Architectural and Interior Design Business For Sale

Business description

Award Winning International Practice – Architectural and Interior Design, Space Planning, Landscaping, Engineering, Project Management & Graphic and Information Design

Established in 1966 by its founder and current owner, a RIBA qualified architect who is still very active in the business, this is a rare opportunity to acquire an award-winning International Architectural practice very well established in Portugal, one of the fastest growing property markets in Europe. Although based in London and having originally built its enviable reputation with some very high quality work for the London residential market, this practice is probably best known for the portfolio of work it has undertaken abroad – with commissions in Portugal, Brazil, Spain and Holland.
It is for its work in Brazil and particularly its recent projects in Portugal, through an office based in the Algarve, that it is perhaps best known, however. In fact this practice is commonly credited with revitalising Portuguese classical architecture – a style that is now very much in vogue over there and being copied assiduously throughout the Algarve.
Although it has completed many commercial projects in the past this practice has deliberately chosen to concentrate upon the residential and leisure sector offering the full range of services Clients require with expertise in planning, design, project management, interiors and landscaping – often exceeding by far the remit you would normally associate with a UK based architectural project with fees charged accordingly. For parts of its projects it is frequently called upon for its expertise in areas such as drainage, acoustics and engineering for example - areas in which it is just as equally at home.
This business firmly believes in putting its Clients first. It is committed to achieving the highest standards in every aspect of every project, an approach that is very much appreciated by its Client base, many of which are the Chairmen and Chief Executives of some of the top companies in Europe. It is this approach, coupled with a sympathetic and contextual design philosophy that has enabled this business to consistently achieve outstanding results in realising each project’s full potential. Blending traditional and modern architecture and materials this practice creates beautiful buildings and schemes that enhance their environments, optimise user experiences and stand the test of time.
As any potential entrant will know becoming established in any foreign market is extremely difficult. Brazil and Portugal are no different. Although the planning rules are less restrictive and open sites are much more prevalent they present new challenges in providing the optimum build environment and landscaping solution. This Practice is perfectly placed to take best advantage of the rapid pace of property development in these countries – with huge experience of the environments, local offices with established teams of highly talented individuals, extensive Client bases and excellent track records with completed developments acting as their best advertising sites.

Property information

Location:

The practice operates from its own freehold premises in a very fashionable area in West London. 80 square metres across two floors, with a meeting room area downstairs, the building is well-suited working space for an architectural practice with lots of natural light. It is the base for the Owner of the business and his PA although it could easily accommodate 4 or 5 others.
The office in Portugal is approximately 200 square metres and is rented at an annual cost of 7,000 Euros.

Other information

Expansion potential:

There is enormous scope to leverage the considerable reputation this Practice has built up to expand the volume and type of work available. It has largely ignored the London property market in recent years preferring to concentrate on the private sector - large houses and developments in open sites - in Portugal and Brazil. There is no reason at all why it could not re-establish itself on the London market. It has also in the past refused to take on work from Housing Associations – a position which could easily be reversed.
Abroad there is certainly scope to increase its share of the huge volume of work available but also to diversify into different types of work – larger, more commercial projects for example as well as expanding outside its current power base in the Algarve. This Practice is considered to be the best residential architects in the area. There has also been consideration given in the past to opening up an office in Lisbon as many other Portugal based Architectural practices have done very successfully as well as operating in Spain and other parts of the Iberian peninsula.
There is also the possibility of extending the ‘development’ work this Practice increasingly undertakes in Portugal and Brazil, not to mention Spain – purchasing land and financing the development of it itself, for which the Practice collects handsome fees.

Competition / Market:

Advertising has been limited in the past, although the Practice has a well-designed and professional web-site showcasing its recent work, generating business leads particularly in the international markets in which it is currently active. It also has an excellent and interesting suite of Corporate literature featuring some of its past projects. With limited advertising and marketing in the past there are excellent opportunities to increase this and market the practice more aggressively. Plans are to already formulated to update both the web-site and the Corporate literature as well as undertake a well-targetted Direct mail campaign to appropriate sectors in Portugal. By far the biggest and most effective advertisement for this business however is its portfolio of completed projects generating significant word of mouth recommendation as Clients place work as a result of seeing the results of others’ previous commissions.

Reasons for selling:

This is a genuine retirement sale with the owner wishing to free up some time to pursue other interests. The owner of this flourishing Practice will provide full business familiarisation, training and handover and would also welcome the opportunity to work on a fee paid Consultancy basis in the future particularly in Design which is his particular area of strength.