The Power of CAT A+ Fit-Outs: Attracting High-Quality Tenants

What is a Landlord Fit-Out?

A Cat A landlord fit-out is the basic setup a landlord provides before a tenant moves in. It usually includes essentials like flooring, ceilings, lighting, and heating/cooling systems, creating a blank canvas for businesses. Think of it as a move-in-ready space, but without the personal touches—tenants then add their own layout, branding, and finishes in a Cat B fit-out to make it their own.

What is a CAT A+ landlord fit–out?

A CAT A+ fit-out is essentially the commercial equivalent of a high-quality, fully furnished rental property; it is ready-for-use office space that tenants could begin working from on day one, just without their personalisation or brand that you’d find in a CAT B fit-out. Within a CAT A+ workspace, you would typically find:

• Design that supports modern work styles (e.g., collaboration spaces, break-out areas)
• Ergonomic furniture: desks, chairs, booths etc.
• Engaging tea points and kitchens
• High-spec toilets
• State-of-the-art HVAC
• Installation of IT and infrastructure – key for flexible layouts
• Modern, efficient lighting
• High-quality ceiling and flooring 

Benefits of High-Quality Landlord Fit-Outs

How the A+ experience will attract top-tier tenants

CAT A+ fit-outs are increasingly popular with top-tier tenants due to the tenant-centric benefits they offer. A key point is that they are turnkey spaces; they provide a space where an occupier can move in and start their operations without having to invest heavily in their own fit-outs at the beginning of their lease, and dilapidations when they eventually vacate the space.

CAT A+ spaces also offer premium appeal, featuring high-end finishes with quality materials, which reflect the prestige and professional image of top-tier tenants. The overall look and feel of the space, which often includes attention to detail in flooring, wall, and lighting finishes, even down to biophilia, elevates the space and creates a major draw for companies. These features, along with better air quality and acoustics, provide an environment conducive to enhanced productivity.

Finally, many of these CAT A+ fit-outs have been built with a sustainability-focus, such as building in energy-efficient systems and the use of eco-friendly materials, which can add real appeal to the ESG-conscious tenants looking to meet their ESG targets.

How CAT A+ fit-outs yield landlord profits

Clearly, the high-quality finishes that are expected as part of a CAT A+ fit-out require an upfront landlord investment in the space, so here’s how landlords can expect to boost their profits. Premium spaces demand premium rents – it seems simple, but it’s key; you’re providing a high-end space as a service, and your tenants will be ready to pay for all the benefits that come with this. There are typically reduced vacancy rates due to the attractiveness of the offering, therefore there is less time searching for tenants and shorter rent-free periods that come with a CAT A finish. A high-end fit-out can also enhance the overall value of the property, increasing its desirability in a competitive market.

The competitive advantage of CAT A+ fit-outs

A premium fit out offers the landlord an area of differentiation in the market, giving it true personality to make the building stand out in a competitive commercial market. This type of fit-out also gives landlords the opportunity to control the sustainability story of the building, bringing in modernisation and innovation to an extent that CAT A simply cannot do, to attract premium tenants, such as those in the tech or finance industry. As a provider of high-quality space, the reputation of the landlord is reflected as such, enhancing the perception of their overall portfolio.

Investing for the future with CAT A+

Whilst the investment in a CAT A+ fit-out can benefit the landlord in the short-medium term with premium tenants and competitive advantage, it must be an investment in the long term as well. These spaces come with an element of agility and adaptability; the layouts and functions have been built to accommodate future changes to working styles, and they need to flex to the requirements of businesses of the future.

Incorporating smart building systems, such as IoT-enabled HVAC and lighting, adapts to future requirements for tenants and their goals surrounding energy efficiency and people performance – obtaining a green certification, such as BREEAM, is a great way to advertise this. As building regulations continue to evolve, a high-quality CAT A+ fit-out should ensure compliance with these changing regulations going forward.

Our Landlord Works Expertise

Claremont is the ideal partner for landlords, delivering high-quality, future-proof fit-outs that attract premium tenants, enhance building value, and create standout, sustainable workspaces.

Reception and Common Areas Fit-outs
We design and deliver stylish, functional, and welcoming reception and common areas that leave a lasting impression. From high-quality finishes to smart layouts, we create spaces that enhance the brand identity of your building and improve the overall visitor experience.

Visitor Journey Enhancements
A well-designed workplace should guide and engage visitors effortlessly. We enhance the visitor journey with intuitive wayfinding, seamless technology integration, and thoughtfully designed spaces that create a smooth and professional experience from entry to exit.

Shared Facilities Improvements
We transform shared spaces such as kitchens, breakout areas, wellbeing rooms, gyms and washrooms into modern, high-performing environments. By focusing on comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics, we ensure these areas support collaboration, well-being, and productivity.

A well-designed CAT A+ fit-out isn’t just a short-term win—it’s a future-proof investment. By offering flexible, high-quality spaces that support modern work styles, landlords can attract premium tenants, reduce vacancy rates, and enhance the overall value of their buildings. With sustainability, technology, and adaptability at the core, CAT A+ fit-outs set a new standard in commercial property, ensuring long-term success in an evolving market.

Are you ready to take your property investment to the next level? Get in touch with the Claremont team to discuss your fit-out options.