Operations & Management

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Seven Tips for Well-Kept Floors

May 20, 2021 | By Susan Scapparone

Floors are the heart and soul of every building, and they’re one of the first things a visitor will notice when they walk through the door. A well-kept floor in your building can immediately signal to your occupants that the building is clean and maintained with care, a message that is now more essential than ever.

Manage Your Time and Be Happier For it

October 1, 2020 | By Murray S. Greene, BOMA Fellow, CPM, RPA, SMA

From understanding how the systems in a building work to accounting and financial skills to legal knowledge to tenant relations and more, commercial property managers must be exceptionally well-rounded. And, having these skills is one thing; making sure they are actually used effectively is another.

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.

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.

Last Mile Now First Priority

November 5, 2019 | By Liz Wolf

Logistics real estate used to be more behind the scenes. Warehouses and distribution centers were planted in remote locations, where costs for land, labor and taxes were low. Today, thanks to e-commerce and rising service level expectations, shortening time and distance to consumer populations is more important than ever. This increasing standard for convenience is reflected in the evolution from next-day delivery options into same-day and next-hour delivery options. Keeping up with these new consumer preferences has required last century’s warehouses to become technology-rich logistics facilities that can also perform store functions.

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.

A Natural Partnership: The National Park Service and BOMA 360

April 12, 2019 | By Tanner Johnston

When you think of the National Park Service (NPS), you might think of the beauty of the natural world: lush forests, painted deserts and towering mountains. But, behind the scenery is a vast network of personnel who all are dedicated to the same mission of caring for America’s national parks and helping people develop a relationship with nature. It’s a massive undertaking, but the principle is simple: Every member of the team has a role to play, and each role is uniquely important.

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center: Government at Its Greatest

September 20, 2018 | By Tanner Johnston

The Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority takes its role as the owner of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center seriously. Achieving the BOMA 360 designation helped the building authority showcase the busy government building’s lean-yet-effective operations and demonstrate to the community that their tax dollars are being well spent. The designation also resulted in a number of other big benefits, including a 50% drop in operating expenses and a better experience for visitors.

The RMR Group and BOMA 360: A Perfect Match

March 30, 2019 | By Jessica Bates

From Dan Cote’s perspective, The RMR Group and the BOMA 360 Performance Program were a perfect match. “BOMA 360 is a great program that recognizes excellence,” explains Cote, area director of the West Region at The RMR Group. “And, The RMR Group is all about building excellence.”

Improving on History at the Wrigley Building

September 22, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

The Chicago skyline looked very different when construction of the Wrigley Building began in 1920. In fact, there were no major office buildings north of the Chicago River when chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. chose the site for his company headquarters. Today, it still stands out, even among the many skyscrapers that since have sprung up around it. The two towers of the building are covered in shining white-glazed terra cotta and one tower features massive clock faces on each of its four sides. “Because the building is so iconic, most people assumed it was already a landmark when we took over management in 2011,” says Bradley Borowiec, general manager at the Zeller Realty Group, which oversees the nearly 100-year-old structure. Instead, the property team immediately got to work getting the building on the historic registry—while, at the same time, bringing the interior of the property into the modern area.

BOMA 360 Reaches New Heights with Shanghai Tower

December 13, 2018 | By Jessica Bates

Shanghai Tower—the second-tallest building in the world—is a marvel in the truest sense of the word, with the Guanfu Museum, multiple gardens, a hotel, restaurants and a significant amount of office space among its many impressive features. Managing this unique, multi-functional building comes with a special set of challenges, like keeping a 1,000+ member operations team running smoothly. CBRE Property Management Company Limited knew that the BOMA 360 Performance Program could be leveraged for all buildings — from small properties to the most complex. They sought the best-in-class asset management standards offered by the BOMA 360 program to help them manage Shanghai Tower at the highest level.

FBI Chicago Regional Field Office Holds the Secrets of Property Management

May 17, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

For many, this would be an insurmountable property management challenge: Accommodating a tenant that needs the highest possible level of security, as well as the highest level of sustainability. Nonetheless, the Cushman & Wakefield property team that manages the FBI Chicago Regional Field Office has risen to this challenge, meeting the specific requirements that come with housing the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Arrington Building’s Blueprint for Success Includes BOMA 360

March 15, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

“I’ve heard tenants tell me that they can tell whether or not a building is managed by our team—and has the BOMA 360 designation—as soon as they step inside.” So says Terry Scott, general manager for Forest City Realty Trust. “We’ve had tenants in very similar buildings nearby move into our buildings simply because they were more effectively managed.”

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.

Stormy Waters, Steady Ship: Leadership in Times of Crisis

October 19, 2020 | By John Salustri

All times of challenge—no matter their nature—come with two basic leadership truths. First, they demand all hands on deck. Whether the crisis is regional, such as hurricanes or wildfires, or global, such as a pandemic, everyone on the property management team has to row together. And therein lies the second truth about leadership. You can’t row together without a qualified team. Leadership in times of calm or chaos is as much about those being led as the ability of the leader to inspire.

411 East Wisconsin Center: An Approach to Training in a Class of its Own

July 20, 2020 | By Caroline Pomilla

How do you equip a property team to manage the second largest building in the state of Wisconsin? According to Colliers International’s Susan Johnson, CPM, RPA, senior property manager of 411 East Wisconsin Center, "it takes a comprehensive training and education program."

Terrell Place: A Dazzling Approach To Energy Management

June 15, 2020 | By Caroline Pomilla

When visitors step through the door of Washington, D.C.’s landmark building Terrell Place, they are instantly immersed in an experience unlike any other. The lobby walls of the 425,000-square-foot office property are covered in reactive LED displays that broadcast a variety of familiar scenes—like the district’s beloved cherry blossoms or the local cityscape—and deliver a sense of connection between visitors and their surroundings.

Investing in Your Building Through ESG

June 15, 2020 | By John Salustri

Times of crisis shine a spotlight on how businesses are impacting their employees, customers and communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic (still a very present concern as of the publication of this article), companies across the United States are being held publicly accountable for their handling of the crisis. At the same time, investors are taking a hard look at where their money is safest. Already on the rise in recent years, ESG principles may be entering a golden age, especially in commercial real estate.

Getting Back to Work: BOMA International Provides Guidance for Preparing Commercial Buildings for Re-Entry Amid COVID-19

June 15, 2020 | By Patricia M. Areno, CAE

BOMA International has published a new guidance document addressing considerations for commercial building re-entry efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Getting Back to Work: Preparing Buildings for Re-Entry Amid COVID-19 provides a framework for preparing commercial properties for the safe return of tenants, additional building personnel, visitors, vendors and contractors and identifies operational and safety procedures and protocols that should be implemented, updated or enhanced to prepare for operations in a post-COVID-19 world

The Highs and Lows of Managing Cannabis Real Estate

April 7, 2020 | By Patricia Kirk

Pardon the pun, but pot is a growing business. Legalization of cannabis continues to spread across the United States. In fact, at last count, 11 states plus the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for adult recreational use, and another 22 states have sanctioned medical marijuana. As a result, cannabis sales are projected to grow from $10.8 billion in 2019 to about $100 billion over the next five years, according to the National Institute for Cannabis Investors.

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.

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.

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.

Beaird Tower: Where Happy Tenants Work

February 15, 2019 | By Tanner Johnston

At Beaird Tower, tenant satisfaction is always top-of-mind—especially because the building is in a market where competition for tenants is fierce. The Vintage Realty management team isn’t afraid to think outside the box and constantly strives to anticipate the needs of the building’s occupants. Earning the BOMA 360 designation not only was a point of pride for the team, but it also delivered meaningful results.

Ford Center: A Well-Oiled Machine

August 1, 2018 | By Tanner Johnston

In the heart of the historic North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis stands Ford Center. The property is easy to spot thanks to its dark red-brick exterior and distinctive rooftop water tower emblazoned with the Ford name. Today, it is a 10-story, 270,000-square-foot office building, but it began its life in 1914 as a Ford assembly plant that produced 287 Model T cars every day.

A Midwest Success: The Bank of America Plaza in St. Louis Exemplifies Excellence

January 17, 2018 | By Jessica Bates

“This building is its own little city,” says Amy Hanafin, vice president at JLL and general manager of the Bank of America Plaza in St. Louis. “It has a strong sense of community – and tenants can take care of just about everything without ever going outside.”

Excellence in the Heart of Texas

August 2, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

Managing a corporate facility might not seem that different than managing a multi-tenant office building, but CBRE’s Janet Shipley says there is one key difference that informs everything. Instead of balancing the needs of several occupant, the property team for a corporate facility can tailor their approach to a single tenant. “It’s an ongoing partnership, which means communication is key,” says Shipley, associate director and general manager at HESS Tower in Houston. “You have to be in sync with them in order to do your job well.”

Westside Medical Arts Center Operates with Surgical Precision

January 17, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

Visible signage, well-lit spaces, walkable corridors, knowledgeable staff—these are features a typical office building worker may take for granted when they come to work each day. For a visitor to a medical office building, however, these things can make an enormous difference.

201 Third Street: A Master Class in Sustainable Excellence

May 14, 2018 | By Tanner Johnston

The secret behind 201 Third Street’s operational success is a strong partnership between the property management team and its tenants, especially when it comes to sustainability. “We really want to be leaders in our industry and promote healthy and sustainable practices for our team and our tenants.” That’s what Laura Mullaney, property manager for Kilroy Realty Corporation, says her team strives to uphold as their management philosophy—a philosophy that helped 201 Third Street earn the BOMA 360 designation.

Setting the Gold Standard

November 9, 2017 | By Jessica Bates

In the heart of the Financial District of Manhattan, a building the size of a city block contains more gold than Fort Knox. Nearly a hundred years old, the 22-floor headquarters of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York also is an architectural archetype that inspired banks across the United States to copy its distinctive style reminiscent of the Italian Renaissance.

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