Strategic Property Partners, LLC (SPP), a real estate development firm based in Tampa, has recently disclosed that Thousand & One, a 20-story Class-A office building designed by COOKFOX Architects at 1001 Water Street in Water Street Tampa, has earned a Gold-level certification for WELL Core & Shell. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) granted the certification to Thousand & One for its effective adoption of design and policies that prioritize wellness, earning it the distinction of being the first building in Tampa to achieve WELL Gold certification. Thousand & One also claims to be the first in Tampa to obtain any level of certification for WELL Core & Shell.
WELL certification is a pioneering global standard that assesses design decisions that prioritize health and well-being in the built environment. A recent study revealed that employees working in WELL-certified buildings experienced a 30% increase in overall satisfaction, a 26% increase in well-being, and a 10-point rise in median productivity scores compared to their experiences before certification. Among Tampa’s buildings, Thousand & One is a leading example and is among the 15 projects in the US that hold the WELL Gold certification under the v2 Pilot, with the distinction of being the first one in Florida.
Thousand & One. Credit: Seamus Payne.
“We are seeing an incredible ‘flight to quality’ across many industries, as employers seek out cutting-edge office spaces that put their employees’ well-being first,” said Dave Bevirt, Executive Vice President of Corporate Leasing and Strategy for SPP. “With Thousand & One, we’ve created the most effective tool for companies to attract and retain talent by allowing them to embrace healthier offices and improve productivity.”
Thousand & One placed great emphasis on enhancing physical and mental health, overall well-being, and productivity, which resulted in high scores across multiple categories evaluated by WELL. One of the noteworthy achievements is obtaining the highest score in the movement category. This is a testament to the building’s favorable location in a neighborhood with a Walk Score of 89, offers various transit options, and facilitates physical activity through an employee fitness center. The building’s location also received recognition in the community category due to the tenants’ accessibility to regular programs such as The Market at Water Street Tampa, live music, and other curated public events.
Thousand & One. Credit: Seamus Payne.
The design of Thousand & One received praise for various reasons, one of which was its implementation of sustainable materials. Additionally, the building offers various accessible outdoor spaces, such as a unique rooftop terrace and balconies, plenty of natural light, and the highest water quality standards. The indoor temperature is monitored, and the building includes amenities specifically supporting new mothers. Furthermore, WELL acknowledged using MERV 13 air filters, which enables the building to provide 40% more fresh outdoor air than conventional office buildings.
“Thousand & One was the ideal environment for our new office because it simultaneously supports our business goals and our employees’ well-being,” said Greg Farrell, Chief Financial Officer of ReliaQuest. “The intentional wellness-driven design was a key factor in our decision, and when paired with the thoughtful amenities and prime location in the center of Water Street Tampa, Thousand & One becomes the ultimate office space for the future of work. There’s nothing else like this in Tampa.”
Thousand & One. Photo by Oscar Nunez.
Thousand & One. Photo by Oscar Nunez.
Thousand & One. Photo by Oscar Nunez.
Overall, WELL Core & Shell certification evaluated Thousand & One on ten concepts — air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community — that measure the building’s successful commitment to creating a workplace that prioritizes employees’ well-being. Setting itself apart from other wellness and sustainability rating systems, WELL certification requires meticulous onsite testing to verify a building’s compliance with its rigorous requirements.
With WELL-certified buildings and a forthcoming WELL Community certification, Water Street Tampa continues to set a global precedent for health-conscious and wellness-based design.
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