Can Your Commercial Real Estate Building Affect Your Productivity?

The short answer is yes, but it can be difficult to justify a greater investment in commercial real estate for intangible benefits. Even so, worker salaries are one of the largest expenses of any business, and even a modest increase in productivity can provide a huge advantage. Take a closer look at how the design and layout of a commercial real estate property affects employee productivity:

It Can Make Employees Happier

In a recent poll from Microsoft, 90 percent of employees linked workspace design to their bottom-line productivity. Whether your workplace focuses on the privacy of cubicles or a more open-ended design, having the square footage to efficiently plan your workplace layout is essential. There have been several scientific studies confirming the correlation of workplace happiness to productivity. For example, data gathered by a survey in The Wall Street Journal shows that happy workers are twice as productive, stay five times longer at their job, are six times more energized, and take significantly less sick leave than disgruntled employees.

It Can Make Employees Healthier

Not only will a poor commercial real estate location reduce productivity, but it can also strain employee health benefits. “Sick building syndrome,” or SBS, is a condition which causes a range of medical problems, including headaches, dry or itchy skin, eye, nose, and throat irritation;, difficulty concentrating, dizziness and nausea, and fatigue. Although studies have linked various cases of SBS to a variety of factors such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or indoor/outdoor chemical contamination, there is no specific cause of SBS, which can make it a complex problem to address for large businesses.

Save money on a commercial real estate location by consulting with an experienced tenant representative about your needs. Tom Pappas is an experienced commercial real estate agent based out of Denver, Colorado, with years of experience representing high-profile national and international firms. Call (303) 217-2607 or send an online inquiry for more information.

An Overview of the Advantages Offered by LEED Certification

 

Leadership in in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is awarded to businesses which make an effort to reduce their environmental impact through sustainable engineering and energy-efficient measures. Reducing energy consumption not only offers several financial benefits, but it can also improve overall employee health and productivity. Read on to see how LEED-certified commercial real estate can help your business with:

Risk Mitigation

An energy-efficient infrastructure can help protect your business’ interests and public image. LEED-certification optimizes your building’s efficiency beyond the code-required minimums, thereby minimizing your business’ ecological impact and reducing the risk of future lawsuits.

Overhead Costs

LEED-certified buildings cost less to operate and maintain. By moving into an LEED-certified commercial real estate building, your business will either save on utility costs directly or have more leverage in negotiating a lower rent. Additionally, data from the USGBC shows that obtaining LEED certification for existing commercial buildings can reduce operating costs by as much as 8.5% and increase building value by 6.8%.

Corporate Image

Going green isn’t practical from a financial standpoint; it also improves your visibility and reputation with both potential clients, especially if they are the “green” industry or are looking for an eco-friendly company to do business with. In fact, a case study in the American Journal of Public Health reported that LEED measures improved employee productivity by 2.6%. LEED certification can also qualify your business for regional and federal government tax credits.

To speak with experienced tenant representative about how your business can save money on a lease for a LEED-certified site, contact Tom Pappas Commercial Real Estate of Denver, CO. We will work to negotiate a competitive leasing offer while protecting your business’ best interests. Call (303) 217-2607 or contact us online to set up a professional consultation.

Tips for Negotiating Your Commercial Lease

Knowing how to make sense of your commercial leasing agreement can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Take a look at this video for some helpful tips.

Start early and scout multiple locations. Keeping your options open and allowing yourself enough time to make an informed decision will provide you with more leverage during negotiations. Once you find a suitable location, be sure to professionally double-check the floor space and review your leasing agreement.

These basic tips can help you find a suitable location for your business, but an experienced commercial real estate agent is an invaluable asset in negotiating the best price. Tom Pappas Commercial Real Estate can help you find an excellent commercial property in Denver. Call (303) 217-2607 to learn how Mr. Pappas can help you make sound commercial real estate decisions. 

How Tom Pappas Can Help with Your Commercial Real Estate

One of the best ways to purchase a commercial real estate property for your business and budget is to work with a commercial real estate agent like Tom Pappas. This video takes a closer look at Tom Pappas Commercial Real Estate and the steps our company takes to help our clients.

Our company sets itself apart from other agencies by offering a superior level of commitment and wide variety of skill sets. For example, we employ a 25-year real estate veteran and an attorney with 16 years of experience, allowing us to cover both the financial and legal aspects of commercial real estate. Watch the complete clip for more information!

Does LEED Certification Benefit Tenants?

Going green is more than a passing fad; adopting an energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly office design can help to benefit the earth and your business’ bottom line. If you are looking to secure any commercial property or office space, consider meeting the government’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certifications as part of your build-out plans. Doing so can result in a number of advantages for your company, including:

Cost Savings

Negotiating with your landlord to include LEED certification in your build-out agreement can result in significant long-term cost savings for you and your landlord. Because green buildings require less energy to operate, they also generate reduced utility costs. If utilities are included in your commercial lease agreement, your business will see these savings directly. If they are not your responsibility, you can still use the prospect of lower energy costs to negotiate a reduction in your rent. A tenant representative can work with you to explain the benefits of LEED certification to your landlord.

Efficiency Increases

LEED-certified buildings don’t simply improve energy efficiency; they also improve human efficiency. According to a 2009 Michigan State study, the health and stress-related benefits of LEED buildings led to an increase in 39 work hours per person per year and increased productivity from $69,601 to more than $250,000. When done well, a LEED build-out makes you and your employees happier and more productive.

Environmental Benefits

One of the main goals of LEED certification, of course, is to protect the environment. Because fewer resources are used during both the building process and day-to-day operations, LEED buildings help your business to reduce its environmental impact. If your company is committed to being environmentally-responsible, building a green office space is a good way of increasing your company’s reputation and visibility. In addition, LEED buildings are often eligible for special tax incentives and can help attract clients who share your passion for sustainability.

The benefits of making commercial property more energy-efficient can make LEED certification an attractive quality in your office space. Your tenant representative can help you negotiate with and convince your landlord of the need for green design.

To work with an established and experienced tenant representative, contact Tom Pappas. As managing director at Studley, Inc., Tom specializes in strategic planning within the Denver market and develops real estate strategies to help his clients make sound commercial real estate decisions. Visit us online or call Tom today at (720) 259-1809.

How to Make Workers Happy? Optimize Your Office Space

Is your office built for productivity, growth and employee happiness, or is it a dungeon of drudgery and misused space? Did you know that 90% of workers believe that having a better workplace environment could improve overall performance? If your company is preparing to lease commercial office space, remember that your real estate strategy is essential to your overall business strategy. 

When leasing commercial real estate, look for an office that offers key features and qualities that will promote your company’s success. From the flexibility of the space to the amount of natural light in the room, certain characteristics can help to optimize your space for happier employees and increased productivity. Check out our infographic for a visual checklist of office space must-haves. 

How Much Office Space Should I Lease?

Is your company ready for newer, bigger, or more fitting office space? While finding the right space can be a challenge, the results can translate into increased employee satisfaction, productivity, and growth opportunities. One of the primary considerations you will make when looking at new leases is the amount of office space required. With the help of a commercial leasing agent, business owners can find a space that works for their current needs and future goals.

Employee Needs

Moving into a new office can not only help to make an impressive statement to clients but also provide your employees with the space, technology and tools they need to perform at their best. When looking at office space, ensure that there is adequate space for each department or employee to perform their tasks comfortably and effectively. The right office space will provide your team with plenty of room to organize, work, and collaborate, creating a more efficient work environment.

Shared Spaces

Individual office spaces can be complemented by appropriate shared spaces, a combination that can be especially important for collaborative projects. This collaborative office space can mean anything from multiple conference rooms and open seating spaces to an employee cafeteria. By creating distinct spaces for individual and shared tasks, all employees can find a work environment that optimizes their productivity without impinging on a colleague’s.

Plan for the Future

When you are searching for new space, consider both your immediate needs and your long-term vision. An office space with enough square footage or flexibility to accommodate your business a few years down the road can help you stay adaptable without having to move spaces again. 

For more information about leasing commercial office space, please contact Tom Pappas. As managing director at Studley, Inc., Tom specializes in strategic planning within the Denver market and develops real estate strategies to help his clients make sound commercial real estate decisions. Visit us online or call Tom today at (303) 217-2607.

Making Strategic Market Decisions

Whether client interactions or online transactions are the crux of your company, knowing and understanding your market can help to optimize and expand your business. If you are looking for a larger commercial property or entering a new market for the first time, enlist an experienced commercial real estate broker to help you make a sound and strategic real estate decision. In addition to helping you find and secure the right commercial property, your broker can also provide valuable insight into market-specific initiatives and opportunities that could positively impact your own company.

• With the economy in flux, the commercial real estate market is also changing with constancy. With the guide of an experienced broker who understands the current commercial real estate outlook, you can make a strategic commercial real estate decision that benefits your company now and into the future.
• Whether you choose to relocate your business because of expansion or to follow new opportunities, finding the right property can impact the success of your business, particularly if you are entering a new market. Read more about office relocations, what to consider, and how to make a seamless transition with this guide from Entrepreneur Magazine.
• Eco-friendly commercial properties and initiatives can help companies to conserve both valuable environmental resources and long-term expenses on energy and utilities. One such program is ResourceSmart, a partnership between Denver utilities providers and the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties that invites the commercial real estate community to conserve and smartly use resources.

For more information about commercial real estate, please contact Tom Pappas. As managing director at Studley, Inc., Tom specializes in strategic planning within the Denver market and develops real estate strategies to help his clients make sound commercial real estate decisions. Visit us online or call Tom today at (720) 259-1809.

Denver Business Journal: Designing Office Space for Flexibility and Maximum Revenue

With a shift in work styles occurring in the office—driven, in part, by changes in virtual communications, the trend towards off-site meetings, and less demand for private workspace from Millennials—developers, landlords and tenants are beginning to rethink the design and function of the traditional office. In their article for the Denver Business Journal published on September 14, 2012, Jeff Hohensee and Phillip Saieg write that “The work style of the 21st-century workforce, with its focus on sustainability, mobility, connectivity and collaboration, is changing. In turn, the space we occupy must transform to keep up with these new demands.”

Tenants are finding that, as more employees conduct business outside the office or in collaborative spaces, the amount of square footage required for each employee has lessened. And in an effort to maximize rented space, some developers and property owners are building out more flexible office spaces, complete with multiple meeting spaces and natural light, to attract tenants and appeal to employee work styles. And the potential outcome of these shifts in style and attitude? Building owners may be better able to maximize rented space and revenue while tenants can reduce overhead and operating costs. And with both parties benefiting, say Hohensee and Saieg, we may see a move towards integrated design and split incentives among owners and tenants:

“By marrying space design with productivity, floor plan layout with revenue generation, and building systems with comfort and sustainability, building owners are able to drive down vacancy rates, boost productivity of their tenants’ employees, and enhance profitability for both themselves and their tenants.”

To read the full article, visit the Denver Business Journal online: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/print-edition/2012/09/14/denver-real-estate-experts-ways-for.html.

For more information about commercial real estate in Denver, contact Tom Pappas online or call today at (720) 259-1809.

Call on a Broker in Your Commercial Property Search

Just as using a real estate broker can make your residential search less stressful, working with a tenant representative can make your commercial property search more strategic and targeted to your business needs. With experience and expertise in the industry, a commercial real estate broker can help you make a decision that considers your company’s growth, employee productivity, and investor demands. A tenant representative is not only an advocate for you but also brings valuable market knowledge and skills to the negotiation table.

• Business Insight: After analyzing your business model, goals, and company culture, an experienced commercial broker can help you find the space that best fits your current and future needs. Moving or relocating your office can impact finances, business operations, and employee and client satisfaction, but working with a professional can help you make the transition more seamless and strategic.
• Extensive Market Knowledge: Particularly if you are not from the area, a thorough understanding of your target market is critical to finding the right space at the right value and with the right opportunities. With his or her detailed understanding of the market, an established broker can help you target the right area for your business, analyze properties and demographics, and answer your questions about future growth or development activity.
• Negotiation Skills: Finding a suitable office is often easier than securing one. A commercial real estate broker brings extensive and insider knowledge of commercial lease negotiations that can help you secure the most favorable terms. When hiring a broker, look for a tenant representative; he or she advocates solely for clients and their best interests, not the landlord’s.

For more information about commercial real estate, please contact Tom Pappas. As managing director at Studley, Inc., Tom specializes in strategic planning within the Denver market and develops real estate strategies to help his clients make sound commercial real estate decisions. Visit us online or call Tom today at (720) 259-1809.