has been radically reduced, and a system has been built to perform sustainably over the long term. A truly world-class working environment—on real terms.
As early as 2023, Tomteboda was named winner in the Renovation category—one of the Swedish construction industry’s most prestigious awards. The jury highlighted the project’s ability to start from an existing structure and transform it into a modern, sustainable, and future-proof environment with new functions and a long lifespan. Tomteboda is owned by Blackstone and Areim.
Suggested Reading:
1. The Making of an Award-Winning Project