At Alpin, we are big fans of the WELL rating system. In fact, we are proud to have been the first WELL certified office space in the Middle East. That’s why we are excited to talk to you today about the WELL portfolio program.

Want to learn more? Read on for our WELL portfolio guidebook!

What is the WELL Portfolio Program?

Designed by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the WELL Portfolio program helps owners, developers, and tenants streamline the health and wellness strategies found in WELL.

The program allows organizations to benefit from more efficient pathways to implement WELL’s design, operations, and policy-based strategies across multiple properties. The program is also flexible, providing solutions for a variety of new and existing projects and space types.

“We know that properties are diverse, but that portfolio-wide policies can significantly streamline how quickly companies can take forward the many benefits that come with using WELL,” says IWBI President Rachel Gutter.

“Whether their goal is to increase revenue by attracting and retaining employees and tenants, reduce costs and identify efficiencies by applying health and wellness strategies at scale, or demonstrate to investors an increased long-term value of properties, this new pathway encourages owners to treat WELL as a journey with milestones to celebrate along the way.”

The WELL Portfolio is rooted in the principles of the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 (WELL v2). WELL Portfolio applicants choose which of their projects will make up their portfolio and then implement strategies from WELL v2 across those projects.

How can portfolio owners enroll in the Program?

The first step in this process is enrollment. This step indicates a portfolio owner’s intent to engage in the WELL Portfolio program. The registering organization can then go through the different payment schemes offered by IWBI.

It’s that easy and it comes with many benefits! Enrollment entitles the member to WELL coaching support, access to an online platform for portfolio-wide management of a WELL scorecard and a complimentary IWBI membership.

Finally, all members would need to go through performance verification. This is done through a WELL Performance Testing Agent, in cooperation with the Green Business Certification Inc (GBCI). GBCI’s review ultimately determines whether a WELL feature has been achieved or not.

What are the benefits of the WELL Portfolio Program?

The WELL portfolio offers a myriad of undeniable benefits. For starters, it can improve and enhance your company’s value because it offers you a clear path to optimizing your facilities, operations, and policies. It also improves your ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance).

“Our WELL Portfolio pilot participants are leading the movement for better buildings and helping us redefine best practices in real estate and employee health and well-being,” said Gutter.

The WELL portfolio also improves your bottom line. The organization and building improvements you implement allow you to attract and retain tenants. And since your structures’ efficiencies are optimized, it saves you money.

Last but not least, it shows potential investors that you have properties that will guarantee long- term tenants. If you want to know what the return on investment is for implementing WELL, read our guide here.

How does the WELL Portfolio enhance your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy?

The WELL portfolio program is living proof of your dedication to Corporate Social Responsibility. By implementing the standard you show that you are part of a movement of structures that protect, support, and enhance human health and that you are committed to your employees’ and tenants’ well being.

Finally, the certification positions you as a leader in the built environment who is ready to redefine best practices in real estate and employee and tenant well being.

“This program will serve as a catalyst at the leading edge of the movement to improve global health, and it is these early adopters who have positioned themselves as leaders by assessing their progress and identifying opportunities for improvement across their assets,” says Gutter.

“We believe that buildings should enhance people’s health not compromise it. Especially now in the time of COVID-19, it is crucial that structures complement people’s attempts to stay healthy and safe. WELL tackles everything from occupants’ physical to psychological health. This is why we decided to implement the certification in our own building and we could not have made a better decision,” says Jourdan Younis, Director and Senior Advisor of Alpin Limited.

Want to find out more about WELL? Read more here.