We’re not telling Landlords anything new by saying it’s a crowded market out there for commercial lettings.
In this post-pandemic working world, the way we use our offices and retail spaces has changed massively.
Alongside that, the number of empty spaces - new and old - continues to rise as businesses move to adapt to these ever-changing times, seeking out flexible leases and co-working over traditional lets.
One constant remains - the most lettable office and commercial spaces are the most desirable ones.
But what makes them desirable to tenants isn’t quite the same as it was.
So how do Landlords stand out in this congested sector? And not just that - how do you aim higher and attract the tenants you really want?
You create a better space.
And to do that, you need good design.
Here are 2 crucial ways that a fantastic interior can help you make more from your commercial let (and how we can help :)
Go beyond CAT A with Plug and Play
The days of a traditional CAT A, where the landlord provides the blank canvas and the tenant shapes the interior, are on the wane.
Demand for “Ready to Go” spaces, where the Landlord has completed the bulk of the fitout leaving the tenant with minimal outlay upfront and less to do when they vacate, was rising even pre-pandemic.
But, as with so many things that were already moving towards increased flexibility, Covid has accelerated the game.
If you’re looking for an edge on the market and you’ve a good idea of the type of tenant you’re likely to attract, going the extra mile on fitout offers you the opportunity to charge more and attract top tenants in your target sectors.
Want to see how we worked our magic to create a design-led, multi-tenanted office space from a former bar/ restaurant site? The client was so impressed, they took the top floor for themselves.
FutureProof your Space with Flexibility
Thankfully, one thing we learned from lockdowns is that physical office spaces aren’t going anywhere.
But, for many of us, how we work has changed for good.
As we drop in and out of new strains, surges and lockdowns, a hybrid of home and office working will continue to be the norm.
And we all know that there are benefits to having both in our working lives - the choice of moving between the two offering the type of flexibility that lies at the heart of staff wellbeing.
Homeworking is wonderful for tasks which require solo productivity, focus and concentration. But it doesn’t cut it when it comes to collaboration.
In our blog on how to futureproof your office, based on the findings of Savills’ Office FiT survey, we saw that offices trounced home working in anything where staff needed to work together:
- Networking opportunities
- Collaboration
- Support
- Mentoring
- Fostering Company team spirit
So it makes sense to create spaces within your commercial property which suit these modern working practices - from co-working areas to breakouts to Zoom rooms for video conferencing with clients or home-working team members.
We’re fervent champions of agile spaces, and have long incorporated breakouts and collaborative areas into our designs - not just because we love a mix of versatility and resimercial, but also because we’ve seen first-hand the way employers’ needs have evolved.
Head here to see some of our flexible office designs, and here to see how we can create one for you!
So the secret to making more from your Commercial Let is…
Making your commercial property more desirable for potential tenants comes down to one key thing.
If you create a great-looking environment where people are happy to spend their time and find it easy to collaborate, engage with coworkers and be productive, you’ve cracked it.
And though yes, a quality ready-to-go space does need more spend upfront than a basic CAT A, you’ll be able to let it more easily, for a higher price and to a better tenant.
Time is money, landlords…
Whether you’ve got a property that’s been recently vacated or have just taken on a new space, our team is on hand to refresh, rework and redesign so you can let it quickly and make more money.
Get in touch today and let’s get cracking.
