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SEATTLE—“A new model is emerging that recognizes place over space. The ability to accommodate the needs of space users in reaching their peak performance will become the highest priority, trumping cost as a determining factor in defining tomorrow's workspace.” That is according to Craig Robinson, president, USA, at Colliers International.

For a look into what 2015 has in store for the industry, Colliers International's thought leaders across the country provide a snapshot of what's trending and what key developments are on the horizon in the latest edition of Colliers International's Knowledge Leader magazine.

“Value over cost will be the watchword for 2015,” Robinson says. “We will witness accelerated changes in the workspace because the built environment needs to be adaptive to user needs rather than the one-size-fits-all model of the past. Is an open meeting space with movable walls and a variety of seating options better than the glass-enclosed conference room filled with identical chairs? One is conducive to creative disruption; the other is the perfect setting for reviewing actuarial tables.”

He adds that in 2015, we should expect to see CRE leaders focus more on solving for value and greater productivity gains—not just savings on real estate cost. “We welcome this new charter and have aligned our resources to drive business outcomes that count.”

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As Millennials continue entering the workforce replacing Gen Xers and Boomers, recruitment and retention will be a struggle for the real estate labor pool outside of the highly compensated positions, adds global chief people officer Mindy Geisser. “Millennials will need to be convinced that corporate real estate remains a viable career option.”

She explains that “The next generation isn't just joining the workforce in increasing numbers, they are looking to have their say about their workspace—and it will pay off for companies, and down the line for property owners, through higher rents on custom-fit spaces. Not only does this allow you to give them the tools they need, but it creates a space for your employees to be more engaged and productive. 2015 will be a breakthrough year for inviting staff into space design decisions.”

Click here to see the full issue of Knowledge Leader, which includes more thoughts on 2015 as well as more features, including insights from the firm's Global Investor Sentiment Survey, which solicits input from major investors around the world, including large institutional, private equity and individual investors. For the 2015 survey, 626 firms, representing an estimated $1.4 trillion in real estate funds under management, responded.

Instant Insights /

Value Over Cost, Watchword for 2015

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