What Corporate Tenants Should Know About Hurricane-Proof Office Buildings

In this article, you'll learn:

• The importance of hurricane-proof office buildings in hurricane-prone regions like Florida and the Sunbelt
• Key features to look for in hurricane-resistant office buildings, including impact-resistant windows and reinforced exteriors
• The role of back-up generators in maintaining business operations during severe storms
• How corporate tenants can work with landlords to ensure their office spaces are hurricane-ready

If you know us, you know we love Florida. The low-cost hub is a mecca for businesses and has experienced explosive growth in the last few years. The only threat to Florida’s property market is an existential one, the ever-present chance that the year’s Hurricane season can be a vicious one. 

Hurricanes are becoming more severe than ever. At the same time, there’s more people living in hurricane-prone regions than ever. 

Some of our countries’ quickest growing cities are in the notorious hurricane path. Fort Meyers, Florida, Houston, Texas, and many other booming Sunbelt cities have been victims to major losses to hurricanes in the last decade- and we’re talking millions and billions of dollars in hurt. 

What can you do when you’re at the mercy of the natural environment? Retrofit your buildings to be prepared. Adapting offices and other property types has become a critical solution to not only keep people safe but retain productivity even in the worst of circumstances. Corporate tenants looking for offices (especially in hurricane-prone regions) should keep the follow information in mind.

In this article, we will cover the latest methods and materials you should know about, to make sure the office building you are leasing is hurricane-proof. It is important information for corporate tenants and landlords alike. 

Why Hurricane-Proof Office Buildings? 

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, our nation’s coastal cities account for nearly half of the country’s total GDP. However, these cities, which are often at risk for severe storms, are becoming a burdened real estate market. 

For property owners in these areas, investments can get complicated.

And while this may initially seem like a concern only for Southern states, hurricanes have wreaked havoc in other areas and business hubs. For example, the notorious Hurricane Sandy caused $19 billion in damage to New York City. 

This isn’t an issue isolated to Florida and company, it’s something that landlords and tenants should be prepared to deal with. Especially since the severity and unpredictability of natural disasters have increased according to climate change. 

Aren’t Upgrades for Landlords? 

Obviously, tenants have a limited say to what their property owner includes. However, the following information is critical for tenants and landlords alike. Landlords can consider renovating the property to include premium, weather-safe qualities. By doing so, they increase the value of their building and put their corporate tenants at ease. 

Corporate tenants in a build-to-suit also have power to safeguard their corporate offices against hurricanes. If you're planing to occupy an entire building, you can work with your landlord to include protective elements or exteriors. A build-to-suit will allow the tenant to have complete creative control of the construction project. So if you find yourself in this position (and you're in a hurricane-prone region), it's something to think about. 

Or, of course, you can look for buildings with these features. Keep the following hurricane-safe features in mind when you're on your property search. You can use this as another gauge of how well an office suits your business' needs. 

So, if you’re relocating or thinking of finding office space, you can lease a hurricane-friendly building. They’re becoming more common. A True Tenant Rep™ can direct you to the building with the features you need, no matter how specific. Still, there’s things you should know before your property search. Learn how to find the best office space for the best price. 

Hurricane-Proof Office Windows

If you're an existing tenant, the building’s skeleton and exterior are set in stone, and there’s little you can do to hurricane-proof those features. Like we said, keep in mind though, the following information is essential or corporate tenants looking for new space to keep in their back pocket. Not only will you be more equipped with the features you want, but you'll have more footing to leverage the value of your tenancy, 

However, if you're in a build-to-suit, one of the most effective things you can do is outfit your building with weather-safe windows. Not only will this help protect the physical structure of your building, but also the safety of those inside.

Impact-resistant glass is one such type of window that provides extra protection from flying debris or high winds during storms by using reinforcement techniques like thermal tempering, lamination or multiple panes of glass. Thermal tempering makes the glass stronger by heating it up and cooling it quickly, while laminated glass involves sandwiching a layer of plastic between two panes of glass. This method not only adds strength and durability but also helps hold the window together if it gets shattered. 

This method is common solution across Florida. According to Propmodo, “At luxury condo project Flagler Towers in West Palm Beach, Hines is in the process of designing three 22-story residential towers that sit a block from the Atlantic Ocean. The city’s building code requires hurricane-proof glass to withstand the impact of wind, salt spray, and tide rise, a powerful combination...described as “shooting a 2×4 out of a cannon.” 

Impact-resistant windows are also designed with added layers of security that absorb the impact energy rather than shattering. Additionally, multiple panes of glass can be used to create an air pocket between them which absorbs the shock waves generated when debris collides with the window. 

CGI Windows

Another popular option for hurricane-safe windows is polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayers which are made of strong polymeric materials that bond together two layers of glass when exposed to heat and pressure. This helps keep the window in place even if it gets damaged by wind or debris. 

Finally, using special glazing films or tints on windows can help block out UV rays and reduce glare as well as provide some additional protection from breakage due to flying objects or heavy winds during storms.

External Building Materials 

This again has to do more with property owners and corporate tenants involved in a build-to-suit, but a main way to hurricane-proof the building is with an exterior. We know, water is wet.

Concrete walls offer an extra layer of protection for offices located in areas prone to extreme weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes. Concrete walls are incredibly durable under compression forces meaning they won’t give way even under tremendous pressure from wind or debris impact.

Concrete can still provide sleek, modern aesthetics while promising security. 

Steel reinforcement bars can also further strengthen concrete walls making them even more resistant to damage caused by destructive winds or flying objects. Another option for reinforcing exterior walls is steel panels. Steel panels can provide an added layer of security against wind and debris damage in extreme weather conditions, as well as providing insulation from heat or cold air coming from outside the building. Steel panels can also be painted or finished to match your building’s design aesthetic. 

On the interior, steel frames are becoming more common to create weather-resistant and longstanding skeletons. 

MEXI Steel 

In West Palm Beach, building owners are on the cutting edge of hurricane property adaptation. According to Propmodo, “The firm (in West Palm Beach) is looking to use limestone as one of the exterior elements, a product the firm has tested extensively to ensure it can withstand sea spray and not deteriorate over time.” 

A limestone and concrete building at Morgan State University 

In addition, aluminum siding is a good choice for a hurricane-safe building exterior since it is lightweight yet durable enough to withstand extreme weather events like hurricanes. Aluminum siding also has excellent insulating properties which help keep energy costs low while offering substantial protection against water infiltration and degradation caused by strong winds and rain. It also requires little maintenance, making it a great long-term investment for office buildings located in areas prone to severe storms like hurricanes. 

An contemporary aluminum and wood-woven building in France

When dealing with exteriors, we’d be remiss to not mention the roof. Ensure that it provides appropriate protection. To achieve this, many property owners are utilizing metal roofs. 

Metal roofing systems are engineered specifically to withstand powerful winds associated with hurricanes and other severe storms. They feature corrosion resistant metallic alloys that can resist up to 120 mph winds without sacrificing durability or performance. Additionally, many metal roofs have superior drainage systems that will help keep your office dry during wet weather events like heavy rainstorms or floods.

Back-Up Generators 

Back-up generators provide a reliable source of power when the electrical grid fails due to high winds and heavy rain during hurricanes. Even if the generator isn't able to provide power indefinitely, it can serve as a back-up so that businesses don't suffer total losses in productivity or communication. Furthermore, having a generator gives offices the ability to remain open during times when it would otherwise be impossible due to hazardous weather conditions outside.

It is important to consider the size and power requirements of your office. This will help ensure that you select a generator with the correct capacity and wattage in order to provide reliable power during extreme weather conditions. Additionally, you should look for a generator that is equipped with an automatic transfer switch (ATS). This feature will allow the generator to seamlessly transition from primary power to back-up during an outage or emergency situation, ensuring a continuous and reliable source of power. 

Another important factor when choosing a back-up generator for your office is fuel efficiency. Many generators use gas or diesel as their power source, but there are also those that run on alternative fuels such as propane or natural gas. Depending on what type of fuel your office has access to, this could be an important consideration when making your selection. Additionally, some generators come with noise reduction features which can be beneficial in maintaining a peaceful work environment during storms. 

Finally, it is important to take into account any additional safety features or technologies offered by the generator before making a purchase decision. One example of this would be corrosion protection systems which can help protect against damage caused by salt air in coastal areas where hurricanes are more common. Other features like surge protection and voltage

stabilization can also provide extra protection against unforeseen circumstances related to extreme weather events such as lightning strikes or sudden drops in voltage levels.

Having the right back-up generator in place can provide valuable peace of mind during severe storms like hurricanes while helping ensure that your business remains operational even when Mother Nature throws her worst at you.

Upgrade Your Office with a Tenant Rep

We know how frustrating it is to have unwanted water in the office (and how quickly it can become a living nightmare). So, it is always fair for tenants to consider how weather-safe their buildings are.

Hurricane-safe buildings are only going to become more standard as the number of natural disasters increases. This is especially true if you’re located in a coastal city or in the traditional hurricane path. 

If you need help re-examining your need for office space, work with a True Tenant Rep™. At iOptimize Realty®, the True Tenant Reps™ have 3+ decades of experience helping corporate clients get the best deal on the features they need in an office. They also know all the considerations that often go overlooked in the property search, like the hurricane- ready fixtures, negotiating them with your landlord, all while ensuring you get the best price possible. 

Learn: Why You Shouldn't Negotiate Without a Tenant Representative. 

Talk to a True Tenant Representative™ at iOptimize Realty® today.