Covid-19 irreversibly changed the commercial office market like nothing that had come before. Where once office-based working was the norm; the pandemic drove a shift to hybrid and remote working that is unlikely to ever fully shift back. The result is a supply of office space that outstrips current demand.
For commercial real estate agents, such as CBRE, Savills, or Cushman & Wakefield, the result is a challenge to present the very best facilities at the floorspaces that they’re the custodian of so that they not only secure quality tenants but, importantly, ensure those tenants remain happy so that they remain in situ long-term.
Whilst a significant focus of that responsibility is on the facilities that each tenant will call their own, the importance of communal facilities such as the main reception, stairwells and lifts and, critically, WCs and washrooms, simply cannot be underestimated.
Creating these first-class facilities in the first place is vital, but so too is keeping abreast of ongoing maintenance, repairs, and refurbishment. The reality is, though, that these are areas that can easily fall down the list of priorities – often because of the perceived disruption that they create.
Tenants – who are increasingly choosing to cycle or run to work – demand washroom facilities that aren’t reminiscent of high school changing rooms; whilst attracting the best catering staff who will feed tenants and their visitors alike, requires commercial kitchen facilities that rival the best in the industry. These facilities aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re often the deal breakers in securing valuable long-term tenants.
Here at BRAC, we’re unmatched in our ability to deliver these projects whilst avoiding occupancy down time! Through our sister companies, BRAC Projects and BRAC Contracts, we offer a turnkey solution that includes the design, manufacture and installation of high-end, ultra-impressive facilities and all the associated elements of refurbishments. This makes us highly experienced when it comes to delivering refurbishment and renovation projects – without disruption to sitting tenants.
Whilst avoiding disruption in small to medium sized commercial environments may be considered relatively easy, our experience spans some of the most high-profile and commercially significant office spaces in the capital.
When the Department for Education chose to completely renovate its commercial kitchen at its Great Smith Street location, BRAC Contracts was commissioned to deliver the work.
Work focused on a full strip out, and the supply and fitting of all kitchen facilities to include ovens, extractors and pot washing areas. Working closely with the client management team, we identified intelligent working strategies to deal with the complexities of site management, deliveries, waste clearance and health and safety in a busy London location – all within a site that remained operative and open to personnel and visitors throughout the contract. Completion was fast (10 weeks) and within budget!
At Millennium Bridge House, meanwhile, BRAC was commissioned to refurbish 32 blocks of toilets.
Work here included removing all existing sanitaryware and services to leave a shell in which we constructed new ceilings, installed new lighting, cubicles, vanity units and plumbing – all to a very high specification.
The project was carried out in a fully occupied building where client safety and protection to the existing building fabric were of utmost importance. Of course, through our sister company, BRAC Projects, we have access to our own specialist fabrication facility, and this is one of the factors that sets BRAC apart.
So, if you’re a landlord or agent seeking to create stand-out in a highly competitive marketplace, our turnkey solutions, delivered in live environments whilst the premises are occupied, are the solution that you need.
If you have a project in mind and would like to discuss it with us, please call 01268 573 933 or click here.
“We had a tight programme for a technically challenging project and BRAC Contracts managed the project from start to finish meeting our deadlines and delivering an excellent end result. It was an enjoyable experience working with such professionals”.
Paul Holliday – Queensmead School
SPACE have contracted BRAC on a number of occasions, they are a pleasure to work with , highly professional, they care about the detail and offer a value for money service. The BRAC team have a positive, can-do attitude and find solutions to any challenge. We recommend them highly.
Anna Harding – Chief Executive SPACE
The quality of the works undertaken by BRAC for the new Woolwich Ferry Operations office has been most impressive, as has been the efforts by all the construction team to ensure an on schedule and on budget completion.
Mark Willbourn – Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd
