The next generation of property management

AI-powered smart buildings platforms are at the heart of that change. By connecting building systems and monitoring them in real time, they offer property managers a level of visibility and control that simply wasn't possible before, moving the industry away from firefighting and towards genuine foresight. 

FirstPort's Sugar Quay development in London offers an early example of what that adaptation looks like in practice. Smart building technology was introduced two years ago, initially to support the site's heat network system. Since then, it has expanded to cover lifts and fire alarm systems, with potential integration into AOVs and generators under consideration. The software enables monitoring of a full range of building assets in one place, enabling the management team to get ahead of maintenance issues before they escalate. 

The results are already making a difference on the ground. Deren Covac, the Development Manager at Sugar Quay, explains: "The smart building software is running smoothly and performing well. It provides real-time notifications, which alert the team immediately when an issue arises such as the lifts, pumps, or other systems, allowing teams to communicate with contractors quickly and effectively." 

For Gareth Cayford, Group Director of Operations at FirstPort, the implications go further still. "AI-powered smart building platforms are transforming the way buildings are managed through improving cost efficiency, transparency, and the overall resident experience," he says. "By tracking the status of a building asset, such as a lift or boiler, in real time, property managers can identify trends, predict maintenance needs, and maintain the accurate records required for regulatory compliance. This means there is less reliance on manual processes and more of a focus on proactive and preventative property management." 

The shift from reactive to predictive is central to what smart technology promises. Rather than waiting for a fault to be reported, AI systems can identify patterns that point to potential issues, alerting technical teams before problems escalate and enabling them to be resolved before residents even notice them. 

As part of an initial pilot across a small number of FirstPort developments, the platform is already delivering meaningful insight. Gareth adds: “The AI platform is helping property managers to understand how factors such as weather affect a building's technical systems, highlighting areas for improvement and enabling more informed, long-term decisions around maintenance and investment." 

The regulatory context makes this capability particularly valuable. With changes introduced under the Energy Act and the need to meet Ofgem performance standards, property managers are under greater pressure to demonstrate visibility and control over building systems. Smart technology provides a level of insight that the industry has never had access to before. 

While the potential is significant, Gareth is clear that technology is only part of the picture. He explains: "Technology plays an increasingly important role, but property management remains fundamentally people driven. Clear communication and trust are essential to delivering a positive resident experience, with smart systems enhancing visibility and insight to support better decisions and a more responsive service." 

The industry is not yet at the point where technology can be fully relied upon in isolation and human expertise remains critical. But the combination of smart systems and human judgement is where the real opportunity lies. It is not just enhancing operational performance but helping to define the next generation of property management altogether.