UK Development Dubbed 'The World's Most Sustainable Residential Tower'

The UK's Lumiere Developments is launching 'The Beacon' – the 'world’s most sustainable residential tower' which will save residents up to £11,000 a year in living expenses whilst offering the very highest standards of modern luxury living.

Located just 24 minutes from London Euston, bordered by over 400 acres of protected Boxmoor Trust Green Belt land at the heart of Hemel Hempstead’s regeneration district, the 17-storey world class tower will generate sufficient heat and power from on-site renewable energy to power the vast majority of the building’s requirements.

Coupled with The Beacon’s energy conservation technologies, this makes the building a world leader in its overall energy efficiency.

Current energy modelling has predicted that the building is virtually passivhaus, resulting in an expected reduction in heating costs by 70% to 80% compared to normal properties. Via a number of innovative solutions including mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) systems, the building will generate enough power to allow Lumiere Developments to offer ‘Free Energy For Life’ to all Beacon Residents.

Comprising 272 studio, one, two and three bedroom balconied apartments and luxury penthouses, off plan launch prices at The Beacon start from £217,950.

Showcasing a combination of ground-breaking green features not present in any other residential development in the world, this project is the first of its kind. A multi-dwelling EPC A rated energy neutral building, key features include;

Each apartment is accessed from the central atrium via scenic glass lifts overlooking the arboretum. Impressive 2.4m high apartment front doors open onto elegant wood-floored hallways and open-plan living areas featuring ceramic tiled floors and walls.

Kitchens come fully fitted with German manufactured fittings from Hacker, with a full suite of integrated energy efficient A+++ rated appliances. Other interior features include smart- controlled thermostats, comfort cooling systems and automated blinds whilst premium Skyline apartments on the 13th floor feature impressive terraces with winter gardens, hot tubs and electro-glass for added privacy.

The ground floor will be the main hub for residents featuring the internal arboretum alongside a café and bar area, water features, club lounge and cinema room and external patio space. On the first floor will be a 2,120 sq. ft. gymnasium, fitted with the latest fitness equipment, whilst a communal roof sky garden will provide an outdoor residents ‘library’ decked area and observatory at the top of the building.

Home owners will also benefit from an in-house electric car and electric bike share scheme, which is the first of its kind at a residential development in the UK, 24-hour security and concierge service, as well as on-site waste compaction and recycling facilities.

The Beacon enjoys convenient transport links, with direct access to Hemel Hempstead train station and the A414, which leads to M1 and M25 for Central London and Heathrow Airport.

Purchasers with cars will have access to the UK’s largest automated underground car parking system, providing 319 secure spaces and operated and managed by Swiss-funded Skyline Parking - Skyline Automated Parking Systems are European leaders in Performance and Reliability.

Cutting CO2 emissions by 80% compared to a standard car park, the automated system uses mechanical technology to reduce the average parking time by 50% and car insurance by up to 20%.

Lumiere Developments believes the building’s energy-generating and water retention capabilities mean household bills will be vastly reduced, whilst typical monthly costs such as gym membership, contents and building insurance are all covered and heavily discounted, within the annual management fee (approx. £1,580 per annum for a typical apartment).

Director Ambi Singh said The Beacon is the result of years of extreme effort to deliver the world’s most sustainable residential tower.

"We wanted to marry emission free renewable technologies with simple yet effective energy conservation strategies to create a zero emission development that is truly world class in its architectural design, engineering and specification," he said.

“We want residents to feel like they are part of a community and to truly enjoy their living environment. At the same time we want apartments to be as cost effective as possible whilst ensuring a positive environmental impact on their locality.

“Buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of the world’s harmful emissions and the World Health Organisation quotes air pollution as the number one risk to human health responsible for 7 million premature deaths worldwide.

"Hence, it is our mission to promote large-scale uptake of emission-free renewable energy generation and simple energy conservation technologies within residential new-builds and old stock to significantly reduce emissions and by default help save lives," Singh said.

"Using The Beacon as a blueprint for zero-carbon residential development, we will be rolling out this unique mixture of sustainable technology and building practice across our future projects and ultimately hope that we inspire other developers to build significantly more high-quality sustainable homes across the property spectrum from affordable to luxury.”

The Beacon is set to reach completion in 2018 and will contribute to the regeneration of Hemel Hempstead, which is currently undergoing a major transformation following the council’s £30m investment into the area.