Making High-Performance CRE Accessible For All

The evidence is clear: energy efficiency and carbon reduction are some of the  essential drivers of high-performing real estate portfolios.

Since GreenPlace was founded in 2015, we’ve consistently shown how reducing energy use and carbon emissions can directly impact income, operating costs, and asset value. Our proprietary appraisal models help clients evaluate cost-benefit scenarios and capital expenditure timing, supporting smarter investment decisions. The result? Better-performing assets—both financially and also in less tangible, but equally important, ways.

However too often, this opportunity is seen as the domain of large institutional investors with billion-pound portfolios and extensive resources.

In the “non-institutional” market where does that leave a SIPP investor with two properties, or a private company managing 20 assets and an SME that owns a single asset to run its business?   

The Size of the “Non-Institutional” CRE Market

To answer that question, it’s worth understanding just how significant the non-institutional segment of the UK commercial property market really is:

• Over 99% of UK businesses are classified as SMEs.
  
• Our analysis of UK government data shows 93% of non-domestic properties could be classed as non-institutional.
  
• These represent 36% of total UK commercial floor area.
  
• According to the Investment Property Forum (Feb 2025), £40bn of CRE is owned by individuals, SIPPs, and family offices—more than the £34bn owned by UK insurance funds.

This market is not only large; it’s highly diverse. Yet too often, its owners are left out of the conversation and lack the strategies, services, and support designed to deliver high-performing real estate. 

This needs to change. 

Our Framework for High-Performance CRE

At GreenPlace, we believe the principles of high-performance CRE are the same regardless of portfolio size. We frame them as follows:

• Amenity
  Value-add features that help attract and retain tenants—critical to long-term income stability.
  
• Efficiency
  With rising costs—from rates to insurance to energy—lowering the total cost of occupancy benefits both owners and occupiers.
  
• Technology & Data
  Affordable, actionable insights are now possible through AI and data tools—leveling the playing field for all owners.
  
• Resilience
  Obsolescence—whether physical, financial, or functional—is a growing risk. Managing it protects both value and viability.
  
• Regenerative Thinking
  Emphasising reuse, retrofit, renewables, and space flexibility brings long-term benefits and lower carbon assets.
  
• Financial Return
  Higher occupancy, lower OpEx, compliance, and better insurance or lending terms—all are measurable outcomes of a high-performance approach.

Making It Practical for All Owners

So how do we bring these principles within reach for all asset owners—not just large institutions?

By tailoring insights and tools to the unique characteristics of each asset and ownership model. That’s why we built the GreenPlace High-Performance Platform — software designed specifically for CRE owners of any size.

With just a postcode, the platform delivers:

• A snapshot of current asset performance and local sub-market context
  
• EPC benchmarking and upgrade cost estimates
  
• Projected energy cost savings and retrofit expenses
  
• Risk metrics like potential fines or grid capacity constraints
  
• Estimated tax credits and available grant funding
  

These insights help owners make informed decisions—whether underwriting a purchase, updating an asset strategy, or launching a leasing campaign.

The GreenPlace Platform reflects our passion: to bring practical, data-driven high-performance strategies to every CRE owner—no matter the scale. And for those who need more hands-on support, our team of real estate professionals and energy engineers is always here to help.