Old Office? Here are 4 Ways to Revitalize Your Development

If there’s one thing to be said about the office sector, it’s that the industry is constantly changing. If you’re the owner of an old building that’s dated and lacks a certain rustic charm, you might have problems attracting new tenants or struggle to keep your current ones on board. With the success of co-working office spaces over the last few years, office owners have had to come up with innovative ways to stay relevant in a changing market. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that your property doesn’t become outdated.

The good news is that owning an old office doesn’t mean that you’re going to struggle to fill those vacancies. Here are some ways that you can give your property the makeover it needs to appeal to a newer crowd.

1. Give your first impression a makeover

If your goal is to attract new companies then the last thing you want to do is have a building that looks old or basic. Allowing your property to give off a bad first impression is likely to scare away potential tenants, so keep the front of your property clean and well maintained. You may want to also give your lobby a makeover as well to ensure that it has the wow factor that will impress prospective tenants.

Bright lighting, creating open spaces, and decorating with artwork are all good ways to maximize your lobby.

2. Provide amenities

The nature of workspaces has changed, and whether you’re looking to up your rates or appeal to companies led by up-and-coming millennials, you’re going to need to have something to sweeten the deal. One of the reasons that co-working spaces have become so successful is because of the perks. Offices with coffee shops, exercise centers, game rooms, and restaurants are much more attractive than purely functional workspaces.

3. Keep all of your systems up-to-date

Maintenance is important. Nobody is going to want to stay in a building that barely runs properly, so make sure that everything is in  working order. Check frequently to see if all of your systems are running smoothly, including things like your HVAC units, which typically last around 15 years, to high-tech card-locking systems and security systems.

4. Make sure your building is optimized for the internet

We work in an age where access to reliable internet is crucial. Most businesses simply can’t afford to spend time away from the computer, so any office building that doesn’t have reliable internet is going to scare off potential tenants and drive away the ones you already have.

Fortunately, owning an older office building doesn’t mean that your business has to suffer. In fact, there are a number of companies that actually prefer to move their businesses into older office spaces. In order to get the most out of your property, keep those vacancies down and have a healthy increase in rates over the years, all you need to do is ensure that your building is modern, properly maintained, and looks nice.