2024-02-15 7:36 CET, Europe, Germany | Press release
Catella Residential Investment Management has acquired an Elithis ‘energy-positive’ residential tower and attached low-rise building development in the city of Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France on behalf on an institutional mandate for an estimated investment of approx. € 29 million.
The holistic concept designed by the French sustainable engineering Elithis Groupe, at standard market construction costs, includes bioclimatic design, high energy efficiency, on-site energy production and tenant’s energy coaching. Sales of the surplus energy to the national grid cumulated by the payment of a bonus to residents according to how sustainably they manage their home environment through a proptech app. allow more affordable housing costs than similar traditional properties in the neighbourhood Additionally the property will be low in operational carbon i.e. 2050 ready according to the CRREM 1.5° pathway.
Xavier Jongen, Managing Director at Catella Residential Investment Management, said: “The latest Elithis development acquisition is the second Elithis project development on behalf of this institutional mandate, after the earlier investment in a similar property in Dijon. It is part of an ambitious Catella programme for our institutional investors that is bringing these world-leading energy-positive buildings to cities across France. The unique linking of sustainability to affordability in the cutting-edge technological design means we can simultaneously address the two great challenges of our time in the energy transition to fight climate change and the affordable housing supply crisis, without affecting investment returns. Everybody wins in this formula, residents, investors and the planet, and it should be the standard sustainable and societal benchmark for all residential investments.”
The asset will have 91 apartments, as well as communal social spaces and parking for 62 cars. Renewable energy is produced through a combination of photovoltaic panels on the roof and facades and from biomass in the form of waste wooden pallets. The ‘positive-energy primary balance’ is calculated by taking into account the generation of renewable energy compared with the consumption of non-renewable energy.
The bioclimate environment of the apartments is managed party through automation, for example through light sensitive shutters, and by residents through a proptech app, which provides data for temperature control and education on energy efficiency, as well as updates on cost savings and bonus payment accumulation.
The development is in the St. Jean district of Clermont Ferrand around two kms from the city centre. It is close to the railway station, which is a five-minute walk away, providing a two-hour connection to Lyon, France’s third-largest city with its national train connections and international air links. Clermont-Ferrand has a population of around 147,000, characterised by its diversity and youthfulness with 45% of people under 30 years old. The city is home to numerous students, who make up about a quarter of the population, due to its high-ranking University Clermont Auvergne.
Thierry Bievre, Président, Elithis Groupe, concluded: “With the launch of this emblematic project for the City of Clermont Ferrand, Elithis is signing its 7th project, the 5th in a row with its partner Catella Residential Investment Management. These 2 positive energy towers located on a commercial complex, are neighbours with a 38 housing units building signed with the social landlord ASSEMBLIA. We are proud to carry the ambition of our group and of this exemplary partnership even higher and stronger, especially at this time when inflation could lead our decision-makers to choose between ecology and household purchasing power. With this project we combine the two and prove that “positive energy will soon be accessible to all”, with an exemplary building in terms of the environment and a saving on the energy bill for a household of around 2000€/ year in relation to the measured national average. We warmly thank the elected officials who supported us in the deployment of this project which embodies a new mode of housing, affordable and more comfortable at the same time. This project is carried out in co-partnership with the Lyonnais real estate developer Wyho”.
The buyer was assisted by BeReal Investment Management. BeReal will also be responsible for the asset management of the residential tower.
About Catella Residential Investment Management GmbH (CRIM)
Catella launched its first European residential property fund in 2007. The team also launched the first specialised pan-European student housing fund in 2013. CRIM is a subsidiary of the Stockholm-based Catella Group and its residential property business includes portfolio management advice, acquisitions and disposals as well as asset management. CRIM manages and advises several funds and mandates with assets under management of over €7bn in 10 European countries.
About Elithis Groupe
Based in Dijon, France, Elithis Groupe is a French building engineering consultancy and real estate development company. A pioneer in low carbon footprint and energy positive buildings, Elithis ranks among the leading players in the fields of building consulting engineering, sustainability, energy, carbon, and environmental efficiency.
With more than 25 years of experience, over 100 employees, and 2,500 projects, Elithis has a long track record in supporting construction and real estate companies with sustainable, competitive, and innovative solutions, bringing a holistic approach and guaranteeing increased energy savings on their building and renovation projects.
For more information, please contact:
Catella Residential Investment Management GmbH
Stine Zöchling
Head of Marketing and PR European Residential
Office: +49 (0)30 887 285 29 76
Mobile: +49 (0)151 544 51 005
stine.zoechling[ at ]catella-residential.com
Disclaimer:
This is a marketing release. It is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an investment recommendation, an offer or an invitation to buy or sell investment products. The information is not suitable for making a concrete investment decision on its basis. It does not contain any legal or tax advice. The provision of the information does not create any contractual obligation or any other liability towards the recipient or third parties. Shares may only be purchased on the basis of the currently valid Terms and Conditions of Investment in conjunction with the currently valid Sales Prospectus.
