Signs your Commercial Space is ready for a Remodel

Your office sets the tone for your business. The physical space you work in each day can either add to productivity and climate or detract from it. Just like your home, an office needs to be well-maintained and updated throughout the years. Below are five signs that it’s time to remodel your commercial space.

Employees are Distracted

Employees spend a large portion of their day inside the office. The work environment should cater to their comfort and productivity. Elements like green space, collaborative meeting areas, and an efficient floor plan can help set the tone for a dynamic office.

If employees are dealing with issues such as poor lighting or a leaky faucet in the bathroom, they will become distracted from the tasks at hand. In short, the office should assist, rather than get in the way of employees’ work. Even seemingly small issues are a signal to consider remodeling.

Outdated Technology

If the technology in the office is outdated, chances are everything is obsolete. Any technology being used by employees should keep up with the demands of their work. Determine what is proficient and upgrade the rest.

No Space

Are you squeezing in more people and furniture into the same space your business started in? Businesses grow over the years. It can get quite uncomfortable working if you feel crowded. Take a look at the current floor plan to determine if you need to rearrange the space, expand, or move into a new office.

Deterioration of Furniture

Depending on how many people use the furniture in the office will signal how long it will last. From couches to desks to chairs, make a note of the condition of the furniture.

Meetings take place Outside of the Office

When you schedule meetings with prospective clients or employees, do you invite them to meet you in the office or a nearby coffee shop? If you are not proud to welcome people into your office, it’s time for some upgrades.

Once you decide it is time for a remodel, the possibilities for a modern and productive work environment are endless.

September 24, 2019 0

Merrill Lynch to join 350 Goose Lane Office Park

The Office Park at 350 Goose Lane in Guilford signed a new tenant for Building C – before the scheduled build begins.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch will occupy the entire third floor of Building C, for a total of 7,472 square feet of office space. With the build scheduled to begin this fall, Horton Group will work closely with Merrill Lynch to customize their office. This will allow the wealth management company the opportunity to create an optimal office floor plan.

The professional campus consists of three buildings. Building A was an existing building completely renovated by the Horton Group. Buildings B and C are brand new Type II-B construction.

Customized Office Plans

Like Merrill Lynch, many of the tenants in buildings A and B signed on before construction was complete, allowing for the design of each office space to match the needs of tenants.

Customization of work environments is becoming more critical to employers, as research shows that well-constructed office plans and green space can increase productivity and job satisfaction. In the offices at 350 Goose Lane, we have incorporated open layouts, glass walls, private meeting areas, collaborative workspaces, and waiting rooms. Each unique space meets the needs of our tenants.

Unmatched Campus Green Space

Set on 16 acres, 350 Goose Lane Office Park was once home to Wilber & King Nursery. The impeccable grounds have been maintained for the use of green space by tenants in all three buildings. A beautiful courtyard, with outdoor tables, umbrellas, and wifi, allows people to take an outdoor lunch break or even work outside. All three buildings have views of the courtyard and on-site pond. Green space has been shown to increase feelings of contentment at work.

“What makes the property really amazing is the amount of green space,” stated Horton Group President Kenny Horton. “It’s not the typical pavement, concrete, and walkways you see with other campuses.”

The Horton Group is thrilled to welcome Bank of America Merrill Lynch to this incredible campus.

July 16, 2019 0

6 Tips for Creating a Productive Office Space

Most people spend more time at the office than their own home throughout the week. When moving into a new office, think beyond cubicles and desks so that you and your employees can be productive in an inspiring and comfortable atmosphere.

In our commercial projects, Horton Group continues to work closely with a range of business owners to design and build their dream offices. At our current commercial development, 350 Goose Lane Office Park, we have built offices for large national corporations, small business owners, and everything in between.

Below are six tips for creating a productive office space, no matter what industry you work in.

Ask for Employee Input

Ask your employees what their dream office would look like. You won’t be able to incorporate all of their ideas, but if you find out that 90% of the people working for you would utilize standing desks, for example, you can determine how to fit a couple into your office space.

When employees are given the opportunity to set up their own workspace, they have more satisfaction and better performance at work compared to employees who have no control over their environment.

Traffic flow

Utilizing the space efficiently is essential no matter what size office you have. Consider how people will move from work areas to meeting rooms, the bathroom, and kitchen areas. Keeping these common areas clear of clutter makes it much easier to move around the office. Traffic flow is especially important if you have customers or patients coming in and out of the office all day.

Don’t Neglect the Basics: Lighting, Noise, and Temperature

We’ve all been uncomfortable or distracted while on the job. The more you can eliminate small annoyances, the better. This means paying attention to lighting, noise, and temperature in the office.

Natural light is ideal, but not always possible. In spaces without windows, opt for overhead lighting options that mimic natural light. Unnecessary noise at work can decrease productivity and increase headaches. Ask your builder or contractor what can be done to eliminate noise from other offices. Finally, make sure the temperature can be easily controlled in the office.

Variety of Workspaces

A variety of workspace options is essential in increasing productivity. Some parts of the day may require an independent work station where people can tune out the rest of the office and tackle important phone calls or deadlines. Other times employees may need to connect with coworkers in a collaborative meeting area or a step into a quiet room to decompress. By incorporating numerous spaces to work in, people can move around throughout the day and tailor the space to their work needs.

Greenspace

Whenever possible, incorporate green space. A beautifully landscaped property can include an additional workspace in good weather. The benefits of green space for employees include increased job satisfaction and decreased stress.

Plan for Growth

As a business owner, chances are you have a 1, 5, and 10-year plan. Will the office you are creating today be able to hold your vision for the future? Take into consideration the fact that you will expand, leaving some wiggle room for reorganization.

July 2, 2019 2