UK: Beyond Aparthotels will open another low impact property in London after planning was approved for the conversion of Kinsgway House in Holborn.
GMS Estates received planning permission in December, by the London Borough of Camden, for the eight storey office building to be converted into the apartments. The approval gives a nod towards the recognition that historic buildings can be adapted for longevity with the right sustainable design.
Studio Moren will be behind the design to deliver the 58-suite aparthotel in Holborn and the development will retain the external envelope and key structural elements of the current building.
The Beyond Aparthotel will offer a cafe, lounge and basement gym, with the project expected to be completed late next year. The project will be Beyond Aparthotel’s fourth offering in the capital. It already offers carbon neutral apartment stays in Fitzrovia, Soho and Waterloo.
We recently spoke with Studio Moren’s head of sustainability Bryan Oknyansky at our Sustainability Bites: Circularity in Action event.
How does Beyond tick the sustainability and carbon neutral boxes?
Beyond prides itself on its low impact operations and sourcing sustainable suppliers. It has a zero single-use plastic and zero waste to landfill promise.
Beyond’s current buildings are double insulated and it has ‘noise cancelling’ windows and low energy appliances.
Beyond uses LED lighting, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and solar panels. Beyond also uses 100 per cent renewable energy from Green Energy UK.
To achieve a carbon neutral stay, any carbon which needs to be offset is with Treepoints, which monitors and reports on Beyond’s energy use.
All Beyond’s cosmetic and cleaning products are refillable and use reused and recyclable bottles or pouches. The company also uses Oxwash for all its laundry which is 100 per cent chemical-free and has compostable packaging.
The organic tea and coffee is plastic-packaging free, instead using compostable pods. Even the paint used in the decor is chemical free.
Beyond Apartments opens low impact property in London Waterloo
Image credit: Studio Moren