Wednesday, 27 August 2025
As sustainability becomes a growing priority in real estate, new residential developments are increasingly incorporating environmentally friendly technologies and cost-saving solutions. This article explores whether developers are introducing their own ‘green standards’, how such initiatives impact flat prices, and to what extent buyers consider these features when making purchasing decisions. Insights and comments from industry experts provide a closer look at the current trends shaping eco-conscious housing projects.
Tomasz Kaleta, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing at Develia
In our investments, we use, among other things, heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, rain gardens and grey water recirculation systems. We strive to increase the number of such solutions in new projects. Our commitment to this is set out in the ‘Develia Group’s Sustainable Development Strategy for 2025-2030’ published in February this year. Among other things, we are working to ensure that our buildings are as energy-efficient as possible and meet energy consumption standards of 58 kWh/sq m by 2030.
The use of environmentally friendly solutions in our investments is confirmed by the BREEAM certificate, which was awarded to our Warsaw projects Bemosphere (Central and City buildings) and the completed stages of the Aleje Praskie housing estate. Although the use of low-emission and energy-efficient solutions increases investment costs, it can translate into lower operating costs during the use of the apartment and also increases the attractiveness of the property and, consequently, its value.
Agnieszka Majkusiak, Sales Director at Atal
Price and location remain the key parameters when choosing a property. However, our investments in ‘green’ and ‘blue’ infrastructure, such as heat pumps, photovoltaics, rain gardens and twilight sensors, are very well received by customers. This is because there is a growing awareness of eco-trends, and the rising costs of maintaining flats are generating increasing interest in this type of solution.
They increase the attractiveness of the housing estates we build and emphasise their modern character. Buyers appreciate these elements, which reflect our comprehensive approach to space design, our commitment to sustainable development and our concern for comfort and well-being in the place where they live. In addition to their marketing and image benefits, ecological aspects also have a practical side, as they contribute to reducing resource consumption, including the costs of maintaining common areas.
Residents therefore also benefit from these solutions as members of the community. We receive a lot of enquiries about the possibility of charging electric vehicles, either as standard infrastructure in the form of ready-made stations or as an option for future connection.
A separate segment, indirectly related to ecology and resource management, is advanced smart home systems, which are often requested by customers. To meet these expectations, we are offering this option in an increasing number of buildings. It allows remote control and minimisation of media consumption in the apartment during absence and signals any malfunctions.
Marek Straszak, Regional Construction Manager; Matexi Polska
Eco-friendly technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in residential construction, and investors are increasingly following the expectations of customers for whom sustainable development is becoming an important criterion when choosing a property. In our projects, we are already implementing a number of pro-environmental solutions, such as green roofs, photovoltaic installations, rainwater recovery systems and electric car charging stations. We also attach increasing importance to the quality and functionality of green areas. We design them in such a way that they not only improve the aesthetics of housing estates, but also have a real impact on the microclimate and comfort of residents, for example by reducing the urban heat island effect.
We operate in accordance with the internal Matexi Sustainability Matrix standard, which defines our approach to designing investments in the spirit of sustainable development. This allows us to consciously select ecological solutions, taking into account their effectiveness, environmental impact and the expectations of future users. Although we do not rely directly on external documents such as the Warsaw Green Building Standard, our approach remains consistent with it and corresponds to the direction set by local authorities.
Although ecological solutions may affect the cost of an investment, in the long term they bring measurable benefits to residents. First and foremost, they reduce media consumption, which translates into real savings in the everyday use of a flat. An example of this is the heat recovery system used in our investment at 11A Sokratesa Street, which recovers heat from the air removed from the flats and reduces heating costs by up to 20 per cent compared to traditional solutions. Buyers are increasingly paying attention not only to specific technologies, but also to the developer’s overall philosophy of responsible construction.
Joanna Chojecka, Sales and Marketing Director for Warsaw and Wrocław at the Robyg Group
The introduction of ‘green standards’ is associated with a certain increase in investment costs, but from the buyers’ point of view, it is an investment in the future – both in terms of their comfort and the value of the property. We are increasingly observing that customers are consciously paying attention to environmental aspects such as energy efficiency, access to green spaces and solutions that reduce water and electricity consumption. We are convinced that the future of residential construction lies in the harmony of technology, ecology and high quality of life. That is why we are consistently developing our offer in line with these values, adapting it to the growing expectations of the market and the needs of our customers.
In order to reduce our impact on the environment, we implement modern, environmentally friendly solutions that allow us to care for the environment and reduce the costs of everyday life, as well as a set of design standards and guidelines for architects, designers and subcontractors. Most of our housing estates are equipped with at least five low-emission solutions, such as LED lighting in common areas, triple glazing, heat exchangers, installation control systems, lifts with heat recovery, motion and twilight sensors, and green roofs. In addition, each of our housing estates features extensive green areas, rain gardens, playgrounds, gyms and HD video surveillance. Special walking areas, birdhouses and insect houses have been prepared. We also use facade paints and anti-smog paving stones that absorb pollution. We are actively promoting micro and electromobility by installing electric car chargers and solar benches, as well as building cycling infrastructure in the form of bike racks and bike repair stations. All these solutions help to reduce the carbon footprint of our housing estates during the use of the buildings.
To reduce emissions at the construction stage, we have switched to 100% renewable energy in our construction processes since 2025. This step significantly reduces our carbon footprint and contributes to reducing CO2 emissions. In addition, 88% of multi-family residential buildings constructed for sale in 2024 achieved a primary energy demand (Ep) at least 10% lower than required by NZEB standards (65 kWh/m²/year).
Ecology in modern, sustainable construction is a key trend that responds to the challenges of climate change, the depletion of natural resources and the growing demand for comfort in living. Although it often requires greater investment at the design and construction stage, this investment quickly pays for itself, both economically and socially.
Karolina Bronszewska, Marketing and Sales Director at Ronson Development
We place great emphasis on sustainable construction, implementing a number of modern solutions in our projects that benefit both the environment and future residents. We focus on intelligent, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies that support comfort of living and at the same time allow for real savings in the everyday use of apartments. As a result, investments such as Nova Królikarnia, Eko Falenty and Nowe Warzymice are excellent examples of conscious design, combining functionality, aesthetics and care for the environment.
Our customers themselves are increasingly interested in ecological solutions. They most often ask about four key technologies: heat recovery, heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and rainwater tanks. We see growing environmental awareness among buyers and not only respond to current market needs, but also actively create our own ‘green standards’.
We respond to customer needs, which is why, in addition to the four solutions mentioned above, our investments include energy-efficient LED lighting and electric car charging stations. Furthermore, we use natural finishing materials and plant vegetation on the roofs of our buildings, thus enriching their biodiversity. In the long term, apartments with eco-technologies mean lower operating costs and greater comfort of living. It is a valuable investment in the future – our own and that of our planet. .
Photo: Bukowinska, Matexi Polska
Source: dompress.pl
