Properties in the shell & core category are offered with only basic modifications, largely without affecting the existing design in terms of interiors and partitions. Both of those parameters are adjusted only upon a specific request made
by the buyer or tenant. Companies seek these types of premises for their clear economic and practical benefits.
This approach saves both money and time as the premises are subsequently adjusted according to the specific
requirements of the new owner or tenant. The trend has become very popular in the Czech Republic in recent years and is applied by property developers in non-residential properties to let as well as in regular residential houses and flats.The shell & core approach was first used in the US in the sphere of rental office space. The expectations and needs of tenants often differed significantly from the arrangements and facilities on offer resulting in considerable amounts of requests for interior modifications causing extra costs and delays. Developers therefore came up with a simple concept that quickly spread around the world. A good example of shell & core done well can be found in the
ByTy Malešice project in Prague 10. Here, a residential property includes non-residential part making use of the shell & core principle.We contacted Jan Pustina (pictured), business and marketing director at ByTy Malešice, to learn why businesses seek this kind of premises and to hear about the latest trends on the commercial premises market.
Why are shell & core premises in such high demand in this country?
The main reason for this system ta-
king off so well in the Czech Republic
lies in its solutions in terms of issues
of costs and the efficient use of the
space available. The initial outlay to
acquire the desired premises is redu-
ced for the customer while they can
determine the office sizes and arrange
the whole working environment
according to their particular needs.
Some customers prefer bigger spaces
while others seek smaller individual
offices. What we offer is unlimited
variability with which they can work to achieve exactly what they need.
How does this approach work in practice?
It is all very simple, really. After a potential customer enquires about suitable premises we show them their
options and agree subsequent steps by specifying how much space and floor area they require, what their business
needs are and their vision of the final premises. We can offer spaces with floor areas from 16 square metres to 303 sqm. As soon as the client makes their decision they receive from us all the necessary documentation as well as support in obtaining all required permits. Commercial spaces in ByTy Malešice are mostly used by businesses and entrepreneurs in the service sector. They benefit from the proximity of residential properties that bring a broad range of potential customers underpinning the growth of their business.
When is it better to make use of ready-made premises and when does shell & core make more sense?
This depends entirely on a client’s priorities and expectations, and the degree to which they wish to become
involved in the design of the final working environment. In any case, shell& core premises are the more sought-
after alternative. The ability to arrange the premises from start to finish according to one’s needs and desires is too attractive to pass on.However, there is another important aspect to it as it can also save money since there is no need to remove any existing structures before applying one’s own design. As a general rule, the bigger the client, the greater the demands on both the spatial arrangement and interior synergies as they seek to fulfil their needs.