According to analysts knight Frank, this year, the rate of input of office space will slow down – instead of the previously projected 520 thousand square meters will appear only 300-320 thousand. In the first quarter of the three leaders in terms of renting offices were companies in the sector “Technology, media, telecommunications” (their share was 29 percent), banks and financial institutions (26), production company (17 percent). These sectors are forecast to remain the most active tenant before the end of the year, together with enterprises with full or partial state participation, and companies working with government agencies.
In 2020 the Moscow office market is waiting for the transformation from the point of view of approaches to the organization of spaces, I believe in KnightFrank. Businesses faced with uncertainty because of the pandemic, and the economic situation – to make decisions about relocation or expansion difficult. At the same time most office workers transferred to remote work. According to analysts, many companies may abandon part of space, creating flexible and adaptive workspace that can be quickly reconfigured to meet changing market situation.
Mass rejection of lease of office space are not expected, but demand may fall in large amounts. The new space likely will be filled slower.
“the First quarter of the Moscow office market was active, with volume as input, and absorption of offices grew, – said the Director of the office real estate Department at knight Frank Maria Zimina. – However, recent events related to the pandemic, as well as Russia’s withdrawal from a deal with OPEC, which led to a sharp weakening of the ruble, brought about changes in the expected year-end 2020. The shock of the market, depending on the duration, the negative impact on the main indicators. We expect the decline in absorption and typing on the background of steady uncertainty. The result of the second and third quarters of the main indicators of the market will begin to recover, if the current situation stabiliziruemost. But despite this, the market expected significant changes, primarily in the approach to organization of office space”.
the Volume of purchased and leased office space in Moscow by the end of 2020 will fall by 20 percent, predict analysts at JLL. And commissioning of new objects will fall at least 6 percent. Against this background, the segment of the so-called “flexible offices” to the end of the year will grow by 50 percent (from 1 to 1.5 percent of the market).
the Peculiarity of these offices is that employees can choose a new job – depending on the tasks that need to be addressed today. Some large companies, the office space is divided into several zones, some of them intended for individualsheating staff to work for joint. Moreover, the workplace is not always a lap Desk and a chair. More and more offices where you can work standing up and even lying down. The boundaries between workplace and rest areas are gradually being erased.
“In a flexible multitasking space allocated specific areas for communication and collaboration, so employees are more free to move around the office and interact with each other”, – said the head of the organization Department workspaces at JLL in the region Europe, middle East and Africa Guzman de Artables. He added that some companies use the furniture, similar to that found in cafes. This approach helps to establish personal connections with colleagues and strengthens working relationships, and as a result command more involved in the work processes, says Arables.
In Moscow, the increase in “flexible” offices this year could reach 100 percent if not for the pandemic, analysts say the company’s Space 1. “But even under current conditions a General market decline will result in a reallocation of demand in favor of “flexible” offices. Their share will grow many times – just due to the huge inflow in the segment of those tenants who now refuse to rent classic,” says the head of the company Space 1 Pavel Fedorov.
Flexible offices to quickly adapt to customer needs – both from the point of view of planning and in terms of duration and area of the lease. Moreover, the rental rate includes furniture and equipment, cleaning, security, Internet and other office expenses. However, as noted in Space 1, it’s not coworking, and full-fledged stand-alone office for a minimum of 30-50 employees. It has all the familiar office areas – working space, conference rooms, rest areas and kitchens.
Previously, this format was popular mainly companies from the sectors of IT and Telecom, as well as banks and project teams. After the start of the pandemic, according to Space 1, “flexible” offices began to be interested also retail, parastatal, industrial and FMCG companies. Changed and quality requests, said Pavel Fedorov: in the past month on a “flexible” offices received 15-20 applications, and often, the entrepreneurs just wanted to get acquainted with this format. In March – April was able to have 10-15 specific requests to move to a flexible format.
Business reduced the request for the number of permanent jobs. Those who are in the beginning of the year they required 100, now asking for 80 permanent seats + 20 for temporary work. A mandatory requirement of steel areas hotdesking (for multiple employees at one big table). Increased demand for meeting rooms, booths, telephone conversations, added requirements full video conferencing equipment.
According to Pavel Fedorov, Flex��mi offices interested departments or business units of large companies that are growing rapidly. Is often the IT departments or business units related to new products. They have certain requirements to jobs, first and foremost, is the safety and comfort of employees. Thanks to the flexible office they get fully gated, professionally serviced office with the possibility of extension in case of further growth in the horizon of 2-3 years. They do not need to spend money on repairs, equipment and furniture.
the demand for a new format of notes from the medium-sized companies with a staff of 50-150 people. Many of them are not ready to rent an office for 4-5 years and spend tens of millions on its repair, and wait for moving six months. “Flexible” office – ready and convenient option.
