The Future of Commercial Spaces

Ever since we first started serving the San Francisco Bay Area over 20 years ago, we have focused heavily on commercial and tenant revisions. More than ever, in the wake of COVID-19, we see a great need for companies to rethink their commercial spaces and buildings and proactively prepare for their businesses' fate. Here are our two cents.

REIMAGINING CORPORATE SPACES

With many employees now working from home, companies are beginning to reevaluate the necessity of having a corporate office space. Though a remote-work structure may work for some companies, many believe physically showing up to work is essential to their business. In these cases, companies may need to reimplement cubicles to prevent spreading bacteria or completely redesign the space to fit the company's needs. Defined circulation paths may be necessary to limit interaction and close movement within the office. Restrooms need automated soap dispensers, sinks, even doors. If companies choose to keep their office spaces open, they must be willing to take the extra step to create a safe environment for their employees to show up, and we are here to help!

Bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s impact on commercial spaces is coworking offices, such as WeWork. Though a wonderful concept for freelancers, creatives, and small businesses, the constant overlapping of human interaction, shared use of office and communal spaces, and desire for collaboration and connection has unfortunately proven to be unconducive for a safe working environment. Moving forward, either coworking spaces will need to be redesigned to ensure their patrons' safety or members will need to find other places to work.

THRIVING BUSINESSES

Meanwhile, warehouses and food halls are booming. In light of COVID-19 and the higher demand for e-commerce, warehouses and distribution centers have revamped their structures and will continue to last long after the pandemic is over. Companies like Amazon have moved away from having million-square-feet fulfillment centers to building smaller stations and centers closer to consumers. Similarly, while many restaurants had to completely shut down their businesses due to COVID-19, food halls and public markets have been able to safely keep their doors open. Individual vendors have much lower stakes than brick-and-mortars do, and the food hall model has provided vendors with the support to continue running their businesses. There is also a focus on fresh, local food at many of these public markets, a continually growing trend in the Bay Area.

With an increasing demand for reimagining spaces such as corporate offices, supply chain centers, and food halls, we are here to cater to those needs. We know businesses have had to make tough decisions over the past few months, but we believe that revamping commercial spaces is a crucial step to not just “move forward” but also to help companies and businesses thrive. Here at G&G, we’ve taken extra safety precautions on every project we’ve worked on, and we’re ready to take yours on too.