An article in December’s Psychology Today discussed how technology is literally changing the way we think. While psychologists are debating whether the benefits are greater than the costs, what we do know is that technology is positively impacting real estate and our ability to work more efficiently and effectively within our new office space.

Office jobs in Manhattan are at near-peak levels, but the occupancy rate is still well below peak. How could this be? Because we’re being more efficient with our space; we realized that giant, corner offices for individual people are not only less efficient than teaming areas, but that having more open, collaborative environments produces better results, in addition to costing less per person. The trend is moving toward less individual space, but significantly more collaborative space. While I don’t think we’re going to see every company giving out a locker key and a laptop (as an Australian company has started doing) rather than assigning cubes and offices anytime soon, technology is certainly enabling workers to be more mobile. In our ever increasingly paper-less, iPad Mini-filled world, our need for more personal space is continually decreasing – exponentially.

While space per person is decreasing, amenities are increasing. It’s not only the Googles of the world that are making the workplace interactive and fun although not every office is scooter-friendly, with a pool table, a free organic 24/7 cafeteria, an indoor jungle and drinking fountains that dispense orange soda. Many of these benefits are reaching more of the workforce today and companies are feeling pressure to deliver a live/work/play environment. Eating lunch at your desk has been replaced with in-office cafes that serve as socialization areas, as well as teaming areas; meetings in stark conference rooms have been relocated to work/social events at places like the Ace Hotel where laptops are welcome and the drinks range from caffeinated to liquor-filled – or a combination of the two.

Written by Richard Bernstein, Executive Vice Chairman of Cassidy Turley

For more NYC Tech Real Estate News check out Cassidy Turley’s RE:Tech Report

For information about current NY Startup Office Space & NY Incubators – check out SPACE.

At the Ace Hotel