Categories Architecture, Design, Narrative

The Creative Process of the Four Pioneers of Modern Architecture

In my business, I get to tour some pretty incredible buildings and spaces. (Check out the narrative I did on World’s Most Beautiful Offices of 2019). I am always fascinated by the creative thinking and precision that goes into designing and constructing buildings and office space to make the culture within the company actually come to … Continue reading The Creative Process of the Four Pioneers of Modern Architecture

Categories Graphs, Narrative

Amazon Warehouses

We know Amazon delivers thousands of items right to our house, often within 24 hours.  Below is a map showing how they do it—with warehouses all over the US and world.    With their push to handle more and more of their own delivery, this number will continue to increase.  They are even looking to … Continue reading Amazon Warehouses

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2020

The sandstorm continues. In Phoenix, we call it a haboob.  Uncertainty, again, served as the main theme of the Metro Phoenix Office Market in the third quarter.  Vacancy didn’t really rise that much in the past 90 days.  Rental rates softened only slightly.  Sublease space spiked up again this quarter. We are seeing companies who … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2020

Categories Narrative, Original Content

Lease Abstract

It is imperative to know the key points of your lease. This means reading beyond the rent and the expiration date. We prepare lease abstracts for all of our clients as a matter of course. Our unique lease abstract form makes sure we capture all the important lease details and maximize your leverage. Why? Because … Continue reading Lease Abstract

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

The Counselors of Real Estate (of which Andrew and I are proud members) have released their annual top 10 issues affecting real estate.  Please read the whole article below.  As you can imagine, COVID-19 is currently leading the way on issues affecting real estate. Big shocker.  We have written about the pandemic a ton in previous … Continue reading Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Categories Graphs, Narrative

Sunshine in USA vs. Europe

I’m a third-generation Arizonan, which means I love the sunshine. Below is a cool map that shows sunshine in terms of hours per year.  It’s interesting how little sunshine Europe gets.  In the USA, we get tons of Vitamin D compared to Europe. And Arizona…forget about it… We get 3,500 hours a year or more. One … Continue reading Sunshine in USA vs. Europe

Categories Narrative, Original Content

C2 Velocity of Work

In my Workplace 2020 series, I talked about the speed of the market gaining velocity.  Millennials now expect an immediate response time.  After three decades of closing over 125 deals per year (151 in 2019) each and every year, we have fine-tuned our process to include the fastest response times in our industry. Below is a … Continue reading C2 Velocity of Work

Categories Covid19 Impact, Creative Office Spaces, Design, Narrative, Office Trends

C.D.C. Recommends Changes to Office Space

The C.D.C. sent out some “suggested” changes for office space users as we head back into the office.  I wanted to take these suggestions and roll them into what we are seeing our clients do on a practical basis. Additionally, the Wall Street Journal has a nice article on what we know about getting infected. … Continue reading C.D.C. Recommends Changes to Office Space

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2020

Not surprisingly, the Metro Phoenix office market Q2 2020 experienced plenty of highs and lows.  Office leasing slowed, but it did not stop.  Sublease space increased dramatically, but it’s not at an all-time high.  Positive COVID cases declined, then spiked here in Arizona, as they did in much of the country.  We continue to learn … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2020

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Design, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

10 + 1 Reasons to Measure Office Space Utilization

Last week, I sent a narrative on some new ways we are working with our clients to measure space utilization (click here to read).  I got quite a few responses about the topic from Real Estate facilities people (and a CEO) asking why we would incorporate new measurements into their spaces when they have corporate … Continue reading 10 + 1 Reasons to Measure Office Space Utilization

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Design, Narrative, Office Trends

New Ways to Measure Workplace Utilization

Every day we negotiate office leases. In 2019 alone, our team completed 145 leases. One item we always negotiate is rent per square foot.  As we negotiate this for our clients, we also talk to them about how they could, and probably should, be looking at the rent differently than just per SF.  Recently, we moved … Continue reading New Ways to Measure Workplace Utilization

Categories Economy, Graphs, Narrative, Office Market

What is Your State’s Poor Infrastructure Costing You?

Below is an incredible graph.  States have let their infrastructure go to hell and it is costing consumers a ton of money in car damages.  Take a look below to see what your state is costing you.I also pulled cities within the Metro Phoenix market to see what individual cities are costing us. 1—Lack of … Continue reading What is Your State’s Poor Infrastructure Costing You?

Categories Narrative, Original Content

The Renewal Process

Just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy. Negotiating a renewal seems straightforward, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Our team has developed a unique, four-step process for our clients looking to renew where possible. This process ensures the most competitive transaction terms with the least amount of time and anxiety. The key step in the … Continue reading The Renewal Process

Categories Graphs, Narrative

Work Modalities Chart

I’ve talked in previous narratives about the pros and cons of the current trend towards open office layouts. Work and how it flows has changed dramatically over the past 5 years.  75+ percent of all office spaces we see built out these days are primarily open.  Companies are trying to make their culture more collaborative. … Continue reading Work Modalities Chart

Categories Economy, Narrative

A Decade of Home Building

The last decade (pre-COVID-19) was a lesson in taking the long road.  I remember meeting with a couple CEOs of homebuilding companies every year and hearing the same story from 2009-2012: “Last year was bad but this next year is going to be a lot better.”  This was the message for four straight years.  Multifamily, on … Continue reading A Decade of Home Building

Categories Design, Narrative, Tech Industry

Robotics are Here!

I first commented on this topic back in 2015 (click here to see my narrative and the video). The age of robotics is coming. And last month, it got even closer.  Boston Dynamics announced their first commercial robot is going on sale.  Yes, it will be expensive and limited, BUT it will be a commercially … Continue reading Robotics are Here!

Categories Graphs, Narrative

National Debt Growth

Below is the US National Debt as a portion of the economy expressed as a graph. Since this graph was created, we have now surpassed World War II levels of debt, pushing debt to over 100% of GDP.  You can see the most accurate calculation of national debt, which updates every second as it grows, here: https://www.usdebtclock.org/ The … Continue reading National Debt Growth

Categories Narrative

Parking in Urban Areas

We are in a really unique time for developers and users of space with regards to parking needs.  Planning and building parking today is much like it has been for the past 40 years.  People drive. In fact, 85% of commuters drive to work.  But over the next 10-20 years, I think this will begin … Continue reading Parking in Urban Areas

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Trends

Office Space 2020- The Employee Experience- Part 4 of 4

In this final week of my series, I wanted to talk about what companies are doing for their employees.  Yes, we know a few already—meals, bocce ball, corn hole and napping pods all across Silicon Valley.  But what about across the U.S.?  For this I turned to one of our clients and a leader in … Continue reading Office Space 2020- The Employee Experience- Part 4 of 4

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Trends

Office Space 2020- The Tenant Rules- Part 3 of 4

One of the first lessons you learn when you start representing owners and tenants in leasing office space is that the tenant rules.  They drive everything.  Rates, Tenant Improvements, where buildings get built, what buildings get built — everything.  Deloitte produced a very nice 2020 Commercial Real Estate Outlook (the link to the entire study … Continue reading Office Space 2020- The Tenant Rules- Part 3 of 4