Boutique commercial property services firm Handler Property has opened an office in New South Wales as it expands and enhances its commercial property services footprint.

Headed by industry heavyweights Oscar Harding and Nick Donaldson as joint Directors, the company’s new office launches today (December 2) with a remit across New South Wales and into the Australian Capital Territory.

Joining the pair in management is John Postle, who has added the southern states to his existing role as Director of Asset Management for Handler’s foundation operation in Queensland.

Mr Harding, who has spent more than two decades in retail leasing working for some of the industry’s biggest names, is buoyed by the warm reception to the firm’s experience-driven, end-to-end approach for its clients.

“Handler Property is known in the industry for teaming the bespoke commitment of a boutique firm with the kind of high-level expertise that can only be shaped by working for sophisticated institutions, not just agencies,” he said.

“It’s about bringing an institutionalised service to smaller ownerships groups such as private investors, syndicators, developers, and fund managers whose assets or budget may not otherwise facilitate it.”

The firm, which is already known for its stewardship of some of Queensland’s most successful retail centres, was co-founded by Managing Director Nick Kelly and Director James Harvey.

They set about recruiting a team that could expertly handle the six key areas of asset ownership, being: advisory, asset management; property management; facilities management; marketing services; and retail leasing.

“When you’ve worked for an institutional landlord, as our senior people have, it’s unparalleled on-the-job training, exposure, expertise and insight around the complete picture of commercial property,” Mr Kelly said. 

“This allows for an elevated response to the full spectrum of client needs, whether that’s better positioning an asset to perform in a fast-evolving market or assessing how a retail centre relates to the community in which it sits, so you can identify what might be missing in terms of tenancy or amenity.

“Specific asset management services could include tenant and investor relations, sustainability initiatives, value-add initiatives, research-driven marketing campaigns, routine auditing of systems and operations, or a focus on community placemaking and customer experience.”

Advisory is a particular area where Handler Property brings unparalleled value to the table.

“To provide an example, we might have a client looking to acquire a retail asset,” Mr Kelly said. “So, we will then work with our network of retail investment sales agents to identify an appropriate asset, advise our client through the acquisition process, provide insight on the feasibility of rental and incentive budgets, recommend adjustments to the tenant mix, identify development or value-add opportunities, and provide advice around outgoings budgets that may help to reduce the occupancy costs of the tenants, with a view to setting up the asset and our client for sustainable future success.

“It’s about providing that end-to-end consultancy or an end-to-end asset management platform, where clients have the security of knowing they can engage with Handler on any one of the six asset ownership touchpoints at any point in time, or appoint us to handle them all, depending on their need.

“It’s about transparency, communication and, ultimately, maximising the value and lifespan of an asset.” Mr Kelly said