Franco Faraudo

825 3rd Street in Manhattan, owned by The Durst Organization, underwent a $150 million renovation in 2019, transforming it into a modern, sustainable workplace. The building features unique amenities, including a terrace on the 12th floor that offers stunning views and versatile spaces for tenants. Designed to be an extension of office space, the building also integrates wellness and tenant experience programs. The renovation reflects The Durst Organization's commitment to long-term value and sustainability, making 825 3rd Street a standout in Manhattan's office market.

The newly designed office for a video game company by Baker Barrios Architecture blends creativity, flexibility, and playful elements like a ball pit conference table while incorporating essential features like a motion capture studio and adjustable partitions. The dynamic workspace supports diverse teams with flexible layouts, woven adjacencies, and a blend of natural and digital aesthetics, creating an innovative environment that mirrors the company’s game development process.

The commercial real estate listing market is heavily influenced by paid advertising, with major platforms like LoopNet, Crexi, and Yardi offering premium packages that significantly boost listing visibility. While this model is profitable for the platforms, it poses challenges for smaller brokerages and individual sellers.

Batteries are key to a low-carbon energy system, but current lithium-ion technology has drawbacks. New options like sodium-ion and iron-air batteries offer cheaper, safer, and more sustainable alternatives. With growing investment, the real estate industry must choose energy storage wisely to avoid obsolescence.

While technology has made offices more efficient, it often overlooks the human touch that workers crave. Personal interactions, especially with friendly staff, are increasingly important in creating a welcoming environment. As offices continue to adapt, the challenge is finding a balance between automation and maintaining the essential human element.

Innovative decarbonization projects across the U.S. are reducing carbon emissions through geothermal heat pumps, greywater recycling, energy-efficient materials, passive design, and retrofit upgrades without displacing tenants.

The Novo Avian Pointe apartments use ultra-efficient geothermal pumps powered by solar, tapping Florida's Floridan Aquifer. (Image: Novo Avian Pointe)

Landlords are turning to third-party software for rent reporting, driven by new laws and tenant reluctance. Companies like Bilt Rewards, Self Rent Reporting, and others offer solutions, while larger platforms like RealPage and Yardi are entering the market. Success will go to those that address tenant pushback creatively.

Vampire draw, the energy used by electronics when turned off, can account for up to 36% of energy waste in buildings. While HVAC and lighting reductions have been prioritized, smart plugs are now being used to automatically cut power to unnecessary devices. As energy costs rise and carbon mandates tighten, more buildings are expected to adopt these solutions to combat this hidden drain.

Schneider Electric, in partnership with JLL and C.Scale, has developed a new building decarbonization tool to help real estate owners estimate the costs and carbon impacts of energy retrofits. Currently, in Beta, the tool allows users to evaluate different upgrade options based on building vintages and local regulations, offering a clearer path to compliance with long-term carbon-zero targets. This calculator, along with similar tools emerging in the market, will be crucial as older buildings work toward decarbonization by 2050.