Since the onset of the pandemic, the workplace has seen many changes. Now, employee safety and spatial regulations are top priorities for commercial real estate (CRE) owners and operators as tenant expectations evolve. Through space measurement data collection, property teams can account for changes to spaces while maximizing rentable square footage (RSF).
With tenants returning to shared workspaces, CRE owners and operators need to understand how COVID is changing space in commercial buildings and why accurate measurement is important. As the commercial real estate industry continues to adapt to the post-COVID working environment, here are three changes you can expect to see – and how you can prepare your buildings for the return to office.
1. Hybrid Work Model
The hybrid work model is a flexible work schedule that allows employees to alternate between working remotely and in the office. In the post-COVID working environment, many companies are choosing to follow the hybrid work model. CRE owners and operators need to collaborate with tenants to facilitate a space that allows for this dynamic approach to work.
Hybrid work is here to stay and space management data collection is critical to a successful CRE operation. Meaning, a hybrid work model requires different space considerations than when people were in the office full-time. Floor space measurements need to reflect these new adaptations to the space.
2. Hoteling Office Space
Hoteling is when workspaces and conference rooms are available for employees to reserve during the workday, instead of the traditional permanent seating. For tenants, hoteling is an opportunity to create a flexible and mobile workspace. This new work model reflects how COVID is changing space in commercial buildings.
With that being said, floor plans need to accurately adjust to represent these agile spaces. Updated and accurate floor space measurement data is key to successfully launching such programs. CRE property owners can optimize the space they already have to make room for growth, without having to add more square footage.
3. Workplace Redesign
As CRE tenants begin to reoccupy spaces in the post-COVID working environment, properties are seeing physical change. Redesigning workstations, zones, and areas with 6-foot or even 10-foot personal perimeter is the new gold standard for office design. Commercial real estate tenants are looking for spaces that accommodate their needs and comfortability.
Property teams need to track how COVID is changing space in commercial buildings. New REBNY and BOMA space measurement standards have rolled out to reflect updated space requirements. And property teams need accurate space measurement data to prove compliance with the CDC’s latest guidelines.
Why Accurate Space Measurement is Important
CRE property teams and tenants are certainly seeing a change in the post-COVID working environment. From the hybrid work model to hoteling office space and workplace redesign, properties are seeing how COVID is changing space in commercial buildings.
It’s hard to keep up with tenant demands all while staying in compliance with CDC guidelines and REBNY and BOMA space measurement standards. You can ensure space measurements are accurate and up to date by utilizing CRE space measurement services. You can lean on experts to generate accurate measurements (down to the last square foot) so you can maximize your rentable square footage.
