Tag: #officespace

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.

Tenant Improvement Allowances

Posted on 03/03/23

Tenant improvement allowances, or TIAs, are a common aspect of commercial leases. They refer to the amount of money that a landlord is willing to contribute towards the cost of renovations or customizations made to a leased property by the tenant. These allowances can play a critical role in determining whether a tenant can afford to take on a lease, and they can also be a point of negotiation between the landlord and tenant.

The first step in determining the amount of a tenant improvement allowance is to establish the scope of the project. This typically involves creating a detailed list of all the renovations or customizations that the tenant would like to make to the property, including the materials and labor required. The list should also include any necessary permits or approvals that will be required for the project.

Once the scope of the project is determined, the next step is to estimate the cost of the project by obtaining quotes from contractors or suppliers for the materials and labor required. The landlord can then decide on an allowance amount they are willing to contribute, which is generally a percentage of the total project cost. The percentage will vary depending on the landlord and the specific circumstances of the lease.

It’s important to note that the tenant improvement allowance is typically applied to the rent. This means that the tenant will pay a higher rent to the landlord to compensate for the allowance. Tenants should carefully consider the total cost of the lease, rent plus allowance, when deciding about whether to take on a lease.

From the landlord’s perspective, offering a tenant improvement allowance can be a way to attract and retain tenants in a commercial space. It can also be used to incentivize tenants to improve or upgrade a space in a way that benefits the overall property. A tenant improvement allowance can also benefit a tenant as it can reduce the costs associated with outfitting a space to meet their specific needs. Additionally, the tenant may be able to negotiate a higher allowance from the landlord if the tenant improvements benefit the property overall.

Tenant improvement allowances can play a key role in commercial lease negotiations and greatly benefit both tenants and landlords. When discussing tenant improvements, it’s crucial to have a defined goal and a well-thought-out strategy. At Kelley Commercial, our experienced professionals are ready to assist you in creating a clear plan and provide the guidance you need to confidently negotiate the best possible outcome as a tenant or landlord. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you make an informed decision.

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.

Abby Turner Promoted to Assistant Property Manager

Posted on 04/27/22

Last May, Abby Turner interviewed with Kelley Commercial Partners for the position of tenant relations manager, and it didn’t take long for us to figure out that Abby would be a great addition to our team and a perfect fit for the job. Immediately following her graduation from Ouachita Baptist University, the Arkadelphia-native packed up and moved to the big city to start her new job in Arkansas’s tallest building. She would assist tenants of the three floors in Simmons Tower dedicated to executive suites: Level Two Executive Suites, 15th Floor Executive Suites, and the new Capital Center 12th Floor Executive Suites.

When Abby started, we had nearly completed the conversion of 19,100 square feet of office space on the 12^th floor to 50 executive suites. One month later, with Abby’s help, we began leasing the Capitol Center 12^th Floor Executive Suites, which is now 80 percent occupied.

As the tenant relations manager, Abby welcomed new tenants to executive suites on floors 2, 12, and 15 and made sure they had everything they needed to get right to work, but she didn’t stop there. Abby also helped coordinate the annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and established the very popular “Food Truck Tuesday,” which takes place every other Tuesday. She even brought in a trainer and a yoga instructor to teach classes in the gym on the second floor. And on top of all of that, she still finds time to manage Simmons Tower’s social media accounts. (Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.)

In less than a year, Abby was promoted to assistant property manager, and she has just earned her real estate license. She looks forward to planning more events for the Tower and reestablishing a sense of community for the building. She says meeting new tenants is her favorite part of the job, plus she says she really likes her KCP teammates. Really.

Abby, we are so pleased to have you on our team and congratulate you on your achievements so far. We really like having you on our team. Really.

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.