One Citygate
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1 Citygate, Newcastle: All-Electric Retrofit Case Study
At 1 Citygate in Newcastle, we’ve just completed a full mechanical and electrical retrofit that took the building from an EPC D to an EPC A rating. The project stripped out the gas-fired and chiller-fed fan coil units, perimeter radiators, and gas-fired hot water system, replacing them with an all-electric solution: air source heat pumps for domestic hot water, LED lighting throughout, smart building controls, and VRF systems served by external condensers. We delivered the scheme as principal contractor, carrying cost and EPC delivery risk from design through to completion.
The retrofit was underpinned by our proprietary Clarity™ offering, which gave the client significantly enhanced contractor cost detail and a guaranteed EPC uplift before capital was committed. Rather than relying on wide consultant cost ranges, Clarity™ tested every viable decarbonisation route against asset-specific pricing, cutting the time to installer-level cost input and giving the investor confidence in both budget and outcome from the outset. It’s this kind of pre-capital clarity that separates a deliverable retrofit from a paper exercise for asset owners facing MEES-driven decarbonisation pressure.
The result speaks for itself. Following completion of the all-electric retrofit, 1 Citygate secured Arup on a 15-year lease, clear evidence that a well-executed decarbonisation strategy translates directly into occupier demand and asset value. It’s a good example of how we approach retrofit and refurbishment work more broadly: technical delivery backed by guaranteed EPC performance and maintained through to practical completion.
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“What really impressed us was the early clarity on cost and EPC performance, and the fact these were maintained throughout delivery.
That outcome has strengthened the robustness of our retrofit underwriting, and we see Clarity as a must-have input into future deals”
Lars Sindberg, Britannia A/S
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a commercial retrofit contractor do?
A commercial retrofit contractor manages the design, cost, and delivery of upgrading an existing building’s services, things like heating, cooling, hot water, and lighting, to improve energy performance and meet EPC requirements. We act as principal contractor, taking on the cost and delivery risk ourselves rather than working purely in an advisory capacity.
What’s the difference between an office refurbishment contractor and a fit-out company?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there’s a distinction. An office refurbishment contractor typically takes on the wider building fabric and services, structural changes, mechanical and electrical systems, and Cat A or Cat A+ space, while a fit-out company usually focuses on the finishing works layered on top, like Cat B interiors. We work across both, but our core strength is in the retrofit and refurbishment side, where EPC and decarbonisation outcomes are decided.
How do I choose a commercial retrofit contractor for an EPC upgrade?
Look for a contractor who can give you significantly enhanced cost detail before you commit capital, not just a wide consultant estimate range. Our Clarity™ approach tests every viable retrofit route against asset-specific pricing upfront, so the EPC outcome is agreed before design and tender spend begins, as was the case at 1 Citygate, where the EPC A rating was secured before delivery started.
Can the same contractor handle both retrofit and office refurbishment?
Yes, and there’s a real advantage to it. Running retrofit and refurbishment through one contractor means the mechanical and electrical strategy, EPC targets, and finishing works are coordinated from the outset rather than handled by separate teams working to different briefs. We deliver both as principal contractor, which is how 1 Citygate combined an all-electric retrofit with refurbished office space in a single, coordinated programme.
What’s a typical timeline for a commercial retrofit?
Timelines vary by scope, but the biggest difference we bring is how early enhanced cost detail is established, well ahead of typical consultant estimate ranges. Traditional retrofit due diligence can take months to reach installer-level pricing; our Clarity™ approach compresses that significantly, meaning delivery can start with detailed contractor pricing and a guaranteed EPC outcome already in place.
Where does Vantage Zero operate as a commercial retrofit contractor?
While 1 Citygate is based in Newcastle, we operate as a commercial retrofit and office refurbishment contractor across England, Scotland, and Wales. We’ve delivered projects in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, London, and Norwich, working with institutional landlords, property funds, and occupiers on retrofit, decarbonisation, and refurbishment projects nationwide.
