Changing office use

The office market is especially dynamic, office use is on the rise, the population is growing steadily and employment opportunities are increasing within the AMA. The economic engine is running at full tilt and there is sufficient interest in new offices. However, office use patterns are changing: the worldwide trend of fewer square metres of office space being needed for each employee (resulting for example from ICT developments and other forms of digitisation) has not left the AMA unscathed.

Several studies show that a great deal of office work now takes place at informal working locations: in libraries, hotel lobbies, cafes, at home, etc. The market is capitalising on this by facilitating informal working environments at locations within residential areas and areas where there are numerous provisions making it possible to meet others easily.

Traditional office space is needed for the establishment of (international) headquarters. These businesses favour establishing themselves in optimally accessible, leading international environments offering multimodal hubs and a broad range of facilities.
The manufacturing industry, small-scale, creative and productive office-like companies favour establishing themselves in affordable areas characterised by a mixed residential / working environment.

From service provision to knowledge economy

The AMA offers space for economic growth and new players, along with innovations and creativity, making it possible to create interesting and attractive residential / working environments. The transition from a general service providing economy to a specific knowledge economy means that a large number of smaller companies will establish themselves in the AMA. This revolves around interaction: both at the office and within the office surroundings. This means that opportunities for colleagues to make contact with one another must be optimal within the office block and that the building itself must be established in an (urban) environment where the level of interaction and opportunities for making contact with one another are also optimal.

There is a high demand for locations offering mixed residential / working environments. Informal workplaces are driving a large proportion of employment growth. Traditional office space is needed for the establishment of (international) headquarters. These businesses favour establishing themselves in optimally accessible, leading international environments offering multimodal hubs and a broad range of facilities. The manufacturing industry, small-scale, creative and productive office-like companies favour establishing themselves in affordable areas characterised by a mixed residential / working environment.

Location

Considerations concerning location have become increasingly important to companies seeking to establish themselves in recent years, largely dependent on the nature of the office work concerned. Central urban locations are in high demand, irrespective of company size. New concepts are attractive even if they are located on the outskirts of the city in some cases. Opportunities for transformation and redevelopment also depend on the location of the office block. Small office spaces as well as large office spaces offering large floor areas are in equal demand.

Four trends can be identified in office development:
1. The changing nature of office employment from production-oriented to creative and clock-in factories to meeting places.
2. The importance of easy accessibility by bicycle and/or public transport is increasing for staff and business relations. Private transport accessibility is becoming less important.
3. Consequently, the flexible use of office space is becoming more important. This invites different office concepts and larger shop floors.
4. More value is being attached to facilities in the vicinity. The working environment must be able to support multitasking.

If you would like to find out more about the office market within the AMA, please contact Pieter Habets (office supervisor).