By Kevin Collins,
C&K Properties
As the so-called TAMI industries continue to dominate the NY/NJ metro area leasing market, buildings that can provide reliable (redundant) fiber to multiple carriers are creating a significant advantage.
And, in the business world at large, we’re increasingly seeing glimpses of the importance of collaboration and integration throughout the business world.
Particularly as more and more industries are moving their entire product offerings – and workforces – to incorporate a web-based framework, the ability to get and stay connected is more important than ever.
The onus is now on commercial building owners to adapt to the demands of the evolving workplace. We’re seeing this in many ways: Open floor plans, creative pre-built spaces, innovative amenities, and more.
But, when it comes to the real-life necessities of most companies, there’s something to be said for function over fashion.
Readers of Real Estate Weekly are certainly familiar with traditional rating systems like LEED, SIOR, and USGBC environmental ratings. And, especially in the throes of the “green” movement, it may seem odd to suggest that building owners should look elsewhere for ways to promote their building’s infrastructure.
Indeed, each of these certifications is effective for affirming a building’s sustainability and overall environmental friendliness – but that’s not all a building has to offer.
As the owners of 2 Gateway Center, a commercial building in the heart of Newark, New Jersey connected to the State’s largest train and bus stations, we searched for ways to get the word out about our building’s rock-solid technological infrastructure.
We ultimately discovered WiredScore, at the time focused solely in New York City, which offered a new certification to evaluate a building based on choice, infrastructure, redundancy, resiliency, and flexibility of broadband offerings. For our tenants, many of whom rely on our dark fiber connection to transact, share real-time information, and converse with customers each day, it was clear that this functionality was a top priority.
Moving forward, we wholly expect the competitive landscape for commercial buildings to once again shift, this time toward an emphasis on workspace functionality.
As owners are jockeying for position in a hot office market, often vying for up-and-coming high-tech tenants, it’s clear that it’s never been more vital to emphasize a building’s technological dependability and sophistication.