Delancey Real Estate: The Importance of CSR

Delancey Real Estate was founded in 1995 by Jamie Ritblat. The company bases its investment opportunities on an approach known as ‘knowledgeable opportunism’. 

Nevertheless, all of Delancey Real Estate’s investment decisions are based on many years of experience, and the way in which these opportunities are executed are also carefully considered. Delancey Real Estate has developed an extensive network of contacts, often providing opportunities and knowledge ahead of other market operators. 

As with all industries, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an increasingly important focus in construction. Today, consumers and businesses alike are making more socially and environmentally conscious decisions in terms of choosing which businesses to support or work with, showing a preference for organisations that are actively taking steps to mitigate any negative impact on people’s lives and, wherever possible, trying to create a positive impact instead. 

CSR is about businesses taking steps to minimise the negative impact of their operations, not just for customers and workers but for anyone who may be affected by the business, including members of the public and the local community, as well as the wider environment. Companies that take their CSR obligations seriously increase social impact by implementing equal opportunity employment and workplace practices, contributing to good causes and the local economy, and reducing the risk of human rights abuses such as modern slavery. 

Construction is an industry where CSR must be taken particularly seriously due to the potential of building projects to negatively impact people’s lives on both a short and long-term basis. In the short-term, development projects can have a significant impact on local people through disruptions to utility services, road diversions and noise pollution. From a long-term perspective, building new structures can also have a huge impact, with buildings not only having the power to improve people’s wellbeing and boost their quality of life but conversely also having the potential to negatively affect the lives of local people. 

In addition to considering the impact of development projects on local people and communities, construction companies also need to consider the impact on workers and contractors. With the construction industry employing circa 7% of the global workforce according to CHAS, the industry involves a higher risk of worker injury or ill-health, unless the developer takes the right steps to protect the workforce. 

Delancey Real Estate is committed to delivering places with economic, social and environmental value, recognising their pivotal importance in ensuring the commercial success of projects in a rapidly changing world. The company places an emphasis on integrating both social and environmental initiatives into its business strategy throughout all of its planning, development and asset management operations. 

Delancey Real Estate operates a Responsible Investment Strategy, monitoring and measuring relevant impacts for all of its client’s assets, including social impacts to enable the company’s departments to make positive contributions to occupiers, as well as the wider community, through the creation of vibrant commercial and residential neighbourhoods. 

To contribute to the sense of place for the burgeoning communities it creates, Delancey Real Estate conducts extensive research to gain a comprehensive grasp of a location and building’s unique history, as well as finding out about the area’s demographics, character and cultural personality. 

Managing public spaces in a way that promotes unplanned opportunities for residents to interact with each other, Delancey Real Estate aims to help build community spirit. To that end, the company seeks to create a framework for dialogue and interaction throughout its communities, ensuring integration into wider communities through the creation of public spaces and buildings that define routes while still knitting into the surrounding context, using corner sites as landmark buildings wherever appropriate. 

Delancey Real Estate developments incorporate interior spaces that are not only functional but flexible too. The company’s projects prioritise strong landscaping strategies, providing both private and public spaces with a heavy emphasis on architectural quality. Delancey Real Estate’s projects also look to use  temporary landscaping and facilities to provide a welcoming environment during all construction phases. 

Today’s development companies are coming under ever-increasing pressure to improve diversity and equality, having a positive impact on both their employees and local communities. Forward-looking development and asset management companies like Delancey Real Estate place a strong emphasis on providing well-designed buildings and community spaces, positioning CSR at the very heart of their company culture while prioritising sustainability, lowering their carbon footprint and reducing waste throughout construction projects. 

Consumers are increasingly favouring companies that implement responsible sourcing policies while simultaneously supporting local communities and improving working conditions for employees. Delancey Real Estate is constantly on the lookout for new ways to support to the communities it operates in, bringing together colleagues across the sector to support numerous charities. Organisations the company has supported in the past include Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Smile Brigade, YMCA Retirement Fund, The Childhood Trust, Mind and The Prince’s Trust, to name just a few.