Verny Capital backs first green complex in Kazakhstan

Verny Investment is backing the construction of the first LEED-standard tower complex in the Kazakh capital Astana.

Verny Capital, a Kazakh investment management group, will invest $300 mln (€224 mln) in the construction of Talan Towers.

Designed by leading architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), Talan Towers will be Kazakhstan’s first environmentally sustainable building complex, meeting LEED standards, the investor said.

The building will feature two towers, one of which will house Kazakhstan’s first Ritz Carlton Hotel and residential apartments. The towers will be connected by a bridge featuring three stories of luxury retail space, a spa and fitness centre. Construction is expected to be completed in 2016.

Erlan Ospanov, CEO of Verny Capital Group, said: 'This building will elevate the standard for construction in the city of Astana. We hope that Talan Towers will serve as an example for all commercial and residential development projects in Kazakhstan going forward.

'I’m confident that we will see some of the world’s leading companies take advantage of the premier office space the building has to offer. The Ritz Carlton Hotel is known throughout the world for its exceptional quality, and our residential space will follow suit.

Imangali Tasmagambetov, governor of Astana said: 'Sustainability is fast becoming an incredibly important part of our lives, and I hope to see more buildings in our great city incorporate energy efficiency and focus on becoming more environmentally friendly. This is of particular relevance to us as a nation, as we look forward to hosting the Expo in 2017, focusing on ‘green technologies’.'