Glasgow build-to-rent development earns highest level of Fitwel recognition

Glasgow build-to-rent development earns highest level of Fitwel recognition

Build-to-rent developer and operator Moda Living has secured its fourth three-star Fitwel certification for its first Glasgow neighbourhood, Moda, Holland Park, which is due to open its doors later this year.

Located on the site of the former Strathclyde Police headquarters in central Glasgow, the 433-home neighbourhood will feature a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes as well as a range of resident amenities designed to promote a healthy lifestyle.

The three-star accreditation from the certification system for healthy buildings and communities is a first for Glasgow and one of the first to be granted to a residential building in Europe. Moda is recognised as a leader in Fitwel accreditations and has the distinction of holding the most globally.

Moda, Holland Park has been designed with wellbeing at its core, allowing residents to live their healthiest and happiest lives. Amenities include a 24-hour gym and fitness centre featuring state-of-the-art exercise equipment and technology, along with access to personal trainers and wellness experts, as well as bookable gym and studio spaces.

Designed to foster community and combat loneliness, other amenities include private dining rooms, cinema and gaming rooms, sky lounges with panoramic views over Glasgow, and roof terraces with green space and BBQ areas. Dedicated on-site teams will also facilitate a regular programme of resident events and activities, and the co-working space with bookable meeting rooms will allow residents to work flexibly and achieve a better work/life balance.

Each home at Moda, Holland Park has been constructed with soundproofing that is five decibels above the required levels, which provides a sense of calm and quiet throughout the neighbourhood. Environment sensors by Utopi, a partner of Moda, are installed in each home and amenity space to monitor humidity, temperature, light levels and air quality. Residents will then have access to this data through the MyModa app.

Moda, Holland Park’s central location, just a few minutes’ walk from Charing Cross station, as well as Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons will also encourage residents to walk, cycle or use public transport.

The Fitwel accreditation was secured by a dedicated team made up of representatives from Moda Living, and investors Apache Capital, Harrison Street and NFU as part of its joint venture, which includes other build-to-rent neighbourhoods in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds.

Moda has had three of its neighbourhoods previously recognised with three-star Fitwel scoring. In June 2021, Scottish sister neighbourhood, Moda, The McEwan in Edinburgh became the first residential building in Europe to achieve three-star Fitwel certification - setting the benchmark for all future Moda neighbourhoods.

Richard Smith, managing director, Moda Life Operations, said: “Health and wellbeing is at the core of everything Moda does, so securing our fourth three-star Fitwel accreditation at Moda, Holland Park is a testament to the hard work and care that we put into designing our neighbourhoods.

“We’re committed to helping our residents live their happiest, healthiest lives, and we can’t wait to welcome our first residents to Glasgow’s healthiest place to live later this year.”

Joanna Frank, president and CEO of the Center for Active Design, which operates the Fitwel healthy building certification program, said: “Moda continues to lead by example by prioritising the health of their residents through Fitwel. We commend their commitment to protect building occupant health as they implement research-based strategies to promote the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of their residents.”

David Lawrence, managing director of DLC Europe, which prepared the Fitwel submission for Holland Park, said: “DLC Europe is very proud to have worked with Harrison Street, Apache Capital and Moda Living to achieve this prestigious three-star Fitwel certification, and to demonstrate our commitment to promoting occupant health and wellbeing.”

Nikki King, director, ESG & Operations, Apache Capital: “Build-to-rent has redefined the standard of service in the UK rental market, with owners and operators of buildings putting residents front and centre of the decision-making process. This has been a guiding principle for Moda and Apache and we will continue to drive progress in the sector when it comes to the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

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