Unilever USA HQ

Unilever USA HQ

Location

700 Sylvan Avenue

Englewood Cliffs, NJ

United States

Edge has transformed Unilever’s North American headquarters into an ultra-green tech-savvy hub. Home to iconic brands, Unilever Marketplace is a futuristic workspace driving endless creativity and business success.


Gross floor area

30.193 sq m

Tenants

Unilever

Architect

Perkins + Will

Completion date

Q1 2018

Wellbeing

WELL Certified

Parking spaces

1300

This project does not only set a new benchmark for energy-efficient and eco-friendly refurbishment but it also stands as one of the pioneering examples of the latest generation of smart buildings. The renovation has achieved a 40% reduction in energy consumption while expanding the property's total area by 13% compared to the original building.

Developed with sustainability at its heart.

Nathaniel Barney

Workplace Director at Unilever North America

Smartest Building On U.S. East Coast

When consumer-goods giant Unilever chose to transform its North American offices into cutting-edge headquarters, much was at stake. Achieving this transformation smoothly into a dynamic and collaborative space was a pivotal moment. And Unilever USA HQ emerged as one of the East Coast's most intelligent and eco-friendly work environments in 2018.

Facts
Unilever USA HQ is an unprecedented example of green refurbishment, and one of the very first in the newest generation of smart buildings.

The building uses state-of-the-art smart technologies that record data and interact with the building’s features and functions. Such technologies enable the building to ‘learn’ from tenants’ behaviours, including a customisation app that works with a connected LED lighting system; an IP backbone, and a localisation tool to give employees control of their own workplace – all together allowing the building operator to optimise building use based on real-time information.

In a bold step towards the future of sustainable architecture, Unilever USA has transformed its headquarters into a paragon of green development and technological innovation.

Unilever USA HQ successfully achieved a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption over the term of the lease, reduced water consumption via low-flow plumbing fixtures and the diversion of 75% of construction waste from landfill, which inspired creative material reuse, such as salvaged wood for the reception desk. The result? A LEED-NC Platinum certification!

Embracing both innovation and sustainability, the design is a testament to Unilever’s principles of agile working.

A major design element of the project is its central "marketplace." This marketplace functions as a hub for numerous employee activities, including working, socialising, snacking, dining, or unwinding at the hair salon or fitness centre. By placing the marketplace at its heart, the revamped headquarters expands the property size by 13%, now able to accommodate 1,600 people.

Dynamic atrium
The atrium

Dynamic atrium

For over a decade, Unilever's “agile working” strategy, with unassigned seating and employee choice in workspaces, has boosted productivity, engagement, and retention. The central "marketplace" ticks these requirements. Connecting the four main buildings, it now serves as a hub for various activities, including work, socialising, dining, and even exercising.

High-tech haven
Digital infrastructure

High-tech haven

Unilever Marketplace is an energy-efficient, ultra-high-tech workplace aimed at inspiring innovation. With over 15,000 sensors, RFID monitors, and the NUUKA building process analytics platform, the building optimises its use based on real-time information to maximise efficiency and minimise energy consumption.