In short. A bare shell is an empty floor you must build out. A fitted office already has partitions, meeting rooms and a pantry, so you can move in much sooner.
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Office listings in Hong Kong use a few terms for the condition of a space. They are not always used the same way, so it helps to know what to ask.
Bare shell
A bare shell is an empty floor. It usually has ceilings, lighting and air-conditioning connections but no partitions, flooring finishes, pantry or meeting rooms. You design and build everything, which takes time and money before anyone can start work.
Fitted
A fitted office already has the fit-out in place: partitions, meeting rooms, a pantry, flooring and often a reception. You can view the real space, see what you are getting, and move in much sooner.
Landlord's new fittings
Some landlords fit out vacant space themselves to make it easier to let. This is usually newer than a space left behind by a previous tenant, but it may still be laid out for a typical team rather than for you. Ask what is included.
Why fitted is faster
A fit-out project involves a designer, quotations, approvals and building works. Even a modest one can take months, and tenants are usually required to reinstate the space when they leave. A fitted space removes much of that, which is why it suits teams that want to start in weeks rather than quarters. See what a fit-out costs.
Questions to ask on any space
- What furniture, if any, is included or can be bought?
- Who owns the fit-out, and what happens to it at the end of the lease?
- Are there reinstatement obligations when you leave?
- Can the layout be changed, and by whom?
On Ready Office each space is marked Fitted, Landlord's new fittings, Partly fitted or Bare shell, so you can filter for what you need. See fitted spaces.
