Major trends and challenges of the Polish office market

FM newsroom – office market, Poland. Global economic transformations are impacting how companies operate and how workplaces are designed. A recent report outlines the leading trends shaping Poland’s office market development.

A current report developed by Walter Herz in collaboration with experts from Workplace, ISS Polska, DECISIVE Szmigiel, Papros, Gregorczyk, and Brill AV Media, outlines the leading trends shaping the development of the office market in Poland.

Jarosław Zdzitowiecki, head of Walter Herz’s Tri-City branch, names the widespread adoption of hybrid work, tenants choosing smaller spaces, and companies moving to high-quality buildings located in city centres as the main trends shaping the Polish office market.

Challenges tenants are facing

A characteristic feature of the office market is the low supply of new space. Finding a good address that attracts employees is increasingly difficult, and the number of new developments is limited. Property Forum also points out that demand for prime space in city centres exceeds supply.

One challenge for market participants is the rising cost of fit-outs and service charges. There’s a growing trend to reduce costs associated with the finishing and fit-out of new offices. Moreover, renegotiations are playing an increasing role in the leasing structure.

Tenants are also looking for ways to control operating costs, while space optimisation is leading to a rise in sublease offerings.

Neuroscience changes office design

“The leading trend in office design is related to the need to build company culture and consciously shape the social and organisational aspects of the work environment. The designed space should effectively foster community, integration, and collaboration,” –  says Bogusz Parzyszek, CEO and founder of Workplace.

Experimentation is becoming the foundation of design processes. One direction involves implementing neuroscience guidelines to support mental and physical regeneration through design and amenities. Workspaces are being tailored to the needs of people who regularly use the office, moving away from attempts to attract all employees back.

Productive innovation is a trend based on the belief that the designed space should help achieve a state of mind referred to as productively innovative.

Fit-out calls for durability, moderation, and utility

Alicja Muszalska, an architect at ISS, emphasises that modern office fit-out is based on durability, moderation, and utility.

  • Durability refers to designing spaces for long-term leases using high-quality, durable materials, including recycled ones, in accordance with ESG principles.
  • Moderation means cost and environmental efficiency, involving modifying existing furniture, recycling material, and using solutions that reduce resource consumption, including BMS and IoT systems.
  • Utility emphasises diversity and inclusivity, supporting DEI policies that foster social connections.

“Viewing fit-out as a long-term investment, not just in the space itself but also in cultivating interpersonal relationships, is a uniquely Scandinavian perspective. A well-designed and executed arrangement, based on trends combined with excellence in facility management services and a team that maintains the space in good condition, only enhances the harmony of its long-term use – says Jan Pawlik”, Workplace Management Director at ISS.

Latest trend: interactive monitors and podcast studio in the office

One of the fastest-growing trends in office space design is the integration of podcast studios.

“Companies are recognising the enormous benefits of incorporating solutions beyond traditional AV technology. Podcast studios significantly enhance internal communication within organisations while also serving as an attractive employee benefit. Externally streamed podcasts can also be part of a company’s content marketing strategy,” – says Cezary Gromko, AV Integrations Account Manager at Brill AV Media.

Another solution being introduced into offices is interactive monitors, which allow teams to visualise ideas and boost creativity in project work. USB-C technology enables the connection of office laptops, monitors, power, and peripheral accessories through a single cable, creating a “clean desk” environment.

Innovative workplaces also utilise interactive spaces in leisure zones, where employees can engage in various creative forms of entertainment and education.

News clauses in agreements

Clauses concerning Service Level Agreements, which ensure the quality of services provided by landlords, have been added to lease agreements.

“Lease agreements are more often including clauses that require landlords to hold appropriate certifications for buildings, implement energy-efficient solutions, and use green energy” – says Andrzej Szmigiel, Partner at DECISIVE Szmigiel, Papros, Gregorczyk

More and more tenants are seeking to introduce clauses allowing them to negotiate individual energy supply contracts and ensure technical capabilities for energy independence.

There is also growing attention to precisely defining and accounting for force majeure issues. New contract provisions also address sanctions imposed by the U.S. and the European Union in response to actions by authoritarian regimes, affecting certain entities.

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