News 26 March 2025

Re-modelling in Construction: Repurposing Spaces for Sustainability and Relevance

We recently had the pleasure of sponsoring and attending the UK Office Series: Adapting to a New Era Of Workspaces Conference, hosted by Lendlease at the Turing Building at Stratford Cross.

Woman in black top speaking into a microphone at a Bisnow event panel, wearing a lanyard badge, seated in a grey chair.

We recently had the pleasure of sponsoring and attending the UK Office Series: Adapting to a New Era Of Workspaces Conference, hosted by Lendlease at the Turing Building at Stratford Cross.

Holly Price, Keltbray’s Sustainability Director moderated a panel discussion on the theme of: The Retrofit Revolution: Repurposing Spaces for Sustainability and Relevance.

Holly was joined on the panel by:

Laura Collins, Development Director, Stanhope PLC
Kate Green, Director of Workplace, The Crown Estate
Mark Swetman, CEO, LS Estates
Jon Eaglesham, Managing Director, Barr Gazetas

Five panellists seated on stage at a Bisnow event, speaking to an audience, in front of a bright blue branded backdrop.

Below is a summary of the session:

The construction and fit-out industry is experiencing a significant shift towards retrofit and remodelling as an alternative to demolition. With increasing pressure to enhance sustainability and optimise existing building stock, retrofit is gaining momentum as a viable and forward-thinking approach.

The Retrofit Revolution

Retrofit is emerging as a preferred strategy in the industry.
An estimated 93% of office stock already exists, making sustainability and future-proofing a primary concern.
Retrofitting can help balance supply and demand, reducing reliance on new builds.
The Crown Estate’s prioritization of retrofit projects highlights its viability as a key investment strategy.

Challenges & Solutions in Retrofitting

Stock Selection: Only buildings with “good bones”—solid structural integrity—are viable for retrofitting.
Building Discovery Risks: Unforeseen structural and compliance issues make retrofitting financially and technically unpredictable.
Occupier Preferences: Many tenants prefer new builds due to risk transfer concerns, posing a challenge for retrofit adoption.
Tenant Expectations: Modern amenities such as terraces, fire compliance measures, and upgraded plant spaces must be integrated into retrofitted properties.
Expert Teams: Success in retrofitting requires a dedicated team with the right expertise and adaptive mindset.

Four panellists seated on a stage before a blue branded backdrop, facing a large seated audience in a modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Capital & Workforce for Retrofitting

Investment Readiness: Equity markets remain strong for the right retrofit projects, with capital available for competitively bid developments.
Skilled Workforce Shortages: A lack of specialized professionals may hinder large-scale retrofit efforts.
Scaling Retrofit Efforts: While scaling is underway, collaboration, enhanced skill sets, and strategic planning are crucial.

Sustainability & Tenant Expectations

Energy Efficiency as a Standard: Tenants now expect buildings to meet high energy efficiency and sustainability benchmarks.
Future-Proofing: Buildings must integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors, operational efficiency, and long-term investment strategies to remain competitive.

Retrofit and remodelling are shaping the future of the built environment. With the right approach, industry collaboration, and commitment to sustainability, the sector can meet the growing demand for efficient, future-ready buildings.

At Keltbray, remodelling is one of our core capabilities in supporting clients through early engagement to help them achieve their sustainability targets. Our integrated service offering enables us to efficiently manage all aspects of a project—from design to construction—under one roof.