Our Real Estate Expert Brian Brown Shares How Companies are Using Flex to Plan Through Uncertainty
The last 12 months have changed how companies are thinking about their workspace. How does Flex Workspace+ fit into this equation?
Yes, real estate decisions and how they will support work in a new workplace are a top priority for the C-suite. Many companies are considering hybrid work models that blend telecommuting with in-person team sessions. Other companies are moving away from large HQs in favor of smaller, regional offices that are closer to where employees already live. The near future will be a period of experimentation for many organizations with the objective to empower and engage employees wherever they may be working. The good news is that Flex Workspace+ allows firms the flexibility to do just that in a turnkey, private office space without sacrificing lease term flexibility. It’s an ideal solution when there are many unknown variables or companies are exploring different work arrangements. Flex Workspace+ hits the sweet spot for those looking for increased flexibility without sacrificing HQ-quality space and amenities.
Why is Flex a better option than coworking for workplace wellness?
Employees can come to work with confidence because our Flex spaces, as with any Irvine Company office offering are verified for wellness. Our workplaces are the first in the nation to receive the UL Verified Healthy Building Mark for Indoor Air. On-site protocols include enhanced air filtration, signage to encourage physical distancing, upgraded touch-free solutions, reduced elevator capacity, and requiring face coverings at all times in common spaces. We’re helping teams be together, safely.
Coworking is exactly that: you’re working next to another person who has nothing to do with your business, may not be in the same industry, and could even be a competitor. You can’t control your workplace environment– you don’t know who is coming and going, and the workplace wellness protocols your company follows may not be observed by others in your shared space. There are a lot of risks and a lack of privacy. Coworking will continue to be a useful waypoint in the real estate landscape. But, once you’ve grown beyond 4-10 employees, it may no longer provide the benefits a company is looking for.
Who is the ideal customer for Flex?
One of the misconceptions about flexible office space is that it only appeals to startups. The last year has shown that businesses of all sizes can benefit from including Flex in their real estate strategy. In fact, some of the strongest demand is currently coming from enterprise companies. These companies are looking for a secondary office closer to their employees, a temporary space for employees working on special projects, or a regional HQ. With low upfront costs and short-term lease options, Flex gives companies a critical business advantage at a time when flexibility and value have never been more important.
How is Flex different from other flexible space offerings in the market?
There are no other companies doing what we’re doing anywhere near the scale. We have a breadth of offerings all across Orange County, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Diego, and Chicago, so customers can move into a Flex Workspace+ space, knowing that as their needs change, whether they’re up, down, or just needing to be in a different location, they’ll still have a solution in Irvine Company. They’re getting total flexibility, backed by Irvine Company stability.
As far as I know, we’re the only ownership group offering private, move-in ready workspace on a fast timeline. There are other owners who provide spec suites with varying levels of service, but not the customization we offer. With Flex Workspace+, companies can opt for our branding, furniture, and technology packages all of which are tailored to meet their unique identity.