How Innov8 helped Annex live up to its potential
When the landlord set out to reposition Annex at 15 Quay Street, the goal was to create a premium, fully fitted office space with the polish of a boutique hotel.
While the refurbishment delivered on design and finish, the building still lacked the energy and consistency needed to make it work day to day. That’s where Innov8 came in.
We were brought in to deliver the ‘experience’ element and quickly became central to making the building truly operational, from tech fixes to reshaping front-of-house services.
Turning spaces into communities
We took on full property management in September 2022, covering the 22,000 sq ft, seven-floor building, including its in-house gym. From the outset, we handled the essentials: rent and service charge collection, reception staffing and maintaining the managed suites. We also supported the phased refurbishment across each floor.
Early on, it became clear that the building needed more than just operational oversight. It needed a team that could act as an extension of the agents Brydell Partners; taking ownership, focusing on the details and truly caring about how the space felt to those who used it.
We focused on the everyday details that bring a building to life. The quiet lobby was transformed with curated music, fresh planting and digital signage. Behind the scenes, we tackled the long-standing AV frustrations. The landlord had already invested significantly in the system, but it had never worked as intended. We made the case for a targeted upgrade, and it paid off. The result is a smooth, plug-and-play experience that simply works, saving time and hassle for everyone in the building.
Seeing the potential others miss.
One of the areas that sets us apart is our focus on people. When we arrived, the long-serving security guard, Umair, had already been told he was being replaced, it was no longer seen as a security role. But we saw things differently.
Nobody knew the building or its tenants like he did. His customer service was already exceptional; all it took was a few thoughtful changes, like branded polos and smarter footwear, to align with the new direction. We reimagined his role as a host and the landlord called it the most important decision made for the building.
"Working with Innov8 has changed the way Annex operates and how tenants experience it. They didn’t just take over the day-to-day running of the building; they brought energy, insight, and a real understanding of what our tenants want. From rethinking how we use the front of house to fixing long-standing tech frustrations, their proactive approach has made a genuine difference. I trust them fully to run the building and visit far less often now because I know it’s in safe hands."
— Nico Riley, Asset Manager, Brydell Partners
Making the everyday exceptional
Annex also needed the kind of atmosphere that helps people feel connected to where they work. There was no initial budget for events, but we saw an opportunity and convinced the landlord to take a small risk funding a few low-cost activities for under £100.
From Free Coffee Fridays to festive mixers, those first moments of connection sparked something bigger. Tenant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with calls for more, and what began as a trial has since evolved into a full programme of community-building events.
RESULTS THAT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Today, the asset manager visits just once every 4 to 6 months, a notable shift from his previous weekly trips up from London. It’s not a sign of stepping back, but of complete confidence in how the building is run. From the gym to tenant services and ongoing refurbishments, we’ve been trusted to manage the entire space. Annex now operates with a clear identity, consistent standards and tenants who feel genuinely looked after.
This is what we do at Innov8. We treat every building like it’s our own and help it deliver more.
