Commercial Real Estate Thrives on a Human Scale

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By Jessica Groach

Commercial real estate is growing up, and commercial realtors are growing with it.

After years of seeing commercial properties sitting empty for months, developers and realtors have gotten more creative about filling them and servicing tenants. Meanwhile, an unpredictable stock market has many investors looking at brick and mortar as a more sound investment. These factors have combined to make commercial real estate a hot property.

Economies of Scale

Companies are realizing that just because it's an office doesn't mean it can't be comfortable. Real estate developers are making their buildings more appealing to the eye and more people-friendly. Office skyscrapers are making way for human scale, mixed-use environments with park benches and pathways. And they're no longer strictly for professional offices; developers are working to bring in groceries, laundry facilities, retail, coffee houses, upscale restaurants, gyms, and other amenities that allow tenants to take care of life's details in one spot. Some realtors who manage properties even offer delivery services; a tenant who needs dry cleaning or groceries can have them delivered right to the office. And WiFi services now come standard in many new properties.

Bye-Bye to the Days of Dilbert

People were not meant to sit in boxes all day. Realtors and developers are catching on. Commercial real estate is being designed to include more natural light, filtered air, natural materials, "green" environmental practices like energy efficient air cooling, and more organic flow between desks. This allows for more spontaneous communication, higher energy and creativity levels, and a greater sense of well-being. The days of a sluggish commercial real estate career are over. Those realtors and developers who look for ways to service tenants will see sales soaring.

Sources:

"The Top 10 Trends Commercial Real Estate" by Ray A. Smith; Wall Street Journal Online's CareerJournal.com, Feb. 13, 2004

About the Author
Jessica Groach is a freelance writer and writing instructor at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has seven years experience in media, advertising and public relations. Her work has appeared in various lifestyle and business publications, including a Warner Business Book.