Brunswick Property Partners signs major deal with Backbone Connect to boost assets’ digital performance

Brunswick Property Partners will work with Backbone Connect to deliver high-capacity digital connectivity at four office buildings, supporting its leasing strategy and helping it win new workplace tenants.

The deal will see Backbone Connect provide fibre internet services across 264,607 sq. ft of office space at Knollys and Stevenson House in Croydon, upgrading the WiredScore rating for the buildings to Gold.

Backbone Connect will also install internet infrastructure at Studio 1 Power Road and, once constructed, Studio 5 Power Road, 73,620 q ft offices in Chiswick. Once complete, both workspaces will offer modern plug-and-play office accommodation, enabling tenants to move in quickly and easily.

A pre-installed fibre line removes the need for wayleaves, which can be costly and significantly delay move-in times. Connecting services all in one go rather than each tenant adding them in piecemeal can also help to reduce waste and materials used.

Charlie Booth, Connected Buildings Team Manager at Backbone Connect, comments: “We’ve seen a real shift in tenants’ priorities since the pandemic. Our own research shows that digital connectivity is now top of the list when businesses are looking for a new workspace. It’s an essential part of successful leasing strategies and landlords like Brunswick Property Partners are responding to the change in what occupiers want. Through our work together, we will create modern, connected workplaces which are ready for tenants to hit the ground running.”

Jon Cochrane, Associate Director of Asset Management at Brunswick Property Partners adds: “Bolstering the digital infrastructure across the Akoya portfolio is a key objective as part of our ESG strategy. Offering flexible, reliable internet services to our occupiers whilst enabling robust WIFI in our common spaces are key components of our strategy to develop and manage best-in-class workspaces.”