- Momentum picks up as companies in diverse industries lease/renew more than 2 million square feet in February and March 2021
- Forward-thinking resources and focus on health and wellness helps companies come back with confidence; efforts validated by health experts UCI Health and UL
IRVINE, Calif. (May 11, 2021) — Irvine Company leased nearly 7 million square feet of office space during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, company officials announced today.
From April 2020-March 2021, more than 200 companies expanded, renewed or signed new leases throughout the Irvine Company portfolio totaling more than 6.7 million square feet with momentum spiking as vaccines were administered and new cases fell.
In February and March 2021, for example, the company leased more than 2 million square feet.
“Many customers say the workplace is more important than ever to foster collaboration, innovation and productivity,” said Steve Case, executive vice president of Irvine Company Office. “A healthy and vibrant workplace community helps innovative companies create a winning culture and contributes significantly to growth, success and employee satisfaction.”
Among the notable leases during the pandemic:
- CoStar Realty Information, 115,000 square feet, Spectrum Terrace, represented by Michael Props of Savills
- Mechanics Bank, 51,000 square feet, Irvine Towers and Market Place Center, represented by Reynolds McCabe of McCabe Realty Partners
- Clean Energy Fuels Corporation, 49,000 square feet, MacArthur Court, represented by Rick Kaplan, Patrick Ryan and Chon Kantikovit of Cushman & Wakefield
- RSM US LLP, 29,600 square feet, Spectrum Terrace, represented by Rick Schuham, Brad Schmitt and Royce Sharf of Savills
“The leadership of Mechanics Bank has had deep roots in this community for more than 30 years. We continue to find Orange County and all of Southern California to be a diverse and vibrant business community that is very important to our strategic expansion and initiatives,” said John DeCero, president and CEO of Mechanics Bank. “We are pleased to be a long term customer of the Irvine Company and truly feel they have been a great partner in our continued growth from a de-novo startup bank (California Republic) in 2007, to the 126 branch, $19 billion statewide bank that we are today.”
The company’s pace of leasing in Orange County, where it is the largest owner and operator of premium workplace communities, has been especially robust as it has expertly guided customers to the safest possible return to the office during the pandemic.
“Our customer-centric expert teams, unmatched flexibility and diversity of options set us apart,” Case said. “We can help any customer, from any industry accomplish their workplace goals. No two companies are alike and neither are their needs. We can help any size company create a workspace and workplace experience that aligns to their unique culture and business priorities.”
Working with health experts at UCI Health and UL, a global safety science leader recognized for their Indoor Environmental Quality services, Irvine Company has implemented comprehensive workplace wellness plans and protocols to help them come back with confidence.
Irvine Company has replaced and upgraded more than 50,000 air filters, installed more than 1,500 sanitizing stations, added 3,000 touchless bathroom fixtures and made other health adjustments throughout its California and Chicago portfolio. UL has designated Irvine Company’s workplace communities as Verified Healthy Buildings for indoor air quality.
Customers also have access to the Return to the Workplace Toolkit, a comprehensive resource developed by Irvine Company to streamline planning with a decision-making framework and step-by-step guide to prepare companies to come back with confidence. The customizable toolkit helps proactively put effective communications in place to empower companies and their employees. Irvine Company also offers resources to help customers reconfigure their space to promote physical distancing and safety.
Irvine Company’s workplace communities feature one-of-a-kind amenities that promote wellness, indoor-outdoor connectivity and expansive outdoor spaces. From The Commons, a collaborative, outdoor gathering area with shaded workspaces, to onsite luxury fitness centers and convenient dining options with expanded patios and outdoor seating, customers have access to dynamic spaces that inspire, re-energize and boost productivity.
“Workplace wellness has been integrated into the design from the start, providing a healthy work environment and peace of mind for our customers,” added Case. “With more than 1,000 well-equipped outdoor open-air meeting and gathering areas, our customers have access to premium space that goes beyond the walls of an office, which is something that has become increasingly important over the last year.”
Nowhere is that more evident than at Innovation Office Park, the company’s newest workplace community. It includes electronic roll-up doors, operable windows, private patios and other design features and amenities that address current and future needs and desires of companies and their employees.
