FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES
The global pandemic has proven a crucible for companies the world over , testing both their resilience and agility . By necessity , they have adapted to new ways of working that reduce inefficiencies such as long daily commutes , expensive offices at prestigious addresses , and large amounts of space with unoccupied desks . Having adapted their operations to think outside the box , it makes little sense to go back to that box in the postpandemic landscape .
HYBRID MODEL & ITS OPPORTUNITIES
Hybrid working allows employees to divide their working hours between a local flexible office space , the company ’ s headquarters , and working from home . A prospect that is highly desirable to employees – 85 % of whom want to work in a hybrid manner from now on rather than returning to the office full time , according to the UK ’ s Office of National Statistics . Furthermore , our own research demonstrates that three times as many FTSE 250 companies are looking to use a hybrid office model , compared to those who want to return to their pre-pandemic methodologies .
It also creates an opportunity for a more streamlined , sustainable and bespoke approach to corporate real estate – one that makes much better business sense than simply doing what ’ s been done before .
Essentially , it ’ s about redistributing company office space away from a single , centralised headquarters and making use of flexible workspace closer to where their employees actually live .
Unlike traditional office leases – where fixed , lengthy terms are common – flexible workspace gives companies the freedom to increase or decrease their workspace portfolio as required
148 SEPTEMBER 2022 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine