Client: Swire Properties
Location: Hong Kong
A leading Hong Kong landlord and WiredScore Portfolio client, asset manager and developer, Swire Properties was the first in Hong Kong to achieve WiredScore and SmartScore certifications, with a current combined total of 17 WiredScore and SmartScore Platinum certifications across their portfolio.
Say the word “brand” and you’d be forgiven for thinking, “what does that have to do with real estate?”. Branding and all its connotations are so often thought of in relation to big, shiny consumer products; the latest tech; the most expensive trainers or handbags.
While we might have brand loyalty to our favourite fruit-named phones, how do we begin to translate this loyalty into the built environment?
In recent years, commercial real estate has really had to work hard to foster that sense of loyalty. The curveball that was the Covid-19 pandemic threw the sector into a state of disarray as occupiers were forced to rethink their allegiance to their office footprints and ask themselves if leasing X sq ft of space really made sense.
The result? Landlords have had to up their game.
Developing a resistant and compelling narrative around what they can offer occupiers has seen landlords lean into their creativity in order to acknowledge the important role a space has in fostering a sense of productivity and enjoyment. Now more than ever, occupiers are looking at offices asking; does this mirror the culture and experience I want to create for my company? This is a particularly salient question for growing companies who are looking at multiple spaces. They want to be confident that the standard of experience they get is replicated across a landlord’s portfolio.
So how do landlords ensure what they offer is a cut above the rest? Technology has a fundamental role to play here. Every touch point between the landlord and occupier needs to be seamless; from the onboarding process to working across multiple buildings, from monitoring occupancy level data and organising in-office events; the technological foundations of the building have to be resilient and nimble enough to support these requirements.
In the UK, Derwent, is an example of a landlord merging the physical and digital across their portfolio to better serve the end user. Their two D/L members’ spaces in Fitzrovia and Old Street, London, have a distinctive sense of design and quality that comes from the characteristics of the space. This unique sense of identity is also reflected in the technology set up that is both distinct and seamless across their whole estate. As a result, Derwent’s customers associate the Derwent brand with an extremely high specification of physical space as well as an enriching tech experience.
This integration of physical space with digital innovation creates an environment that not only meets the immediate needs of occupiers but anticipates their future requirements as well. By leveraging smart technology, such as data-driven building management systems, landlords are able to offer a highly adaptable experience that evolves with occupier preferences and business needs. Whether it’s optimizing energy use, providing seamless connectivity, or offering tailored services, the thoughtful application of technology enhances both the functionality and the atmosphere of the spaces, helping tenants thrive in a modern, agile work environment.
The result is a dynamic, responsive and trusting relationship between the landlord and its occupiers. Real-time insights into the everyday patterns of behaviour in the building mean that landlords can act faster to process and improve, creating a positive feedback loop to improve the satisfaction of building users, and therefore reinforcing their brand in a competitive landscape.
As I reflect on my first three months as WiredScore’s Head of Southeast Asia, I’m struck by the immense potential and appetite for change I’ve witnessed across the region. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Philippines, a country poised to redefine its commercial real estate sector through the power of resilient digital infrastructure.
Our entry into the Philippines this past November marked a pivotal milestone for WiredScore and for the country’s real estate industry. This expansion signifies more than just our growing footprint in Southeast Asia; it’s a response to the growing demand for smarter and better connected buildings that anticipate and meet the expectations of modern occupiers.
The reception from the Philippines real estate community has been nothing short of inspiring. Industry leaders are embracing the opportunity to differentiate their assets in a competitive marketplace. We’ve seen major players like NEO, Daiichi Properties, Menarco Development Corporation, Arthaland Corporation, and Araneta City take decisive action by committing their flagship buildings to WiredScore and SmartScore certifications.
These early adopters understand that superior digital connectivity is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a “must-have” for occupiers and investors alike. Buildings like Menarco Tower, Neo 5, 6 and 7 which achieved WiredScore Platinum certification, and Savya Financial Center, which earned WiredScore Gold, are setting new benchmarks for excellence. Their ambition is setting the stage for others to follow, and we’re seeing more developers express interest in certification as a key differentiator for 2025.
Six months ago, we set out to bring WiredScore to India with one clear mission: to establish digital connectivity as a cornerstone of modern real estate. Our goal was to empower India’s real estate sector with a globally recognized benchmark for connectivity, and our journey has been transformative, marked by growth, partnerships, and impact. As we look back on the past six months, it’s clear our mission is taking shape.
This reflection highlights the partnerships we’ve built, the lessons we’ve learned, and the progress we’re making for the future. Here’s a closer look at our journey so far and where we’re headed next.
At WiredScore, we’re in a unique position at the intersection of real estate and technology. It’s an exciting time to witness the convergence of two industries that were once separate but are now becoming increasingly intertwined. While the journey has had its challenges—shaped by macroeconomic and social forces—the progress we’ve seen is both inspiring and promising.
While the path to a smarter, more connected built environment hasn’t been as linear as we anticipated, we’re proud to see some of the world’s leading landlords and developers leveraging technology to navigate today’s complex challenges, from hybrid work to rising interest rates.
Brent Cross Town, the £8bn mixed use park town for London being delivered in partnership between Related Argent and Barnet Council, has been awarded global WiredScore and SmartScore Neighbourhood status, confirming the town meets world-leading technology standards.
Brent Cross Town is the first place in Europe to achieve both WiredScore and SmartScore Neighbourhood certifications and keeps company with nine other projects around the world, including Water Street Tampa, Florida, New England’s Cambridge Crossing and America’s largest mixed-use private real estate development, Hudson Yards in Manhattan, developed by Related Argent’s US partner, Related Companies.
WiredScore is the only global certification body for technology in real estate. WiredScore and SmartScore ratings measure connectivity across a range of factors that include fast and reliable internet that ensures seamless communications between buildings, zones, and residential and commercial spaces; increased technological resilience and productivity; improved human and digital connections; robust data privacy and cybersecurity measures; and the quality of the technology experience for workers, residents and visitors.
Early examples of market-leading technology implementations at Brent Cross Town include:
Digital technology is at the centre of 21st-century life and has become essential to our ability to live and work efficiently, from enabling communication with people from around the world, to enhancing the energy efficiency of our buildings and integrating the latest technologies as they come forward. These certifications enable those who visit, live, work, and study in Brent Cross Town to feel confident the spaces they are using are at the forefront of technology-enabled, future-proofed experiences.
Matt Flood, Head of Commercial Development at Related Argent, says: “Providing great connections, whether physical, social or digital, is a core pillar of our vision for Brent Cross Town and fundamental to creating a net zero town in which all can flourish. Being the first place in Europe to achieve both WiredScore and SmartScore Neighbourhood certifications demonstrates that Brent Cross Town is at the cutting edge of digital connectivity and smart city technology. This is a long-term partnership, which means Brent Cross Town can stay ahead of the game and at the forefront of the rapidly changing technological landscape.”
William Newton, CEO at WiredScore, added: “WiredScore and SmartScore certifications signify technological excellence in real estate. Brent Cross Town’s achievement of both certifications is testament to Related Argent’s forward-thinking approach to regeneration. Related Argent’s accomplishment underscores their commitment to a district-level technology strategy that fosters sustainable behaviours and ensures that future residents, commercial occupiers and visitors to Brent Cross Town feel connected, safe and inspired. We take great pride in certifying communities like Brent Cross Town that are designed for people to flourish in a digital age.”
Brent Cross Town is a 15-year regeneration project which when complete will comprise 6,700 new homes, workspace for 25,000 people in a 3m sq ft business and innovation district, a new high street, leisure spaces and more than 50 acres of parks and playing fields. As construction progresses, the individual buildings at Brent Cross Town are being designed to WiredScore and SmartScore certification standards.
By partnering with WiredScore, Brent Cross Town is ensuring that the technology and digital solutions deployed directly contribute to its four pledges – to be the place in London for participation in sport and play; a net zero carbon town; to strengthen connections; and to be a town where all can flourish.
The achievement of WiredScore and SmartScore Neighbourhood status underlines the strong progress being made at Brent Cross Town. Seven buildings are now under construction, with the first residents moving into the town later this year. The first office building, 3 Copper Square, is underway and will be completed in 2026. In total, over 930 homes, including affordable, market sale, and rental homes are on-site, along with 662 student rooms in partnership with Fusion Students. The first permanent public park, Claremont Park, opened in June 2022 and Brent Cross West mainline station, which opened in December 2023, connects with St Pancras International in as little as 12 minutes. Brent Cross Town already boasts a selection of local retail and leisure offerings, and Sheffield Hallam University will open its first campus outside Sheffield at Brent Cross Town.