Office Sector

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America Gets Back to the Office—With Greater Expectations

June 10, 2021 | By John Salustri

Results from the second in a series of studies commissioned by BOMA International, underwritten by Yardi and developed by Brightline Strategies, have just been released, revealing an ongoing confidence in management and ownership’s handling of the pandemic. But it also tracks an evolution in what tenants expect from building personnel in order to prevent such a disruption from impacting vital business operations again. And therein lie challenges and opportunities for property managers.

The Shifting Dynamic Between Engagement and Well-Being

May 6, 2021 | By John Salustri

Occupant engagement and well-being used to be closely connected, but like many other aspects of commercial real estate, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed that. Gallup research reveals that occupant engagement rose through the depths of the pandemic, while its former partner, well-being, suffered. Stress, worry and isolation began contributing to a decline in a sense of well-being early in 2020, as an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the U.S. workforce worked from home. Now, with Mental Health Awareness Month kicking off and occupant re-entry beginning in markets across the country, employers and property professionals have an opportunity to double down on their efforts to prioritize health and well-being in the workplace.

Returning to Place: The Built Environment and the Human Experience Mandate

April 29, 2021 | By Will Craig

Prior to 2020, technology had already afforded us the convenience of ordering coffee, booking meetings and conducting business and personal relationships online. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic that many people began to appreciate the inimitable experiences, spontaneity and connections that the built environment provides—like the energy of a bustling city during the morning commute or the thought-provoking mural you pass in the lobby on your way to lunch—both of which cannot be adopted into a virtual format.

Is the Office the Great Equalizer?

March 17, 2021 | By Liz Wolf

As a result of the pandemic, many have been thrown into a year-long, work-from-home experiment. What quickly became clear is that not all home work setups are created equal, and while working from home may be going smoothly for those with dedicated workspaces, gigabit Internet and ergonomic office furniture, others struggle working at kitchen tables with spotty Wi-Fi and distracting roommates. These circumstances have led many to recognize the equalizing role of the in-person office, where workers have equal access to the tools—and relationships—they need to succeed.

Healthy Buildings in the Age of COVID-19

February 17, 2021 | By John Salustri

If you think a healthy environment is defined in this age of COVID-19 as plexiglass dividers and hand sanitizers, your assumptions fall short of the mark. An overarching health and safety protocol transcends the accumulation of product to encompass a holistic approach to both mind and body—and not just before a vaccine is widely available, but well beyond.

Flex Spaces Take a Lead Position in the Post-COVID Normal

December 17, 2020 | By Ben Munn

30 percent of all office space will be flexible by 2030—and large corporate occupiers will be driving much of the demand.

Welcome to the New Age of Corporate Fitness

January 23, 2020 | By John Salustri

Now that the holidays are over and fitness resolutions are in place, it’s time to reexamine the corporate fitness center. Leading-edge properties are now offering a range of amenities to help tenant accomplish their health goals, bringing about a wider understanding of what “wellness” might include.

2020 Vision: Predicting the Future of PropTech Investment

January 6, 2020 | By Jim Young

It’s easy to spot something new, but it’s not always easy to identify the beginning of a real trend. This past decade saw huge advancements in PropTech innovation; 2020 promises even more changes. Look out for these 15 trends to impact the built environment over the next year-and beyond.

Torre Anseli Ushers In New Era For Mexico's Office Market

April 19, 2019 | By Tanner Johnston

Mexico City is an energetic, sprawling metropolis that is rapidly gaining recognition as a world-class commercial real estate market. With new construction making up 90 percent of the market’s building stock and multinational companies looking to the Mexican capital for flagship office space, office buildings in Mexico City are quickly recognizing the importance of staying one step ahead of their competition.

Mobile Amenities Boost the Tenant Experience

January 31, 2020 | By Patrick Kirk

In today’s experiential-focused work environment, building amenities are important to tenants seeking to attract talent. In response to this demand, many property owners are investing significant capital on shared space upgrades, including outdoor workspaces, lobby lounges, onsite cafés, coffee bars and fitness facilities.

Can Office Space and Children Mix?

April 19, 2019 | By Liz Wolf

For multitenant office buildings in competitive markets, keeping a building fully occupied can become an amenities arms race. Many property teams may have never even considered offering on-site childcare as a way to woo desirable tenants, but the move to invest in daycare space—either as an amenity or through a childcare-focused tenant—might just give them that competitive edge.

A Tight Squeeze: How Dense Is Too Dense?

July 18, 2018 | By BOMA International

For years, property professionals have witnessed firsthand the densification of tenant spaces in the office buildings they oversee, as more and more employees occupy the same—or even less—space. In addition to dealing with the ensuing operational challenges, building owners and property managers have heard anecdotes from occupants who say their workplace is feeling too crowded. Finally, there’s some hard evidence to back up what those in commercial real estate have known for years: There’s a tipping point when what a tenant might call an "efficiently designed" office space becomes too dense—and the occupant experience suffers as a result.

First Insurance Center: Putting Industry Best Practices First

May 5, 2021 | By Caroline Pomilla

Situated near downtown Honolulu, the 204,063-square-foot Class A property boasts a newly renovated lobby, a mix of corporate and medical tenants and convenient access to retail, restaurants, the Honolulu Museum of Art, Straub Hospital and a public park. Adding to the property’s key features is a shiny new BOMA 360 designation that reminds its tenants and visitors that First Insurance Center has been evaluated and recognized for its industry-leading building management practices.

BOMA International Deep Dives

February 28, 2021 | By BOMA International

Fasten your snorkel and get ready for an in-depth exploration of the latest trends and issues important to today’s commercial real estate industry. BOMA International is pleased to announce the launch of its all-new BOMA Deep Dive series, aimed at providing property professionals with an unparalleled, comprehensive perspective on today’s priority topics. Available exclusively to BOMA members, BOMA Deep Dives offer the expert insights and context you need to navigate the ever-evolving commercial real estate landscape. Consider this your personal invitation to go beyond the surface and discover answers to questions you didn’t even know you had. We’re going where the nitty-gritty meets the heart of the matter and then some. That’s a BOMA Deep Dive.

Schaumburg Corporate Center: Where Tenants Connect

January 15, 2021 | By Caroline Pomilla

How do you make a one million-square-foot property feel like home? Just ask the Glenstar property management team at Schaumburg Corporate Center; they leverage the principles of the BOMA 360 Performance Program to make the office complex feel like home—even in the age of social distancing.

Survey Says: The Office Remains a Driver of Business Success

December 17, 2020 | By John Salustri

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the death of the office has been greatly exaggerated. New research confirms that, despite the havoc wreaked this year on the sector by the pandemic, the office remains a key ingredient of business success, and the role of property managers remains critical.

Workplace Amenities Reimagined

October 13, 2020 | By Liz Wolf

It’s been an amenities arms race for office building owners to provide wow-worthy spaces to prospective tenants. These once sought-after amenities, however, are perceived very differently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Property management teams are now stepping up to reimagine amenities spaces and also create new virtual experiences as health and safety take center stage.

The Ongoing Value of the Traditional Office

July 20, 2020 | By Marla Maloney

COVID-19 has had a monumental impact on the way we function, work and live. According to statistics from tech giant Salesforce, more than 60 percent of the total workforce throughout the United States, Brazil, Australia and several European countries are working remotely in response to the pandemic.

Designing for the Human Experience

January 30, 2020 | By Will Craig

As the nature of work becomes increasingly digital, modern tenants are looking to their physical surroundings for meaningful connections and stimulating experiences. Through an experiential design approach, property professionals can transform their buildings into memorable spaces.

Shedding Light on Lobby Lighting Design

January 11, 2020 | By Susan Martig

The lobby of a building is the first place we see when we step through the doors and the last place we see when we leave. Whether the building is for the exclusive use of a single company or it houses many tenants, the lights are expected to be on when someone is there—literally. In some places, that could mean constant lighting 24 hours a day. But how you control your lights has an impact not only on how welcome your building’s occupants feel, but also how efficiently your building runs.

Unlock the Value Beneath Your Feet; The Importance of Accurate Measurements

August 18, 2019 | By John Salustri

If you’ve been in the industry long enough—or for that matter, not a long time at all—you know the importance of accurate building measurements. Floor measurement standards are what BOMA has been famous for since 1915. But the “what” of accurate floor measurements wasn’t the focus of an in-depth educational session at the 2019 BOMA International Conference & Expo in Salt Lake City. It was the “why.” And simply put, the why comes down to asset value.

Denver Place: Achieves Mile-High Success with BOMA 360

January 20, 2020 | By Tanner Johnston

Located in, as one might guess, Colorado’s capital, Denver Place is one of the largest commercial office properties in the state. Boasting multiple event spaces, two restaurants, a fitness center, a large bike store facility, a Montessori school and more, the property boasts nearly one million square feet of rentable space and covers two and a half acres of downtown Denver. The LBA Realty property team has to be exceptionally well-organized so every visitor to the massive property has a great experience.

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