“Hero” business center awarded prestigious BREEAM certification at the highest “Outstanding” level

The newest business center in Vilnius, “Hero”, has been awarded the prestigious building sustainability certification under the BREEAM assessment method – the “BREEAM International New Construction Final Certificate”. “Hero” has achieved the highest possible rating, “Outstanding”. Currently, only five completed commercial buildings in Lithuania hold such a high-level certification.

“The BREEAM certification is not only about meeting assessment criteria or gaining a prestigious recognition – it also brings tangible benefits for tenants, developers and building operators. For tenants, it means higher comfort, improved wellbeing and often lower operating costs. For developers, it provides a strong advantage in attracting tenants who are looking for added value and additional benefits,” says Gintarė Žemaitė, Head of Commercial Real Estate Development at Realco.

According to her, this mutual benefit creates synergy and added value that is highly appreciated by investors constantly seeking new opportunities.

The growing importance of BREEAM and similar certifications is also highlighted by Jolita Čereškevičienė, Senior Leasing Consultant at Colliers Lithuania.

“Certified buildings are typically more expensive on the market, which makes them more attractive to investors. For business center owners, this translates into more stable tenants and a stronger negotiating position, while tenants benefit from lower operating costs and additional value in sustainability reporting. Today, the question is no longer ‘Is certification worth it?’ but rather ‘Can you afford not to pursue it?’,” says the expert.

According to Čereškevičienė, certifications such as BREEAM or LEED are no longer merely a sign of prestige, but a standard and practical market requirement.

“For most international companies, the absence of such certification means that the building will not even be considered when selecting office premises,” she adds.

BREEAM gaining momentum in Lithuania

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the first and most widely used building sustainability assessment method in the world, developed in the United Kingdom in 1990. Its main objective is to reduce the environmental impact of construction and building operations, promote efficient use of resources, and create a healthier environment for occupants. BREEAM certification can be awarded to both residential and commercial buildings.

“There are already quite a number of BREEAM-certified buildings in Lithuania. However, those that have achieved the ‘Outstanding’ rating can still be counted on one hand – ‘Hero’ is the fifth such building in the country,” notes Kęstutis Kvietkauskas, one of the few BREEAM experts in Lithuania and a sustainability consultant.

According to the expert, BREEAM assessment evaluates various aspects of design, construction, and building performance, grouped into ten main categories, including energy use, water, ecology and pollution, health and wellbeing, among others.

“While assessment principles may vary slightly across countries, the core criteria remain the same – to reduce environmental impact and create a comfortable environment for people living or working in the building,” says Kvietkauskas.

He also adds that the “BREEAM New Construction” certificate does not have an expiration date, meaning that once awarded, it remains valid throughout the building’s lifecycle.

First in the Baltic States

According to Kvietkauskas, BREEAM certification works well in combination with other international sustainability and healthy building standards.

“While BREEAM focuses more on building performance and CO₂ optimisation, systems such as WELL place greater emphasis on the health, wellbeing, ergonomics and social practices of people working or living in the building. These systems complement each other, creating even greater added value,” he explains.

In addition to the BREEAM certification, the “Hero” business center is also seeking WELL Gold certification. Once achieved, “Hero” will become the first business center not only in Lithuania, but across all three Baltic States to hold both prestigious sustainability certifications.

Realco is one of the largest real estate development companies in Lithuania. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the company develops residential, public and commercial projects distinguished by high quality, innovative solutions and close attention to client needs both in Lithuania and abroad.