Leading the Way: First UK Building Achieves NABERS UK 5-Star Energy Rating Following Design for Performance Journey

05/09/2025

In a landmark moment for the UK's commercial real estate sector, 11&12 Wellington Place has made history by becoming the first building in the country to successfully complete the NABERS UK process, achieving an impressive 5-star rating for Design for Performance and Energy for Office. 

The 5-star rating achieved by 11&12 Wellington Place is particularly significant as it represents the highest tier of performance within the NABERS framework. This rating indicates exceptional energy efficiency and environmental performance that sets a new benchmark for office buildings across the UK. 

The achievement at Wellington Place demonstrates what's possible when sustainability is embedded from the earliest stages of design and development. The building's success in achieving a 5-star rating for "Design for Performance" shows that forward-thinking planning and implementation can deliver exceptional real-world results. 

Miles Jones, Development Director at Federated Hermes MEPC, the development and asset manager behind Wellington Place, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be the first in the UK to achieve a NABERS UK Energy Rating of Five Stars. This achievement reflects the vision, dedication and collaboration of everyone involved, from investors and consultants to property manager, contractors and occupiers who worked to improve energy efficiency, from initial design through to day-to-day operations. 

It marks a significant milestone not only for Wellington Place but for the NABERS UK certification itself. We’re committed to continuing this momentum with future developments that set new standards for sustainability and performance.” 

The historic achievement at 11&12 Wellington Place demonstrates that exceptional sustainability performance is not just possible but achievable through committed design and implementation. As the first UK building to complete the NABERS process with a 5-star rating, it has set a new standard for what commercial buildings can achieve. This milestone represents a crucial step toward a more transparent, accountable, and genuinely sustainable built environment in the UK. It proves that when ambition meets execution, buildings can deliver not just on their sustainability promises but exceed them.