Tag: Kelley Commercial Partners

Unlocking Productivity and Flexibility: Exploring the Benefits of Executive Suites

Posted on 09/26/23

Capitol Center Executive Suites Reception

By Kaley Tucker, RPA
Property Manager | Partner

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, traditional office spaces are no longer the sole option for professionals seeking a conducive work environment. The rise of executive suites, also known as co-working office spaces, has transformed the way people work, collaborate, and succeed in their careers. In this article, we will delve into the key features of executive suites and explore the diverse range of individuals and businesses that can benefit from them.

What Are Executive Suites?

Executive suites, often referred to as co-working office spaces, are flexible workspace solutions that provide a wide range of office amenities and services within a shared environment. These spaces are designed to cater to the needs of professionals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. They offer an alternative to the traditional office setup, allowing individuals and organizations to work in a collaborative and cost-effective environment.

The key features of executive suites include:

Flexible Office Space: Executive suites offer various workspace options, including private offices, meeting rooms, and communal areas. This flexibility allows individuals and businesses to choose the environment that best suits their needs.

Amenities and Services: Executive suites can come equipped with essential office amenities, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, printing and scanning facilities, phone services, community breakrooms, and conference facilities. Furnished spaces are also sometimes available upon request. Furthermore, executive suites frequently provide concierge services, manage mail handling, and offer access to comprehensive administrative support.

Networking Opportunities: Executive suites foster a sense of community by bringing together professionals from diverse backgrounds and industries. This environment encourages networking, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and services.

Flexible Lease Terms: Another appealing feature of executive suites is their flexible lease terms. Unlike traditional office spaces that often require long-term lease commitments, executive suites typically offer month-to-month lease options. This flexibility allows occupants to expand or contract their space requirements with ease, making it an attractive choice for businesses that value adaptability in their workspace arrangements. Whether you’re scaling up your team or downsizing temporarily, the ability to adjust your office space on short notice can significantly enhance your operational agility.

Who Can Benefit from Executive Suites?

Entrepreneurs and Startups: For entrepreneurs and startups looking to establish themselves in the business world, executive suites provide an ideal solution. These spaces offer affordable office setups and access to resources that might otherwise be out of reach. The networking opportunities also help startups connect with potential partners, clients, and investors.

Remote Workers: As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, remote workers often seek a dedicated workspace away from home. Executive suites offer a professional environment where remote workers can focus on their tasks without the distractions of home life.

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs looking to scale their operations can benefit from executive suites as they provide flexible expansion options. Businesses can easily add or reduce the number of workspaces they require, adapting to their growth trajectory.

Freelancers and Solopreneurs: Freelancers and solopreneurs often find executive suites attractive because they offer a professional setting to meet clients, collaborate with others, and maintain a work-life balance. It also gives them access to a more formal work environment than working from home.

Large Corporations: Even established corporations can benefit from executive suites. They can use these spaces for project-based teams, satellite offices, or as temporary solutions during office renovations or relocations. This flexibility allows them to optimize their real estate portfolio.

Consultants and Professionals: Consultants, coaches, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals can utilize executive suites to meet with clients and have access to well-equipped meeting rooms. This creates a professional image and enhances client interactions.

Creatives and Artists: Creative professionals such as writers, designers, and artists can find inspiration in the dynamic atmosphere of executive suites. These spaces often host events and workshops that can foster creativity and collaboration.

Temporary and Mobile Workers: Professionals who require temporary office space while traveling or working on short-term projects can benefit from executive suites. They offer a convenient and comfortable workspace in various locations.

Nonprofit Organizations: Nonprofits often have limited budgets, and executive suites can provide a cost-effective solution for their office needs. These spaces allow nonprofits to focus their resources on their mission while benefiting from professional facilities.

Work-Life Balance Seekers: Individuals who value work-life balance may prefer executive suites over long commutes to traditional offices. These spaces are often located in convenient areas, reducing commute times and improving overall well-being.

Executive suites, or co-working office spaces, have emerged as a versatile and innovative solution for professionals and businesses seeking a conducive and flexible workspace. With their wide range of amenities, cost-effective options, and networking opportunities, executive suites cater to a diverse audience. From entrepreneurs and remote workers to SMEs and large corporations, these spaces offer a modern and adaptive approach to the evolving world of work. By embracing the benefits of executive suites, individuals and organizations can unlock new levels of productivity, collaboration, and success in their professional endeavors.

If you think executive suites might be the right fit for you or your business, Kelley Commercial Partners is your go-to resource for finding the ideal solution. With a robust portfolio encompassing nearly 110,000 square feet of executive suite space under our expert management, we are confident that we can help you find the space to fit your specific needs. Call us today at 501.374.3200 or visit our website and view our office listings to learn more.

1031 Exchanges Help Defer Certain Tax Liabilities

Posted on 09/11/23

Brokerage, property management, development management, consulting

For all of your commercial real estate questions, ask a professional at Kelley Commercial Partners

A 1031 exchange, also known as a tax-deferred exchange, gets its name from the Internal Revenue Code 1031. Essentially, this rule in the tax code allows investors to defer certain tax liabilities they would otherwise incur after making a profit from a real estate investment. This can be an incredibly effective tool for investors who find themselves in a situation in which they would like to sell a real estate holding, but do not want to incur the tax burdens such a transaction would create.

In order to take advantage of the 1031 exchange rule, you must replace the property you are selling (the relinquished property) by purchasing another property (the replacement property) with one of equal or greater value and similar in kind and use. For example, if you are relinquishing a rental property for $100,000, you must replace it with another rental property with one valued at $100,000 or more. (You may also have the option to buy several rental properties, so long as the sum total of their value is $100,000 or more). So, unfortunately, you cannot relinquish a rental property and replace it with a vacation home because those two properties would not be alike in kind and use.

In addition to these restrictions, there is a set time frame in which all of these transactions must occur. Once the relinquished property has closed, investors have 45 days to identify the replacement property and 180 days to close that transaction.

Finding buyers for the properties you wish to relinquish, while at the same time attempting to identify equitable exchange properties can be challenging, especially considering the time restrictions. Proper attention must be paid to the details of how 1031 exchanges work and how using them might affect your long-term plans. This is why it is so important to find an experienced CRE professional you can trust to help you with the due diligence commercial real estate transactions require.

If you have any questions regarding a tax-deferred exchange or any other commercial real estate issue, Kelley Commercial Partners brokers and associates are here to provide the answers and support you need to make successful decisions.

Tenant Estoppel Certificates

Posted on 11/08/22

Are you a tenant? A landlord thinking about selling? Or an investor looking to buy a leased property? If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, it is important that you understand what a tenant estoppel certificate is and the benefits and protections it offers.

What is a tenant estoppel certificate?

A tenant estoppel certificate is a legally binding document signed by a tenant verifying the current status and terms of a lease and specifying any modifications to the original agreement, defaults by the landlord, or other issues relating to the lease. Typically, an estoppel certificate is requested by the landlord as part of the due diligence process before closing on the sale of a property. This statement of facts regarding the lease and the premises estops either party from making a claim that contradicts those facts post transaction.

If you lease, own, or want to purchase a tenant-occupied property, it’s important to understand how a Tenant Estoppel Certificate can protect you.

Most commercial real estate lease agreements include a provision requiring a tenant to complete an estoppel certificate within a specified amount of time after receiving the Landlord’s request. However, only a landlord wishing to sell or refinance the property would request the estoppel. If a lease does not have a provision requiring a tenant to complete an estoppel certificate, it is in the best interest of the tenant to carefully review and complete the estoppel certificate to verify all pertinent lease information.

Why sign a tenant estoppel certificate?

From the tenant’s perspective, an estoppel certificate informs and certifies to the purchaser of the property (i.e., the new landlord under the lease) and, in the event of financing, the lender of any existing issues they will need to address after closing. For lenders and purchasers, the estoppel certificate verifies information presented by the landlord regarding the tenant, the premises, and certain material terms of the lease, which helps prevent any costly surprises after closing.

As a full-service commercial real estate firm, Kelley Commercial Partners provides landlord and tenant representation. And no matter which side we represent, we are committed to successfully guiding you through the process from the beginning through closing. For all your commercial real estate needs, let us be your partner to success.

Hot Springs Bypass Extension Project Ahead of Schedule

Posted on 12/13/21

Kelley Commercial Partners has two development opportunities that should be positively impacted by the bypass.

The Hot Springs Bypass Extension project resulted after a study by the Arkansas Highway Commission determined that improving or expanding Highway 7 through downtown Hot Springs was not an option. Currently, scenic Highway 7 travels directly through Hot Springs National Park, which makes up 5,550 acres and has 8 historic bathhouses, hiking trails, campgrounds, a visitors’ center, and much more. This alternative bypass would reduce traffic congestion through the downtown area and cut travel time between Hot Springs Village and the city of Hot Springs by more than half.

Funded by Connecting Arkansas Program and a Garland County Bond Issue

This $75 million project is funded in part by the Connecting Arkansas Program and a Garland County bond issue which was approved by voters in 2016. The 5.82 miles path connects the intersection of Highways 5 and 7 on the north end, to exit 6 on Highway 70 East on the south end. Overpasses will be located at Covenant Trail Rd., Mill Creek Rd., Denise Ln., and Quarry Mountain Rd. The north end of the extension will tie into a two-lane roundabout large enough to accommodate a tractor trailer. The roundabout project, scheduled to be completed in late 2023, will also widen 4.17 miles of Park Ave.

Roundabout at Hwys 5 & 7

Bypass Officially Designated a Scenic Highway

The bypass meanders through the beautiful Ouachita Mountains and has been officially designated a scenic highway in 2021 by Act 675 from the Arkansas Legislature. It will facilitate access to retail and services in the city of Hot Springs for residents of Hot Springs Village, Jessieville, Fountain Lake, and surrounding areas, all while leaving the tourists and pedestrians in the historic downtown with a better and safer experience with less traffic congestion. Currently, Highway 128 provides a quick route to retail centers and other services in Saline County. Officials believe that this bypass project might help keep that spending, and the tax dollars and jobs that come with it, in Garland County. Originally scheduled for completion by August 2022, the project is currently ahead of schedule and could open for the summer season of 2022.

Development Opportunities in Hot Springs

Kelley Commercial Partners has a unique redevelopment opportunity available just northeast of the roundabout. A ±2.24 acres lot with two buildings is offered for sale. The property has 411 feet of frontage on Highway 5/Park Ave. and is ideally suited for a convenience store or similar development. An additional ±9.16 acres of level land with 340 feet frontage are for sale on Highway 7 in Hot Springs Village across from Walmart Supercentre. For more information about these listings, visit our properties page.

Predictions about commercial real estate in Little Rock circa 2050

Posted on 11/04/21

In this month’s issue of the Arkansas Times, Hank Kelley shared his thoughts about what the commercial real estate industry will look like in 2050.

Hank Kelley, CEO

Connectivity

There is demand now — and will be in the future — for unique living and workspaces in multiple-story buildings so your space can be close to other residents and professionals, and to other recreational and educational uses. The way we “go to work” now will change over the next 30 years, and the need to have the same level of hard-wall separate office areas within a building will change. More emphasis will be placed on a building’s connectivity for virtual connections than exists today. Even today, mobile professionals regularly chart their destinations based on the connection to credible Wi-Fi. In 30 years, the need for high-quality connections will be a constant and core requirement.

The exterior of buildings will hopefully be a source of energy generation through advances in solar panel technology, but not at the expense of views within the spaces. More filtering will improve indoor air quality. Rooftop decks and balconies with sunscreen canopies will be the norm as people continue to want to be outdoors but become even more concerned about sun exposure.

Mixed-Use

I believe we will continue to see an evolution of larger office buildings to include a mixture in their uses. The cost of converting their use, though, will have to be feasible before developers will invest in the remodeling needed for conversion. The conversion of office buildings to residential and or hospitality (hotel) requires extensive plumbing and mechanical alterations, and those changes will only happen when adequate demand for those uses justifies the conversion cost. In the short run, we will see workspaces within the buildings compressed to more flexible work environments and, in some cases, with even more open floor spaces for cubicle and tabletop workspaces. Landlords will become more flexible on tenant expansion and contraction needs to retain their tenants and use the surplus space they have to attract growing businesses.

The office buildings and existing residential condo buildings in Little Rock’s Central Business District represent the highest density of population per mile in our city and region, and companies will continue to be attracted by the excellent accessibility to both I-30 and I-40. People who live in midrise and high-rise buildings in the Central Business District enjoy walkable amenities now — the Central Arkansas Library, the Robinson Center, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts — and we believe the demand for walkable amenities will grow over time.

“’Hoteling’ of office space and rotation of in-office and out-of-office workdays will become more of a norm.”

As regards trends toward remote working, we don’t believe the majority of companies will choose a completely remote workforce because of the challenges in maintaining the culture needed to compete. “Hoteling” of office space and rotation of in-office and out-of-office workdays will become more of a norm. We continue to believe there is value in the separation of workspace and living space. The networking component of “going to work” is now and will continue to be a valuable need for workers and companies.

Energy Efficiency

We will see great advances in products and technology to conserve and generate energy, water and land at both the individual user level, but also at the utility provider level. We are hopeful those advances will reduce operating costs and help preserve our natural resources. The office building industry has been active in conservation efforts through the LEED certification process. Maintaining buildings to operate at peak efficiency will become a requirement to own and operate a building, and utility providers will charge non-compliant building owners penalties for excessive consumption.

We expect that fewer people will own their own cars, meaning we will see less of a need for parking spaces.

Finally, inflation will increase interest rates on the debt and the cost of services to maintain existing buildings. Some building owners are not prepared for their debt and operating expenses to increase, as they have been trying to maintain current rent levels with tenants. This means less income is available to pay debt and reinvest in building upgrades needed to maintain an efficient and attractive building. The squeeze of increasing costs will challenge some building owners and cause a change in ownership if those owners don’t have adequate reserves. Tenants will seek out buildings with owners who have the financial resources and desire to reinvest in their properties.

Hank Kelley is CEO and Executive Broker at Kelley Commercial Partners, and has been working in brokerage and property management in Little Rock for 36 years.