CHICAGO—CBRE has decided to consolidate its three suburban offices under one roof and open a new, state-of-the-art 45,000-square-foot office in Oak Brook, IL. The move is just one part of its national Workplace360 initiative, which uses technology to transform traditional spaces into 100% free-address and paperless offices.

The company transitioned its downtown Chicago office at 321 N. Clark St. to Workplace360 In October 2014, after testing the concept in Los Angeles. A recent survey of downtown employees found that most feel their new office fosters collaboration, improves productivity, eases the recruitment and retention of talent, and makes it easier to serve clients.

CBRE now has an agreement to occupy a 45,000-square-foot space on the top two floors of Oak Brook Pointe at 700 Commerce Dr., where the firm currently leases 20,243 square feet. The new space will also accommodate employees previously based at the firm's Schaumburg and Bannockburn offices.

“The ability to have all of that talent, knowledge and expertise under one roof is really powerful,” Bill Wright, a CBRE managing director and co-project lead, tells GlobeSt.com. In the new offices, leasing and investment teams can work side-by-side if they choose, and share tips or information on market conditions “without having to pick up the phone or send a memo.”

Based in part on research that shows that employees spend 50% of their time working with others, CBRE's Workplace360 allows them to utilize a variety of places and technologies based on their changing needs throughout the day. There are no assigned workstations, and employees can take their laptops anywhere, including collaborative and private spaces.

CBRE has opened 34 Workplace360 offices around the world, with another 15 in development. “It's happening in phases,” says Wright, based on when “lease expirations come up.”

He adds that the new concept won't just benefit CBRE's employees. “It's a great way to showcase for our clients the office of the future.”

And that may be especially important for suburban clients. “The 360 type of environment is more prevalent in the urban market than the suburban market so far. We're on the cutting edge.”

CBRE has opened 34 Workplace360 offices around the world, with another 15 in development. “It's happening in phases,” says Wright, based on when “lease expirations come up.”

He adds that the new concept won't just benefit CBRE's employees. “It's a great way to showcase for our clients the office of the future.”

And that may be especially important for suburban clients. “The 360 type of environment is more prevalent in the urban market than the suburban market so far. We're on the cutting edge.”

Instant Insights /

CBRE to Open Cutting-Edge Suburban Office

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