Anja shares her thoughts on unlocking the untapped value of city assets

“The retrofit market is about creating win-win scenarios…those who act decisively, leverage strategic reuse and unlock latent value can deliver outsized returns in a market increasingly defined by environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.”

JRA Director Anja Schellenbauer recently contributed her thoughts in Property Week, reflecting on how challenging times present an opportunity to amplify retrofit design:

“In the UK, a more wholesome approach to adaptive reuse is maturing. A disciplined and holistic evaluation of a building’s potential maximises retention and reuse in the growing appreciation that a circular economy is the key to net zero.”

Material banks, platforms that enable the reuse and redistribution of surplus building components, are gaining momentum, helping to cut waste and reduce procurement costs. In parallel, incorporating retained elements is emerging as a defining feature of progressive approaches, combining cost efficiency with sustainability goals.

The past year has presented a sector under pressure, but also full of opportunity:

“Assets that embrace emerging standards early will not only mitigate compliance risk but also position themselves for premium valuations and stronger occupier demand. Nonetheless, commercial viability will hinge on striking a strategic balance in building design. This means evaluating not only the physical fabric of a building but also its cultural, contextual and market relevance.” she adds.

As budgets tighten and expectations rise, retrofit is emerging as the clearest path to maximising the untapped value of existing assets to create sustainable, future-ready spaces.

Read full Article: Property Week