What is the classification of office premises and why is it needed?
Classification of office premises is a system of conditional division of objects into categories depending on their technical condition, level of infrastructure, location, year of construction and service. Such division is not fixed at the legislative level, but it is actively used in the market and makes it possible to quickly navigate among the offers at the stage of their analysis. People who want to rent non-residential premises for the first time, are often lost when mentioning the class of the building. In our practice, there have been many cases when a client, when asked about the desired class of office, reacted with surprise and could not formulate the requirements. That is why our experts decided to explain what types of offices there are, what the classification is based on and how to apply it correctly.The class of the office depends on what criteria
The need for categorization arose to simplify the process of finding the right workspace. Instead of filtering out unsuitable objects by their size and location, you can clearly formulate the needs of your company, greatly simplifying the matter. The more employees, the larger the area; the more diverse the work tasks, the more functional the layout should be; the greater the need for personal communications with clients, the closer to the center the location should be. To determine the class of office space, a number of key parameters should be evaluated:- RoztashuvannyaThe choice between central areas, the periphery or industrial zones depends on the format of work and the needs of the team. It is important for the client's business to provide convenient access.
- Infrastructure. Metro stations, public transport, and road junctions should be within walking distance. Additional advantages may include proximity to shopping malls or residential complexes - this increases traffic and facilitates logistics.
- Parking. The availability of parking spaces is a critically important option for mid- and upper-class offices. The ability to park a car next to the building has a positive impact on the company's reputation and the comfort of employees, customers, and partners.
- Functionality. Planning should consider both work and relaxation areas. For companies with frequent meetings, conference rooms and meeting rooms are important, while for open formats, well-organized coworking spaces and soundproof areas are important.
- Environmental friendlinessThe use of safe materials, modern ventilation systems, rational consumption of resources and the overall microclimate are increasingly becoming a competitive advantage. This contributes to the formation of a responsible company image and increases employee productivity.
- SecurityThe presence of access control systems, security, video surveillance, a closed area, and 24/7 administration is an important argument for a business that values stability and protection of commercial information.
- Technical campIt is worth checking the condition of the engineering networks, heating and air conditioning systems, elevators, as well as the quality of the decoration of common areas.
- Building type and age. The architecture of the office should correspond to the positioning of the company. Historical buildings can emphasize status, modern business centers - technologicality and innovation.
- Glazing area and view from the windows. It's not just aesthetics, but also additional comfort. Bright offices with panoramic windows create a favorable atmosphere for work and increase the attractiveness of the facility.
Classes of offices and their differences
Office premises are divided into categories A, B, C, D and E. Additionally, the signs “+” or “–” may be used, which indicate the internal gradation of quality within one class. The division into classes is based on a comprehensive assessment, however, there are no strictly regulated standards. Therefore, the classification is conditional and may differ in the assessments of different developers or agencies.
"E" class office
This class is practically not represented on the open market - it includes objects that do not have the features of office real estate in the classical sense. These can be basement, technical or temporary premises without major repairs, proper ventilation, lighting or basic comfort. Such spaces are used only as an exceptional or temporary solution."D" class office
Offices of this class are located in buildings that were put into operation more than 15 years ago and in typical Soviet-style administrative buildings that require renovation both inside and outside. As for infrastructure and transport connections, they are equally poorly developed, so there may be difficulties on the way to work. There is rarely security in such buildings, and parking spaces are usually absent. Repair work may be required due to old wooden floors and worn-out communications. The choice of such a format is usually dictated by budget constraints and the lack of alternatives in a particular location."C" class office
The architecture of the Soviet period has caught up with us again in class “C” offices, only now we are talking about more global structures: factories, scientific institutes and other institutions that have lost their purpose over the years and have been repurposed into office complexes. Similar buildings were built in residential areas, at a short distance from residential areas, so the road to the metro, although it may take some time, will not be tiring. Not the most presentable, but not neglected facade fully corresponds to the internal filling. The objects, as a rule, have a standard office layout, basic communications and a minimum set of amenities. There is no centralized air conditioning, but split systems can be installed."B" class office
Class B offices are usually located in business centers up to 10–15 years old or in qualitatively reconstructed historical or Soviet buildings. They have a convenient location with good transport connections, a neat entrance group, modern engineering systems and a pleasant, although not premium, design. The layout is both free and office. In addition, the building often has a guarded surface parking lot, which is a significant advantage. This is the optimal solution for companies that value functionality and quality, but do not need to overpay for excessive luxury."A" class office
These are premium-level office premises located in central or business districts with developed infrastructure. Buildings of this class were built no more than 5–7 years ago or have undergone complete reconstruction according to modern standards. The entrance group is spacious, with designer decoration; the layout is free or mixed, with the possibility of flexible organization of space. Engineering systems are new, with centralized air conditioning, ventilation, energy saving systems and microclimate control. Parking is closed, often with access via an electronic system. Security in a class A office is guaranteed by 24-hour security, video surveillance and an access system. Class A+ provides additional services: a “smart office” system, services for tenants, premium decoration.Other types of offices
In addition to classification by quality and technical characteristics, office spaces are also divided by the format of space organization - how the working environment is built. This division helps tenants choose not only the “level” of the office, but also the model of interaction within the team, convenient for a specific type of business. The choice of format depends on the number of employees, specifics of the activity, budget and needs for flexibility.Open space or open-plan office
A large space without partitions or with minimal zoning. Most often used by companies in the IT sector, creative industries, startups and businesses where fast communication between teams is important. An open-plan office is suitable for teams of 10 to 100 people, as it allows for efficient use of space and easy scaling if necessary. At the same time, this format requires high-quality acoustics and relaxation areas, otherwise the noise level can reduce productivity.Cabinet offices or closed-plan offices
Separate offices for different departments or employees. The format of closed-plan offices is usually chosen by companies with clearly demarcated teams: law firms, accounting services, consulting agencies, government agencies. It provides privacy and silence. This is an ideal option for medium and large teams that require a clear separation of functions and confidentiality.Smart offices
These are technologically equipped offices with automated lighting, climate, security and access control systems. They are suitable for companies that focus on digitalization and energy efficiency - mainly medium and large businesses in the field of technology, finance or international logistics. Smart offices are particularly convenient for remotely controlling space and resources when needed.Coworking
This is no longer just a commercial space, but a business model: an office space with hourly, daily or monthly rent, where anyone can get a place to work. Often has a shared reception, meeting rooms, kitchen, lounge areas. Coworking spaces have gained considerable popularity among freelancers, startups, as well as companies that place individual teams on outsource. The main advantages of this format are the absence of long-term commitments and savings on utility and administrative costs.Apartment for office
Non-residential or converted non-residential housing used as an office. Often located in residential buildings or administrative buildings of Soviet construction. An apartment for an office is often rented by micro-companies, law firms, notaries, and private practices, as it is a budget solution for a team of up to 5–7 people that does not need a lot of space, but still wants to have its own working environment.Your ideal office
From a large-scale open space in the center of Kyiv to a compact office on the outskirts — metropolitan commercial real estate market offers a solution for any request. To simplify the selection process, THE Capital analysts have systematized the main selection criteria into a convenient table. All you need to do is compare these parameters with the needs of your company and proceed to the stage of viewing objects. Provided that the request is formulated correctly, the search for an office will take a minimum of time and will certainly bring the expected result.| A | B | C | D | E | |
| Roztashuvannya | 👍 | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 🤝 |
| Infrastructure | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 🤝 | 🤝 |
| Parking | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 🤝 | 🤝 |
| Functionality | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 👎 | 👎 |
| Environmental friendliness | 👍 | 🤝 | 👎 | 👎 | 👎 |
| Security | 👍 | 👍 | 👍 | 👎 | 👎 |
| Technical camp | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 👎 | 👎 |
| Type and age of the building | 👍 | 🤝 | 🤝 | 👎 | 👎 |
| View and glazing | 👍 | 👍 | 👎 | 👎 | 👎 |
| Air conditioning | 👍 | 👍 | 🤝 | 👎 | 👎 |
