Ivanhoé Cambridge and Natixis Assurances obtain Europe’s first green certification of a commercial real estate loan for DUO towers
Ivanhoé Cambridge and Natixis Assurances, partners in the DUO project, have obtained the “Climate Bond Certified” label awarded by Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) for the €480-million credit that is financing development of the DUO towers in Paris. The certification makes this Europe’s first green-labelled commercial real estate loan. Natixis, as the green certification agent on this loan, confirms its ambition to become a leading player in green and responsible financing.
Located at the edge of the vast Paris Rive Gauche project in the 13th arrondissement, the DUO towers (180 metres for DUO 1 and 122 metres for DUO 2), designed by Jean Nouvel, will provide nearly 90,000 square metres of office space as well as a hotel and a “skybar.” Registered under the WELL Building Standard label, DUO demonstrates a desire to meet the toughest criteria for the comfort, health and well-being of future users. It will achieve outstanding LEED® Platinum, HQE® and Effinergie+ energy performance. These two towers will offer innovative, environmentally friendly workspaces as well as spaces open to the public that will encourage encounters and exchanges, including an auditorium, shops, a garden and greenery-filled terraces.
Ivanhoé Cambridge, a global real estate industry leader, invests in high-quality properties and real estate companies in select cities around the world. It does so prudently, with a long-term view to generate optimal, risk-adjusted returns. Founded in Québec in 1953, Ivanhoé Cambridge has built a vertically integrated business across Canada. Internationally, the Company invests alongside key partners and major real estate funds that are leaders in their respective markets. Through subsidiaries and partnerships, Ivanhoé Cambridge holds interests in nearly 800 buildings, primarily in the residential, office, retail and logistics sectors. Ivanhoé Cambridge held more than C$60 billion in assets as at December 31, 2017. The Company is a real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (cdpq.com), one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers. For more information, go to: ivanhoecambridge.com
Natixis Assurances devises and manages a comprehensive range of insurance solutions for retail and private-banking clients, professionals, companies, independent professionals, farmers and non-profit organizations. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Natixis, the international corporate, investment, insurance and financial services arm of Groupe BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France, Natixis Assurances distributes personal insurance products (life, estate planning, retirement, death-benefit, dependency and borrower insurance) and non-life insurance products (auto, home, health, accident & contingency, cellphone, legal protection, non-bank insurance, remote surveillance, professional liability insurance) through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne networks. Natixis Assurances, with 1,600 employees in nine locations in France, has 4.1 million clients.
Natixis is the international corporate, investment, insurance and financial services bank of Groupe BPCE, the secondlargest banking group in France with 31 million clients spread over two retail banking networks, Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne. With more than 17,000 employees, Natixis has a number of strong areas of expertise across three main business lines: Corporate & Investment Banking, Investment Solutions & Insurance, and Specialized Financial Services. A global player, Natixis has its own longstanding client base of companies, financial institutions and institutional investors as well as the client base of individuals, professionals and small and mid-sized businesses within Groupe BPCE’s two banking networks. Listed on the Paris stock exchange, it has a solid financial base with a CET1 capital under Basel 3 of €12 billion and a Basel 3 CET1 ratio of 10.65%, both based on CRR-CRD4 rules as reported on June 26,2013, including the Danish compromise, without phase-in. It also has quality long-term ratings (Standard & Poor’s: A / Moody’s: A2 / Fitch Ratings: A). Figures as at December 31, 2017.
Press contact
Sonia Dilouya
Press Relations, Natixis
+33 1 58 32 01 03
sonia.dilouya@natixis.com
press@communication.natixis.com
Linked spokespeople
Louis Douady
Global Head of Environmental & Social Responsibility, Natixis