Over the past few decades, BRM Projects has secured its place as a leading provider of commercial property and workplace solutions. We know property, and we use this knowledge to provide our clients with an exceptional experience that goes beyond the signing of a lease. 

We’ve worked with all kinds of organisations, from professional services to large scale Not For Profits and Government Authorities. Aside from our vast client base, it’s our unique skillset as consultants that sets us apart from other property providers. 

Australia's financial sector has been captivated by the workplace design trend of ABW (Activity Based Working), with major firms such as PWC adopting the model almost a decade ago and other similar firms following suit. 

When BRM Projects began working with knp Solutions, a Melbourne-based accounting firm, it was settled into its 22 year old traditional office space with a location and building that was suited to both clients and staff.

It was an unexpected eviction notice mid-lease and additional partners that triggered the need for a change of location and company direction.....

​Just because there’s an option in your lease to roll over, is it really the best option for your business?
 
The question “Should I stay or should I go?” is one that should be considered carefully, even as early as mid-way through your lease. Commercial leasing is undoubtedly a more lengthy and complicated process than residential leasing, therefore more time should be given to sorting out possibilities, from lease renewal, to searching for a new premises altogether. 

In A Nutshell…
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Activity based working is rapidly taking over traditional ways of working. The flexibility and freedom to move throughout different spaces in the workplace is a highly valued and very necessary part of modern work. These spaces are tailored to different types of work activities and are used by employees for different purposes, making the workspace more dynamic and ultimately more productive. 

Leesman defines activity based working as more of a “business strategy” than a “workplace strategy”, providing multiple work settings to meet the individual’s working needs and helping them implement certain tasks. 

BRM Projects has always enjoyed working on meaningful projects for organisations with a powerful message. Our work in the Not-For-Profit sector has seen us working with teams and individuals who care about their cause and work tirelessly to promote it.
 
We’ve partnered with Mike Zervos in the past on a number of different projects for charities he has worked for, providing property advice and office fit-outs. We’re now excited to join him as commercial property advisors in his newest role as Chief Executive Officer for Courage to Care, an outreach program that uses the memory of the Holocaust to encourage the fight against prejudice and discrimination.
 
We recently sat down with Mike to talk about past experiences together and to discuss his current role in this fantastic initiative.

What Is A Make Good?

A ‘Make Good’ obligation is essentially what it sounds like. It is the tenant’s obligation, when reaching the end of the lease term, to ensure that they ‘make good’ the premises before leaving. This is a standard clause of most commercial leases requiring the tenant to return the property to the landlord in its original, clean and tidy state. 

Make Goods exist in order to be fair to both parties when it comes to the make good works the tenant will be required to undertake. A well drafted Make Good clause will specify how certain areas and items will be handled at the end of the lease, making it clear for everyone. This may involve fit-outs installed by the tenant or ownership of certain items within the property. Ultimately, the Make Good clause contributes to a more seamless leasing process and avoids disputes between the tenant and landlord upon the end of the lease. 

There are certain projects we love delivering at BRM. Often they present a challenge by way of time or circumstance. WingArc Australia was one such project. 

BRM Projects came on board to offer strategic guidance at a time when WingArc Australia was undergoing a period of significant transition. Our involvement in the company’s move to a new workplace reflected the type of guidance we offer and how that guidance can make the difference between a quick fix and a truly successful outcome for the business.

​BRM Real Estate has secured a long term lease for OzChild at 14 Mason St Dandenong. The deal is the next exciting step in the execution of the national service provider’s Accommodation Strategy, facilitated by BRM Projects.

BRM Projects has provided strategic property advice to its client, OzChild for over one and a half years. Its sister company, BRM Real Estate finalised the lease, on behalf of OzChild, at the former ATO Building, 14 Mason St, Dandenong in mid July 2018. The property will become OzChild’s first major office hub for Victoria’s South East and the blueprint for future offices. 

The lease, which was secured through negotiations by BRM Real Estate and Josh Tebb from Jones Lang Lasalle, is the first in a number of leases for OzChild being sought after by BRM Real Estate. 

Indrani Tharmanason - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF WINGARC AUSTRALIA

Indrani Tharmanason took five minutes to sit down with us and reflect on the year that has passed in WingArc Australia’s new workplace, facilitated by BRM Projects. WingArc Australia (previously Space Time Research) is a leading provider of business intelligence and enterprise analytics software, now based at 360 Collins St.

​When selecting a new office space, it’s important to get this decision right. Your new workspace can influence your internal work culture and says something about your brand to visitors.

If your workspace isn’t working for you, now is the time to start thinking about why and what you can do about it.

So, why do so many fail to allocate a realistic budget and allow for upfront costs? 
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