REPOSITIONING &
LANDLORD SERVICES
The lifestyle and wellness choices of today’s workforce are the major factors influencing the office market and will continue to do so in the years to come. Markets will continue to place a premium on spaces that support flexibility, resiliency, and quality of life. Landlords and building owners will continue to have opportunities to convert or reuse existing buildings in order to address these needs.
The Post Office, Chicago
01
Resilient buildings will become easier to finance and lease.
The influence of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) will continue to drive innovation. As such, socially and environmentally responsible office buildings will become both easier to finance and easier to lease to tenants who are increasingly demanding workplaces that support the health and well-being of occupants and the planet. Adaptive reuse of older buildings is a key resilient strategy and selling point.
02
Well-being and inclusivity can offer tangible benefits.
Landlords and owners are realizing the tangible outcomes of creating “healthy” and inclusive buildings. Research shows that better indoor air quality leads to increased productivity and reduced sick leave. Biophilic design can lower stress and anxiety and can also attract sought-after tenants and higher rental yields. Addressing equity and inclusion with core elements, such as gender-neutral restrooms and other common areas for an increasingly diverse workforce, is also a tenant draw.
03
The demand for quality experiences in the workplace will continue.
In a competitive market with more flexible attendance policies, buildings must provide special experiences that are different from the home to bring people into the office. Tenants will continue to seek out more modern, amenity-rich, and sustainable spaces. Opportunities for adaptive reuse and building conversions will continue to grow.
The Link, Denver
Cargo Crossrail, London
“Far and away the best way to reduce carbon is to reuse existing buildings. By recycling structure, we can save up to 40% of emissions. These targets are achievable now.”
— Juliette Morgan, former head of Sustainable Development, British Land
Willis Tower, Chicago
To reposition this Chicago landmark, Gensler reimagined the podium through minimal new construction — and minimal environmental impact. The adaptive reuse of this iconic skyscraper, formerly known as the Sears Tower, will connect locals and visitors with retail, dining, shopping, entertainment, and an inviting street-level presence.
Park Point Business Park, Durham, N.C.
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550 Madison
New York, New York
Gensler’s reimagining of 550 Madison’s lobby breathes new life into the grand entry hall of this iconic skyscraper with a luminous design that is distinctive yet harmonious with the landmark building’s original architecture. Built in 1984, 550 Madison stands out in Manhattan’s skyline as a...
The Acre
London, United Kingdom
When Gensler approached the repositioning of a unique but obsolete Brutalist building designed by noted architect Richard Seifert in London’s Covent Garden, the team recognized the unrealized potential of the existing building early in the process. To that effect, the design team developed a...
Sheryl Schulze
Repositioning & Landlord Services Leader, Studio Director, Principal
Sheryl leads Gensler’s Repositioning & Landlord Services practice and brings more than 30 years’ experience in strategic planning and design with particular expertise in...
Ian Zapata
Repositioning & Landlord Services Leader, Design Director
Ian is a Design Director in Gensler’s Dallas office and a global leader in Repositioning & Landlord Services for the firm. Through Ian’s experience and tenure, he has always...
Rhiannon Laurie
Climate Action & Sustainability Leader
Rhiannon serves as the Climate Action & Sustainability Leader for Gensler’s Europe region, helping promote responsible design at every stage of the process and embedding...
