One of the significant advantages of new-build properties is that they typically have superior energy efficiency compared to older buildings.
Of course, an older property can be retrofitted with more energy-efficient features during its refurbishment. However, when it comes to listed buildings, this can be more difficult due to legal restrictions on changes the owner of the property can make.
However, considering the carbon emissions usually involved in ambitious projects such as brand-new, ground-up developments is also worth considering. These projects often cause large amounts of emissions by extracting materials, transport, construction, etc.
In this case, there are environmental benefits to renovating an older property, as less materials will be used. According to Aecom, it has been estimated that the carbon footprint of a renovated building is about half of that of a new-build during its construction.