Amenities for the Post-Pandemic Workplace

Long before Covid-19, companies prioritized amenities to attract and retain top talent. Now, 10 months into the pandemic, commercial real estate buildings and developers are future-proofing their amenities to attract tenants looking to get their employees back into the office where health and safety are prioritized. The future of workplace amenities takes employee health and healthcare access seriously. In fact, the wellness real estate industry is estimated to be worth $134 Billion and growing 6.4% globally every year. The health-centric, future-ready, amenities you can start to expect in the post-COVID-19 workplace are: 

1. On-Site Healthcare 

Buildings will look to partner with medical providers to offer healthcare and fully-equipped wellness centers as an amenity. On-site physicians and therapists, in addition to telehealth, will be available to tenants and their employees for a small membership fee. Wellness centers will be used to help both the mental and physical health of tenants. 

2. Health Centric Upgrades 

80 to 90 percent of our health outcomes are tied to where and how we live. Studies show that living our lives mostly indoors, surrounded by stale air and toxic chemicals is dangerous. Upgrading HVAC’s that focus on UV light and bipolar ionization, and new cleaning routines will be essential to compete for the future tenant. Hotels, cruise ships, and airlines were among the first after the pandemic hit to quickly adopt upgraded HVAC systems to purify the air. 

3. Open-air workspace 

Stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Balconies and open-air workstations will start to take a larger footprint in new developments based on rising tenant demand.  Fresh air and nature boost our cognitive function and leads to higher productivity and creativity. To create the ultimate optimized environment, buildings that offer this amenity will allow tenants to balance their workload with more outdoor workspace options. 

4. Health Tech 

Don’t want to touch a dirty elevator button? Touchless digital solutions will be implemented throughout these future-ready buildings. “Smart elevators” that don’t require you to touch a button, thermal temperature cameras, and cleaning robotics that understand space density are all technologies that already exist and are being implemented in buildings today. 

The news of a vaccine has provided great optimism for commercial real estate, but it’s clear that reopenings will be an extended process as the vaccine rolls out. As companies look at reoccupying their space, future-ready buildings that prioritize health and wellness will be a must-have for tenants in the post-pandemic future. 

Armour Yards

Armour Yards is described as being located at the convergence of car and foot access- where highway, Beltline, and Path 400 meet. This is the newest in mixed use development that has been trending all throughout Atlanta recently. 

"What makes Armour Yards so attractive is that it offers creative, loft-office type space that is so popular with tech firms; and it is sandwiched conveniently between Buckhead and Midtown and alongside the Beltline and a major interstate.  As the planned projects continue to deliver, it will become one of the most thriving districts in the city." -Jon Christensen, SVP Wildmor Advisors.

Phase 1 of the project promises four buildings totaling 190,000 SF, with plans to expand to 300,000 SF. As with most mixed-use projects, Armor Yards boasts a work/life balanced environment. No completion date has been released from the developers at the time of this blog.

Notable Amenities

• Flexible, Loft-office workspaces

• Covered parking

• Outdoor patio and terrace space (both public and private)

• Coffee house and unique restaurants

• Social events in partnership with SweetWater Brewery, American Spirit Works, and Fox Brothers BBQ

• Direct Access to Beltline and Path 400

• “Planned” Marta Shuttle

• Bike Rentals

• Fitness Studio

No. 18: A New Co- Working Space in Buckhead

No. 18 is the newest spot to be in Atlanta Co- working spaces. With another two locations in Stockholm, this will be the first No. 18 office in the United States.  The Wildmor Advisors team had a chance to tour the new offices located in the Shops of Buckhead. Upon walking in, you feel as if you have left Atlanta and entered into another country or century. This feeling comes from the eclectic design, which was done by a European interior designer. We learned that he travelled to numerous antique stores across the country to purchase pieces for this location. There is a mix of bright colors, fun artwork, and professional offices. Coined “A cosmopolitan members’ club for businesses”, this new co- working space is definitely unlike anything we have seen before. 

Companies can rent anywhere from 1 to 14 person offices. There is also a membership ($330/ month) that will allow access to the open areas to work as you please. Additionally, there are 5 conference rooms  and different event spaces available for members to rent out. Breakfast and lunch will be available for members and guests daily. The chef, Desmon Short, will focus on seasonal meals with organic and locally sourced foods. There are outdoor patios to work on as well as private “telephone rooms”. Overall No.18 is stepping up the co- working space game. Let us know if you are interested in becoming a member or touring and we can help you get that set up!

The Terraces

Terraces at Perimeter, located at 400 and 115 Perimeter Center Terrace Atlanta, GA 30346. The Terraces are made up of 2 identical 11-story towers, referenced as the North and South towers. These building stand out with beautiful modern architecture, surround by intelligent landscaping. There are several walking paths as well as collaborative work areas throughout the grounds in the works, these include a tree grove, lakeside trail, and a community garden lawn. In fact, this is the most impressive aspect of the complex, as noted by Wildmor’s principal broker, Shan Morris.  Convenience plays an important role for this twin campus as plenty of restaurants and retail options are available just steps away. If that isn’t enough the campus offers a food truck program and rotating lunch options. The buildings are located in Central Perimeter with close proximity to MARTA, GA 400, and I-285. In fact, the campus offers an exclusive MARTA shuttle service that departs from Dunwoody station. With such an impressive exterior concept, it should be noted that the interior is going to be just as extraordinary. Contemporary and open spaces will make the inside feel fresh and inviting-with enough communal space for collaborating, boardrooms for presenting, and conference facilities with modern technology that suits every tenant demand. A modern fitness center will be offered onsite, as well as fitness classes for the tenant employees. The Terraces will truly have an inviting atmosphere that makes employees want to be there.

Summary of Amenities:

24 Hour Access

• Atrium

• Banking

• Conferencing Facility

• Courtyard

• Dry Cleaner

• Energy Star Labeled

• Fitness Center

• Food Service

• LEED Certified - Gold

• Property Manager on Site

A notable top tenant loanDepot, calls this property home. The complex is owned by MetLife, Inc.

Crown Pointe

Crown Pointe, located at 1040 and 1050 Crown Pointe Pkwy, Dunwoody, GA 30338. Recently renovated this building not only upgraded cosmetically, but enhanced their amenities as well. Our broker, Margaret Schultz, notes the beautiful commons areas, the building hydroponic garden effort and the company-coined “800 steps from Marta” message. If you are looking to please employees, you can do so with the complimentary 2,500 SF building lounge that provides unlimited Starbucks coffee. An upgraded fitness center, with lockers rooms and showers enhance the appeal of the building. And as far as food, there are plenty of walkable eateries in the area. But, if you don’t feel like walking too far, there is not only a gourmet café onsite, but FOODA food trucks that stop by on a weekly basis? As far as inside a business suite, they have more that enough open concept and collaborative work space to suite any business’ needs.

Summary of Amenities:

• 24 Hour Access

• Banking

• Conferencing Facility

• Fitness Center

• Food Service

• Property Manager on Site

• Restaurant

With obvious location appeal, top tenants such as Consulate Health and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. call this building home.  The owner is KBS Strategic Opportunity REIT Inc.