Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate is a 5-acre site on the northern edge of Guildford, just a mile from the city centre and close to the A3. Originally built in the 1970s, the estate comprises 13 units spanning almost 94,000 sq ft. In 2019, it was acquired by a pension fund client of Savills Investment Management as an active asset management opportunity. This acquisition marked the start of a transformative £10 million redevelopment designed to create a fully occupied, Net Zero and future-facing facility.

The redevelopment has delivered significant outcomes, both environmentally and financially. The estate achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification and improved its EPC ratings from D to A/A+, enabling it to operate at Net Zero Carbon with minimal to zero energy bills for occupiers. These improvements have driven a 110% uplift in rental values, rising from £11.50 per sq ft to £22 per sq ft, while the asset value has grown from £20 million to over £35 million. The scheme has also attracted a stronger tenant mix with robust covenants, creating a waiting list of future occupiers. In recognition of its success, the project won the ‘Regeneration Project’ Award at the Guildford Design Awards 2023 and ‘Project of the Year’ at the CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2024.

A comprehensive package of sustainability measures underpinned the project. These included the installation of 0.5MW of solar photovoltaics supported by Tesla battery storage, Whole Life Carbon and operational energy assessments, and Dynamic Simulation Modelling to secure compliance and deliver zero carbon standards. Further strategies included daylight, Thermal Comfort and Overheating Analysis, as well as the development of an Indoor Air Quality Plan to enhance wellbeing. SRE also undertook a Glint and Glare Study to ensure the scheme’s safety near the adjacent railway line and implemented circular economy principles, such as repurposing industrial waste into landscaping features.

This project demonstrates how a bold, sustainability-led approach can deliver outstanding environmental outcomes while generating exceptional financial returns.