Bricks & More: Unlocking Real Estate Value

In this insightful episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Louise Ioannou — Head of Workspace at HB Reavis UK — to explore what truly makes a modern office irresistible in 2025 and beyond.

Drawing on her journey from branding to leasing, Louise shares how HB Reavis has reimagined office space as a holistic product: one shaped by hospitality, sustainability, flexibility, and community.

For Louise, the office is no longer just a place to work — it's a value-driven ecosystem designed to support business objectives, attract talent, and foster belonging.

Key talking points:

🏢 Why wellness, flexibility, and hospitality are now baseline expectations — not extras

📈 The commercial case for retention over churn in both traditional and flex leases

🌱 How sustainability and community engagement are redefining real estate value

🧩 Why cross-functional teams are key to delivering spaces people truly want

📊 Why “knowing your customer” is just as vital in commercial real estate as in consumer brands

If you're wondering what it really takes to create future-proof, in-demand office destinations — this episode has answers.

Louise’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-ioannou/

HB Reavis: https://hbreavis.com/uk/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter speaks with Rico Picenoni – a hospitality leader who’s shaped over 500 hospitality and real estate projects globally.

Together, they unpack what really drives long-term value in branded residences, and why the future of real estate lies in smart partnerships, local market knowledge, and global brand power. 

Rico brings the kind of depth that only comes from two decades of navigating $34 billion worth of real estate – offering razor-sharp insights into a rapidly evolving sector.

Key talking points:

🏙️ Why operator selection and brand alignment are the secret weapons of value creation

📈 How Dubai and Miami became innovation labs for branded residences – and what emerging markets can learn

🧠 The biggest mistake developers make (and how to avoid it by asking the right questions early)

🌍 Why the future of branded resi value includes ESG, wellness, and globally connected benefits programmes

💡 Why curiosity, not certainty, is the most powerful mindset in real estate development today

Whether you’re a developer, investor, or brand eyeing a move into real estate, this episode delivers a masterclass in what it takes to create enduring value – from the ground up.

Rico’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricopicenoni 

Savills UK: https://www.savills.co.uk/central-london/

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this insight-packed episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter speaks with Dan Higginson – Director of Development and Leasing at Greycoat – to explore what makes an office truly valuable in 2025 and beyond.

Dan shares why the old rules of office development no longer apply – and how leading landlords are shifting from a cost-per-square-foot mindset to a hospitality-led, customer-first approach. It’s not just about desks and leases anymore. It’s about experience, identity, and long-term relevance.

Key talking points:

🏢 Why ‘Grade A’ is no longer a differentiator – and what matters more to tenants today

🔁 How retrofit is reshaping the commercial office market in London

🤝 Why service, experience, and tenant relationships are the new battlegrounds for value

🧠 How to design buildings that reflect how people actually work – not just how they used to

If you’re developing, leasing, or investing in commercial real estate, this episode is a must-listen for rethinking how value is created – and who it’s created for.

Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-higginson-45b5454b/

Greycoat: http://greycoat.com 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this provocative episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter is joined by Georgia Elliott-Smith – engineer, environmental activist, and founder of consultancy Element Four – to explore why sustainability isn’t just a moral imperative, but a commercial one.

Georgia argues that real estate’s current approach to ESG is flawed, often more about brand image than actual impact. But here’s the catch: in a world of changing economic and environmental realities, growing regulation, investor scrutiny, and tenant expectations, shallow sustainability is also bad business.

Key talking points:

🌍 Why net zero pledges are misleading – and how they risk long-term value

🏛️ How policy, litigation, and transparency are reshaping what investors demand

📉 Why greenwashing damages trust, brand equity, and asset performance

💥 Why embracing real change (even when it’s uncomfortable) is a competitive advantage

If you think ESG is just a checkbox – or if you’re serious about making your assets future-proof – this episode will change the way you think about value.

Georgia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiaelliott-smith/ 

Adrian’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianstrittmatter 

Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In this episode of Bricks & More, host Adrian Strittmatter sits down with Calum Hall, founder of Creative Debuts, to explore the evolving role of art in real estate.

From office spaces to retail environments, Calum shares how art isn’t just an aesthetic addition—it’s a powerful tool for placemaking, community engagement, and even financial value creation.

They discuss:

✅ The impact of art on tenant experience, brand identity, and footfall

✅ How developers can integrate art throughout a project’s lifecycle – from public consultation to tenant activation

✅ Why embracing local artists can make spaces more inclusive and dynamic

✅ The growing business case for art in commercial real estate

Whether you're a developer, designer, or just passionate about rethinking real estate value, this episode will show the hidden potential of the walls around you.

Calum Hall on LinkedIn
Creative Debuts: http://creativedebuts.co.uk

Adrian Strittmatter on LinkedIn
Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

In the debut episode of Bricks & More, Adrian Strittmatter welcomes Achelle Hill, Marketing Director Europe at Lendlease, to explore the power of branding and marketing in real estate. 

They discuss how marketing is more than just a promotional tool—it’s a fundamental driver of long-term value creation.

Key topics include:

✅  Branding as a value multiplier—how real estate brands shape perception, demand, and long-term success.

✅  Placemaking & storytelling—why marketing should start at the master planning stage, not just at the launch.

✅  Lendlease’s triple bottom line—how financial, social, and environmental value must be balanced for sustainable success.

✅  The power of partnerships—why collaboration is essential for driving engagement and creating destinations.

✅  Lessons from landmark projects—insights from One Sydney Harbour, Smithfield, Euston, and more.

If you think real estate marketing is just about producing marketing tools this episode will change your mind.

Achelle Hill on LinkedIn
Lendlease: https://www.lendlease.com/

Adrian Strittmatter on LinkedIn
Saentys: https://saentys.com/ 

Hi, I'm Adrian Strittmatter. 

Welcome to Bricks and More. I'm the CEO and co founder of Saentys, a global creative consultancy specializing in destinations, real estate, and the hospitality sector since 2008. My team and I have worked on some of the world's most iconic destinations across more than 35 countries. 

My expertise lies in real estate, brand strategy, and sales and marketing. My drive is all about generating value for real estate assets and destinations, no matter where or what they are. 

So if you're passionate about making real estate more valuable for more people. Look, no further. 

Welcome to Bricks and More.