Repositioning an Office for the Post-COVID Era

As we near the year mark on America’s great WFH experiment, it’s clear that when employees eventually return to the office, they’ll do so in far less numbers than before. And those that do return will still require some enticing to be completely comfortable in their new office normal. To meet that need, office owners will be forced to reposition their existing stock into more desirable properties. Here are some ways, according to Gensler, that developers can make it happen.

Owners will first need to expand their definition of ROI and “become invested neighbors,” according to Gensler. That’ll require integrating the ground floor community and working with applicable government agencies to make the building “active, self-supporting, and inviting.” Perhaps unsurprisingly, green space will be huge amenities for workers post-pandemic, and Gensler expects to see more conversions of hard surface plazas into pocket parks or gardens.