Michigan

By Andy Gutman, Farbman Group It’s no secret that the last few years have been a turbulent time for the office market nationally. While Detroit has fared somewhat better than some other cities across the Midwest, the same pandemic (and now post-pandemic) pressures have led to a higher-than-usual degree of uncertainty and volatility. Here in the early part of 2023, it’s a good time to take a step back and look at how the Detroit office landscape is changing, how it’s not changing and what might be in store throughout the rest of the year — and beyond. This is a unique time because there’s still a tremendous amount of uncertainty to factor into the commercial real estate market in general, and into office specifically. There are a lot of brands and businesses who either have not made up their mind about their office structure and needs going forward, or are still in an experimental post-pandemic period where they are trying to figure out the balance that works for them in terms of remote or hybrid work options and brick-and-mortar configurations. Until more of that uncertainty is resolved, a clear picture of the medium- and long-term prospects for the office …

By Jeff Karger, JLL There’s no doubt that the office market today is much different than what it was five years ago. Employers across the nation have had to adjust their work models, time and time again, to meet the needs of their employees — and those in Grand Rapids are no exception. As landlords, employers and employees adapt to these changes, it’s important to understand the direction of the office market. Below, check out five factors that are defining it. 1. A flight to quality Like many other cities across the nation, Grand Rapids is experiencing a resounding flight to quality. Employers are seeking Class A and trophy spaces to appeal to their employees and offer them an experience, rather than just a cubicle to work in. Some of these office features can include free fitness centers, onsite cafés, coffee shops and restaurants, outdoor terraces and more. Plus, according to JLL research, 59 percent of employees expect to work at a company that supports their health and well-being. Interestingly enough, employees prioritize this over salary — a key reason why companies and landlords alike are investing in amenitized spaces with up-to-date HVAC systems, exercise classes and healthy food options. …

By Ryan Nierman, Ph.D. and Bradley Meloche, Colliers The tumultuous events of the last two years have brought uncertainty into many aspects of Detroit’s office market. Even as companies emphasize their eagerness to return to the office, many questions remain regarding space designs, required square footage and buildout requirements. Tenant selectivity With increasing vacancy rates and negative net absorption throughout the metro Detroit office market, real estate experts are witnessing tenants becoming more selective in property occupancy. The result has been a slowing demand for Class B and C office product. Tenants have begun targeting Class A assets with improved visibility, signage, modernized color schemes, numerous amenities and flexible floorplan designs. As the need for larger office footprints goes down in reaction to post-COVID considerations, tenants have become willing to pay increased per-square-foot rents, for at or below preexisting rental budgets, due to decreased size requirements.  The need for tenants to target Class A facilities has been compounded by the so-called “Great Resignation,” as employees are willing to demand more from their employers. As a result, employers know that a failure to invest in a more modern and amenitized workspace may result in poor employee retention and future talent recruitment.  …

A lot has changed in the world since the beginning days of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Fast forward to November 2021 and the world is a very different place. Over 46 million people have been infected in the United States alone with over 750,000 deaths officially attributed to the virus.  Most businesses have been forced to shut down in-person work for some period of time and many have instituted remote work programs until the beginning of 2022. The real question on everyone’s mind is when will we return to normal and more specifically, what will the new normal look like? Although we will most certainly have to deal with the aftereffects of COVID-19 and any variants that surface, there is light at the end of the tunnel. To date, approximately 427 million doses of the vaccine have been administered with over 192 million people fully vaccinated. Recently, Pfizer announced that it has developed an easy-to-administer COVID-19 pill, which when used in combination with a widely used HIV drug, can cut the risk of hospitalizations or death by 89 percent in high-risk adults who have been exposed to the virus.  Given the combination of vaccinations, natural immunity for those …