The concept of walkability is becoming increasingly discussed in urban planning and design environments, as it impacts well-being, health, livability, and real estate economics. In this article, we discuss the walkability trend in relation to the office market, and explore its benefits, as well as the amenities, data, and calculations used to generate a property’s walking score.

About the concept 

In the United States, walking scores for real estate were first published by WalkScore, a company developed in the mid 2000s by former Microsoft developers that understood the importance of walkability and its connection to quality of life. 

These WalkScore founders developed a tech-supported system that generated walkability scores for any given postcode. The overall score shows how easy and convenient it’s to live or work in a location without needing to drive or use mass transit. 

Initially, walking scores were one of the criteria used to choose a residential property, but eventually they were applied to all kinds of real estate, including offices. Nowadays, it’s common to see walkability scores displayed in real estate listings. As time went by and people became more familiar with the importance of walkability and its connection to real estate, different walkability tools and calculators appeared in the market.

How do walking scores affect real estate economics?

There’s a strong correlation between walkability and commercial real estate economics. Researchers analyzed property price trends over a decade and uncovered wide gaps in price increases between highly walkable CBD real estate (which experienced 125% price increases) and those in car-dependent areas, where prices only rose by 20%. 

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A return to the office is a reality in most US markets, but in 2023 work-from-home models are still common, since 27% of US office employees currently work from home. Not only that, but when surveyed, nearly 70% of US employees said they would prefer to work from home.

This raises an important issue for office facility managers: how to make in-person office work as attractive as the allure of the home office. In turn, this brings landlords into the equation, as they need to make their real estate offerings more competitive in a market where tenant demands have changed. In this article, we discuss the latest trends in office facilities and the best office amenities that can be found in 2023.

Latest trends in office facilities

Outdoor space

Although office work has traditionally been confined to indoor spaces, the renewed focus on air quality and overall well-being during the pandemic has brought to light the crucial role outdoor spaces play in modern corporate buildings. Research shows that access to nature and outdoor environments can improve productivity, reduce stress, and enhance creativity among employees.

Patios, rooftop decks, landscaped terraces, and other outdoor areas are rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after amenities for office workers. These physical spaces not only provide a breath of fresh air and an escape from the indoor office environment, but also foster social interactions and collaboration among employees, creating a healthier and more dynamic workplace culture.

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Commercial real estate costs have been increasing in most US urban markets for a while, which has highlighted the need to be strategic about new office space investments.

For this reason, office-based businesses are rethinking their space allocation after making changes to work models and switching to hybrid or remote work. 

Planning the optimal use of office space is a smart move. Not only can this help reduce costs, but it also ensures employees work in a more pleasant environment that is conducive to productivity and well-being. This means that office space planners are in high demand, however, not every company has the luxury of having an employee that is up-to-date on office space planning guidelines.

In this article, we look at 12 ways in which US businesses can optimize their office space planning. If you are looking to polish up on office space planning basics, then read on to find out more!

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