Beyond the Lease: A Commercial Property Owner’s Guide to Production Revenue
In today’s shifting commercial real estate market, property owners and leaseholders are facing a new reality. A vacant property being marketed for lease can sit empty for months. An office that has downsized due to remote work can leave a company paying for thousands of underutilized square feet. This empty space represents a significant liability.
But at Buttercup Venues, we see it differently. We see a film set. We see an immersive event space. We see a major revenue opportunity.
Whether you own a building or are a tenant stuck in a long-term lease, your commercial property is a valuable, untapped asset. This guide will show you how to unlock that potential and turn your space into a sought-after destination for Hollywood productions and global brands.
Part 1: The Opportunity - Why Your Commercial Space is in Demand
Productions and event agencies are constantly searching for authentic, unique, and practical locations. Your property might be exactly what they’re looking for.
Vacant & Underutilized Offices: A ready-made set for a corporate drama, a tech start-up commercial, or a police procedural. For a company stuck in a lease with empty floors, this is a way to transform that liability into a revenue-generating asset without disrupting the few employees still on-site.
Warehouses & Industrial Spaces: These are the ultimate blank canvases. Their scale is perfect for building large sets, hosting car commercials, or creating massive, immersive brand activations.
Galleries & Lofts: The clean lines of a gallery or the character of a commercial loft are ideal for high-fashion photoshoots, luxury product launches, and sophisticated corporate events.
Restaurants & Bars: Why build a bar set when a production can rent a real one? Your establishment is perfect for authentic film scenes, especially during off-hours when it would otherwise be empty.
Gyms, Schools, Labs & Community Centers: These are niche, high-demand locations. It is far more cost-effective for a production to rent a real, fully-equipped gym or science lab for a day than to build one from scratch.
Hotels & Motels: From the lobby to the guest rooms, hotels provide a multitude of settings for film and television, offering a controlled and production-friendly environment.
Part 2: The "Production-Ready" Mindset for Commercial Properties
To succeed in this market, it’s crucial to adopt a "production-ready" mindset. This means understanding the unique needs of productions and events.
Embrace Off-Hours Flexibility: One of the greatest advantages of a commercial property is its availability during non-business hours. Being open to night and weekend shoots or events makes your property incredibly attractive and minimizes disruption to any existing operations.
Understand the Production Footprint: A film crew is a small army. It includes not just the cast, but grip and electric trucks, catering, hair and makeup stations, and restroom facilities ("honeywagons"). A successful venue has a plan for this logistical footprint, including parking and designated support areas.
Be Open to Temporary Cosmetic Changes: The art department is responsible for a project's look. They may need to paint a wall, hang different art, or bring in all-new furniture. This is a standard part of the process. Our contracts ensure that the property is always returned to its original condition, guaranteed.
Recognize the Need for Speed: The entertainment industry moves at lightning speed. A location is often scouted and booked within days. As your representative, we handle all communications, but your ability to approve scout requests quickly can be the deciding factor in landing a six-figure project.
Part 3: From Empty Space to Income Stream: The Buttercup Process
We have perfected a transparent, step-by-step process to manage every detail, protect your asset, and maximize your income.
Step 1: The Expert Assessment
Our team evaluates your property for its production viability. We go beyond aesthetics to analyze the critical infrastructure: power capacity (amps and phases), load-in access for large trucks, ceiling heights, sound environment, and available parking.
Step 2: Professional Marketing at No Cost to You
Once your property is approved, we invest in it. We professionally photograph your space to highlight its best features and create a detailed listing. Then, we actively market it to our exclusive network of location managers, producers, and brand executives.
Step 3: Vetted Scouts & On-Site Management
When a client is interested, they will want to scout the location. A Buttercup Venues representative is always present during these visits. We act as the gatekeeper and guardian of your property, answering technical questions and ensuring every visit is professionally managed.
Step 4: Ironclad Contracts & Upfront Payment
This is where we provide total peace of mind.
Contracts: We use industry-standard agreements that legally protect you and your property.
Insurance: We require every client to provide a multi-million-dollar certificate of insurance (COI) naming you and your company as additionally insured.
Upfront Payment: All fees—the location fee, the security deposit, and any other charges—are collected and secured in full before any activity begins on your property.
Transparent Commission: Our 30% commission is taken only from the gross location fee. Other fees, such as for power usage, are passed directly to you.
Conclusion: Your Commercial Property is a Creative Asset
That vacant office, underutilized warehouse, or empty restaurant is not a liability—it's a creative asset waiting to be discovered. The key is having an expert partner who can bridge the gap between commercial real estate and the worlds of entertainment and marketing.
At Buttercup Venues, we handle the complexity, the marketing, the logistics, and the legalities. You enjoy a new, significant stream of revenue from your existing property.
Contact us today to schedule an assessment and learn how to turn your empty space into Hollywood’s next hot location.
