Bike racks one key to securing office tenants: Colliers

Office buildings need to be more bike-friendly to keep tenants happy, according to recent research by Colliers International.

“On-site bike racks, changing rooms and shower facilities are becoming increasingly popular with tenants and there is now greater focus on this by business owners,” writes Colliers national director of research Nerida Conisbee.

“Having sufficient bike racks, changing rooms and shower facilities was seen as less important than having on-site secure car parking in 2005; however by 2010, both factors were seen almost equally as important.”

Looking at future-proofing office buildings the report also found an increased demand for environmental sustainability.

“Increasing costs of energy and a greater focus by tenants and owners on sustainability and workspace performance is a key consideration for owners when future-proofing an existing building,” Conisbee says.

Dicky air-conditioning remains a point of vexation with tenants, consistently rated as important as proximity to public transport.

“Having excellent indoor air quality and thermal comfort has remained one of the most important attributes and ensuring that these systems are working is critical in future-proofing an asset. For building managers, it typically rates high on the list of complaints by user groups,” Conisbee says.

“Similarly, high levels of natural light are also important, and working out ways to open up dark areas within buildings is also critical.”

The report touched on the recently passed carbon pricing mechanism saying projects will aim for maximum environmental rating.

“The main impact on existing buildings is the increase in electricity costs, although much of this increase is expected to occur irrespective of carbon pricing due to investment required in ageing energy distribution infrastructure and new electricity power stations. Either way, this is likely to further increase the desirability of higher NABERS-rated building by owners and tenants in the office sector and drive up the importance of energy efficiency in all other building and industry sectors.”

The report says the scheme will cost $2 to $4 per square meter for a $25 per tonne carbon price, assuming a five- and four-green-star building respectively.