There is an evolution of people getting out of private office, and into co-working spaces and office environments that promote collaboration and innovation. That flexible mindset is permeating all property types.

“We see pilot projects for large corporations in the Dallas market where landlords reposition lobbies and common spaces to engage with pedestrians to create a sense of community and collaboration that sparks innovation,” HOK senior vice president Curtis Knapp said at Bisnow’s Dallas State of the Market event last Thursday. So many Millennials have shunned the traditional corporate atmosphere, Knapp said.

In many ways, the trends found in co-working are driving all product types, VCC managing director Derek Alley said.

“The office doesn’t have to be terrible, and companies are adopting the benefits of co-working,” he said.

The strategy of delivering more flexible, modular space that allows people to use it in many ways can be seen in retail and multifamily as well. 

Alley said those same human traits that crave experience, amenities, good merchandising, collaboration and creativity are uniform in all innovative businesses, regardless of asset class.