Hencò Accreditation ~
Turning Design into an Investable Standard
The HENCÔ HQAI Accreditation is the global benchmark for luxury commercial real estate design quality. Developed by HENCÔ + Partners, it offers owners, investors, and brand stakeholders a clear, independent measure of destination readiness. It guarantees that a project not only looks extraordinary but also performs commercially, operationally, and sustainably.
Unlike a broker or an architectural practice, HENCÔ operates at the intersection of design expertise, commercial strategy, and investor assurance. Our role is to evaluate, validate, and certify design quality with the independence that transforms aesthetics into a measurable, investable asset.
The HQAI Framework
At the heart of the accreditation is the HENCÔ Quality Assessment Index (HQAI). This proprietary methodology grades projects from Bronze to Platinum across four weighted pillars. Each project is adjudicated through a structured review, ensuring balance between creative excellence and commercial pragmatism.
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Design Excellence (30%) – Aesthetics, brand alignment, and spatial experience
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Commercial Viability (30%) – Tenant appeal, revenue potential, adaptability, and market resilience
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Sustainability & Future-Proofing (20%) – ESG compliance, innovation, and long-term efficiency
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Operational Efficiency (20%) – Access, wayfinding, maintainability, and lifecycle practicality
Projects achieving over 80% overall score are awarded the Platinum Seal, a visible guarantee of world-class standards.
is to evaluate, validate, and certify design quality with the independence that transforms aesthetics into a measurable, investable asset.
Why It Matters
For owners, REITs, and private equity investors, design quality has become a decisive factor in asset performance. Destinations that are certified under HQAI reduce investment risk, attract premium tenants, and accelerate leasing velocity.
The HQAI Accreditation:
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Protects investment by validating design quality before capital is deployed
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Builds credibility with lenders, boards, and investment committees
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Supports leasing and branding with a trusted third-party quality stamp
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Enhances long-term value creation by aligning design with operational and ESG priorities
As Sharon Cohen, HENCÔ Co-Founder and CEO, explains: “Design now governs value. HQAI Accreditation gives investors and owners the assurance that a destination is ready to perform culturally, commercially, and sustainably.”
Who It’s For
The HENCÔ HQAI Accreditation is designed for:
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Developers and Landlords seeking a measurable standard to validate flagship or portfolio projects
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Investors and REITs requiring independent evidence of design excellence and commercial readiness
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Brands and Operators wanting consistent, high-performance environments aligned with their identity
From pre-planning adjudication and mixed-use flagships to portfolio upgrades and brand-landlord design playbooks, HQAI Accreditation is a flexible tool for destinations of every scale.
Track Record and Authority
HENCÔ draws on over 25 years of luxury design expertise with a portfolio that includes Prada, Burberry, Fendi Casa, Omega, Westfield, Diriyah Gate, Clivedale, and Nakheel. Sharon Cohen, who introduced LEED standards to Prada, now brings the same global vision to the commercial real estate sector. HENCÔ redefines how design is measured, validated, and valued.
The Seal of Excellence
The HENCÔ HQAI Certification Seal in our signature deep green symbolizes design excellence you can trust. Recognisable across project documents, investor decks, marketing materials, and site signage, it reinforces that your development has passed one of the most rigorous design quality assessments in the industry.
When a project bears the HENCÔ HQAI Accreditation, it tells the market one thing clearly: this destination is built to perform and endure.
inding, maintainability, and lifecycle practicality
Projects achieving over 80% overall score are awarded the Platinum Seal, a visible guarantee of world-class standards.
is to evaluate, validate, and certify design quality with the independence that transforms aesthetics into a measurable, investable asset.