Week 36: Smarter Renovations Start With Data – From Office-to-Resi to ESG Retrofits

In this weekly series, we explore how the commercial real estate industry is being transformed by data and digital infrastructure. Guided by the principles in Peak Property Performance, we unpack a new idea every week to help owners unlock value, reduce risk, and future-proof their portfolios. Learn more about OpticWise and Bill Douglas, the authors of this series.

CRE is entering a historic wave of repositioning.

Office-to-residential conversions are accelerating. ESG retrofits are becoming mandatory. And adaptive reuse projects—from hospitality to life sciences—are on the rise across the country.

But despite all the planning, capital, and architectural firepower being applied, many of these renovations still miss the mark on long-term performance. Why?

Because they start with drywall and design—instead of data and digital infrastructure (DDI).

The Missed Opportunity in Renovation Planning

Traditional renovations tend to focus on:

• Mechanical upgrades
• Envelope improvements
• Amenities and finishes
• Space layout and unit count

These are all important—but they rarely address the invisible layer of building performance: the connectivity, control, sensor, and software infrastructure that powers modern operations and tenant experiences.

Renovating a 30-year-old office tower into housing without upgrading its DDI is like installing granite countertops over corroded pipes. It may look good, but it won’t perform—and it definitely won’t scale.

 

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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How to turn an enterprise-grade CRM into a commercial real estate-focused workspacee 

AscendixRE CRM: A Purpose-Built Platform for modern Commercial Real Estate teams

As commercial real estate becomes increasingly data-driven, the limitations of generic CRM systems are becoming harder to ignore. Brokers, asset managers, and advisory teams need technology that reflects the complexity of their workflows — from long deal cycles and intricate commission structures to location-specific insights and relationship-led sales. This is where Ascendix positions its flagship product, AscendixRE CRM, as a specialist solution designed explicitly for the commercial real estate sector.

Transforming an enterprise-grade CRM into a commercial real estate-focused workspace

Built natively on the Salesforce platform, this service transforms an enterprise-grade CRM into a commercial real estate-focused workspace. Rather than forcing brokers to adapt to generic sales pipelines, the system mirrors how CRE professionals actually work, centralising contacts, properties, deals, leases, and commissions into a single, unified environment.

At the heart of AscendixRE is comprehensive deal and pipeline management. Brokers can track transactions from initial prospecting through to closing, using visual deal stages that improve forecasting accuracy and pipeline visibility. Automated reminders, task tracking, and activity logging help ensure that no follow-up is missed, while managers gain real-time insight into deal velocity and team performance.

One of its most powerful differentiators is its geo-search capability

Commercial real estate is inherently location-driven, and it enables users to search for properties, tenants, investors, and deals directly on an interactive map. Advanced filters allow teams to narrow results by asset type, size, availability, or lease criteria, while search results can be exported into reports or marketing lists. This functionality gives brokers immediate spatial context and supports faster, more informed decision-making.

Commission management

The platform also addresses one of the most complex administrative challenges in CRE: commission management. AscendixRE supports customised commission structures, including tiered splits, variable percentages, and multi-broker arrangements. By automating calculations and linking commissions directly to deal data, the system reduces manual errors and administrative overhead, allowing teams to focus on revenue-generating activity rather than back-office reconciliation.

Marketing and client engagement are tightly integrated within the CRM. AscendixRE offers dynamic email templates that automatically pull live property data, images, and details into outbound communications. This eliminates repetitive manual entry and ensures marketing materials remain accurate and consistent. Audience-building tools enable brokers to segment contacts by investment criteria, tenant requirements, or geography, making targeted outreach more efficient and measurable.

For asset and portfolio-focused teams, AscendixRE includes an interactive stacking plan module. This feature provides a visual overview of building occupancy, available space, lease expirations, and tenant information in one consolidated view. Users can update stacking plans in real time, apply filters, and track changes as deals progress, adding a layer of operational clarity that traditional CRMs often lack.

 

 

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Tenancy Deposit Scheme further enhances rental UX with continued tie up with tlyfe app

TDS has announced a multi-year extension of its partnership with tlyfe, the fast-growing tenant lifecycle app powered by OpenBrix. Expanding coverage across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the new agreement supports a shared goal of delivering a clearer, more efficient and more connected rental experience for tenants across the UK.

Neil Peers, Chief Operating Officer at TDS, captures why this partnership matters, saying: “Extending our partnership with OpenBrix strengthens our mission to raise standards in the private rented sector. With tlyfe’s rapid growth and proven impact, this partnership helps us deliver clearer, more supportive experiences for tenants across the UK.”

tlyfe: The UK’s #1 tenant app

Launched in partnership with TDS in 2022, tlyfe was designed to take the stress out of the move-in process and help tenants manage the entire lifecycle of their tenancy. Its popularity has skyrocketed and tlyfe now boasts 275,000 users, firmly cementing its position as the UK’s number one tenant app. 

One app, many benefits

As part of TDS’s Tenant+ offering, the tlyfe app brings together a suite of tools and services in one trusted place. It’s a one-stop shop for renters to manage key aspects of their tenancy, making life easier not only for tenants but also for the agents and landlords involved. Here are some of the standout features now available to tenants:

• Deposit Management with TDS Integration: Tenants can view and manage their TDS-protected deposit directly in the app. They can see proof their deposit is safely protected and even download their protection certificate. When it’s time to move out, the app guides them on how to reclaim their deposit.
• Info hub and guidance: tlyfe includes an in-app Information Hub filled with guidance, renting tips, and answers to common questions.
• Safe House tenant insurance: Through Tenant+, renters can purchase contents insurance tailored for tenants, including pet damage cover.
• Tenant Redress Service: TDS has introduced a Tenancy Redress Service to help resolve mid-tenancy issues between tenants and their landlords when they arise. It provides a fair, impartial route to resolve complaints without things escalating.
• MyHousing Gateway: A free tool created by the TDS Charitable Foundation to make it easier to find help for housing issues. It’s used by thousands of renters each month to find the right help for solving problems with their home.
• Other Handy Tools:  Tenants can build their credit score by recording on-time rent payments in the tlyfe app, which is a boon for their future home purchases or credit needs. The app also helps tenants get “Rent-Ready”, with pre-qualification calculators and digital ID verification, so they can stand out to letting agents when applying for a property. It even has a Home Concierge service to assist with things like setting up utilities, finding cleaners or handymen, and answering any tenancy questions along the way.

Adam Pigott, Chief Executive Officer at OpenBrix, the creators of tlyfe, emphasises how the strengthened partnership with TDS will drive even more innovation for the benefit of renters. He said: “We’re incredibly proud of tlyfe’s growth and the difference it’s making for renters. Renewing our partnership with TDS gives us the platform to accelerate innovation, broaden our reach and continue building tools that genuinely empower tenants throughout their renting journey.”

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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