Show off Your Company’s Image with Creative Office Space Design

Did you know that there is such a thing as National Cubicle Day? Well, there is..as silly as that may seem. It seems outdated to honor a design style that seems to be falling by the wayside as quickly as fax machines and rotary telephones. But April 28th was the day set aside to celebrate these carpet-covered, creativity-killing barriers. Thankfully, in the last ten years office space design has moved far beyond cubicles. Companies are using their design to show off who they are to customers, employees and visitors. We discussed creating a productive office space a while back, but here we would like to speak to creative office space design that will help project a positive image to your clients, with creativity and flexibility.

A few years ago, tech companies and young startups were the only businesses being found to stray from the typical cubicle office space design. It seemed to make sense that companies trying to revolutionize electronics, computing, and communications would need open, fun designs to foster collaborative work. However, over the last few years the other business sectors saw that these companies were acquiring the best talent and building wonderful client relationships. Much of this success was being attributed to their unique spaces. Now, in 2014, 75% of US offices have open floor plans. (source) It seems that a well-planned, creative office space design helps companies project who they are — and who they want to be – for their customers.

This article in Mashable featured a few companies who have set up their offices to display their collaborative spirit. These companies’ designs range from simplistic to elaborate, but they all share a common goal; to present who they are to all that enter. One company, Quirky, is on the far end of the spectrum. They created a Jetsons-style office setting, which is apparent from the minute a visitor approaches the entrance. They wanted to make sure that customers knew that they valued design above all else. “The design room is the first thing you see when you walk into Quirky, and it’s where all the magic happens. Even if you’re not working in the shop, you’re constantly passing it when getting to and from meetings. It’s where all of the inventors’ ideas become a real physical product.”

Not all office spaces need to be space-aged to show off a great working environment. Simplicity in design can show focus, attention to detail and ease. Since many options exist for modern office space design, it is important to settle in a location that will allow you to create who you are. Your company should feel like a space can become anything, instead of settling for a space in which they cannot envision their success. “We were lucky in that we were starting with a blank slate [the site was previously a textile factory], so we were able to design the perfect space for our needs,” says Natasha Whitledge, facilities manager (CB2). (source)

Once you have settled on a creative office space design that best suits your business, finding a single story flex space may offer you the most options to support your design. This type of space offers high ceilings and is a “blank slate” that can adapt to your vision. You can read more about Single Story Flex space and its benefits here.

Innovation and creativity in office space design are something that we at the Bradley Business Center value. We strive to offer all of our tenants space that will allow them to put their best foot forward to their customers. If you are considering a new office space design, consider a new location, as well. Our center can provide you with the amenities you need, with a prime North Side Chicago location. Contact us right away to get started planning for your new, creative office at the Bradley Business Center.

Healthy Economy Means Warehouse Space in Chicago is Harder to Find

A sure sign that the economy is healthy and thriving is the amount of available commercial or industrial real estate on the market. Amenity-rich, easily accessible and affordable Warehouse space in Chicago is getting tougher to find in this market. Several pieces of recent data have shown us that the amount of available space and that the time it takes to sell that space are both down. Also, that the industrial real estate market is enjoying a five-year win streak. These factors are making it difficult for companies searching for suitable warehouse space in the Chicago area.

Online retailers and shipping firms have increased the need for conveniently located warehouse space. Now that our economy is stabilizing Americans are buying more furniture, large appliances and other goods than they have in a decade. More companies are finding that they need a warehouse or industrial space to serve their customers successfully. And they need this space to be accessible to major expressways, railways, and airports. This means there are more tenants searching for available space in all of the same areas. But the right space is not easy to find. According to a recent article in Crain’s Chicago Business, “after dropping for seven quarters in a row, the vacancy rate is now at its lowest level since third-quarter 2001”.

Another statistic that shows how tough it is for warehouse tenants currently is that the industrial real estate market is on a five-year winning streak. A study published this week states “nearly 4.3 million square feet of industrial space was absorbed during the first quarter of 2015 in the Chicago market”. (Source) And 83% of that square footage sold was warehouse and distribution space. While this is good news for real estate professionals and building owners, it’s bad news for companies looking for a new lease.

Owners of warehouse space are finding that it’s taking fewer days to move their property. A recent CoStar report stated that properties in the first month of 2015 “sat on the market for an average of 390 days…down from an average of 417 days in January of 2013.” It’s more important than ever to make sure that you do your research and homework before starting out down the road of searching for warehouse space. With fewer suitable options, you must ensure that you can find a location that will make things easier on your business operations. With such a strong market, you may also see higher prices for spaces that do come available or fewer amenities and perks for tenants.

A Solution to your Warehouse Space Problem on the North Side

The Bradley Business Center is your answer to the problem of finding spectacular warehouse space in this busy market. Located on the North Side of Chicago, our spaces offer proximity to O’Hare airport and the Kennedy Expressway. Our agent will work with you to discuss lease options that will best suit your budget and growth potential. We offer amenities such as a fitness center, technology solutions to help with operations and ample parking for you and your customers. Please contact us to learn more and to find out how you can get situated in your new location at the Bradley Business Center while our amazing warehouse space is still available. We look forward to helping you in this busy market!