Walk into an office, a hotel or a shopping centre today and you’re likely stepping into a building that’s quietly changing.
Across Europe, property owners are upgrading their buildings to use less energy, cut carbon emissions and prepare for a changing climate. These improvements don’t just reduce environmental impact. They also lower operating costs, attract tenants faster, and help owners stay ahead of stricter regulations.
At ING, we’re helping accelerate this shift. Through sustainable financing, we support clients who are upgrading existing buildings, developing greener ones, and reshaping real estate portfolios for the future.
Recent deals across Europe show what this transition looks like.
In London, ING financed the redevelopment of 40 Holborn Viaduct, a 2008 office building that is being turned into a sustainable workspace. Even before completion, leasing demand was strong, showing that modern, energy efficient offices attract tenants more quickly and reduce investor risk.
Also in London, along the famous South Bank, ING provided a £290 million green loan for the financing of Sea Containers. Built in the 1970s, the landmark building has been upgraded for high environmental performance — showing how even iconic structures can, and must, evolve.
Further south, ING supported the €815 million refinancing of ARES Fund V’s major residential portfolio in Spain and Portugal. By embedding sustainability elements into the financing structure, ING is helping advance a platform focused on modern and efficient homes.
These transactions reflect a wider transformation across the real estate market. The shift from ‘brown’ to ‘green’ assets is underway.
At ING, we’re helping our clients in the sector towards their net zero goals by working closely with them to upgrade buildings, improve energy performance and future-proof their portfolios. Because the buildings we finance today will shape the cities we live and work in tomorrow.
Society is transitioning to a low-carbon economy. So are our clients, and so is ING. We finance a lot of sustainable activities, but we still finance more that’s not. See how we’re progressing on our climate approach. This document discusses one or more specific transactions and/or contains general statements about ING’s climate approach. The approach and criteria referred to in this message are intended to be applied in accordance with applicable law. Due to the fact that there may be different or even conflicting laws, the approach, criteria or the application thereof, could be different across jurisdictions