Commercial & Retail Advisory

Commercial and retail leases can have significant long-term financial implications. We assist landlords and tenants throughout lease negotiations, providing an independent perspective on the commercial terms and helping clients understand the broader implications of the proposed agreement.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include reviewing and benchmarking proposed rental terms, incentives, lease periods, options, outgoings and other key commercial considerations.

Our role is to help ensure the agreed terms are commercially appropriate and aligned with the client's objectives. Where appropriate, we work alongside the client's legal and accounting advisers to ensure commercial considerations are properly addressed before the lease is finalised.

Finding the right commercial or retail premises involves more than identifying an available property. We work with clients to understand their operational requirements, location preferences, budget and long-term objectives before identifying suitable leasing opportunities.

We assess available properties against the broader requirements of the business, including location, accessibility, surrounding uses, tenancy characteristics, rental levels and potential for future growth.

Our network of agents, landlords and property professionals also provides access to opportunities that may not be widely advertised. Once a suitable opportunity has been identified, we assist throughout the negotiation and leasing process.

For landlords and property owners, finding the right tenant can be just as important as achieving the right rental. We assist in identifying and assessing prospective tenants, considering not only their ability to meet the commercial terms but also their suitability for the property, location and broader tenancy mix.

For retail properties in particular, tenant selection can have a significant impact on the performance and positioning of the surrounding centre or precinct.

We consider the broader leasing strategy and help owners assess opportunities based on both immediate income and longer-term asset performance.

Securing the right premises is only the beginning for many commercial and retail occupiers. We can assist clients in coordinating the process between securing a lease and commencing operations, including consideration of fit-out requirements, project costs, timelines and consultant requirements.

Where appropriate, we can help coordinate architects, designers, builders and other consultants to ensure the proposed fit-out is aligned with the operational requirements of the business and the terms of the lease.

Our role is to provide commercial oversight and coordination, helping clients understand the cost, timing and practical implications of the proposed works.

Understanding whether a commercial or retail property is appropriately priced is critical when negotiating a lease, reviewing an existing tenancy or assessing an investment. We undertake market benchmarking to provide an objective assessment of rental levels and relevant commercial terms.

This may include consideration of: comparable leases, rental rates, incentives, lease terms, outgoings, location, property characteristics, tenant and tenancy profile, and current market conditions.

The objective is to provide clients with a clear understanding of where a property or proposed lease sits within the current market.

Before committing to a commercial or retail property, it is important to understand whether the opportunity makes financial sense. We undertake preliminary feasibility assessments to help clients understand the potential costs, income and commercial outcomes associated with a property or proposed project.

Depending on the nature of the opportunity, this may include consideration of: acquisition or leasing costs, rental income, incentives, fit-out costs, development costs, holding costs, operating costs, potential end value, expected returns, and market conditions.

Our feasibility analysis provides a framework for decision-making and helps identify opportunities, risks and potential constraints before significant resources are committed.

A property's existing use is not always its most valuable use. We assess commercial and retail properties to identify potential alternative uses or strategies that may create greater value for the owner or investor.

This may involve considering: existing use, planning controls, location and surrounding uses, market demand, rental potential, development opportunities, conversion opportunities, repositioning strategies, capital expenditure, and potential end value.

By considering the property from both a market and strategic perspective, we help clients understand whether the existing use remains the best use of the asset or whether an alternative strategy may provide a stronger outcome.

Our commercial and retail advisory services are not limited to a single lease or transaction. We help clients consider the broader performance and potential of their property, whether that means renegotiating an existing lease, finding a new tenant, relocating a business, repositioning an asset, undertaking a fit-out or assessing an alternative use.

By combining market intelligence, commercial analysis and practical property experience, we help clients make decisions based on both the immediate opportunity and the property's longer-term potential.