CBRE FACADE CONSULTANCY

C B R E FA Ç A D E C O N S U LTA N C Y

Maximising the value of real estate

C B R E

FA Ç A D E

C O N S U LTA N C Y

A Ni c he within a Niche

2

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

C

O

N

S

T

R

U

C

T

I

O

CBRE Façade Consultancy is thriving as a unique and industry leading service provider under the guidance of an equally prominent market heavyweight; subsequently adhering itself to numerous high profile projects, both in the UK and abroad Writer: Matthew Staff | Project Manager: Tom Cullum

N

EME s a globally-renowned real estate company comprising more than 75,000 employees around the world, it would seem that, on the face of it, CBRE has cemented its position among the industry elite; but for a multidisciplined specialist that places continuous improvement at the heart of its structure, the job is never done.

CBRE Façade Consultancy is one of several specialist service lines operating within the UK building consultancy, headed by EMEA Executive, David Hitchcock, and it comprises a turnkey offering that entails aspects of environmental consultancy, mechanical and electrical services, vertical transportation, geomatics and 3D, and planning.

“CBRE is the only real estate consultancy to have its own in-house but independent Façade Consultancy.

This provides a ‘one-stop’ service wherein all other services are fullyintegrated; the client being the ultimate winner,” introduces Facade Consultancy Director, Diego Alves.

“Overall, the Company provides comprehensive valuation, advisory and consulting services for real estate owners, investors and lenders, combining specialised expertise and premier technologies to deliver industry-leading advice.

“We offer our clients unique perspectives and access to the largest valuation database and the most valuable proprietary data in the industry. This is done with one key objective in mind: enabling our clients to make confident, informed business decisions.”

CBRE Ltd is among Fortune’s list of the top 500 largest US-based public companies, but closer to home in EMEA, a host of value-add offerings help to add further strings to the company bow.

These include advisory and transaction services, capital markets, industrial and logistics, sustainability, asset services

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

3

C B R E

F A Ç A D E

C O N S U L T A N C Y

The ability to act flexibly and quickly as an autonomous strand of a giant organisation has proved to be a key advantage for each CBRE subsidiary, and especially for its Façade Consultancy division. And it has also facilitated concerted diversification of service lines as a consequence.

“We have evolved to respond to client-driven requests for façaderelated services including health & safety aspects, and one example has seen CBRE implement overhead glazing inspections as standard in own-managed properties, but also as a standalone independent service for external clients,” Alves explains.

“Other new skills are related to project management or heritage to name a few, which complement core services which include expert witness in legal cases, to preparation of planned preventive maintenance inspections, and schedules to façade reports for acquisition or disposal of properties.

“Across the board we have The façade team has worked on and monitored a variety of iconic properties across London embraced and responded to each far as 200 years ago, initially as Richard client’s demands.” and Alves’ aforementioned niche, A more poignant recent instance has Ellis before being incorporated by US Facade Consultancy. followed on from the tragic Grenfell company, Coldwell Banker to become “In the UK we have further House Fire in London, whereby CBRE CB Richard Ellis. specialisms including valuation and has subsequently responded to Later transforming into today’s advisory services, global workplace guise, the journey has been remarkable Government’s and property owners’ solutions and investment properties,” calls for assistance in finding more and CBRE now stands as a truly global he continues. “And ultimately, across entity with façade consultancy services appropriate solutions to safeguard these parameters, the aspiration of against fire risks; a notion that that emanate from as far afield as the Company is to be a market leader, Mumbai, Johannesburg, and numerous showcases CBRE’s reputation in the globally, and particularly in regard to the market and region, and its expertise European hubs. quality and breadth of commercial and “This can change day-to-day as well, across critical domains. technical advice we provide to our clients.

Alves adds: “CBRE is heavily involved depending on the source of enquiry,” “This has made clients very Alves notes. “The Façade Consultancy with a considerable number of high successful in their individual profile clients and their properties, services clients within CBRE but also endeavours and we expect that that particularly with our involvement in those who approach us directly, trust will continue unabated in the acquisitions or disposal of prime real appreciating our wide range of years to come. I have no doubt that in estate in EMEA. We have been involved technical and commercial experience the following years, that goal will be in some of the largest transactions in and knowledge base. achieved and hopefully surpassed.” the UK, including the largest London “We therefore, regularly, cover property transaction in UK history. portfolio work across EMEA and one Quality and professionalism “The quality and professionalism of our strengths is the quick response CBRE Ltd as it is known today is a of all our service lines is compounded business heavyweight and a renowned and turnaround of such instructions, by our vast experience and expert whether they require actual on-site name in industry circles, but its road knowledge of the real estate industry.” presence or information review.” to prominence can be traced back as

4

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

C

O

N

S

T

R

U

C

T

I

O

EME

N

London Architectural Glazing Ltd is a specialised glazing subcontractor and has been working closely with Diego Alves at CBRE for over a decade. We specialise in supply and installtion of new aluminium windows & doors, new glazing (Including rooflights) and curtain walling systems as well as small unitised projects. We also offer consultancy on glazing and façades of buildings worldwide and maintenance of old glazing systems. If you are thinking of replacing failed double glazing units or want to achieve a new look to your building resulting in improved thermal performance and reduced energy costs, we can offer the best advice to achieve a costeffective solution in this sector.

T: +44 (0) 20 8558 4547 F: +44 (0)20 8711 3527 E: Info@lagl.co.uk www.lagl.co.uk

Increased complexity

The façade team has worked on and monitored a variety of iconic properties both in London and abroad across design and construction operations; offering advice and consultancy expertise on design issues, long-term performance, cost effectiveness, general efficiencies and legal expert witness.

And Alves sheds light on why such a seemingly staple contributor carries so much importance: “A quality façade represents about 20-35 percent of the capital cost of a project. The increased complexity and architectural articulation of the façade imposes a huge burden in the design, specification and delivery of a façade, so that it will provide the performance characteristics demanded of it.

“At CBRE we go beyond these stages and also advise clients on the façade performance during its service life or upgrade/replacement options.”

Facilitating such scope in a

complex space is a series of internal improvements courtesy of the wider CBRE group, including a host of yearon-year technological advancements, software improvements - including e-filing - and cloud platforms to ensure the Company’s internal infrastructure can keep ahead of the business’s own extensive growth.

A niche within a niche

Perhaps understandably though, the key internal asset is attributed as the Company’s workforce and driving HR team which ensures the success of optimum hiring, training and retention strategies.

Alves enthuses: “CBRE has many longstanding employees because the Company has created an excellent working environment, focusing on proactive management style, extramural activities and diversity. It is part of CBRE’s CSR policy to actively engage employees in activities with a social aspect.

“This has been a very successful approach, demonstrated by our threeyear partnership programme with Shelter, a UK charity, where we have raised more than £1M.” Alves goes on to note that the unique skill-sets and the diverse, multilingual make-up of the staff compliment is what keeps CBRE in an enviable market position, as it facilitates being able to cover the full spectrum of client requirements, industry demographics and geographic regions.

“The Façade Consultancy team at CBRE has a real advantage in that we are the only real estate advisors to provide such a range and quality of services,” he concludes. “It is said that façade engineering is a niche profession and this may be true.

“However the Façade Consultancy team at CBRE is a niche within a niche: we are façade experts in the real estate industry, thus offering clients a completely different approach to their asset or investment opportunity.”

WWW.EMEOUTLOOKMAG.COM

5

CBRE Ltd, St Martins Court, 10 Paternoster Row, London EC4m 7HP Tel: 0044 (0)20 7182 2000 diego.alves@cbre.com

www.cbre.co.uk

www.outlookpublishing.com