Press Release

urbanest has been awarded WELL Residence certification by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), for its Battersea development. The scheme becomes the first purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) building in the UK to achieve the certification.

Designed and constructed with a focus on health and wellbeing, this achievement underlines how urbanest Battersea delivers high-quality PBSA and exceptional student living experiences. The accreditation marks a hat-trick for the building which also boasts Passivhaus and BREEAM Outstanding accreditations, showcasing its sustainability credentials. urbanest Battersea remains the UK’s tallest Passivhaus certified building and last year became the UK’s first multi-residential and PSBA BREEAM UKNC 2018 assessment to achieve Outstanding in post-construction stage.

A pioneering global framework for residential buildings, WELL for residential recognises that urbanest and its partners have implemented health focused strategies. Certification showcases how urbanest Battersea supports student wellbeing, by meeting IWBI’s evidence-based, third-party verified and science-backed framework and its 10 WELL concepts designed to create healthier, sustainable and more resilient homes, and a more comfortable living environment for urbanest’s student residents.

Since 2008, urbanest has opened nine PBSA properties in central London, including Hoxton, Tower Bridge, King’s Cross, St. Pancras, Westminster Bridge, Victoria, Vauxhall and the City, with Battersea the most recent scheme to open its doors in 2024.

urbanest Battersea will be followed up by urbanest Canary Wharf, set to open in 2026 as the world’s largest Passivhaus PBSA scheme with 1,672 student beds, plus 80 residential apartments and significant commercial space.

Anthony Mellalieu – Chief Operating Officer, urbanest: “Securing WELL Residence certification at urbanest Battersea alongside its exceptional sustainability achievements, sets a new benchmark for PBSA buildings. Becoming the UK’s first PBSA building to achieve this certification emphasises how urbanest is dedicated to creating high quality accommodation that nurtures communities and supports student wellbeing.”

Ann Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President, EMEA, IWBI: “Congratulations to urbanest for its incredible achievement as the UK’s first student accommodation project to be awarded WELL Residence certification. Palmerston Court Battersea represents urbanest’s visionary leadership and innovative approach to enhance the living environments of students and to support their health and well-being as they navigate a new phase of life.”

Warren Stanley, Associate Passivhaus Designer, Henriksen Studio: “To have achieved both WELL for Residential Certification and Passivhaus Certification, truly confirms urbanest Battersea’s position as a world class, leading PBSA building. As Passivhaus designers on this project, we are incredibly proud of all that has been achieved. We commend urbanest for their strong commitment to student wellbeing and their broader sustainability aspirations. Their vision has been key to delivering a truly high-performing, health-focused living environment.”