📢 Commercial Office Properties: Understanding the Loss of Value 📉

Recent transactions indicate a significant loss of value observed in commercial office properties. This trend, influenced by several factors, has sparked widespread discussion and analysis within the real estate industry. Today, we'll explore some of the key reasons behind this phenomenon.

1️⃣ Remote Work Revolution: The advent of remote work has undoubtedly played a crucial role in altering the dynamics of office spaces. The widespread acceptance and success of remote work during the pandemic have prompted many companies to adopt hybrid or fully remote work models. As a result, the demand for traditional office spaces has decreased, leading to a decline in their value.

2️⃣ Changing Workplace Preferences: The pandemic forced individuals and businesses alike to reassess their workplace preferences. Companies aiming for flexibility and cost optimization, have shifted towards smaller offices, shared workspaces, or even fully remote operations. Similarly, many employees have discovered the benefits of working from home, creating a preference for remote setups. This shift has impacted the demand and attractiveness of conventional office properties.

3️⃣ Technological Advancements: Advancements in technology and communication tools have eliminated the need for physical presence in the office. Video conferencing, collaboration software, and cloud computing have facilitated seamless remote work experiences, eroding the traditional reliance on office spaces.

4️⃣ Economic Uncertainty: The global economic downturn resulting from the pandemic has also affected the commercial real estate market. Many businesses faced financial challenges, downsizing or even closing their doors. This disruption has created a surplus of vacant office spaces, further contributing to the decline in their value.

5️⃣ Repurposing and Adaptive Reuse: In response to the changing landscape, property owners and investors have been exploring alternative uses for office buildings. Repurposing commercial office properties into residential units, hotels, or mixed-use spaces has gained traction to maximize value. While this trend promotes revitalization, it can also result in a surplus of available office properties, adding pressure to the market.

It's important to note that despite the current decline in value, the long-term future of commercial office properties remains uncertain. As businesses adapt and strategies evolve, there may be opportunities for these properties to regain their value. The ability to foster collaboration, networking, and creativity remains an essential aspect of physical workspaces.

Real estate investors and property owners are actively seeking innovative solutions to adapt to the changing needs of businesses and individuals. Whether through renovations, amenity enhancements, or redesigning existing spaces, the goal is to create appealing environments that align with the evolving demands of the workforce.

While the current loss of value in commercial office properties may present challenges, it also offers a chance for innovation and reinvention within the real estate industry. By embracing change and identifying new opportunities, stakeholders can navigate these uncertain times and shape the future of office space.

Understanding 'Rentable' vs. 'Usable' Square Feet

All commercial buildings are not created equal. This is evident upon inspection of multiple factors; location, allocated parking, quality of construction, and amenities provided, just to name a few. But one of the most overlooked aspects of a building’s value to the tenant is the efficiency of that particular building when compared to another. This efficiency is in relation to the ratio of the space the tenant actually leases within their four walls (the usable square footage) and the amount of space attributed to all common areas of the building including the lobby, hallways, restrooms, common conference rooms, common kitchen areas, interior break areas, work out buildings, showers/lockers, phone and electrical rooms, and any other common use area that, when added to the usable square footage, makes up the rentable square footage.  This ratio is called the building “core factor” (also referred to as “load factor”, “loss factor”, or “add-on factor”). Landlords are ensured of receiving income on this common space so it is distributed to each tenant as an “add on” to their usable square footage that then totals the tenant’s rentable square footage and this is what the rent is based on.  The difference in a building’s efficiency and therefor the core factor can quickly offset a lower base rent per square foot that building may have over another.  Core factors can vary by as much as 10% to 15% and many times they are “artificial” as in, implemented by the landlord with no confirmation.  This becomes a marketing ploy, to offer a lower rent when, in reality, the end result is substantially more than other competing buildings with greater efficiency.  We find that in many cases tenants, who have existed under leases for many years, still don’t understand this issue today.

Buildings calculate all space that is constructed as gross square footage.  The standard of commercial property measurement (“BOMA”) then requires that all vertical penetrations (stairwells and elevator shafts) be deducted from the gross square footage and the remaining square footage is the rentable square footage. When a company negotiates a lease on commercial space, they are occupying the usable square footage which is the square footage within their four walls but paying for the rentable square footage, including their share of the common areas referenced above.

Understanding core factors translates directly to the bottom line. Since building costs are typically near the top of the expense list, the savings can be dramatic in comparison to other expenses. Pay attention to the core factor. The example below puts numbers to the story:

XYZ Company needs 30,000 square feet of usable space to operate their business and is evaluating two opportunities. Building A has a core factor of 19% (1.19) and Building B has a core factor of 11% (1.11). Both buildings are offering the same rental rate, say $2.00 per rentable square foot. In this scenario, XYZ Company has a choice of leasing 35,700 rentable square feet in Building A, at a monthly rent of $71,400, or leasing a more efficient 33,300 rentable square feet in Building B, at a monthly rent of $66,600 per month. Calculating the difference in XYZ Company’s rental costs, they will save $288,000 over a five year lease term if they locate in Building B for the same amount of usable square footage.

This is one of many pitfalls that can be costly if not known by companies leasing commercial space.  Don’t get caught paying more than you should.  Hire a broker to help you.  It doesn’t cost you a dime but the savings can be extraordinary.