Building design elements devised to meet the WELL standard are attractive to most tenants, so WELL buildings can be expected to command higher rents, Kat West, WELL certified project manager at Jones Lang LaSalle, told GlobeSt.com.
WELL-certified buildings are designed to benefit specific bodily systems such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal systems, West pointed out. In a WELL-certified space, the water, air, and food in the space are designed to optimize human health.
WELL is a new rating system so the achievement of WELL certification is still extremely prestigious. By investing in WELL-certified buildings, companies can show a strong message that they care about employee well-being and will be able to use real estate as a recruiting tool, West said.
Optional features such as sleep pods may give companies in WELL-certified buildings a competitive advantage when working on deadline-driven projects she added. Offering healthy foods and exercise equipment could improve employee health and lower healthcare costs by combating chronic, lifestyle-related diseases.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Effort launched to develop better process for zero-carbon retrofits in multifamily sector
Rocky Mountain Institute, Dept. of Energy, California Energy Commission join forces.
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Property lenders shouldn’t invest for 30 years in most of Florida, expert warns
Climate ignorance driving some ‘insane’ deals.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
NIMBYism is the biggest multifamily construction barrier
National Apartment Assn. report assesses reasons for difficulty in creating more apartments.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
Dept. of Energy to award up to $33.5 million for advanced construction R&D
Focus is on techniques to reduce energy bills.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2019
Mixed reviews on targeted tax break for San Francisco neighborhood
“Twitter tax break” may have worsened some of the area’s problems.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2019
OSHA inspections to increase, says Secretary of Labor
Newly hired inspectors getting up to speed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2019
Database records more than 1,360 K-12 school shooting incidents since 1970
Naval Postgraduate School program maps locations nationwide.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2019
In many cities, downtown housing comes with a hefty premium
Urban core living costs hundreds of thousands more in largest U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
San Francisco plan would require largest commercial buildings to use 100% renewable electricity
First in the U.S. mandate would be phased in from 2022 to 2030.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
ABC says best practices can improve construction companies’ safety by 680%
Daily ‘toolbox safety talks’ were most effective safety measures.