Landlords Offering Things to Love at the Office
A fine line exists between where you work and where you vacation, but landlords are aiming to blur that distinction by bringing hotel-type amenities to their office towers.
“Hospitality has arrived at the workplace,” said Tere Blanca, founder and CEO of Blanca Commercial Real Estate. “We’re focused on creating quality of life for the employer and the employees.”[Related items]
Office environments are increasingly driven by the tenant experience, she said. To recruit and retain employers, landlords are offering spaces for employees to gather, network and collaborate beyond the traditional office boundaries.
Those like East End Capital are repositioning their properties with a well-rounded amenity package. At its recently acquired downtown Miami building, the real estate investment firm is adding a fitness facility and conference center and converting the building’s aged lobby into a Wi-Fi- connected lounge.
The crossover between the hospitality and office industries is most notable in office lobbies, said Jonathon Yormak, founder and managing principal at East End. Landlords are “activating” this space with art installations, lounge chairs and co-working stations.
Employees have less workspace today than in the past, Yormak said, noting the average square footage per worker has steadily dropped to 200.
“However, that space hasn’t disappeared from the offices,” he said. “It’s moved into other areas.”
Miami landlords are busy keeping up with the trend. Check out the amenities offered and coming to top-tier towers around the city.
Brickell City Centre Two and Three, 78 SW Seventh St. and 98 SE Seventh St.
Miami’s newest office towers are found in the $1 billion mixed-use Brickell City Centre. The freshly minted properties are the first offices to rise in Brickell since 2010 and represent a novel breed of South Florida office product.
• Offices are connected to an open-air retail center, including a 38,000-square- foot food hall and Cinemex movie theater.
• Direct access to over 120 shops and international dining options
• Connected to the 352-room EAST Miami Hotel featuring 20,000 square feet
of function and outdoor space
• Onsite Metromover station
• Three levels of above-ground parking and two levels of below-ground parking
• Multiple access points on three city blocks
Miami Tower, 100 SE Second St.
Under new ownership, the 47-story tower will see a revamp of its ground-floor retail collection and 11th floor Sky Lobby, which features a rooftop terrace and restaurant space. The terrace will soon be converted into a “Cloud Garden,” defined as a functional place to bring people together for both social and corporate gatherings.
• The Cloud Garden, a Wi-Fi connected space fit for events, networking and employee use.
• On-site Metromover station.
• 4,190-square- foot fitness center featuring changing rooms and wet areas.
• 1,610-square- foot conference center with a boardroom, conference room and warming kitchen.
New World Tower, 100 Biscayne Blvd.
Under new ownership, the tower will undergo a $10 million upgrade and rebranding this year. Built in 1963, the 30-story tower boasts unobstructed views of Bayfront Park and Biscayne Bay. The renovation will include:
• A lounge-like lobby featuring a large-scale digital art installation, Wi-Fi connection, couches and worktables
• 2,000-square- foot fitness center
• 3,500-square- foot conference and flexible workspace including a kitchen
Courthouse Tower, 44 W. Flagler St.
The 1974-built office property changed hands last year and will undergo its own improvements by the end of summer. The 26-story building will get a refreshed look after exterior and interior renovations as well as:
• Wi-Fi connections throughout common areas
• 1,300-square- foot fitness center
• 1,300-square- foot conference facility
• 24-hour security and concierge services
2 and 3 MiamiCentral, 700 MiamiCentral Ave. and 161 NW Sixth St.
Under construction, the office towers are part of the six-block MiamiCentral project, which will feature 800-plus apartments, retail center and Brightline’s downtown Miami station. 2 MiamiCentral will be connected to the transit hub, and 3 MiamiCentral is rising adjacent to the station. Both will offer tenants:
• A food hall dubbed Central Fare and retail shops
• Direct access to MetroMover, Metrorail, Metro bus, Tri-Rail and the new Brightline express train
• 12-minute trips by rail to Miami International Airport
• Concierge services and valet parking.
2 MiamiCentral:
• Plaza-level fitness center
• Banquet hall/conference center
• Covered terrace
3 MiamiCentral:
• 35,000-square- foot ground-level retail space including an onsite grocery.
CUBE Wynwd, 222 NW 24th St.
The first office tower to rise in the Wynwood Arts District will break ground this quarter. The innovative eight-story building developed by New York’s RedSky Capital will offer tenants 24/7 access and loft-style office space by 2018.
• 11,000 square feet of retail space including restaurants
• Open-air office lobby
• Eighth-floor rooftop terrace
• Wi-Fi- connected common areas
• Valet parking
1450 Brickell, 1450 Brickell Ave.
The 35-story tower delivered in 2010 offers panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami.
• Five levels of office lofts
• 3,550-square- foot fitness center
• 3,425-square- foot conference facility
• 8,838-square- foot rooftop terrace
• Restaurants
• High-speed elevators
• Concierge and valet offerings
Four Seasons Tower, 1441 Brickell Ave.
The tallest office tower in Miami shares an address with the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. The 70-story tower includes 250,000 square feet of office space, the 222-room Four Seasons Hotel, 84 condo-hotel units and 186 residences.
• 40,000-square- foot Equinox fitness center
• 14,000-square- foot banquet space
• Onsite restaurants
