What is a Commercial Office Space?

Simply put, commercial office space is any property primarily used for conducting business operations. Unlike residential spaces, these properties are designed to facilitate work, meetings, and other business-related activities. Think beyond just the desks and chairs – commercial office spaces can encompass a wide range of setups.

The office space that you choose for your business will dictate what you can and will be doing within your business’ walls. It’s important to get the right kind of office, that way you have a good starting point for what you need in your business. For instance, if you need a medically inclined office and you wind up with a coworking space, you’ll have a long hurdle ahead of you!

Types of Commercial Office Spaces

The world of office space isn’t one-size-fits-all. While many spaces can be slightly modified for your needs, picking something that works well with your business and your goals can truly carry your business on to success! Below, you can find some of the most common types of commercial office spaces.

Traditional Office Space

This is your classic office setup. Think private offices for focused work, meeting rooms for collaboration, and open-plan areas for teams. These spaces are often found in office buildings and offer a dedicated, professional environment for your business. You’ll also generally be surrounded by other like-minded businesses for a calm and productive work space.

Coworking Spaces

Perfect for freelancers, startups, or small teams, coworking spaces offer shared work environments. Having a coworking space can be a great idea if you want to provide a flexible, community-oriented workspace for individuals and small businesses seeking a professional environment. Coworking spaces foster community and networking opportunities while providing the amenities of a traditional office like Wi-Fi, printers, and meeting rooms. These spaces also tend to be more cost effective for small businesses and freelancers, offering an office space they would otherwise not be able to afford.

Medical Offices

Medical office buildings are far more than a typical office space, offering specialized facilities for health care services that are located near hospitals or other easily accessible areas. These offices are specially designed to support and host medical devices crucial to the field. If you have a business that needs medical facilities or needs to be near them, a medical office could be a must!

Flex Spaces

Flex spaces are very unique and can be used for a variety of business functions such as warehousing, office space, and retail space. These spaces tend to be more adaptable than other more traditional spaces. This means that you can customize it more toward what you need in an office space. If you have a business that needs a large warehouse or a storefront, this might be a viable option to you!

Where to Find Commercial Office Spaces

Location is key! Commercial office spaces can be found in various settings all around you. Depending on your budget and your needs, finding a location that works with your business will be a huge benefit! For instance, having a coworking space in an industrial area wouldn’t work well, but it could be great in the heart of your city!

Central Business Districts (CBDs)

Based in the heart of the city, CBDs are home to major corporations and high-rise office buildings. These locations come with built-in prestige but will also generally be the most expensive on the market. If your budget can handle those expenses, it might be worth considering these prestigious locations! Being in a high traffic area like the heart of your city can mean that you have easy access to clients, marketing, and easy networking opportunities.

Suburban Office Parks

Located just outside of the city center, suburban office parks offer a more relaxed environment for your business. These offices often come with ample parking and the potential for green spaces. Rent and overall expenses can be more affordable than in CBDs, as well. While you would have less foot traffic, suburban areas still have plenty of potential benefits, especially for smaller businesses.

Industrial Areas

Sometimes office space can be found within industrial areas, often in converted warehouses or factories. These spaces can offer a unique and creative atmosphere for your business. Generally, this is where you would find your flex spaces and similarly unique office areas. If you’re looking for an office space that is outside of the constant foot traffic and distractions of a city, an industrial office could be just what you need for your business. It’s also a great consideration if you do need anything like a warehouse from a flex space near your main office!

Key Considerations When Choosing Office Spaces

Finding the right office space is a big decision. Wherever you decide to place your business, many of these factors will play a huge role in narrowing down your search.

Budget

Expenses for an office space can include rent, insurance, utilities, supplies, equipment, and personnel costs. While there are other costs, these are the ones that will truly determine how much you can afford to spend on your office space.

Location

Think about accessibility for employees and clients, proximity to amenities, and the overall image you want to project. If you want to be a prestigious consulting office, being deep in an industrial area may not be your best bet! The location of your business plays a huge part in what your business will be able to achieve.

Size

Choose a space that’s the right size for your current needs and future growth. You’ll want to plan for a few years in advance, choosing a space that can grow with your company. You also don’t want to be spending thousands on space that you’ll never be able to use, though!

Type of Space

Consider which type of office space best suits your work style and company culture. Are you looking for a space that is easily marketable, or quiet and relaxing? Knowing your business and what you and your employees will need is key.

Lease Terms

Carefully review the lease terms, including the length of the lease, rent escalations, and any other important clauses. All of these are important to factor into your final review of potential office spaces.

Compare

You should compare your top options, considering all of the above mentioned points. Office spaces vary widely and it’s always a good idea to have more than one option! Seeing your potential office space on paper and in person can help sway your decision and give you a feel for what might be in store with renting or buying them!

The Best Tools To Find Your Office Space

Now that you know what you might be looking for, you’ll need to know how to find it. Below, I’ll list some of our favorite ways to discover potential spaces.

Online

The internet is such a great tool for finding potential office spaces. While you’ll have to do the work of searching for it, this can give you the ability to fine tune your search! Using websites like LoopNet(link) or local commercial office search engines can let you have a feel for what might be available near you.

Realtor

If you need help with your search, or want to have a better feel for what’s truly available, a realtor can be a huge step forward! Using a realtor can mean that you get a step up on the game! They know what’s available and have the ability to see open offices and use their connections to pull you toward the office space of your dreams! Don’t hesitate to consult with a commercial real estate agent – they can be invaluable in navigating the complexities of the market and finding the ideal space for you.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right commercial office space is a critical decision for any business. By understanding the different types of spaces available and considering your specific needs, you can find the perfect location to help your business thrive. Whether you need a traditional office space or a thriving coworking space, you’ll now have a much better understanding of how to acquire it! We hope that your search goes well for your new commercial office space!

Want To Know More?

Did this cover what you wanted to know, but you still can’t find the space that fits your needs? Transforming spaces is what we do! Whether it’s through construction, renovation or repurposing, our skilled team has the knowledge to help you today. For more information about what we do and how we transform commercial businesses, read about how we do Property Repurposing, or send an email on our Contact page! Have any other questions? Some of our most frequently asked questions are answered in our FAQ. We look forward to working with you and your business and can’t wait to hear from you!

Author: Chad Peda

Date: March 1, 2025

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