(Workspace Design Magazine, 1 May 2012) In Brief: When back office services company NeoSystems Corp. decided to expand into new customer segments and service areas, the company made a point to reflect this evolved vision in its new office. The features include many open areas with hoteling stations, vibrant colors, and an overall more energetic [...]
Read more(H&V News, 30 April 2012) In Brief: Santander recently renewed and expanded its contract with facilities management (FM) company GSH for five years. The companies have developed a relationship of mutual trust based on results. GSH offered one point of contact for FM enquiries and 350 engineers to ensure quick and efficient service. Our View: [...]
Read more(World Property Channel, 26 April 2012) In Brief: Office rents in Europe are dropping slightly for the first time since Q4 2009, according to Jones Lang LaSalle’s European Office Index. It is important to note regional differences. Prices fell in Brussels (-5.0%), Madrid (-1.9%), Barcelona (-1.4%), and Paris (-1.2%). , They rose in Luxembourg (+5.3%), [...]
Read more(The Wall Street Journal, 25 April 2012) In Brief: Citigroup’s India unit recently bought 297,000 square feet of commercial space in a suburban Mumbai business district to house offices that had been spread out in several cities. Analysts say that while slower economic growth will likely hurt demand for real estate, this deal reflects a [...]
Read more(Reuters, 17 April 2012) In Brief: Bank of America continues to shed non-core properties from its real estate portfolio. The bank announced last week it would sell one of its Manhattan office buildings to an investment group for about $230 million. Our View: Leading organizations build a proactive exit plan for each property based on [...]
Read more(The Wall Street Journal, 17 April 2012) In Brief: Communal tables and unassigned desks with ”hoteling,” an arrangement where shared space is available by reservation, are proving efficient and cost effective, particularly in offices where up to half the desks can be empty due to sick days, vacations, and work travel. Our View: At large [...]
Read more(NuWire Investor, 6 April 2012) In Brief: The average Manhattan office rent was up 7.6% year-on-year, costing $58.90 per square foot, at the end of the first quarter. The New York City borough’s workplace vacancy rate is now 9.1%, down from 10% in the first quarter of 2011. Our View: Occupancy expenses are going up [...]
Read more(The Fiscal Times, 11 April 2012) In Brief: It depends who you ask: The trend toward fewer private offices and lower cubicle walls supports productivity, encouraging employees to focus on their work rather than peruse Facebook, because, well, the boss is watching. Or the new layouts hinder efficiency, with background noise that can make it [...]
Read more(Workspace Design Magazine, April 2012) In Brief: When Perkins + Will moved its Washington, DC, office, the architectural firm aimed to improve workflow through project-based seat assignments, reserving private offices for employees who handle confidential matters or spend much of their time “heads down.” The company also reinforced its sustainability goals by committing the landlord [...]
Read more(The Wall Street Journal, 5 April 2012) In Brief: US office vacancy rates contracted slightly to 17.2% in the first three months of 2012 from 17.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011. While occupancy rates and rents are rising more rapidly in regions with high-growth businesses, such as energy and technology, a general slowdown in [...]
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