Agility is the new currency for occupiers

“55% of respondents said rightsizing and flexibility is their biggest portfolio challenge. Occupiers need space that moves with them – but with capital tight, they are also looking for managed solutions that absorb risk and avoid heavy spend. Flexibility is the entry ticket, not the premium.” — Lee Elliott, (Y)Our Space 2025

Economic uncertainty, shorter business planning cycles, sustainability obligations, and cost discipline from CFOs are reshaping occupier demand. Meanwhile, technology and data have made utilisation more visible - and waste harder to justify.

The rise of flexible demand

For many occupiers – especially for those occupying under 10,000 sq ft the traditional lease model no longer works. Occupiers need space that is fitted, functional, and ready to use, without the burden of heavy upfront capex and alongside agile lease structures that reflect their operational reality: whether that means shorter leases, floor-by-floor arrangements, pre-lets, or flexible dilapidations.

Fast-track fit out programmes and modular layouts are becoming essential - retrofitting agility at the end of a project is not an option – designing modular layouts, adaptable amenity spaces and CAT A and CAT A+ strategies that build in flexibility from day one speeds up occupation and removes friction at handover.

Flexible structures that once felt like exceptions are now shaping the market. The cultural shift is striking: it’s no longer seen as punitive to be flexible, but as a marker of resilience and operational intelligence.

Why this matters for building owners

Although shorter leases might seem like a risk, the reality is more nuanced. Occupiers who feel supported and understood are more likely to renew, expand within the building, and pay a premium for fitted, adaptable space. The real risk lies in clinging to rigid models that ignore occupier needs and lead to longer voids.

Valuation thinking is shifting in the same direction. The traditional cornerstones of value – the age of a building, lease length, covenant strength, location, and use type within the building - haven’t disappeared, but have been joined by a more occupier-focused set of requirements: agility, amenity, sustainability, cost efficiency and data-led performance. It’s the balance between these, rather than any in isolation, that will deliver resilience and drive performance.

Resilience itself can’t be “scored” in a spreadsheet, but its influence is increasingly evident in pricing and risk. The question is not just what an EPC, ERV or WAULT says - it’s how that asset sits within its submarket, what the occupier relationship is like, and what scope exists to reposition it. Data has a role, but only when interpreted with context and nuance.

Agile fit out and leasing strategies protect income by accelerating occupation, shortening void periods and mitigating capital risk. Rather than viewing fitted space as cost, landlords are beginning to view it as a capability.

Looking ahead

This is a seismic shift in the owner/occupier relationship. In the next three to five years, flexibility will be baked into the market. Smaller and mid-sized occupiers will expect plug-and-play space as standard. Owner–occupier relationships will become less transactional and more like partnerships, shaped by ongoing engagement and feedback loops. ESG transparency will also feature more prominently, as green clauses and data tracking become part of the leasing conversation.

Property is no longer just passive. Flexibility is critical, and the best-in-class assets of the future will be defined not just by location or design, but by their agility, connectivity, and customer-centric approach. The building owners who succeed will be those who embed flexibility at every stage: in fit outs, in leases, in operations, and in mindset.

We support occupiers with services that address both immediate needs and long-term goals. From building consultancy and placemaking, to valuations and business rates advice, our specialists help you navigate a complex and fast-moving market. Get in touch.