ZEDHomes Ltd (www.zedhomes.com) is a sustainable development company, founded in 2003 by Michael Shwartz, Managing Director of the Michael Shwartz Group. Shwartz was listed by Property Week in October 2006 at number seven of its ‘Top Twenty Green Heroes’.

ZEDHomes is committed to building homes and workplaces that are better by design; that recognise the changes in how we live and work; and that are environmentally sustainable and energy saving, with a strong accent on accessibility and community.

The company believes in providing infrastructure that encourages a more sustainable lifestyle and instigates greater social responsibility.  It believes it is the most socially and environmentally aware developer in the UK. The aims of the organisation are to build affordable low and zero (fossil) emission developments (ZED), homes and workplaces that are spacious, stylish, comfortable and filled with natural light. By design these homes are stylish, finished with natural materials and easy to maintain and clean, warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Where possible, ZEDHomes’ developments incorporate local shops, pubs, cafes, retail, commercial and workspaces.  Car pools are encouraged to reduce car dependency and both internet ordering and storage facilities will be provided to encourage home deliveries. These measures help residents spend less time travelling and more time living.

The company has been in development since well before the current trend towards ‘carbon neutral’ and its Managing Director, Michael Shwartz, has personally invested millions in ZED Homes, whilst trying to gain planning permissions for sustainable developments. 

The company won planning permission (on appeal) for its first site, Packetboat House, Hillingdon, in late 2005, and the first ZEDHomes apartments are expected to reach the market within two years.  There is already a healthy waiting list for these properties.

ZEDHomes calls upon the expertise and experience of the parent company, the Michael Shwartz Group (www.michaelshwartz.com) an established property development, project management and construction company with 25 years experience of building works and development throughout Europe, the USA and the Middle East.

Michael Shwartz Construction has, since its inception, had a growing role as a developer with a conscience.  In response to the government’s call for cheaper key worker housing, the company embarked on a new strategy, ‘Value Homes Ltd’, to deliver key worker homes.  In the process, the company was introduced to Bill Dunster of BedZED fame.  Immediate converts to the sustainability message, the team learnt quickly, and formally established ZEDHomes in 2003./ends