What do occupiers really want? Key takeaways from the Property Performance event

From an owner’s standpoint, being blown off course by misreading the real requirements of occupiers can lead to misplaced expenditure and faltering asset performance. It is essential that asset owners and investors remain grounded in practical actions that resonate with and generate tangible value for end-users while maximising overall property performance.

Discerning owners and occupiers who work together to integrate quality-driven enhancements with operational pragmatism can capture superior returns and build resilient, future-proofed portfolios.

Our recent event drew on the fourth edition of the (Y)OUR SPACE report and thought leadership campaign – based on a survey of almost 300 global corporate decision-makers directly managing more than 650 million sq ft of real estate. 

The research identified five factors that are at the forefront of the occupier’s mindset:

• Amenity
• Agility
• Sustainability
• Cost efficiency
• Data-driven decision making

Considered holistically, the five factors form a comprehensive framework for translating occupier demands into purposeful, high-impact and high-performing environments. By understanding how each factor interconnects and by reinforcing them with pragmatic execution, asset owners and investors can ensure that every element of the property experience contributes to sustained value creation.

Our guest occupier panellists and our own Knight Frank experts led attendees through insights and practical actions that will help occupiers. My key takeaways from the morning:

1. Favour long-lasting adaptable, functional amenities over flashy short lived leasing gimmicks
2. Engage on de-carbonisation as a softer intro to wider lease re-gear conversations with your occupiers
3. Design for flexibility from day one – it can’t be retro-fitted
4. Refurbishing around occupiers can be done! Engage early, communicate clearly, execute with discipline
5. Occupiers drive value – don’t be caught the wrong side of a future yield bifurcation
6. Involve your valuers early to ensure you spend smartly and avoid investing cap ex in the wrong areas
7. Be brave – embrace new flexible lease structures and new rent review mechansims
8. Collaborate with your occupiers over data and upskill property managers to provide genuine insight in order to unlock wins for everyone
9. Be relentlessly occupier focussed!

Our end-to-end Consultancy teams are uniquely positioned to guide asset owners and investors, of all sectors, on aligning the varied and changing needs of occupiers to the current and future performance of their assets.  

Find out more about the event, insights and case studies on our hub.

Get in touch to find out more about working with us.