What is a shell and core office?

A shell and core office is a commercial space delivered by the developer in a basic, unfinished state providing only the structural framework, external envelope (facade and glazing), core services (vertical transportation, main electrical and plumbing), and common areas without any internal finishes or tenant-specific fit-out. It is the most basic level of office handover.

What Shell and Core Includes

• Structural frame and building envelope (windows, facade).
• Core services: lifts, main electrical panels, fire detection, emergency systems.
• Lobby and common areas to a finished standard.
• Toilets in common areas (not in tenant floor areas).

What Is NOT Included

• Internal partitioning.
• Floor finishes (tiles, carpet).
• Ceiling (suspended ceiling, lighting).
• HVAC distribution to tenant floors.
• Interior electrical points, networking, or IT.

Shell and core is the starting point for major corporate office fit-outs typically used for large-format leases where the tenant has specific spatial requirements and invests significant CapEx. While it gives maximum flexibility, it also places the full financial burden and management of fit-out on the tenant.