Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Oradea Plaza, an office and retail property in the Romanian city of Oradea, has received LEED Gold certification following the renovation of an existing building and the addition of a connected office building. The development, owned by OP Retail Center SRL, part of Crown Holding Ltd., achieved 61 points under the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction assessment for Core and Shell projects. Both sections were evaluated together, demonstrating that renovated properties and newly constructed buildings can be assessed against the same environmental criteria.
The project involved upgrading the original building while constructing additional office space alongside it. Colliers Romania oversaw the environmental assessment, which examined energy consumption, water use, construction materials and conditions inside the buildings. The work reflects a wider challenge facing commercial property owners across Europe, where ageing office buildings increasingly require investment to meet current expectations for energy use and workplace conditions.
According to calculations prepared during the assessment, Oradea Plaza is expected to consume 23.31% less energy annually than the reference building used for comparison. Annual energy expenditure is projected to be 19.15% lower, with estimated electricity savings of approximately 576,000 kWh. These estimates are based on building performance calculations rather than recorded consumption after occupation, meaning actual savings will depend on how the property is used and managed.
The renovation included improvements to insulation, replacement or upgrading of heating and cooling equipment, ventilation systems capable of recovering heat, and the installation of LED lighting. The changes are intended to reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain suitable indoor temperatures and provide fresh air. Applying comparable performance requirements across the older and newer sections required different technical approaches because of the existing building’s structural and operational characteristics.
Water consumption was also addressed through changes to plumbing installations and monitoring equipment. Calculations indicate that drinking-quality water used inside the buildings should be 45.51% below the reference level established for the assessment, while water required for landscaped areas is expected to be reduced by half. During construction, measures were introduced to separate and recycle waste, while the selection of building materials considered their composition, origin and environmental characteristics.
The internal environment formed another part of the evaluation. Ventilation equipment incorporates filters designed to limit airborne particles, while selected interior materials are intended to release fewer pollutants. The assessment also considered natural lighting, temperature regulation and the supply of fresh air. These factors are relevant to businesses evaluating office accommodation, although the certification itself does not measure employee productivity or guarantee particular conditions during future occupation.
Oradea Plaza is situated on Dimitrie Cantemir Boulevard, near Piața Cetății and approximately 800 metres from Piața Unirii. The surrounding area is served by bus and tram routes, with more than ten public transport stops nearby. Bicycle facilities have been incorporated into the property, alongside measures intended to limit excessive heat absorption through the roof during summer.
The investment highlights the decisions facing owners of older commercial properties as energy requirements and occupier expectations change. Renovation can extend the useful life of existing buildings and reduce the need for complete replacement, although the financial case depends on the condition of the property, construction expenditure and future operating costs. For regional office markets such as Oradea, upgrading established buildings may offer an alternative to developing entirely new premises, particularly in central locations where suitable land can be limited.
Environmental assessments are becoming an established consideration in Romania’s commercial property sector, extending beyond the largest office developments in Bucharest. Colliers reports that its Romanian team was involved in more than one third of the building certifications awarded nationally during 2025, when certified properties represented approximately 4.6 million sqm. The Oradea Plaza project adds another certified property to the regional market and illustrates how existing office accommodation can be retained and modernised while additional space is developed.
