As the UK’s building stock becomes ever more outdated and is unable to meet the needs and expectations of today’s occupiers, the question for landlords is ‘what do we do with the assets we’ve got?’ 

Investing significant capital into a building for a complete best-in-class reinvention is certainly an option we would advocate in the right context, but in many scenarios it’s not feasible or even right. With some thought and effort, landlords and investors can deliver what occupiers value most – keeping sustainability goals and modern amenity needs front of mind – and still get a satisfactory return, all without spending big. 

In many cases, a well-executed reboot that strategically updates an existing building is often the right approach. This is especially true if a building has strong foundations – location, reasonable floor-to-ceiling heights and underused space to be harnessed – all good starting points for an effective adaptability strategy. 

It’s important to remember that not all tenants are seeking a ‘platinum+’ standard office; one with every environmental badge imaginable, offering world-class amenities, at a suitably premium rent. For many, a more nuanced outcome in a good location within a reasonable budget is the priority, with a razor-sharp focus on aspects that genuinely make a difference to staff retention and operational efficiency.

At Fabrix, we have a deep understanding of what tenants want and how best to bring the increasing number of stranded assets back into modern and sustainable use. Our development management approach is technically and strategically sharp. It’s focused on restarting income streams and preserving long-term liquidity for investors, without breaking the bank.

Many tenants want a building in a prime location, with low carbon credentials, good service, and a healthy internal environment. And instead of paying higher rents for the ‘badges’ their buildings have, they might want to bolster their own ESG- or value-led impact by channelling budgets into their operations and employee initiatives. 

Such an approach is breathing new life into properties that were once viewed as ‘second tier’. With a pragmatic retrofit strategy, landlords can meet tenant expectations without overspending, securing income while preserving asset value.

Bow Bells House, one of our current development management projects in the City of London, is a good example of this approach. Not even 20 years old and structurally sound, the building still needs a full-scale repositioning to be competitive but that doesn’t have to mean throwing the kitchen sink at it. 

Decarbonising its M&E systems and improving the occupier experience, by providing access to green terraces to everyone in the building, for example, will result in a highly lettable building delivered in a cost-efficient manner, at pace. 

The clock is ticking. Acting swiftly is crucial. With tightening EPC regulations, those commercial properties that miss out on a minimum Grade C rating risk will soon become legally unlettable. Doing nothing isn’t merely expensive, it’s unsustainable and not an option.

Through creative and technically focused strategies, we can assist investors to turn their tired assets into relevant, income-generating buildings. The process is not simply about surviving a downturn, it’s about building resilience into your asset for the upturn that is yet to come.