An interview with John Thomas, Managing Director, Assets Xperts
In todayโs rapidly evolving commercial real estate landscape, tailor-made workspaces and strategic investments are essential for fostering productivity and adaptability.
John Thomas, Managing Director of Assets Xperts, shares insights into how personalized environments and thoughtful financial strategies are transforming the industry, enabling businesses to thrive amidst shifting demands.
Assets Xperts is known for delivering tailor-made workspaces. Can you explain the process of designing and delivering customized office spaces for clients, and how you ensure these solutions meet specific requirements?
John Thomas: The entire process begins when a client selects a space from several tailored options. Once the space is chosen and the client briefs us on their seating arrangements and interior preferences, our design team creates the first layout. This is followed by discussions and iterations until the client approves the final design.
Next, we develop 3D renderings based on the approved layout and engage in further discussions about the interiorโs specifications, aesthetics, and overall feel. Through multiple refinements and close collaboration, the final renderings are completed.
At this stage, we prepare the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and finalize the costing. Once the client approves the financial terms, we initiate the interior construction work.
Our role as asset managers involves overseeing the project to ensure that the work proceeds according to the agreed timeline. A dedicated team, including an on-site manager, monitors the daily progress and resolves any issues promptly.
We also provide weekly updates and seek client approvals as needed. Ultimately, itโs a partnership that ensures timely delivery and meets the agreed specifications. Our goal is always to deliver a workspace that fully reflects the clientโs vision.
With two decades of experience in real estate investment and asset management, what key trends do you see shaping the industry today?
John Thomas: As the latest trend, clients look for agility and flexibility in their office space for them to leverage their dynamic nature of business without worrying about the financial implications and long term liability.
While the client now prefers a no-capex model, they still wish for an office space with all their current and near future requirements being fulfilled and that too at their comfort. Beyond a conventional office space, the latest trend has shown the clients moving towards a co-working environment and or managed office setup.
This trend allows companies to focus on their core operations while professionals handle the day-to-day management of the office, providing them with the flexibility and financial control they need.
What factors do you consider most critical when assessing opportunities for market expansion in real estate?
John Thomas: Key factors include the location, the quality and maintenance of the building, tenant profile, acquisition costs, operating expenses, and the propertyโs sale or rental value. These elements ensure that investments are sound and have growth potential.
How do you differentiate your approach across various sectors, such as retail, office spaces, and warehousing?
John Thomas: While the fundamental approach and financial evaluation remain consistent, we account for sector-specific risks and benefits when evaluating opportunities. Each sector has unique dynamics that shape our investment strategies.
What unique challenges do high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) face in real estate investment?
John Thomas: High investment value, market uncertainties, mid to long term horizon, exit probabilities are the few regular challenges in any real estate investments.
Commercial real estate opportunities might have different challenges than residential ones and so is the outcome in terms of return on investment and exit prospects respectively.
What role do you see startups playing in the real estate landscape, and how can they innovate within this traditionally conservative sector?
John Thomas: Startups are the center of attention lately when it comes to office space though it has reasonable influence in other sectors like retail and warehousing.
Startups have already proven to be a major catalyst of commercial space consumption across the nation specially Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities and would be even more critical for the commercial sector in recent future because of the flexi space being in trend and demand as these flexi space majorly thrive on startups.
Real estate sector is rapidly changing gears from its conventional mode to modern trend and can be said that it is no longer a traditionally conservative sector as it has already come a long way with its dynamic and constant changing trend.
What advice would you give to new investors entering the real estate market, and what opportunities do you foresee in the next few years?
John Thomas: Any investment has to be examined with the clear prospective of its value of return on investment. And return on investment could be the monthly/annual return on investment or the appreciation value upon sale between mid -long term but the best opportunity would be when the return outcome is a combination of both fixed monthly/annual return and the property appreciation on sale. Considering the above outcome, one has to choose an investment which offers both fixed return and appreciation.ย
As we navigate the future of commercial real estate, the emphasis on bespoke workspaces and strategic investments will remain pivotal. John Thomasโs expertise highlights the importance of these elements in creating resilient and innovative environments that meet the needs of tomorrowโs workforce.
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