For commercial landlords, the market has shifted. Most tenants (particularly SMEs) no longer want a blank canvas to make their own, they’re after a well-designed office space that’s easy and fast to move in to.
Compared to how it worked previously – when landlords could hand tenants the keys to a bare space and say something along the lines of ‘you got this right?’ – this market shift has undeniably made commercial landlord’s lives more difficult.
The biggest new challenge being – how to create an office that attracts tenants today while remaining flexible enough to meet future demands. This isn’t about keeping up with trends. It’s about reducing costly void periods, ensuring long-term tenancies, and making your portfolio stand out in a competitive London market.
1. Design for immediate appeal
The aim here is that a prospective tenant can walk into your space and feel they could start working there tomorrow. This can mean a number of things, but it’s good to start with these three areas of focus:
- A stylish aesthetic with mass appeal – neutral palettes paired with quality finishes appeal to most tenants as they require very little work but still allow businesses to make the space their own.
- Amenity-rich layouts – breakout areas, quiet corners, and collaborative spaces are no longer “nice to have” – tenants are likely to now expect these as standard.
- Plug-and-play functionality – you’ll want to ensure strong connectivity, efficient lighting, and possible even kitting the office with screens so it’s fully ready to go.
These features attract tenants quickly by eliminating the time and cost barriers of fitting out an empty shell.
2. Build in flexibility for the long term
With hybrid working continuing to shape office needs, offices designed with flexibility in mind give tenants fewer reasons to move on. That means fewer empty office periods for landlords. To achieve a flexible design, you may want to consider:
- Modular layouts – movable partitions and adaptable furniture let businesses scale up or down without major works.
- Multi-functional spaces – meeting rooms that double as focus rooms, or breakout areas that work for both collaboration and downtime, maximise usability.
- Sustainability initiatives – Energy-efficient systems, natural light, and biophilic elements don’t just lower operating costs, they align with the ESG priorities of modern tenants.
By creating spaces that adapt to tenants’ future needs, landlords improve retention and reduce the churn that leads to empty offices.
3. Prioritise tenant experience
Tenants want a space that helps them attract and retain their own staff.
- Air quality and acoustics – healthy workplaces start with the basics. Good ventilation, sound insulation, and comfortable temperatures improve productivity.
- Design for employee needs – a mix of collaborative and quiet zones ensures the space works for everyone.
- Touch of character – while flexibility is key, adding subtle design features (like quality finishes, feature lighting, or greenery) helps your space feel comfortable
Investing in wellbeing-driven design ensures tenants see your office as an asset to their business.
Future-proofing is a long-term investment
Empty offices cost money. By investing in design features that attract tenants quickly and encourage them to stay longer, landlords can safeguard returns and keep their spaces competitive. At Aster Interiors, we’ve seen first-hand how thoughtful, flexible design can reduce empty office periods and create offices that continue to perform well into the future. If you’d like to explore how to future-proof your office portfolio, we’d be happy to help.