As companies adjust to the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, many office buildings are empty. Non-essential office workers work remotely from home, and several office buildings have been unused for months. When buildings are unoccupied, energy is still being used. Companies need to find unique ways to make empty offices useful. Here are 4 creative ideas for empty office space:
1. Explore The Plug-And-Play Nature Of Agile Offices
The concept of office as a status symbol is fast-changing. As working remotely becomes more acceptable and employees look for something different in the workplace, there will be a shift towards flexibility. Many organizations no longer have offices because they couldn’t renew their rent. This is an excellent opportunity to explore the ‘plug and play’ nature of agile offices. If a large portion of the space is unused during working hours, the office can be segmented to allow other organizations to share the office.
2. Consider Collocating
Companies have started implementing a distributed workforce in their organizations. This lean workplace model has allowed companies to discard the traditional idea of a head office. Now, the office is anywhere employees want to work and can get the job done. The opportunity, here, for companies with empty office space, is to explore collocating. Collocating is when like-minded organizations use shared facilities. This will ultimately enhance a company’s brand value and allow the free sharing of ideas. Another benefit of collocating is that it will foster collaboration and create a dynamic culture that enables recruitment and free interaction across organizational boundaries.
3. Offer Your Space for Private Events
As everyone adjusts to the aftermath of COVID-19, empty office space can be offered for private events. Many people are looking for safe and conducive places to meet up and organize their private events, especially after spending months in isolation and lockdown. Empty office space can be made available to book clubs for brainstorming sessions and discussing new ideas. Before making your empty office space available, you may want to ensure that it is properly structured, so employees do not have to worry about their health concerns based on office usage by private event attendees.
4. Work with a Tenant Rep
In an era of social distancing and people working from home, it is advisable to work with a tenant rep that can help you make the right choices especially if you want to sublease your space. A good tenant broker will utilize a vast network to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunity and keep your property top of mind. In a time of social distancing, your tenant rep can conduct the property tour on your behalf and negotiate with prospective sublessees to ensure you get the most favorable terms. Also, your tenant rep broker can help in analyzing your lease to ensure that the sublease term allows you the most flexibility.
Here are a few other articles to check out:
Five Lease Terms That Always Matter
Commercial Leasing Mistakes to Avoid
8 Building Features that Attract Corporate Tenants
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