Denmark’s PKA has halved the vacancy rate of its domestic office portfolio over the past 18 months from 16% to 7.8%.

The DKK250bn (€33.6bn) pension fund said it achieved the reductions by working closely with a local firm of architects.

Over Byen Arkitekter worked with prospective tenants to design and develop new office facilities and communal areas in the buildings.

Peter Gravesen, real estate portfolio manager at PKA, said: “There is steep competition on the rentals market for commercial properties, and the strategic cooperation with Over Byen Arkitekter has contributed to getting more rental properties leased out.”

Customers were able to see the potential of the buildings to support their businesses and needs, he said.

PKA has around DKK18bn invested in Danish real estate and some DKK2.6bn in foreign properties.

The fund owns 90 commercial properties in Denmark worth a total of DKK6.8bn.