Character drawing in tenants

Wood-covered boardrooms and sterile fit-outs are fading as more commercial tenants gravitate towards "workplaces with a difference" in older character buildings.

"Today, people want to be more stimulated and creative," says Bayleys commercial leasing manager Brett Whalley.

"They want an environment with strong components, breakout areas and interesting meeting rooms. We are crossing the boundary from a working environment into a more relaxed home-like environment and areas need to be multi-purposed and integrated."

These changes are affecting the way in which commercial tenancies need to be presented, says Whalley. Some landlords are going to have to reconsider how commercial buildings are designed and fitted out if they want to attract and keep tenants. In an economy where there is a low unemployment rate, employers need to retain staff and an important aspect of this is providing stimulating work environments.

A desire for people and businesses to establish a distinctive identity has led to an increase in the demand for unique and character premises.

Interiors with interesting features such as polished concrete or floorboards, high studs, track lighting and exposed beams are becoming increasingly sought after, says Whalley.

Although traditionally these types of premises only attracted a certain type of tenant, more recently this group has expanded to include more mainstream companies.

Generally, character spaces tend to be on the smaller side and don't offer all the mod cons, says Whalley, but they do offer atmosphere.

Recently, Bayleys leased a character building at 5 Princes St to the Institute for Strategic Leadership. Institute director Geoffrey Lorigan says it was important for the organisation to obtain premises that reflected its business.

"We were located at the University of Auckland but the space was too small for our expanding operation. We wanted to remain close to the campus and have premises that were welcoming and full of character."

The institute, which offers strategic leadership courses to business and public organisations, now has an environment that caters for a variety of needs - areas to hold functions, indoors and outdoors, room for consultants and quiet areas for clients.

The premises on Princes St were leased relatively quickly and Whalley says that this reflects the demand for character premises. He says the changing face of the city and the new urban design taskforce, set up by the Auckland City Council, will mean that many character premises are retained and upgraded.

Bayleys does have a first-floor 310sq m tenancy in Queen St for sub-lease which was a former art gallery.

The large original windows provide plenty of natural light and the high stud, wooden floorboards and white-on-white paint provide a pleasant ambience, says leasing agent Joycelyne Ghee. The space has semi-partitions to near stud level, kitchen facilities and dual entrance from Queen St and Lorne St.

Other character premises in the central city include a five-level building at 1 Princes St, which has harbour views, small floors of 100sq m and a mix of open-plan and individual rooms. It is being marketed by Lorne Somerville and short and medium-term leases are available.

Character space outside of the CBD is also attracting attention. A tenancy that has recently been refurbished at 17-19 Mercury Lane, Newton, offers 344sq m of space featuring polished floors and new kitchen and toilet facilities. It is being marketed by Simon Brake and Andre Siegert.

Whalley says a number of other tenancies are available in various sizes.