Classification of office premises: A, B, C and others

A, B and half the alphabet to boot - if you don’t see the differences between these letter prefixes for office space or have only learned about them now, it’s time to put aside pressing matters and spend a few minutes reading our new material. THE Capital agency experts have more than once encountered the fact that a client, when asked about the class of an office, only looked back in confusion and did not understand what they wanted from him. Therefore, our team decided to tell you about the generally accepted classification of office space. This simple way of separating them will help you in a matter of minutes find on the market exactly the offer that meets all your requirements.

What criteria does the office class depend on?

It’s worth starting with the classification of office space itself. The need for categorization arose to simplify the process of finding a suitable workspace. Instead of filtering out unsuitable properties based on their size and location, you can clearly define your company's needs, making things much easier. The more employees, the larger the area. The more varied the work tasks, the more functional the layout should be. And the greater the need for personal communications with clients, the closer to the center the location should be.

In order to understand which class a particular office belongs to, you need to evaluate it:

• location - do you prefer the center, the outskirts, or is this criterion not so important? Think about the comfort of your team and clients
• infrastructure - the presence of metro stations, public transport stops and good road connections is mandatory under any circumstances. Depending on the type of activity of the organization, you may also benefit from proximity to large shopping centers and residential complexes - an increase in customer flow is guaranteed
• parking – you can make the search for parking spaces a concern for your employees, but larger firms prefer personal parking for themselves, their partners and clients. Always accessible space for a car increases your status in the eyes of others because in a densely populated metropolis it is equated with an element of luxury
• functionality - the layout should include a place for work and rest. Frequent meetings will require a conference room, and calls will not be possible without soundproof Skype rooms. It depends on the company policy whether you need separate offices or whether a common one will be enough coworking space, in which the process of exchange of ideas does not stop for a minute
• environmental friendliness - it is one of the most popular trends On the market. Environmentally friendly materials, conscious consumption of resources and the creation of a comfortable microclimate have won the hearts of thousands of owners of international corporations for a reason, but because they help make business more responsible and have a positive impact on comfort, and therefore on employee productivity
• security - the presence of a closed area, a barrier, a concierge and a checkpoint system can be important not only when choosing residential, but also commercial real estate
• technical condition - the serviceability of all systems and communications, as well as the general condition of the facility require a thorough check
• type of building and its age - Stalinist and Tsarist houses radiate the power of bygone eras, while modern business centers underline innovation and commitment to the future. The building should reflect your company philosophy
• the view from the windows and the glazing area are rather an aesthetic side of the issue, but modern employers and businessmen do not deprive them of attention

Pointing to the expert the scale of your organization and the specifics of its activities, you thereby narrow your search to a specific class, so you will no longer have to choose from thousands of unsuitable options, but from a significantly smaller number of objects, each of which could satisfy your requirements.

Office classes and their differences

room There are different ones, but not blue, white, red, but classes A, B, C, D and even E. In addition, there are additional prefixes “+”, “-”, or numbers showing the gradation within each group. The assignment of a particular class is based on an analysis of the previously discussed characteristics and is done subjectively.

Class “E” office

The premises, forgotten by God and the previous owner, are located in a building that requires repairs or is not at all suitable for the equipment of the usual office. These can be former apartments converted into non-residential real estate, semi- or completely basement premises. It is not uncommon to find properties with a separate entrance and several parking spaces included. The favorable location and designer renovation will allow the owner to make even such an object a “candy”.

Class “D” office

Better than it was, but worse than we would like. Offices of this class are located in buildings that were put into operation more than 15 years ago and in typical administrative buildings of Soviet appearance, in need of renovation both inside and outside. As for infrastructure and transport links, they are equally poorly developed, so getting to work may be some difficulties that require the patience and dedication of your employees. Nobody forbids you to dream about a personal parking lot, but, as a rule, it remains in your dreams. Repair work may be required due to old wooden floors and fairly worn out communications. The layout itself also leaves room for improvement and will not suit everyone. In hot weather, you will be faced with another unpleasant nuance - the lack of an air conditioning system.

Class “C” office

The architecture of the Soviet period has again overtaken us in class “C” offices, only in this case we are talking about more global buildings - factories, scientific institutes and other institutions that over the years have lost their former significance and have been repurposed into office complexes. Such institutions were built in residential areas, at a short distance from residential areas, so the journey to the metro, although it may take some time, will be more comfortable.

Of course, you won’t have your own parking space, but you will be able to find a free piece of asphalt in an open public parking lot. Not the most presentable, but also not the most neglected facade fully corresponds to the internal content - many offices and corridors will allow you to comfortably accommodate all employees in departments, which can be both a plus and a minus, depending on what work process model is adopted in companies. Not the usual air conditioning and climate control, but at least the split system will relieve you of the stuffiness. Considering the specifics of the buildings themselves, it is not surprising that they can be closed and guarded.

Class “B” office

The obvious advantages of class “B” office premises include the following points:

• an advantageous location guarantees not only transport accessibility, but also more beautiful views outside the window
• elegant appearance of the building - in fact it is a familiar business center of a slightly outdated and less ostentatious format
• functional layouts can be either free type or standard cabinet
• high-quality materials are used in the decoration of the premises, and the design itself does not smack of the last century, but breathes laconic modernity
• the same applies to the entrance group - it is done quite well, although it does not live up to the luxury that leading developers envision in their new projects
• modern ventilation and air conditioning systems are present
• finally you can claim your personal space in a secure surface parking lot
• 24-hour security guarantees privacy and security

Offices of this type are located in business centers that have already been in operation for about 5-10 years, or in presentable residential complexes that are no more than 10-15 years old. Also, offers are increasingly appearing on the market in reconstructed buildings of the Soviet period and royal houses. Possessing a special charm, they help convey the company's philosophy. In fact, class “B” is the same as “A”, which has already been in operation for several years. They have minor differences, so when selecting properties, many tenants and buyers are inclined towards this particular type of office - for a lower price they get no less amenities and an attractive appearance.

Class “A” office

Class “A” office embodies all the best from all previous options. A prestigious location, a luxurious entrance with developed infrastructure directly on the territory of the business center, open layouts, expensive finishing, a high level of security and the presence of closed parking - everyone dreams of such conditions, so you have to pay accordingly for quality.

If we talk about the additional gradation of “A-” and “A+”, then the first option is only slightly inferior to the high standards of class “A”, while the prefix “+” means the presence of additional services and amenities, such as the “smart office” system "

Your ideal office

A large open space or a modest office, on the central street of Kyiv or on the outskirts - the capital's real estate market is rich in offers for every taste, so find your ideal office won't be difficult. In order to simplify your task, our experts have highlighted the key criteria in a separate table, so the only thing left to do is analyze your needs and feel free to start looking at the options. With our help, your journey to your new workspace will take a matter of days.