Ghelamco has secured bank financing for its key investment in Poland – The Bridge office complex in central Warsaw. The construction-investment loan is being granted to the developer by Santander Bank Polska, who will also be the strategic tenant of the tower.
Ghelamco The Bridge, part of the Ghelamco capital group, has signed a loan agreement with Santander Bank Polska to finance the construction of The Bridge investment. Under its terms, the company will be granted a construction loan of nearly €181 million to finance or refinance construction costs, a VAT finance loan not exceeding PLN 35 million, and an investment loan (provided upon conversion of the construction loan) of close to €185 million.
“The financing we have obtained will allow us to complete the construction of The Bridge on time, but also to maintain the highest level of finish and planned solutions. This will be the most technologically advanced and ecologically sustainable project in our company’s history. I believe that just like Warsaw Spire in the past, The Bridge will become a benchmark for the Polish office market for years to come and will set a high standard. Our point of view is also shared by our partners, and this is confirmed by the very important agreements for our company that we have recently signed. Santander Bank Polska has not only become our key tenant, but also granted a loan, thanks to which we can undertake to deliver an office building that sets a new standard,” says Jarosław Zagórski, Managing Director of Ghelamco Poland.
“We would like to congratulate Ghelamco on their vision of creating a fantastic office space in Warsaw, which is a perfect combination of old and modern architecture. Santander Bank Polska is proud to be able to support Ghelamco with its market-leading references in terms of ESG and ecology, and will continue to support all such projects that benefit Poland,” says Brendan Long, Head of Property at Santander Bank Polska.
At the end of September, Santander Bank Polska, one of the largest financial groups and the largest private capital bank in Poland, became the strategic tenant of The Bridge tower being built in the business center of Warsaw. The bank signed a lease agreement with the developer and investor of the building – Ghelamco – for an area of about 24,500 sqm (almost 21,000 sqm of usable space on 19 floors), which is almost half of the office complex. This was the largest leasing transaction on the Polish office market since 2022.
The ultra-modern and eco-friendly The Bridge
The Bridge is a modern office complex being built at the European Square in Warsaw. As its name suggests, it serves as a bridge between history and the present, which is reflected in its architecture combining the historic Bellona Publishing House building with a 40-floor tower. In total, both buildings will provide 52,000 sqm of office space on the market.
The Bridge will feature the most modern technological and eco-friendly solutions. This is already confirmed by the platinum level SmartScore and WiredScore certificates, and eventually also WELL, BREEAM, Green Building Standard and Barrier-Free Facility with the highest rating. In line with Ghelamco’s ESG strategy, The Bridge is to be energy neutral and powered by 100% clean energy. The building will use an ultra-energy-efficient and innovative Building Energy Management System installed to monitor and manage the building’s energy parameters, and the InBin application for analyzing the carbon footprint generated by tenants based on the weight of waste produced. In addition, vacuum sewer technology will be implemented in the tower, allowing for up to 75% yearly reduction in toilet water consumption.
The building will also implement Ghelamco’s proprietary Signal OS operating system, which allows for sustainable media management. One of its features is a mobile application that enables tenants to move around the office building without an access card and to reserve rooms and parking spaces. The Bridge will also use special anti-pandemic solutions to prevent the spread of viruses, including UV lamps in elevators and ventilation units. The building will be equipped with an underground car park with points for charging electric cars. Bikers will have access to over 160 bike parking spaces, including 33 for electric bikes, as well as changing rooms with showers.
The Bridge was designed by the internationally recognized Dutch architectural studio UNStudio in collaboration with the Polish-Belgian Architecture Studio PROJEKT. The planned completion date for construction is the first quarter of 2025.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/flagowy-projekt-ghelamco-the-bridge-z-finansowaniem-od-santandera-86040
