The Sundance Company – Page 20 – The Sundance Company

February 4, 2011February 2, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Calculating How Much Space Your Business Needs

When your business is considering a move, or just starting out, you need to plan carefully when you calculate how much space you will need. Either too much or too little can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line, but there are some techniques you can use to determine exactly how much space you need. First, you need to assess your current situation, and then decide what are your expectations for the growth of your business over the next few years by considering the following questions:

How many people do I currently employ?
Does each employee need an individual desk or is sharing possible?
Do I expect to add any staff in the next couple of years?
Over what period of time will I add the staff?
What kind of staff will I be adding, executive, administrative, or sales?

In general, the amount of office space you need is estimated according to head count and your industry type. The customary range for office space is 150-350 square feet (SF) per person employed. It is the type of space you need to accommodate your business that plays a large part in narrowing that range.

At the lower end of the range is the open space plan, which has no private offices. Call centers and sales offices generally use this configuration and have desks or workstations grouped together. At the high end of the range is the traditional hard-wall or private office layout. Law offices, for example, almost all have private offices, large conference rooms, and support rooms such as libraries, kitchens and file rooms. But, for your foray into the office hunt, the general approach of using 250 square feet per person to estimate the amount of space you will occupy is a great place to begin.

The Sundance Company is here to help your company find the ideal commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. Call us at 208-322-7300 or check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

About The Sundance Company
Established in 1976, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley. If your requirements include property management, leasing, real estate development, project planning, construction or space planning then look to us. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise and Meridian locations. More information is available at www.sundanceco.com or 208.322.7300.

January 29, 2011January 4, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Does Your Company Need Cubicle Etiquette?

In every formal setting, there is specific business etiquette to be followed, and the office cubicle is no different. There are many things that you have to consider if you are working in an office cubicle, and here are some general cubicle etiquette tips.

Eavesdropping – Eavesdropping is considered a very bad habit, however, some of us give reasons like the cubicle height is very low so sound can easily travel through, and you can happen to hear it even when you do not intend to. But there is always an option of hearing a conversation of your colleague and keeping it only to yourself. When a person sitting next to you asks a question to another individual, and if you know the answer, do not stand up and tell the correct answer because this will only show that you have the habit of eavesdropping.

Talking – When you are working in a cubicle, it is bad manners to talk loudly. Talk softly, yet clearly, so that the listener can understand without letting other workers get disturbed. Do not place your hands or head over one’s cubicle and start a conversation. Do not take clients or corporate guests to cubicles for an introductory meet; you can instead go to a conference room. If your cubicle is a bit far from one whom you want to talk with, then go to his cubicle and then talk.

Appearance – The condition of your cubicle should be neat and tidy. There are many employees who like to decorate their cubicle with whatever they like and things that inspire them. You can surely decorate your working space, but see to it that you keep the decors simple.

Smells – One of the most important cubicle etiquette rules and ethics is to not eat strong-smelling snacks at your desk. Understand that your neighbors are also present, and they may get irritated by the smells coming from the food you are eating. While eating snacks, make sure that you do not disturb your neighbors by the crunchy eating sound.

January 22, 2011January 25, 2011 sundancecompany boise build to suit, Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Property Management, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, Meridian Commercial Real Estate, meridian idaho, The Sundance Company

Boise Valley Commercial Real Estate Options with The Sundance Company

In the Boise Valley, confident tenants and buyers look to The Sundance Company for development; office, warehouse, and retail leasing; property management; build-to-suit/construction; and land and building sales. With more than 1.5 million square feet of prime office and industrial space in the greater Boise Valley, The Sundance Company has the size and diversity to avoid the need for a “one-size-fits-all” approach—thereby assuring customized solutions that are genuinely tailored to each client’s needs.

Every project by The Sundance Company is conceived and executed with integrity, innovation, accountability, and dedication by a team of seasoned experts who always remains mindful not only of tangible aspects of a property transaction but also the intangible. The in-house management team values its personal connections and the relationship of trust it has created with its tenants and property owners, which include national and regional companies, some of whom have been in Sundance buildings for more than 15 years. For more information about The Sundance Company’s available office space in The Boise Valley including Meridian please contact us today.

January 15, 2011January 19, 2011 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, boise valley commercial real estate, Silverstone Amenity Center, The Sundance Company

Why Should Your Company Book A Conference Room?

Meeting rooms and conference centers have become increasingly popular in recent years. Large and small companies across the country utilize these specialized spaces for meetings and conferences of all sizes. There are many reasons why companies are moving their meetings away from the back room of the office and into these spaces. Below are just a few of the reasons why:

There has been a growth of well equipped, professional, and conveniently located meeting spaces over the years, so chances are there is a top facility in your neighborhood.
A change of location can rejuvenate and inspire a team that has been crammed into small office conference rooms for years.
Booking a meeting room is a quick and easy process, and most centers allow you to conveniently book online.
Rooms often come fully equipped with high-speed internet and phone, projectors, whiteboards, computer terminals, televisions, and DVD players. In other words, everything that you will need for your meeting.
Many venues offer on-site support staff, catering, and more.
Venues offer a variety of meeting room options. You will be able to choose the meeting room that is right for your purposes. Whether you need a small room for an intimate board meeting or a large conference space with hundreds of occupants, the space for you exists.
Flexible time frames are also available. Many venues offer rooms for a minimum of 1 hour and of course you can book it for however long you need.

If your business needs to book a room for a company meeting, then visit www.silverstoneamenitycenter.com. No detail has been overlooked in any of the Silverstone Amenity Center conference and meeting rooms, which feature the integration of high-tech audio/visual capabilities, wireless internet, and video teleconferencing. Whether you’re hosting a business meeting, corporate retreat, or holiday party, The Silverstone Amenity Center is the perfect location for any occasion. Located at the corner of Eagle and Overland Roads, in the Silverstone Park, the Amenity Center is right in the heart of the Boise Valley.

January 8, 2011January 4, 2011 sundancecompany Commercial real estate news, Economy news, The Sundance Company

Going Green in 2011

It seems like everyone is talking about saving energy, resources, and living green these days. Maybe your business has put it on the back burner but now that 2011 has begun it could be the perfect time for your office to get a green program going. Here are some tips for making your business greener.

Don’t print it. How many times have you seen an article or a webpage you want to read later and printed it? Try not to succumb to the temptation to print. If you can’t read it right away, bookmark the page.
Don’t print everything. Don’t print the entire article if you only want one paragraph. Highlight the paragraph you want, then copy and paste it into a Word document. It’s also a lot easier to use as a reference or a quote in a report if you don’t have to retype it.
Use both sides of the page. Many new printers can be set to print on both sides of the page, but if your printer cannot, keep a stack of “one-side-used” paper beside the printer to print drafts or articles that will only be used for reference.
Recycle. Offices generate a lot of waste other than paper, and some of it is toxic. Do what you can to recycle old office equipment. You will find a host of recycling tips, locations, and information on the Internet
Turn in old ink cartridges. Many office supply stores have recycle stations where you can drop off your old printer cartridges to be reused. Groups can even make money recycling old print cartridges.
Turn it Off. Unplug chargers when they are not in use. Chargers, when left plugged into the sockets are still eating power, even though your device is not refueling, so take a moment to unplug them or plug all the devices into a single surge protector and turn it off when not in use.
Lights Out. Take a moment before you leave the office to turn off lights, printers, computers, monitors, and copiers. You will extend the life of your equipment and save some money as well.

December 26, 2010December 5, 2010 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Boise Commercial Real Estate For Lease – Maple Grove Center

The Sundance Company is pleased to announce that Maple Grove Center, a three-building industrial complex that accommodates warehouse and office/ showroom users, has space available for lease. Besides enjoying an excellent central location, the Maple Grove Center also features truck access around entire buildings, grade-level doors and excellent parking.

The Sundance Company knows that finding the right leasing space for your business can be a complicated process, and that is why we are here to help your company find the ideal commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. If Maple Grove Center is not your ideal office space, please check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

Maple Grove Center
200, 274, and 300 N. Maple Grove Road
Boise, Idaho 83709

Site Area: 5.9 acres
Zoning: M-1D
Number of Floors: One
Site Area: 200 Building – 51,360 sq. ft.; 274 Building – 13,500 sq. ft.; 300 Building – 27,450 sq. ft.
Construction: Exterior is pre-engineered steel with EIFS on Building 200 and 300; concrete tilt up on Building 274.
Year Built: The 200 Building was constructed in the early ‘70’s with a remodel completed in 1990. The 274 Building was constructed in 1993 and the 300 Building in 1990.
Roof: 26-gauge metal roofing with galvanized flashing
Ceiling Height: Varies from 15 feet to 28 feet in warehouse area
Floor Construction: Concrete slab
Windows: Anodized aluminum, double pane
Warehouse Doors: Metal overhead doors at 10’x10’ or 10’x12’
Insulation: All insulated
Offices: Carpeted floors, stud interior partitions with textured drywall and dropped ceiling with recessed fluorescent lighting.
Warehouse Lights: Ceiling-mounted fluorescent tubes
Heating/Cooling: Ceiling-hung gas heaters provide heating in warehouse; office areas have forced-air heating and air conditioning.
Parking: 202 spots in addition to adequate room for large vehicles to access all overhead doors.
Site Improvements: Landscaping at the Maple Grove frontage, and a common dock for specialty loading.
Special: Fenced yard at the rear of the project
Sprinklers: Dry and wet system
Power: 3 Phase 208V power
Telephone: Fiber optics available

December 19, 2010December 5, 2010 sundancecompany The Sundance Company

Keeping Control of the Office Thermostat

When winter in full swing around most of the country you might find your office struggling to keep temperature at an acceptable level for all of the employees. So, if you are a tenant in a building struggling to warm up or cool down, here is some information that may be helpful.
Put a thermometer in the hottest or coldest space so you can track the temperature and its fluctuation. Track it for a few days, ideally in sunny and cloudy weather, so you will have the information if you need to discuss the problem with a property manager. You may need more than one thermometer. You may also find out that it is not as bad as you think. Sometimes, an employee can be overly sensitive to either heat or cold, and you may just need to address the issue within your own space by providing a small fan or a small personal heater at a specific desk. Remember, spring and fall are usually the most difficult times as day-to-day temperatures fluctuate greatly and it is sometimes hard to keep up with the rapidly changing conditions.

Do what you can to control your own destiny. Sometimes you can do some things to control the temperature within your space. First and foremost, stop messing with the thermostat (or keep your employees from doing it) Set and forget it! Constantly adjusting it up and down does not help the situation as it takes a while for a change in the setting to distribute through the entire space so it is felt by the cold or hot employee. I have frequently seen someone crank up a thermostat to 85 degrees when they are cold, operating on the false assumption that setting the temperature higher that the desirable 72 will make it warm up faster. Not true! It will hit the target 72 at the same time; however, it will then zoom past it requiring the thermostat to be reset lower setting up a yo-yo of hot and cold all day. Get an inexpensive locking cover for the thermostat and avoid the conflict. Window treatments can be opened or closed depending on sun load, heat generating office equipment and lights can be turned off when not in use, doors to private offices and conference rooms can be left open to keep the air circulating, and most importantly, dress for the environment. After all, a sweater is perhaps the most cost effective form of temperature control! And, if you pay for your own utilities, taking control of your HVAC can save you money too!

December 12, 2010December 5, 2010 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Commercial Real Estate Development, Boise Industrial Space, Boise Office Space, Boise Retail Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Boise Commercial Real Estate For Lease – Fairview Tech Center

The Sundance Company is pleased to offer space at the Fairview Tech Center for lease. Centrally located on Fairview Avenue between Milwaukee and Maple Grove Roads in Boise, Fairview Tech Center is a modern office space that features extensive glass, grand entries and tilt-up construction. The parking is generous, and the concrete tilt-up building was renovated in 2003.

The Sundance Company knows that finding the right leasing space for your business can be a complicated process, and that is why we are here to help your company find the right commercial real estate space in the Boise Valley. If the Fairview Tech Center is not your ideal office space, please check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. The Sundance Company has more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise Valley locations.

Fairview Tech Center
8740 Fairview Ave.
Boise, Idaho 83706

Site Area: Approximately 4.98 acres (216,855 square feet)
Size: 29,079 square feet of divisible warehouse area available
Doors: Dock high doors; qty 3. Drive in doors; qty 4. Man doors; qty 5
Accessibility: Excellent ingress/egress for trucks and semis.
Rental Rate: NNN Rental Rates @ $.30 / .33 / .35 per sq. ft.
Year Built: 1991
Year Redesigned: 2003
Ceiling Height: 28’
Existing Build Out: Site has 5 offices, break room, and restrooms
Fire System: Reliable automatic sprinkler system with Cerberrus fire alarm control panel.
Racking System: Free standing racking systems w/ sprinklers
Floor Load Capacity: 5-inch concrete slab at 3,000 P.S.I.
Parking: 237 stalls with an additional 80 shared.
Structure: Concrete tilt-up.

December 5, 2010 sundancecompany commercial real estate, Commercial real estate news, The Sundance Company

Commercial Real Estate News: Markets Stabilizing

A recent article from NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) discusses what 2011 looks like for commercial real estate markets.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said commercial real estate sectors appear to be stabilizing. “The basic fundamental of rising commercial leasing demand, resulting from a steadily improving economy, means overall vacancy rates have already peaked or will soon top out,” he said. “The outlook for the office and industrial markets has moderated with modestly declining vacancy rates expected as 2011 progresses, while the retail sector should hold fairly steady. Still, high vacancy rates imply falling rents.”

Yun anticipates a rise in household formation from an improving economy, which will increase demand for housing, both ownership and rental. “Multifamily housing is the one commercial sector that has held on relatively well in the past year, and can expect the best performance in 2011,” he added.

“Apartment rents could rise by 1 to 2 percent in 2011, after having fallen in 2009 and no growth in 2010,” Yun said. “This rent rise therefore could start to force up broader consumer prices as well.” He noted that the housing shelter cost of primary rent, and owner’s rental equivalence, is the biggest component in the Consumer Price Index, accounting for 32 percent of its total weight.

The Society of Industrial and Office Realtors®, in its SIOR Commercial Real Estate Index, an attitudinal survey of more than 400 local market experts, shows vacancy rates are slowly improving, but rents continue to be soft with elevated levels of subleasing space on the market. The SIOR index, measuring the impact of 10 variables, rose 1.6 percentage points to 42.6 in the third quarter, but remains well below a level of 100 that represents a balanced marketplace. This is the fourth straight quarterly improvement following almost three years of decline.

The last time the commercial market was in equilibrium at the 100 level was in the third quarter of 2007; the index now matches where it was at the beginning of 2009. Fifty-nine percent of respondents expect improvements in the office and industrial sectors in the current quarter.

Commercial real estate development continues at stagnant levels with little investment activity, but is beginning to pick up in many parts of the country.

November 22, 2010November 9, 2010 sundancecompany Boise Commercial Real Estate, Boise Office Space, boise valley commercial real estate, The Sundance Company

Does Your Boise Valley Office Space Need Cubicles?

When setting up your new office space in the Boise Valley, deciding whether or not your office should go the cubicle route can be tricky.

On the positive side, cubicles do provide employees with barriers from noise and visual distractions in the office, allowing them to better concentrate on their work. Cubicles also offer a certain degree of privacy, along with the impression that each employee has his or her own dedicated workspace. Cubicles also offer more space for shelves and a convenient canvas for posting schedules and memos.

On the negative side, cubicles have been known to drastically decrease person-to-person communication in the office, leading to frequent complaints about isolation, depression, and low employee morale. Cubicles can also be rather ugly and uninspiring due to their generally bland color, and have been the subject of ridicule for quite some time now in comic strips and movies.

So when figuring out the best workspace configuration for your employees, the most important issue to consider might be, what do your employees actually do? If your employees spend the majority of their workday on the phone conversing with clients or the general public, going the cubicle route might make sense, as the enclosed space will provide them with the quiet they need to conduct a private conversation. If your employees spend the majority of their days typing away on computers and have little or no need to be on the telephone (or even talk amongst themselves), an open workspace plan might be a better approach. Of course there are other factors to consider as well like aesthetics, company image, but this is just a little information to mull over when you are setting up or reconfiguring your Boise Valley office space.