Extension renovation work is about to get underway on the EMKE office building in Budapest. The asset manager of this landmark building is AEW Europe, which appointed Lab5 architects with the task of drawing up plans for the modernization of all the building‘s common areas, as well as its technical installations. A new entrance will exploit the building‘s generous helping of natural lighting and open up onto a wide and well-lit atrium with elevated trees and access to the panoramic elevators. A new cafe will be set up next to the lobby to give tenants an alternative meeting point for their staff. The building‘s existing cafeteria will also be improved. Energy saving and tenant comfort is the focus of all the new technical installations. Each floor of the building will be renovated as well, with tenants in the building having agreed to move in a flexible way in order to facilitate the improvements. The building is owned by PBW I, a fund managed by AEW Europe. Many older office buildings in Budapest are currently leaking tenants to their younger competition precisely because of their owner‘s unwillingness or inability to keep their buildings up-to-date and fresh-looking. Regus is one of the building‘s major tenants. (source: cijjournal.com)