Securing longer term stay in prestige showroom for Wilkhahn

We secured a new 10 year lease for German furniture manufacturer Wilkhahn on the corner frontage showroom where they have become an established sight on Great Sutton Street in the heart of Clerkenwell’s furniture area.

Ongoing client relationship with Wilkhahn

Warwick Bookman & Associates had previously worked with Wilkhahn on a concession agreement, facilitating another brand to share their space and we had also saved them considerable sums on a rent review.

It was as part of this ongoing relationship that we learned of their plans for a substantial, and expensive, refurbishment of the showroom.

Upgrading your showroom is a good thing, right?

While appreciating the desire to make their showroom as attractive as possible to drive increased furniture sales, we realised that the time left on the lease was unlikely to be sufficient to recoup the costs if the lease were not to be renewed.

We also informed Wilkhahn that a vastly improved showroom risked the landlord charging them more rent at their forthcoming renewal.

Rob and Elisabeth from WB&A congratulating Wilkhahn on their refurbished showroom
Rob and Elisabeth from WB&A congratulating Wilkhahn on their refurbished showroom
Fabric and leather swatches on display in the Wilkhahn showroom
Fabric and leather swatches on display in the Wilkhahn showroom
A bright and open staircase contributes to a cost-effective showroom for Wilkhahn
A bright and open staircase contributes to a cost-effective showroom for Wilkhahn
Colourful swatches in the Wilkhahn showroom on Great Sutton Street
Colourful swatches in the Wilkhahn showroom on Great Sutton Street
Partnership with lighting company Occhio enabled Wilkhahn to significantly enhance their showroom
Partnership with lighting company Occhio enabled Wilkhahn to significantly enhance their showroom
Wilkhahn showroom on Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell with colour-toned swatches
Wilkhahn showroom on Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell with colour-toned swatches

Adapting their business approach

Based on our advice, Wilkhahn engaged Warwick Bookman & Associates to negotiate a new lease and also undertook a revised improvement plan, making the showroom a better space for their business, yet on a significantly reduced budget.

An excellent job was achieved, making the space much more attractive and stylish, while minimising the costs of doing so.

Negotiating a new lease

We negotiated a new lease for Wilkhahn, taking into account various complexities to secure their longer term position in this statement showroom.

As part of this process, we also undertook a full market review of other suitable properties in the Clerkenwell area to make sure that there wasn’t another space that would work better and to ensure that terms negotiated were fair in the current climate.

As always, our negotiation also included terms to protect our client’s short, medium and longer-term position, in addition to the financials.

February 2025