Whether you're a startup securing your first office or an established company working within a targeted budget, your workspace should authentically reflect who you are and the work you do. Your office environment isn’t just about desks and chairs; it’s an extension of your brand and culture. Finding that perfect balance between function, design, and financial constraints is essential.
There are a multitude of strategies available when searching for new office space. Two primary routes often surface in these discussions: opting for a pre-built space or a turnkey build-out utilizing base building standards, which can strike a balance between cost-efficiency and customization. By working within existing frameworks, companies can still shape their space while controlling expenses.
Prebuilt Spaces:
Efficiency Without Sacrificing Identity.
Prebuilt office spaces offer a ready-to-go option for companies looking to move quickly. These spaces, often designed with modern finishes and flexible layouts, can save time and reduce upfront costs. While it may seem like the cookie-cutter approach, don’t be fooled. Many prebuilt spaces still offer the flexibility to customize small design details—like branding elements or furniture choices—that can align with your company’s ethos without the financial burden of a full build-out.
For startups or businesses with a leaner budget, this can be a smart move. The key here is to prioritize your must-haves. Focus on what's most important to reflect your company’s culture—whether it's open collaboration areas, a reception area that makes an immediate impression, acoustic requirements or the right variety of enclosed spaces to support your virtual collaboration needs. The good news? Most well-designed prebuilt spaces incorporate current industry trends, catering to the types of tenants landlords are looking to attract and many with the flexibility and adaptability needed for today’s market.
Tailoring your Prebuild.
While a prebuilt office can meet many of your functional needs, it’s those finishing touches that truly make the space your own. Branding, custom graphics, furniture selection, accent lighting, and artwork are all low-impact ways to personalize a prebuilt space without altering its architectural structure. These elements help convey your company’s identity and culture to both employees and clients.
But what if the prebuilt space is missing that wow factor in key areas like the reception or entryway? You might find the opportunity to upgrade materials, lighting, or spatial flow in these zones without blowing your budget. A subtle shift in the entry experience can make a lasting impression and set the tone for visitors and employees alike.
Tenant Turnkey: A Middle Ground for Customization
A Middle Ground for Customization.
If a prebuilt space doesn’t offer the level of customization needed, a turnkey buildout can be the perfect middle ground. With this option, building ownership builds out an office space based building standards for a specific tenant. The advantage is clear: you get a degree of customization without the cost and complexity of a full build-to-suit.
Turnkey office programs are a popular choice for growing companies who need functional, well-designed spaces but who also have specialty requirements that standard prebuilds do not offer. Think of it as working within a pre-defined framework, where you can invest in the areas that matter most— whether it’s creating a larger town hall, enhancing collaborative areas, or upgrading acoustic glass systems for privacy—while keeping other aspects simple and standardized. When deciding on a building location, it is also important to look at the base building architecture. Exposed columns, brick, ceilings, or structural elements can be leveraged as a canvas for design and can reflect the company’s innovative spirit.
Striking the Right Balance.
It’s not always necessary to reinvent the entire space to showcase your brand identity. Focus on the high-impact areas that influence employee experience and client perception the most. Standard options often allow for color and finish changes at no extra cost, and strategic upgrades to key areas such as reception, breakout zones, or branded features can strike the perfect balance between design and functionality, all while staying within budget.
