Workplace adaptation to hybrid working, sustainability and inclusion are some of the biggest office trends and buzzwords at the moment. The implementation of these elements in a new office is, however, a challenge, especially in the current macroeconomic situation. Employers want to bring employees back to the office, while optimising rising costs. According to Cushman & Wakefield’s latest "EMEA Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2024", medium quality fit-outs in Warsaw are priced at an average all-in rate of EUR 1,250 per square metre – almost the same as in as Prague or Budapest but half of what average fit-out costs are in London and Hamburg. The report looks closely at trends and costs to help companies choose solutions that will be the best for their organisational cultures and bring long-term benefits.
Due to economic instability, optimising expenditure budgets has become fundamental to sound management. The need to evolve and innovate has not diminished – on the contrary, many processes have accelerated. Having set ambitious social and environmental targets, companies are testing various modes of working, while at the same time fostering inclusion and diversity. The office is central to many of these transformative processes, with increasing focus on its quality,”
says Andrew Frizell, Head of Project & Development Services, Cushman & Wakefield.
Redefining the office
The changing value of the office is looked at in terms of its role in fostering human connection and work-life balance. Workplace experience needs to be enticing enough for people to visit the office regularly. This means occupying the right building in a well-connected location and featuring modern solutions ensuring ESG compliance - an important element of a workplace strategy and change management in an organization. In office design, a greater proportion of space is being devoted to employee well-being and supporting individual needs. Environmental psychology, neurodiversity and inclusivity are becoming increasingly important in office design, reflecting growing expectations of the workplace,”
explains Mariola Bitner, Head of Workplace Strategy, Cushman & Wakefield.
The path to net zero
Efficient and sustainable buildings significantly support tenants in achieving the environmental and social goals of their ESG agenda. That’s why landlords and managers are also intensifying efforts to meet the requirements of building users in addition to trying to achieve their own strategic corporate goals. This creates the opportunity to create a partnership than can include the use of technologies supporting data collection, sharing and analysis, the adoption of green leases and upgrades. Energy efficiency, water-conservation and other such solutions also allow for optimising operating costs for all the parties,”
explains Katarzyna Lipka, Head of Strategic Consulting and ESG, Cushman & Wakefield Poland.
Budget optimisation
Given the importance of sound cost management, we are seeing a growing demand for high quality spaces, with tenants however opting for smaller offices. We expect this trend to feed into an increased flight to quality in fit-out contractor hiring. At Cushman & Wakefield we provide workplace strategy, project management and design & build services, whilst drawing on the synergy of our teams and their experience to ensure that a project’s budget is aligned with the client’s financial capacity,”
comments Andrew Frizell.
About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2023, the firm reported revenue of $9.5 billion across its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, and valuation and other services. It also receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability and more. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.