Briggs Development Plans COVID-Safe Office Build

Briggs Development has acquired a development site to build a COVID-safe office project. The San Jose property will include street entry, operable windows throughout and covered outdoor seating areas. The design focuses on an indoor-outdoor model that helps to protect against viral transmission.

“Perhaps more importantly, we believe this will be a dynamic location in the near and long term. The Alameda is a historic and desirable San Jose address.  There are dozens of amenities within walking distance of this property, not to mention a diverse and vibrant culture,” Jeffrey Rogers, president of Briggs Development, tells GlobeSt.com. “As we emerge from the pandemic, this property offers an ideal opportunity to create an indoor/outdoor office space model that can provide greater safety and better health to office occupiers.”

While the pandemic is easing across the country and vaccine distribution is accelerating, Briggs expects to see increased concern about viral transmission and demand for health and wellness in commercial buildings. “It is interesting to see a substantial investment in combating the virus, especially considering vaccines are being distributed,” says Rogers. “We do expect that virus transmission will continue to be a concern for some tenants well into the future, which is why we are focusing on creating a space with fresh air from operable windows, fewer touch points and options for outdoor meetings. We are creating an office environment where professionals can plan for a return to business as usual, while addressing the needs of tenants to feel safe, healthy and productive.”

For Briggs, addressing the pandemic and new concerns about shared spaces is necessary. “The pandemic will definitely have lasting effects on the preferences of some office tenants while others may be comfortable with traditional offices again more quickly,” adds Rogers. “Importantly, the features of a post COVID-19 office building are the same features that promote healthfulness in an office facility—such as outdoor meeting areas, abundant natural light and fresh air circulated into the interiors. These features are popular regardless of the state of the virus.”

The development site is located at 1010 The Alameda in San Jose, and Briggs will redevelop the existing property into an indoor-outdoor concept. In addition to the location, Briggs also sought the property for strong investment fundamentals. “We were able to purchase the land and building for less than replacement cost, which was important to us,” says Rogers. The property will deliver at the end of this year.

Rogers says that the firm is focused in the near-term on the redevelopment project. “In the long run, we want to be active participants in the community of The Alameda as it evolves,” he adds. “It’s important to be flexible and listen to the preferences of the market.”