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How COVID-19 Has Changed Office Space Design

As we quickly near the end of the month of September, I think we can all agree that COVID-19 is still relevant. While a great deal of people continue to work from home, many have returned to the office. So, many have asked how the Corona Virus has changed the future of office space? Office space as we once knew it has changed and continues to change as new information about the virus evolves. Three particular things come to mind when you think about how COVID-19 has changed the design and layouts of offices: touch-less technology, open-space office concepts and flex schedules.

Touch-Less Technology

Pre-COVID many companies had already began implementing touch-less forms of technology such as automatic doors or automatic sinks, soap and paper towel dispensers (in restrooms/break rooms). However, as offices began to reopen after quarantine, companies understood that they would need to invest touch-less technology to ensure the safety of their employees. Some companies have even gone the extra mile and invested in ultra-violet lights, which can kill both virus and bacteria. These can be used to both disinfect workspace surfaces and limit human contact by monitoring how many people are in the workplace.

Open-Space Office Concepts

The trend of open space office layouts may be a thing of the past. For years, many companies found ways to get creative and fully utilize the space they had by introducing an open-space office concept. Rather than having a bunch of small offices or cubicles, long tables were introduced to create a cohesive work environment and bring employees together. Due to social distancing rules, companies may need to say good bye to the open concept plans. Many people are going to be looking for that extra space before even thinking about going back to work. Employees are going to look for the separate offices or cubicles to ensure their own safety. Cushman & Wakefield are testing a new concept called the “Six Feet Office,” which will display visual foot traffic routing in the office to keep people six feet apart. The wheels are definitely turning; however, companies are going to need to get creative!

Flex Schedules

Another way companies have strategized getting employees back into the office safely is through flex work schedules. Companies are breaking teams up into smaller groups and staggering them throughout the week. By implementing flex schedules and prioritizing whom needs to be in the office more, companies are able to start getting employees back in the building in a safe way.

No one has all the answers, however; the health and safety of employees should be a top priority.  Give our team at Office Space Brokers a call 813-289-3700, for a consultation to strategize your company’s office space steps.

Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

What Are My Options to Eliminate My Office Space Rent?

The market has plummeted and now your business is taking a hit. Furthermore, you are not able to go into your office because it is not considered “essential” or out of the risk of your employees’ health and safety.

Every lease is written differently but there could be a few clauses that may be arguable in your favor. We are not attorneys and can’t provide legal counsel, however, we have identified and selected attorneys who are experts in Force Majeure and Impossibility Clause. Below are 3 action steps you can take to minimize any financial overhead you have with your Landlord.

PPP Loan.
The PPP Loan can be used towards office space rent, utilities and interest on a mortgage. If you have not already and missed the first round of funding, take advantage of the second round. You will want to apply directly through your bank. It is recommended you apply through your existing bank.

Make an Appeal to Landlord.
Ask your Landlord if you can forgo rent for the next ninety days. Not all Landlords would be accepting to this but it does not hurt to ask. A way this could be presented is the next ninety days is waved and then owed in addition to your next rent payment. For example, rent for May, June and July could be waved and on August 1st rent May-August will be due. Another scenario, you could tack it on to the end of the lease or spread the rent over the next several months. There are several ways this could be accomplished depending on the Landlord’s appetite and the Tenant’s ability to pay.

Review Your Lease.
As we stated in the beginning, every lease is different. Dig up your lease and you will want to review for two clauses, Force Majeure and Impossibility clause. Both of these clauses could provide means to bring to your Landlord but that would be for a Real Estate Attorney to advise. Force Majeure is defined as “unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract”. Impossibility is defined as “is an excuse for the nonperformance of duties under a contract, based on a change in circumstances (or the discovery of preexisting circumstances), the nonoccurence of which was an underlying assumption of the contract, that makes performance of the contract literally impossible.”

Additionally, the State of Florida is a very Tenant friendly state in regards to laws between Landlords and Tenants compared to other states. Having a Tenant Representative provides a competitive advantage to understand the pulse of the market and insider only, knowledge. Give our team at Office Space Brokers a call 813-289-3700 or email at cd@officespacebrokers.com to evaluate your company’s office space solution and walk you through this process to minimize your financial risk while you business is at a standstill.

Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

How Could the Corona Virus Change the Future of Office Space?

Short answer, it’s too early to tell the impact the Corona Virus will have on office space market in Tampa Bay. However, there are a couple of factors based on the shift we have seen with the Corona Virus that could impact office layout, cleanliness and the space requirements. Reviewing the top three factors which were impacted from the Corona Virus were air quality, limiting the touching of common surfaces and shared common areas. Below I have addressed the three different areas and how each could be impacted.

Cleanliness and Air Quality.

Good air quality has already been correlated with productive work environments and minimizes the number of sick days. Air quality improves the over all sense of well-being, focus and productivity. Buildings who have high standards for air quality and circulation will be favored over others. If a technology is created to minimize this impact of virus spread, this could also be a consideration when companies are reviewing which office buildings can provide the safest environment.

Landlords could increase cleaning standards by their janitorial companies in common areas such as fitness centers, bathrooms and elevators. The recent addition of Tenant lounges in office buildings with shared kitchens, meeting spaces and activities will have be evaluated with new cleanliness standards or reconfigured. Tenants who hire their own janitorial services, might have to comply per their lease, cleaning standards within their office suites.

Office Layout.

We have seen the trend of more open work environment shift over the years, some with smaller work areas and bringing people closer together. For example, think of two long tables with employees on each side, creating a community work area that several companies have adopted. Work stations moved into shorter “walls” to create a collaborative and open environment.

The immediate use of small and large conference rooms could be avoided. The changes of the 6 feet in between individuals which has been mandated could translate into the layout and space needed to fit the same 20 people may increase thus, requiring more space allotted per person. Individual offices could return as a solution or larger work stations with taller walls and dividers could make an appearance. Click here to read the average work stations and office sizes and what is your company’s ideal size.

Working From Home.

I have heard some say companies transitioning to working from home could reach a point where production is consistent and the habit of working from home has created a new culture which the staff prefers. I do not believe this 100% work transition will occur, it depends on the industry, company and the culture of the company.

I believe the 100% transition to remote work may be less common, a hybrid of minimizing the number of people in the office and frequency may be more common. The opposite could also be true, realizing the need for in person communication and collaboration is required for productivity.

 

Making  the protection of health and safety of employees a top priority, will reduce risk and position companies to be a top employer of choice in a competitive environment. Having a Tenant Representative on your side will provide an advantage only an expert with their ear to the ground on a daily basis can deliver insight and market specialization. Give our team at Office Space Brokers a call 813-289-3700, for a consultation to strategize your company’s office space steps.

Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

My Office Space Lease Is Coming Up and The Economy Just Plummeted

Is your lease coming up in the next 6-9 months? If so, your decision to renew or relocate will have a few additional factors to consider when making the decision.

It is typical for a lease renewal deadline to be given in writing to a Landlord at least 6 months prior to the lease ending. You might find yourself in this situation, your lease is up in the next 6 months and not sure if you plan on relocating or renewing?

Check your lease for a Renewal Deadline.

We wrote a blog giving you a map, to avoid hidden traps when renewing your office space lease. Use a fine-tooth comb to check when your notice, if you chose to renew your lease, is due to the Landlord. Double check there is no requirement to notify the Landlord you will not be renewing. If you need more time, go ahead and ask the Landlord for an extension on the notice to provide to the Landlord whether you wish to renew. Office Space Brokers clients, we give clients a thirty-six, twenty-four, twelve and six month reminders to assist in this planning process.

Make a Scenario A and Scenario B plan.

Create two scenarios for your office space requirements. Scenario A is best case scenario for your business and Scenario B is worst case on how you foresee your office space needs will be impacted. Office Space Brokers provides a free resource on our website where you can calculate your office space requirements based on your ideal layout. Click here to access the calculator. 

Create Your Budget.

What is your Scenario A and Scenario B office budget? If your budget drastically decreases but the office space size requirements stays the same, considering a different submarket or changing the class of building you lease, can provide the opportunity to meet your budget. When you change from a Class A building to a Class B building that is something that could change the type of lease structure. Click here to read more about the three most common lease structures.

Commercial Real Estate typically responds to market shifts and not necessary and economic leader. As I am writing this article, it is too early to see the lasting impact except for the noticed impact in the small retail and restaurant businesses.

Having a Tenant Representative on your side will give you the pulse of the market and insight only having your ear to the ground on a daily basis can provide. Give our team at Office Space Brokers a call 813-289-3700 or cd@officespacebrokers.com to evaluate your company’s office space solution.