You may well have heard the term “Grade A office space” used by those in the commercial property sector without fully understanding what it means.
And that’s not your fault, because while the term is widely used, there isn’t actually a governing body or official checklist to define what these sorts of spaces should include, which just adds to the confusion.
To help you, we’re going to use our latest piece to offer practical guidance for those in charge of selecting office space and who want to understand the factors that actually matter, beyond the flashy brochures.
As hybrid work continues to grow, businesses need to reassess the cost of office spaces versus their usage because, while these places are still important for building culture and presenting a professional image, paying for empty seats is a big no-no.
So if there’s no official framework for a “Grade A” space, what can we use to define it?
Well, grade A typically refers to top-tier office accommodation within a local market. So, what might be considered a Grade A office space in Liverpool may differ from one in London, for instance.
There are often three core criteria which are most commonly associated with this term, they are:
And, while this term doesn’t automatically mean that an office has to be a new building, it does often refer to those which are recently built or have been comprehensively renovated.
Expectations around office space have evolved in recent years, owing to the pandemic (which isn’t a surprise!). Nowadays, in a post-hybrid working world, there is a greater focus on flexibility of use and amenities that improve wellbeing rather than just focusing on the number of desks.
And, things such as reliable wifi and comfortable shared spaces are now considered baseline expectations for businesses, whereas once they may have been considered premium.
For businesses looking to invest in high-spec office space, it’s important to recognise the difference between a space that looks Grade A on paper and one that actually functions as Grade A for tenants.
What matters is not necessarily how flashy the place looks but how it performs in everyday use.
Build Quality and Finishes
Those looking for office space should focus on the things they are going to see, feel, and hear every day. Elements like sufficient natural light and pleasant acoustics all make for a space that can be used for hosting meetings or clients in a way that doesn’t feel echoy or dingy.
Tenants should be able to control the temperature, too. Offices known for being too cold in winter and too hot in the summer don’t help to create areas where people can do their best work.
Overly decorative finishes in an office space may look nice, but if they don’t improve usability, it is fairly immaterial. The aim is to find a space which can be used comfortably and consistently.
Proper Grade A spaces should remove friction from the working day rather than forcing tenants to create awkward workarounds to accommodate, for instance, a lack of well-placed plug sockets.
A high-speed, reliable internet connection should be considered the absolute bare minimum, too. Everyone should have access to it, no matter how many people are in the office or where in the space they are working.
Meeting spaces should be designed for hybrid use as well. Televisions should have audio and visual technology equipped so that those working elsewhere can “hop on a call” without a big fuss.
A space that can be considered Grade A should think about how its tenants’ usage affects the wider environment and how they can mitigate it.
Energy-efficient systems that automatically reduce output during the weekend or overnight are no longer a bonus but an expectation, especially for businesses that are of B-Corp status.
Modern heating and ventilation should be standard, so that the work environment feels comfortable and the wider environmental impact is considered.
This isn’t about greenwashing either. There are real links between energy efficiency and operational costs, let alone the well-being benefits for employees who work in these spaces.
Like it or not, people make judgments about the environments they enter. So the quality of your workspace will almost always influence how your business is perceived, especially for businesses that are in the service industry and don’t have a physical product to use.
Early interactions with prospective clients or the best industry talent don’t begin in the boardroom but in the shared spaces where teams are collaborating or in the reception areas where they are greeted. It’s not about showing off some level of prestige but reassuring these people that your business takes its work seriously.
Beyond first impressions, Grade A spaces should be designed to reduce friction, too. Technical issues should, in theory, be a thing of the past because the space has been designed with modern workflows in mind, be that through the types of spaces available (phone booths for client calls or more open plan areas for meetings) or something as small as wireless charging stations on desks.
Finally, they should be able to grow or adapt as your business evolves without you needing to relocate and deal with all the associated issues that come with moving. Being in a flexible space makes long-term planning a bit easier because you know the building can work around you.
There is a wrong assumption out there that now we live in a post-pandemic world, offices no longer matter, and people would rather work from a coffee shop or their spare room five days a week.
While it is of course true that people like the flexibility of home working, there is still a place for an office, albeit one that’s slightly different.
Rather than being a place where they sit for eight hours, the office’s role is now one that supports collaboration when it’s needed or is one where teams can get together and learn from each other.
Offices still form a crucial part of a business’s identity and are still unmatched in their ability to foster a thriving culture.
The best industry talent aren’t looking for gimmicks in their potential future employer’s office space. They want comfortable, well-lit environments that include spaces for all different types of work. They want to be able to chat through an idea with a colleague in booth seating just as easily as working at their desk, using a second screen.
Bean bags and table football don’t persuade people to join a business, but a professional area without being stuffy or overly prestigious does.
Grade A office spaces retain the staff you have there already, too. If work feels good day to day because the office environment supports the ways they like to work, it quickly becomes a supporting factor in keeping them with your business.
In short, no. A premium, Grade A office space isn’t the automatic or right choice for every business. These spaces are rich in amenities and often in good locations, making them expensive, especially for very early-stage businesses who, rightly, are prioritising costs and cash flow above all else.
Similarly, for teams that operate across the country and that very rarely work together in person, a Grade A office space may quickly become an empty room that costs far too much.
The right choice for businesses should be about value, not just the price. Included services, such as cleaning or a dedicated concierge team, create said value and help businesses focus on doing good work rather than managing contract renewals.
A predictable monthly cost is also a valuable trait. Places such as The Base offer businesses access to high-quality office spaces without the hassle of managing them.
The right choice will ultimately depend on:
The Base is made up of high-quality Grade A office spaces, which cater to how the modern office-goer likes to work. Flexible terms that allow businesses to expand with ease are available for all, as are plenty of additional benefits for those in the digital, technology, and advanced engineering sectors.
The leading businesses from Warrington and across the North-West, who use The Base as their base, can project a professional outward-facing image too, thanks to our wide range of meeting spaces and conferencing facilities.
Beyond spaces to work, we also offer the Elevate Business Support Programme, which is a free-to-access resource for those located in The Base. It’s designed to help startups and SMEs, and includes tailored, hands-on guidance and support.
No matter where your business is in its journey, you can enjoy all these benefits without the pressure (and cost) associated with city-centre office environments.
Grade A office space is about usability and the experience employees have.
If you’re reassessing your current workspace and want somewhere that is actually Grade A and aligned with where your business is going, then why not explore The Base as a potential option?
01925909777
info@thebasewarrington.co.uk
The Base, Dallam Lane, Warrington WA2 7NGOn behalf of
