While spaces are empty, now is the time for commercial real estate management companies to move away from old trends and prepare their vacancies for a safer future. Instead, these respondents are “optimizing operational costs and using technology to reposition space and for facilities management improve operational resilience.” They’ll also expect better communication with the facilities management team as health concerns in shared spaces are here to stay.Ī recent Deloitte survey found that commercial real estate holders plan to reduce costs by 20% on average, but this doesn’t mean they’re downgrading their facilities. When 3-2-2 professionals show up at their upgraded offices post-pandemic, they’ll expect a superior in-office experience that gives them privacy and the ability to facilitate collaboration or solo concentration in distinct spaces.
Here in the first quarter of 2021, it’s hard to imagine corralling employees in a wide-open work environment ever again. The takeaway? While commercial tenants may reduce the amount of space they lease in the future, the quality of that space will become more important.ĭowntown Offices Aren’t Going Away, But They Are Getting an Upgradeīy the first quarter of 2020, up to 70% of office spaces were primarily or partially open plan. Those offering high-quality office spaces with the features employers (and employees) are looking for will be well-positioned to fill their spaces, and one of the key features people are looking for is flexible space.ĬBRE’s recent trend report found that “occupiers are increasingly demanding flexible space options, shared meeting space, indoor air quality, connected building apps and touchless technology when considering new leases.” The good news: Most companies will be returning to the office on the other side of this crisis.