So far, Fitwell certification has only been awarded in Europe to buildings in France, Sweden and the UK. Lithuania is now joining their ranks.
"This recognition draws a new standard for the Baltic region's real estate market, and concurrently is a testament to its maturity. By choosing our strategic direction ahead of time, we are now at the forefront of a global trend – focusing business centres primarily on human beings and their wellbeing. The strategic shift from the building's exterior or technical solutions to the health and productivity of the individuals working within serves to create a win-win situation. For the employees, it means improved physical and emotional health, for employers – greater efficiency and productivity, the opportunity to attract new talents. In contrast, for real estate developers, it means increased demand for healthy offices, which we are experiencing," Urban Inventors board chairman Lionginas Šepetys says.
Focus on health and wellbeing
According to SBA strategic marketing director Nerijus Kalinauskas, from its very onset, the BLC 2 project delved into ideas on how to contribute to the wellbeing of the business centre's community, its health and productivity.
"By helping others, we grow ourselves, and so, we are seeking to aid the tenants of BLC 2 in maintaining their staff's productivity and for their staff – emotional and physical balancing. In seeking Fitwel certification, an entire 68 strategies were prepared and implemented, spanning such aspects of business centre community wellbeing as the quality of water and surrounding environs, encouraging physical activity, creating resting spaces. Furthermore, attention was also dedicated to the entire human resources sector, seeking to draw attention to questions of staff welfare and increases in productivity," N. Kalinauskas says.
According to him, all of the implemented measures were based on global wellbeing studies.
"The highest recognition of three stars, which BLC 2 achieved, is scarce on the market. It confirms that the business centre implemented numerous measures and, in pursuing welfare for those working in it, the centre also walked more than the extra mile. This is a significant aspect, which confirms that the real estate market is beginning to shift towards broader sustainability aspects, which revolve around the individual. Thus, in the Baltic States, we will be seeing more projects oriented toward employee welfare, seeking Fitwel certification," Eugenijus Šapel, Fitwel ambassador and representative for VESTA Consulting, which audited and consulted on the BLC 2 business centre.
Certification is just the start
A Fitwel certificate is issued for three years, during which interim inspections are performed. However, according to Fitwel ambassador and Urban Inventors service development project head Rūta Vismantė, they cannot stop regardless.
"The certification is not just confirmation – it is also an obligation to continue moving forward. We intend to supplement the physical activity initiatives launched in the first year with new solutions, contributing to the community's emotional health. We are beginning to cooperate with the creators of a wellbeing programme, seeking to not only educate about the importance of emotional balance but also means to maintain it, as well as offering accessible psychologist consultations for our tenants' staff," R. Vismantė said.
Among the most famous foreign projects that focus on employee wellbeing, which have received Fitwel certification, we find such business centres as Bank of America Tower in Houston (USA), the new Bloomberg headquarters in New York (USA), the Cirque de Soleil International headquarters in Montreal (Canada) and the new SEB offices in Stockholm Arenastaden.
The BLC 2 business centre next to Unity Square, which was renewed by SBA, in Kaunas is being developed by the company Urban Inventors, which administers the business valley Green Hall in Vilnius. SBA investment into BLC 2 and Unity Square reaches around 40 million euro.
