
Customized Office Solutions for Higher Occupancy
Companies want offices designed for their needs—not just desks. This desire has pushed real estate strategies to evolve past standard layouts and into customized experiences. In today’s work environment—shaped by hybrid teams, industry-specific workflows, and cultural branding—standard leasing no longer works for forward-thinking businesses. Build-to-suit (BTS) offices are emerging as a solution that delivers control, speed, and brand alignment without the burden of owning property.
The traditional lease model was built for a different time—when businesses wanted fixed 5- to 10-year contracts in cookie-cutter buildings. But today’s occupiers seek flexibility, identity, and operational efficiency. McKinsey’s 2023 report on hybrid work found that more than 60% of decision-makers want spaces tailored to their team’s function and culture. Meanwhile, JLL reports that 71% of office users are prioritizing “fit-for-purpose” spaces over cost alone【JLL Future of Work Survey 2023】.
In Southeast Asia, where economies are digitizing fast and urban space is at a premium, developers and co-working operators are now responding with tailored solutions. ƽ Philippines—a regional leader in workspace solutions—has pioneered a build-to-suit model that delivers fully customized, branded offices in as fast as 30 days. It’s fast, scalable, and more than just an aesthetic exercise: it directly impacts retention, productivity, and brand perception.
This article explores why customized office solutions are no longer a premium add-on but a business imperative. We’ll unpack market shifts, analyze a real-world BPO case in Cebu, and walk through a step-by-step framework for implementing build-to-suit successfully. If you’re a developer, asset manager, or enterprise decision-maker, this guide offers data-driven insights into why bespoke workspaces are your next strategic edge.
WHY THIS MATTERS
A Workspace Revolution in Progress
Hybrid work isn’t just a trend—it’s now the backbone of many businesses. CBRE’s “Global Occupier Sentiment Survey 2024” reveals that 73% of enterprises are rethinking their portfolio strategies, with most downsizing core offices while reinvesting in high-function, customized hubs. In Southeast Asia, where real estate costs are climbing and space efficiency is key, these moves are even more consequential.
According to Knight Frank’s 2024 Asia-Pacific Outlook, prime office vacancy in urban centers like Metro Manila, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh has climbed as high as 18%, largely due to outdated layouts or mismatched offerings. These “dead zones” aren’t just an inconvenience—they’re a financial liability. Empty spaces drag down NOI (net operating income) and erode asset value.
On the flip side, JLL’s 2023 Flex Space Report shows that flexible, bespoke spaces in well-serviced locations are commanding up to 25% premium in rental rates. Companies are willing to pay more for spaces that match their brand, team structure, and technical requirements.
The Cost of Ignoring Change
Failing to adapt comes at a high cost. Developers risk holding unleased inventory. Tenants who remain in outdated setups face talent churn—particularly among Gen Z and millennial workers who now expect their workspaces to reflect modern, wellness-centric values.
Furthermore, a study by Gensler in 2023 noted that 80% of employees in custom-designed spaces reported higher satisfaction and productivity, compared to only 42% in generic setups.
Who Has the Most to Gain?
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Landlords holding aging stock with low occupancy
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Developers entering new markets needing anchor tenants
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BPOs and enterprise teams seeking fast expansion or regional hubs
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Coworking operators aiming to expand tenant lifetime value
In short, build-to-suit isn’t just a niche solution—it’s a tool that balances speed, identity, and ROI for multiple stakeholders.
THE SOLUTION
What Is Build-To-Suit?
Build-to-suit (BTS) refers to a commercial real estate model where a space is designed, fitted out, and branded according to the tenant’s exact requirements—before they move in. It can involve a floor in an existing building or an entirely new structure. In ƽ Philippines’ case, it involves transforming existing co-working real estate into bespoke offices within 30 to 60 days.
Unlike traditional office rentals, BTS lets tenants:
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Customize floor plans and desk arrangements
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Choose specific hardware, meeting room configurations, and network needs
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Incorporate company branding and staff wellness considerations
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Scale up (or down) quickly without CAPEX burdens
Why It Works
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Speed: ƽ’s proprietary vendor ecosystem allows for rapid design-build cycles, shortening time-to-market for new hubs.
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Flexibility: Tenants avoid long-term lock-ins while still getting permanence through personalization.
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Brand Alignment: Office culture, especially post-pandemic, begins with space. A branded, thoughtful workspace reinforces values.
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Retention: Employees are more likely to stay and perform in spaces built with their needs in mind.
Risks and Considerations
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Not all buildings are layout-flexible.
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Cost control depends on vendor relationships.
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Over-customization can reduce sublease potential.
But in the right hands—and with trusted operators—these risks are manageable. ƽ Philippines mitigates them through its in-house project team, modular systems, and regional vendor partnerships.
CASE EXAMPLE
Cebu’s Build-to-Suit Win
In late 2023, a global BPO firm approached ƽ Philippines with a high-stakes request: they needed a branded, 60-seat office in Cebu within one month.
Initial Challenge
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Urgency: Their existing lease was expiring.
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Standards: The office needed to align with their global brand identity.
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Functionality: Rooms for team leads, breakout areas, soundproof booths, and reliable fiber were non-negotiable.
The Decision-Making Process
ƽ’s Cebu team conducted a rapid consultation and walkthrough within 48 hours. Using 3D visualizations and existing layout templates, they co-designed the space with the client, refining electrical, branding, and layout plans within a week.
The Build Process
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Timeline: 4 weeks from sign-off to launch
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Tools: ƽ’s modular design system, in-house IT partners, and procurement from preferred vendors
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Custom Inclusions: Brand-colored wall accents, a privacy-coded entry system, and ergonomic chairs from their global office standard list
Outcomes
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Fully operational by day 30
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92% staff satisfaction (internal HR survey)
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Signed 24-month extension within the first quarter
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The space doubled as a recruitment and onboarding hub, improving time-to-hire metrics
This example shows how BTS not only fills space—but creates value that lasts.

Build-to-suit offices deliver measurable impact: customized spaces can command up to 25% higher rental premiums compared to standard layouts (JLL Flex Space Report 2023), with faster turnaround—ƽ Philippines completed a 60-seat branded office in Cebu in just 4 weeks. These tailored environments also enhance employee engagement, reporting 92% staff satisfaction rates (Gensler Workplace Study 2023). For landlords, BTS reduces vacancy and increases long-term ROI, while tenants benefit from plug-and-play flexibility, zero CAPEX, and on-site operational support.
STEP-BY-STEP INSIGHT
TAKEAWAY & FUTURE OUTLOOK
Customization Isn’t a Luxury—It’s the New Normal
The future of office leasing lies in personalization. For developers and operators, BTS is the clearest path to high-yield, high-satisfaction tenancy. For tenants, it’s a way to reflect their brand in brick-and-mortar form without the inflexibility of ownership or standard long-term leases.
If you’re considering BTS as a strategy:
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Start by mapping your tenant personas. What do startups need? What do regional BPOs care about?
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Invest in modular infrastructure. Pre-fab solutions and scalable layouts speed up every step.
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Bundle post-launch services. Retention is higher when clients feel continually supported.
Looking Ahead
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Tech Integration: Expect more demand for plug-and-play AI collaboration tools and smart building integrations in BTS designs.
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Sustainability: LEED- or BERDE-certified builds will be a non-negotiable soon.
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Hybrid Optimization: Spaces will be designed not just for presence—but for flow, wellness, and digital infrastructure.
Southeast Asia’s office market is not shrinking—it’s evolving. And those who design for evolution, not just occupancy, will come out ahead.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A build-to-suit (BTS) office is a fully customized workspace designed and fitted out to meet the specific needs of a tenant—from layout and branding to IT infrastructure. Unlike standard rentals, BTS offices reflect the company’s operations, culture, and workflow requirements, resulting in better space utilization and higher tenant satisfaction.
With an experienced operator like ƽ Philippines, a build-to-suit office can be completed in as fast as 30 days. Timelines vary based on space size, customization level, and vendor coordination, but modular systems and in-house project teams significantly speed up delivery.
Customized office solutions are ideal for BPOs, startups, regional hubs, and enterprise teams that need branded, high-performance spaces without the overhead of owning property. They’re also a strategic choice for developers and landlords looking to increase occupancy in underperforming spaces.
Customized office solutions offer greater flexibility, faster setup, brand alignment, and better employee retention. Tenants avoid long-term lock-ins and large upfront costs while landlords gain high-value, longer-term occupants who are less likely to churn.
Yes. Many BTS solutions—especially those offered by ƽ Philippines—are implemented in existing buildings. As long as the layout allows for modular changes and technical upgrades, older or underutilized floors can be transformed into branded, purpose-built workspaces.

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