Part 2 of 2

In part one of this two-part Q&A with Bentall, GlobeSt.com chatted with David Antonelli, EVP, and Michael Keating, SVP of portfolio management at Bentall Kennedy, about the current shape of the office market, where demand is emerging, space allocation, the suburban office market and more. In part two, the duo talks about what amenities are most effective for attractive tenants and why sustainability in commercial buildings is key.

GlobeSt.com: What amenities are most effective for attracting tenants?

David Antonelli: Flexibility and health are shaping the market's most popular tenant amenities.  Office community features that promote wellness, from fitness centers to bike storage, are increasingly becoming table stakes: they are expected components of an office, not luxuries.

We're also seeing growing interest in shared amenities such as meeting rooms or co-working spaces that tenants can access on demand, without having to pay rent on space that they rarely use. This trend is shaping tenant experiences at 101 Greenwich St. in New York, which we just finished renovating with Cove Property Group. Convene, a “workplace-as-a-service” provider, is taking over space on the second through fourth floors of the building—not only for their own corporate offices, but to create shared spaces that benefit all who work in the building. Tenants will have prime access to a wide range of meeting and event spaces, flexible workspaces, a high-end café and catering services right in the building.

GlobeSt.com: Besides amenities, what can investors do to increase a building's desirability and enhance ROI?

Michael Keating: Property investors are looking more and more at improving the sustainability of commercial buildings. We're no exception; sustainability is ingrained in the way we approach new development, renovation and property management—not just because it's the right thing to do. It's a financial imperative. A commitment to green buildings enhances ROI by reducing the operating expense structure, improving tenant relations and renewal rates, and helping with value retention overall.

Part 2 of 2

In part one of this two-part Q&A with Bentall, GlobeSt.com chatted with David Antonelli, EVP, and Michael Keating, SVP of portfolio management at Bentall Kennedy, about the current shape of the office market, where demand is emerging, space allocation, the suburban office market and more. In part two, the duo talks about what amenities are most effective for attractive tenants and why sustainability in commercial buildings is key.

GlobeSt.com: What amenities are most effective for attracting tenants?

David Antonelli: Flexibility and health are shaping the market's most popular tenant amenities.  Office community features that promote wellness, from fitness centers to bike storage, are increasingly becoming table stakes: they are expected components of an office, not luxuries.

We're also seeing growing interest in shared amenities such as meeting rooms or co-working spaces that tenants can access on demand, without having to pay rent on space that they rarely use. This trend is shaping tenant experiences at 101 Greenwich St. in New York, which we just finished renovating with Cove Property Group. Convene, a “workplace-as-a-service” provider, is taking over space on the second through fourth floors of the building—not only for their own corporate offices, but to create shared spaces that benefit all who work in the building. Tenants will have prime access to a wide range of meeting and event spaces, flexible workspaces, a high-end café and catering services right in the building.

GlobeSt.com: Besides amenities, what can investors do to increase a building's desirability and enhance ROI?

Michael Keating: Property investors are looking more and more at improving the sustainability of commercial buildings. We're no exception; sustainability is ingrained in the way we approach new development, renovation and property management—not just because it's the right thing to do. It's a financial imperative. A commitment to green buildings enhances ROI by reducing the operating expense structure, improving tenant relations and renewal rates, and helping with value retention overall.