Latest news with #HOK
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How the world's busiest airports are future-proofing themselves without missing a beat
The clock has just struck midnight, and about 60 people are bustling around an empty taxiway at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW). Architects, contractors, engineers, ground crew—everyone has gathered for an unprecedented event. After years of planning and months of meticulous scheduling, six massive buildings are about to be wheeled into place near Terminal C. Yes, wheeled. DFW is the fourth-busiest airport in the world, and it's currently undergoing a $9 billion project that includes an expansion of Terminals A and C, as well as a new Terminal F. To build out the airport without closing any gates or disrupting the flight schedule, HOK, the lead architecture firm behind the project, turned to an increasingly popular method of building: modular construction. Modular construction has long been a solution for schools and apartment complexes, but airports in cities such as Dallas; Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Atlanta are now embracing it as a solution to quickly expand their square footage as a tourism boom pushes airports to their limit. 'Airports have high operational cost, and that is what modular construction offsets,' says Richard Saunders, engineering practice leader for HOK's Atlanta studio. He estimates that the operational impacts are roughly cut in half. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
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Condé Nast Traveler
01-07-2025
- Business
- Condé Nast Traveler
Thompson Houston
Why book? Thompson Houston is the city's newest luxury high-rise hotel, offering floor-to-ceiling views of downtown and Buffalo Bayou Park. With a rooftop pool, full-service spa, three restaurants, and a complimentary car service, it's equal parts sleek getaway and urban basecamp, perfect for business or a long weekend. Set the scene Rising above the greenery of Allen Parkway, Thompson Houston makes a confident statement with its glass-and-steel profile. Guests ascend to a fifth-floor lobby where massive windows frame the skyline like a cinematic reveal. That dramatic view follows you throughout the property—from the rooftop pool to the guest rooms. Interiors skew midcentury modern with a dash of Art Deco, drawing a stylish, well-traveled crowd. Housed within a residential tower, the hotel is also pet-friendly—expect to share the elevator with both business travelers and designer dogs. The backstory Opened in early 2024, this hotel is Thompson's fourth Texas location. It was developed by DC Partners and set within The Allen, a mixed-use tower designed by the firm HOK. Interiors by Abel Design Group echo Houston's natural palette—warm woods, layered textures, and soft lighting. The rooms Spacious and full of natural light, rooms at the Thompson Houston feature floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of downtown and Buffalo Bayou Park. The design blends midcentury lines with Art Deco accents—think brass fixtures, rich wood, and clean silhouettes. Beds are dressed in Sferra Italian linens; bathrooms feature marble vanities, walk-in showers, and D.S. & Durga bath products. Panoramic rooms are the ones to book, with wraparound views, freestanding tubs, and separate sitting areas that makes them feel more like private apartments. Food and drink Dining here feels more exceptional than a traditional hotel setup. Sol 7, the poolside restaurant, serves cocktails and all-day bites in a light-filled locale. On the ground floor, you'll find Chardon, a polished French spot from TableOne Hospitality and chef EJ Miller, known for its lobster pot pie, oversized chocolate macaron, and one of the city's best Sunday brunches. Also on the ground floor is Toca Madera, which brings a bold take on the Mexican steakhouse, complete with fire dancers and some of the most photogenic cocktails in town, and Maven, serving strong espresso and nitro cold brew—plus coffee cocktails worth lingering for. The spa Adjacent to the hotel gym, the Thompson Spa spans the sixth floor and features six treatment rooms, including a couple's suite. Choose from massages or facials, like the Cellular Activating Hydration service using Pietro Simone Skincare biotechnology. Indoor and outdoor relaxation lounges offer skyline views, herbal teas, and light bites like chocolate-covered almonds and dried fruit. There's also a dry sauna and a retail area stocked with skincare lines like Agent Nateur and Pietro Simone. The neighborhood/area Set along Allen Parkway in the Fourth Ward, the hotel offers easy access to both green spaces and city buzz. Buffalo Bayou Park is directly across the street with trails, public art, and skyline views. Down the block, Autry Park has boutiques, dining options, and events like yoga and live music. The hotel's complimentary car service covers a three-mile radius—including the Montrose and River Oaks communities—and bikes are available to borrow. Still, with so much on-site, you may not want to leave at all. The service Service is polished, attentive, and highly personalized. The concierge team is well-versed in both the local dining scene and cultural offerings. For families Though the vibe is more grown-up, families (and pets!) are welcome. Spacious rooms, skyline views, and soaking tubs offer comfort for all ages, and Buffalo Bayou Park across the street is ideal for biking or outdoor play. There's no dedicated kids' program, but it works well for urban-minded families. Eco effort Sustainability is handled with subtle care. Guests can borrow Bluejay electric bikes, refill at hydration stations on every floor, and shop clean skincare lines at the spa boutique. The building's smart glass design also helps regulate indoor temperatures while blending with the surroundings. Accessibility The hotel includes several ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in showers and wide entrances. Common areas are accessible, though the rooftop pool currently lacks an ADA lift. Anything left to mention? Guests can work out at the hotel gym or next door at Eōs Fitness. The rooftop pool is heated, and cabana reservations go quickly on weekends. With 17,000 square feet of event space, it's a top spot for weddings and conferences. Don't miss the fifth-floor stairwell—it's one of the best skyline photo ops in the city. Light sleepers should note that Allen Parkway can be noisy at night, but the hotel provides earplugs and blackout curtains. The hotel also has its own private heliport, should that be of interest.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As companies return to the office, spas and other amenities are key to wooing workers back
Neil Schneider and his co-workers at architectural firm HOK are already enjoying the 11th floor cafe and gathering spaces at One Prudential Plaza in the East Loop and look forward to using a revamped outdoor amenity deck by summer. 'People can go down there with their lunch, enjoy it and not feel they have to be in the office all day,' he said. HOK just opened the new office at 130 E. Randolph St., an upgrade from its old Central Loop location, said Schneider, the firm's interior design director. The 14th floor office, designed by HOK, offers views of Grant Park, high-tech conference rooms, and a cafe and lobby. The property owner has committed to spending $50 million on building improvements, including adding a pickleball court, sauna and a plunge pool for cooling off in the 11th floor fitness facility. 'I'm excited for the plunge pool,' Schneider said. Not every office worker will have the opportunity to enjoy the full spas, rooftop decks and pools provided in buildings such as One Prudential Plaza. Vacancy rates in Chicago and suburban office complexes remain sky-high, and many building owners still struggle with heavy debt loads and face possible foreclosure. But five years after COVID shuttered the market, companies have begun signing new leases at a faster pace, many seeking upgrades, either in more modern buildings with better facilities, or locations closer to train lines and riverfront attractions. Some landlords are also pouring money into office spaces, adding the amenities and touches necessary to attract office workers accustomed to the comforts of home. 'Employees want to feel like going to the office is a better option than staying home, so employers have to support that,' said Tony Lindsay, asset manager of Urban Innovations, which with its affiliates owns and manages about one million square feet of office space, mostly in the River North loft district. 'But high-quality space doesn't have to be in Class A or trophy buildings. We're investing in new furniture and updated finishings, so in our kitchens you'll have new countertops, built-in appliances, and a cappuccino machine instead of a Keurig in the corner.' Most companies have also settled into a permanent routine, giving up on a full five-day return to the office and allowing employees to skip commutes at least once or twice each week, Lindsay added. That's made it easier to calculate how much space they will need long-term and pull the trigger on new office deals. 'When people would finally return to the office became a running joke in the industry,' he said. 'First it was the Fourth of July, then it was Labor Day, but it just kept getting pushed back and never quite happened. Now people are back but typically just for Tuesday through Thursday.' Urban Innovations saw its overall occupancy increase by 15% in the past six months, and instead of the short-term leases common during the pandemic, tenants now express a willingness to commit to lease terms exceeding three to five years. 'We're now seeing a lot more people ask to get locked in for the long term,' Lindsay said. 'That's generally a good bellwether that the market is about to get better.' Even as they return to the office, many companies continue cutting real estate costs, and nearly 30% of downtown office space was either empty or available for rent in the first quarter, a record high, according to commercial real estate firm Savills. But tenants also signed a flurry of leases, taking 2.8 million square feet, a 43.4% increase over the same period last year. And nine of the 10 largest leases were in Class A buildings, including the newest trophy towers such as the 17-story 167 N. Green St. in Fulton Market. Older properties fare the worst, especially in the Central Loop, which had a 34.6% availability rate, compared to 24.1% in the Far West Loop and Fulton Market. 'The Class A buildings are getting good amounts of activity because companies now seek the best quality offices for their employees,' rather than the most affordable, said Jim Adler, executive vice president of commercial real estate firm NAI Hiffman. The first quarter flurry followed a strong fourth quarter. Downtown companies signed deals for 2.6 million square feet, more than double the leasing activity during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to commercial real estate firm Bradford Allen. 'Toward the second-half of last year, we saw some good leasing momentum throughout the market, both big and small deals,' said Bradford Allen Managing Director Justin Kessler. 'I think people are just getting comfortable with the current state of things and are now interested in trying to make some moves.' Many suburban Class A properties are also doing well, even though the suburban market is in the doldrums. Schaumburg Corporate Center, a one-million-square-foot, three-building complex near Woodfield Mall, secured nearly 200,000 square feet in new leases last year, bringing it to 78% leased, said Adam Parritz, a director of Glenstar, which manages the property, owned by Affinius Capital. Glenstar also in 2024 recapitalized with a new investor Presidents Plaza, a two-tower complex near O'Hare International Airport. The complex recently underwent a $34 million renovation, and includes a refurbished three-story atrium lobby and three-level health club. The northwest suburban vacancy rate was more than 33% at the end of 2024, according to commercial real estate firm Colliers. Many Schaumburg Corporate Center employees now come in three to four days a week, packing by mid-week a 17,000-square-foot glass-and-steel atrium, a big change from the pandemic's early days. 'If you were going into the office then, you were the only one at the lunch table,' Parritz said. Finding attractive offices is not easy, even with so much vacancy. Dozens of downtown buildings are in deep financial trouble and carry debt loads greater than their current value, with owners unlikely to pay for new amenities or needed renovations. 'Most of them have to answer to a lender, and that puts a limit on what they can spend,' Adler said. But some troubled buildings are getting sold at deep discounts to new owners who can spend money on frills and upgrades, said Dougal Jeppe, executive vice president of Colliers, who represents downtown office tenants. Nearly two-dozen buildings changed hands in 2024, including seven in the last quarter. 'I think there are going to be more building sales (in 2025) and it will ultimately help the market,' he said. Recent sales include the 707,000-square-foot building at 230 W. Monroe St., bought by Menashe Properties for $45 million in 2023, a little more than one-third its 2014 sale price, and 70 W. Madison St., a 1.4-million-square foot tower, bought in late 2024 for $85 million, a steep discount from its $374 million sale in 2014. Boston-based Beacon Capital Partners last year bought 333 W. Wacker Drive, the iconic curved glass tower on the Chicago River for $125 million, and launched several improvements, including a rooftop deck, conference center and lounge. 'In that case you had a well-capitalized owner that was able to get the property for well-below market value and improve the building enough to attract tenants,' said Robert Groholski of Dykema, a national law firm. Glenstar and an investment partner picked up early this year the 767,000-square-foot building at 200 S. Wacker Drive for about $68 million, and plan $30 million in improvements. 'We are excited to plant a flag in the West Loop,' Parritz said. But office workers can't count on seeing renovations if their building gets sold, Groholski said. Some new owners don't have enough capital, and high interest rates and the recent economic uncertainty around tariffs makes many banks leery of lending money. 'They're looking for owners to put in large amounts of equity, and that might not be economically feasible,' he said. 'And obviously, what's happened in the past few days could have a chilling effect on lending.' Sargent & Lundy, an engineering design firm, will exchange by 2027 its longtime Central Loop headquarters for riverfront offices in the building at 77 West Wacker Drive, and Executive Vice President Michael Helminski said their new landlord's financial strength was a big plus. 'We did our due diligence,' he said. 'It was obvious they were secure and willing to invest in the building.' The 51-story tower was more than one-third vacant last year, but the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, the longtime owner, paid off the mortgage in 2023. 'It was incredible news that they were willing and able to pay off the loan, and very important to the broker community,' said CBRE's Kelsey Scheive, who helped lease up the building. Sargent & Lundy will occupy 17 floors, totaling 380,000 square feet, and Helminski said the light-filled spaces should encourage people, who typically work from home on Monday and Friday, to come downtown more often. 'Regardless of what floor you're on, or what direction you're facing, you're going to have great views,' he said. 'If we want the employees to be engaged, we need the workspace to be engaging.' Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, which along with Chicago developer Sterling Bay bought the two-tower, 2.3-million-square-foot Prudential Plaza complex, HOK's new home, in 2018 for $680 million, recently renegotiated a loan for the property, extending the due date to 2027, and made a commitment to refurbish the 11th floor amenity deck. Other major property owners adopted similar strategies. KBS Realty Advisors won an extension until November 2026 on a more than $300 million loan for the West Loop's Accenture Tower, a modern 40-story building at 500 W. Madison St., Jeppe said. The landlord also expanded the tenant lounge and built a new conference center with a catering kitchen. More than 90% of the space is leased. 'They put a lot of capital into it, and the building has done phenomenally well,' he said. Huge, a tech and design firm, will open later this year a 17,000-square-foot office in 500 W. Madison St., moving from 28,000 square feet in a century-old Central Loop building. The company is comfortable with remote work, but it also values face-to-face meetings, said Chief Product Officer Chidi Achara, and the convenience of the new building, which includes the Ogilvie Transportation Center, along with its amenities, will make it easier for employees, most of whom come downtown several days a week. 'It's not like the old work environment where you had 200 people come into the office every day and you needed 200 desks,' Achara said. 'But our work is enhanced when we're able to meet and brainstorm problems. And it could be something as simple as groups getting together for bagels in the morning.' Associate Director Elizabeth Bradley said several days a week many Huge workers have a heavy workload of calls. 'On those days, it makes more sense not to do a long commute,' she said. 'A lot of us come into the office to meet up with others. I don't think I could be home all the time. I'd go insane.' The five-day workweek seems unlikely to return. Although visits to Chicago's major commercial office buildings increased 5.6% in the past year, they were still down 44.6% last month compared with March 2019, a deeper slide than the national average of 32.2%, according to a data analytics firm. Laura Balson, managing partner at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, said she wasn't sure people wanted to come back at all when the firm opened a small downtown office several years ago. But most attorneys voluntarily returned at least three days per week, and the firm recently expanded its 41st floor office in the West Loop's Civic Opera Building. 'We're happy to accommodate people who need or want to be at home, but junior attorneys seem to learn a lot more when they're right down the hall and can pop their head in any time to ask a question,' she said. 'And many expect to be friends with their co-workers, and if you're in the office it's much easier to develop those relationships.' People who return to their offices will likely find some changes, HOK's Schneider said. In the pandemic's immediate aftermath, many companies sought to entice workers back by filling offices with couches and other comfy spaces. 'That was a mistake,' he said. 'Sitting in a hotel lobby talking with friends is different than sitting with a group of colleagues trying to create a new product.' Offices should have comfy seating, especially in lounges or near other areas set aside for recreation, he added. But well-designed offices will also include a range of workspaces, such as high-tech conference facilities for group meetings, and quiet rooms for workers avoiding the distractions at home. 'When you're at home, dogs come in, kids come in and Amazon deliveries show up,' Schneider said. That's why some 'just want to go into a space, sit there for five hours and get a ton of work done.'
Chicago Tribune
21-04-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
As companies return to the office, spas and other amenities are key to wooing workers back
Neil Schneider and his co-workers at architectural firm HOK are already enjoying the 11th floor cafe and gathering spaces at One Prudential Plaza in the East Loop and look forward to using a revamped outdoor amenity deck by summer. 'People can go down there with their lunch, enjoy it and not feel they have to be in the office all day,' he said. HOK just opened the new office at 130 E. Randolph St., an upgrade from its old Central Loop location, said Schneider, the firm's interior design director. The 14th floor office, designed by HOK, offers views of Grant Park, high-tech conference rooms, and a cafe and lobby. The property owner has committed to spending $50 million on building improvements, including adding a pickleball court, sauna and a plunge pool for cooling off in the 11th floor fitness facility. 'I'm excited for the plunge pool,' Schneider said. Not every office worker will have the opportunity to enjoy the full spas, rooftop decks and pools provided in buildings such as One Prudential Plaza. Vacancy rates in Chicago and suburban office complexes remain sky-high, and many building owners still struggle with heavy debt loads and face possible foreclosure. But five years after COVID shuttered the market, companies have begun signing new leases at a faster pace, many seeking upgrades, either in more modern buildings with better facilities, or locations closer to train lines and riverfront attractions. Some landlords are also pouring money into office spaces, adding the amenities and touches necessary to attract office workers accustomed to the comforts of home. 'Employees want to feel like going to the office is a better option than staying home, so employers have to support that,' said Tony Lindsay, asset manager of Urban Innovations, which with its affiliates owns and manages about one million square feet of office space, mostly in the River North loft district. 'But high-quality space doesn't have to be in Class A or trophy buildings. We're investing in new furniture and updated finishings, so in our kitchens you'll have new countertops, built-in appliances, and a cappuccino machine instead of a Keurig in the corner.' Most companies have also settled into a permanent routine, giving up on a full five-day return to the office and allowing employees to skip commutes at least once or twice each week, Lindsay added. That's made it easier to calculate how much space they will need long-term and pull the trigger on new office deals. 'When people would finally return to the office became a running joke in the industry,' he said. 'First it was the Fourth of July, then it was Labor Day, but it just kept getting pushed back and never quite happened. Now people are back but typically just for Tuesday through Thursday.' Urban Innovations saw its overall occupancy increase by 15% in the past six months, and instead of the short-term leases common during the pandemic, tenants now express a willingness to commit to lease terms exceeding three to five years. 'We're now seeing a lot more people ask to get locked in for the long term,' Lindsay said. 'That's generally a good bellwether that the market is about to get better.' Leasing picks up Even as they return to the office, many companies continue cutting real estate costs, and nearly 30% of downtown office space was either empty or available for rent in the first quarter, a record high, according to commercial real estate firm Savills. But tenants also signed a flurry of leases, taking 2.8 million square feet, a 43.4% increase over the same period last year. And nine of the 10 largest leases were in Class A buildings, including the newest trophy towers such as the 17-story 167 N. Green St. in Fulton Market. Older properties fare the worst, especially in the Central Loop, which had a 34.6% availability rate, compared to 24.1% in the Far West Loop and Fulton Market. 'The Class A buildings are getting good amounts of activity because companies now seek the best quality offices for their employees,' rather than the most affordable, said Jim Adler, executive vice president of commercial real estate firm NAI Hiffman. The first quarter flurry followed a strong fourth quarter. Downtown companies signed deals for 2.6 million square feet, more than double the leasing activity during the fourth quarter of 2023, according to commercial real estate firm Bradford Allen. 'Toward the second-half of last year, we saw some good leasing momentum throughout the market, both big and small deals,' said Bradford Allen Managing Director Justin Kessler. 'I think people are just getting comfortable with the current state of things and are now interested in trying to make some moves.' Many suburban Class A properties are also doing well, even though the suburban market is in the doldrums. Schaumburg Corporate Center, a one-million-square-foot, three-building complex near Woodfield Mall, secured nearly 200,000 square feet in new leases last year, bringing it to 78% leased, said Adam Parritz, a director of Glenstar, which manages the property, owned by Affinius Capital. Glenstar also in 2024 recapitalized with a new investor Presidents Plaza, a two-tower complex near O'Hare International Airport. The complex recently underwent a $34 million renovation, and includes a refurbished three-story atrium lobby and three-level health club. The northwest suburban vacancy rate was more than 33% at the end of 2024, according to commercial real estate firm Colliers. Many Schaumburg Corporate Center employees now come in three to four days a week, packing by mid-week a 17,000-square-foot glass-and-steel atrium, a big change from the pandemic's early days. 'If you were going into the office then, you were the only one at the lunch table,' Parritz said. Deep trouble Finding attractive offices is not easy, even with so much vacancy. Dozens of downtown buildings are in deep financial trouble and carry debt loads greater than their current value, with owners unlikely to pay for new amenities or needed renovations. 'Most of them have to answer to a lender, and that puts a limit on what they can spend,' Adler said. But some troubled buildings are getting sold at deep discounts to new owners who can spend money on frills and upgrades, said Dougal Jeppe, executive vice president of Colliers, who represents downtown office tenants. Nearly two-dozen buildings changed hands in 2024, including seven in the last quarter. 'I think there are going to be more building sales (in 2025) and it will ultimately help the market,' he said. Recent sales include the 707,000-square-foot building at 230 W. Monroe St., bought by Menashe Properties for $45 million in 2023, a little more than one-third its 2014 sale price, and 70 W. Madison St., a 1.4-million-square foot tower, bought in late 2024 for $85 million, a steep discount from its $374 million sale in 2014. Boston-based Beacon Capital Partners last year bought 333 W. Wacker Drive, the iconic curved glass tower on the Chicago River for $125 million, and launched several improvements, including a rooftop deck, conference center and lounge. 'In that case you had a well-capitalized owner that was able to get the property for well-below market value and improve the building enough to attract tenants,' said Robert Groholski of Dykema, a national law firm. Glenstar and an investment partner picked up early this year the 767,000-square-foot building at 200 S. Wacker Drive for about $68 million, and plan $30 million in improvements. 'We are excited to plant a flag in the West Loop,' Parritz said. But office workers can't count on seeing renovations if their building gets sold, Groholski said. Some new owners don't have enough capital, and high interest rates and the recent economic uncertainty around tariffs makes many banks leery of lending money. 'They're looking for owners to put in large amounts of equity, and that might not be economically feasible,' he said. 'And obviously, what's happened in the past few days could have a chilling effect on lending.' Solid foundations Sargent & Lundy, an engineering design firm, will exchange by 2027 its longtime Central Loop headquarters for riverfront offices in the building at 77 West Wacker Drive, and Executive Vice President Michael Helminski said their new landlord's financial strength was a big plus. 'We did our due diligence,' he said. 'It was obvious they were secure and willing to invest in the building.' The 51-story tower was more than one-third vacant last year, but the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, the longtime owner, paid off the mortgage in 2023. 'It was incredible news that they were willing and able to pay off the loan, and very important to the broker community,' said CBRE's Kelsey Scheive, who helped lease up the building. Sargent & Lundy will occupy 17 floors, totaling 380,000 square feet, and Helminski said the light-filled spaces should encourage people, who typically work from home on Monday and Friday, to come downtown more often. 'Regardless of what floor you're on, or what direction you're facing, you're going to have great views,' he said. 'If we want the employees to be engaged, we need the workspace to be engaging.' Wanxiang America Real Estate Group, which along with Chicago developer Sterling Bay bought the two-tower, 2.3-million-square-foot Prudential Plaza complex, HOK's new home, in 2018 for $680 million, recently renegotiated a loan for the property, extending the due date to 2027, and made a commitment to refurbish the 11th floor amenity deck. Other major property owners adopted similar strategies. KBS Realty Advisors won an extension until November 2026 on a more than $300 million loan for the West Loop's Accenture Tower, a modern 40-story building at 500 W. Madison St., Jeppe said. The landlord also expanded the tenant lounge and built a new conference center with a catering kitchen. More than 90% of the space is leased. 'They put a lot of capital into it, and the building has done phenomenally well,' he said. Face-to-face Huge, a tech and design firm, will open later this year a 17,000-square-foot office in 500 W. Madison St., moving from 28,000 square feet in a century-old Central Loop building. The company is comfortable with remote work, but it also values face-to-face meetings, said Chief Product Officer Chidi Achara, and the convenience of the new building, which includes the Ogilvie Transportation Center, along with its amenities, will make it easier for employees, most of whom come downtown several days a week. 'It's not like the old work environment where you had 200 people come into the office every day and you needed 200 desks,' Achara said. 'But our work is enhanced when we're able to meet and brainstorm problems. And it could be something as simple as groups getting together for bagels in the morning.' Associate Director Elizabeth Bradley said several days a week many Huge workers have a heavy workload of calls. 'On those days, it makes more sense not to do a long commute,' she said. 'A lot of us come into the office to meet up with others. I don't think I could be home all the time. I'd go insane.' The five-day workweek seems unlikely to return. Although visits to Chicago's major commercial office buildings increased 5.6% in the past year, they were still down 44.6% last month compared with March 2019, a deeper slide than the national average of 32.2%, according to a data analytics firm. Laura Balson, managing partner at Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, said she wasn't sure people wanted to come back at all when the firm opened a small downtown office several years ago. But most attorneys voluntarily returned at least three days per week, and the firm recently expanded its 41st floor office in the West Loop's Civic Opera Building. 'We're happy to accommodate people who need or want to be at home, but junior attorneys seem to learn a lot more when they're right down the hall and can pop their head in any time to ask a question,' she said. 'And many expect to be friends with their co-workers, and if you're in the office it's much easier to develop those relationships.' Comfy couches People who return to their offices will likely find some changes, HOK's Schneider said. In the pandemic's immediate aftermath, many companies sought to entice workers back by filling offices with couches and other comfy spaces. 'That was a mistake,' he said. 'Sitting in a hotel lobby talking with friends is different than sitting with a group of colleagues trying to create a new product.' Offices should have comfy seating, especially in lounges or near other areas set aside for recreation, he added. But well-designed offices will also include a range of workspaces, such as high-tech conference facilities for group meetings, and quiet rooms for workers avoiding the distractions at home. 'When you're at home, dogs come in, kids come in and Amazon deliveries show up,' Schneider said. That's why some 'just want to go into a space, sit there for five hours and get a ton of work done.'
Web Release
15-04-2025
- Business
- Web Release
realme 14 Pro: Segment's best unbreakable smartphone with the fastest chipset, pre-orders start April 16 with exclusive early-bird gifts
Business and Economics Technology By Editor_wr On Apr 15, 2025 realme, the world's fastest-growing smartphone brand, is gearing up to launch a device that's set to disrupt the mid-range market in the Kingdom: the realme 14 Pro. Crafted for the next generation of trendsetters, The realme 14 Pro stands as the segment's best Unbreakable Phone with the Fastest Chipset, redefining expectations in durability and performance. Beyond its robust build and powerful capabilities, it introduces two world-first innovations: a cold-sensitive color-changing design and the world's first Triple Flash Camera. This unique combination of strength, style, and innovation makes the realme 14 Pro an irresistible choice — now available for pre-order starting from April 16 with an exclusive gift bundle worth SAR 1,147. Tease Your Senses: World's First Cold-sensitive Color-changing Design The realme 14 Pro introduces the world's first cold-sensitive color-changing design, offering a unique visual transformation that reacts to temperature. No two devices look the same — it's a phone that reflects your individuality, and evolves with your environment. Best Unbreakable Phone: Tough Enough for Your Wildest Days The realme 14 Pro is built for the bold — delivering military-grade drop resistance that withstands rigorous tests, including 2-meter drops, backed by a 200% enhancement in overall reliability. Whether it's accidental falls or rough daily use, this device is engineered to endure. Adding to its toughness is best-in-class IP69 water and dust resistance, capable of surviving submersion in 2-meter-deep water for up to 72 hours, resisting hot water up to 85°C, and supporting underwater shooting. With unmatched durability and dual-layer protection, the realme 14 Pro sets a new benchmark for rugged performance in its segment. Fastest Chipset. Best Performance for Your Entertainment Days Powered by the fastest chipset in its segment, the realme 14 Pro delivers an exceptional AnTuTu score of 750,000, setting a new standard for speed, responsiveness, and efficiency. Whether you're multitasking or diving into intense gaming sessions, performance remains smooth and lag-free. Gamers will enjoy the segment's smoothest gameplay, with support for 120fps in HOK and MLBB, and 90fps in PUBG, FreeFire, and CODM, ensuring ultra-fluid visuals and a competitive edge. To sustain peak performance, the device features the largest 6,000mm² Iceberg VC cooling system in its class—30% larger than the segment average—delivering advanced thermal management even during extended use. World's First Triple Flash Camera: Clarity Enough for Your Shooting Days Struggling with night photography? The realme 14 Pro brings never-before-seen lighting technology to mobile portraits — transforming even the darkest moments into Instagram-worthy memories. Peak Power, Slim Profile Expect unrivaled gaming performance, flagship display quality, and 6000mAh battery life — all packed into one of the slimmest big-battery phones in the segment. And yes, it's tough enough to handle your wildest days thanks to TÜV-certified durability and IP69-rated water and dust resistance. Pre-orders Begin April 16 – With SAR 1,147 in Exclusive Gifts realme fans can be the first to own the 14 Pro starting April 16 via Jarir and Noon. Early buyers will receive a premium gift bundle worth SAR 1,147, including: 1-year screen protection (valued at SAR 499) 1-year liquid damage protection (SAR 399) A pair of realme T310 earbuds (SAR 149) A SAR 100 voucher redeemable at Jarir or Noon Comments are closed.
