The most important points at a glance
The office rental market remains demanding, with a preference for central locations and modern, ready-to-occupy fittings. Owners should assess each property individually and invest where it truly improves letting potential. Generalized upgrades bring less than a clean decision per property.
What we repeatedly notice in consultancy: companies test more informally today and look for spaces that are not only functional but also fit the current way of working. At the same time, the requirements for owners are increasing, because existing properties with no observable quality in location, condition and appearance quickly fall behind.
What currently applies in the office rental market?
From Landolt Meier AG’s perspective, the position is clear: central locations remain preferred, as do modern, ready-to-occupy spaces with good public transport connections. The search is less fixed than in the past, because companies are simultaneously exploring new ways of working and continuously sharpening their space requirements.
Tenants are looking for the property that at the current moment best satisfies the needs of both employees and the company strategy.
What has changed compared to before?
| Former pattern | Current reality | Practical consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Spaces were often rented as standard | Ready-to-occupy, modern spaces are clearly preferred | Furnishings and presentation become decisive for lettability |
| Location was important but not always decisive | Central locations and good public transport connections have gained importance | Peripheral locations need more substance to compete |
| Existing spaces were offered more in their current state | Existing properties must more often be modernized and expanded | Investments are more selective and object-specific |
The most common misconception is that office spaces can be re-leased with as little intervention as possible. In practice, often the opposite is true: relying only on the existing stock means missing expectations for infrastructure, entrance area and working environment.
Who is particularly affected, and where does urgency arise?
- Owners of existing properties who want to market office spaces anew
- Institutional investors deciding the future development level of a property
- Companies comparing locations and whose space strategy is not yet completed
- Tenants seeking ready-to-occupy spaces in good locations with suitable infrastructure
At Landolt Meier AG we see the greatest decision-making need especially for existing properties. Not every object requires the same investment, and not every space responds equally to the same expansion. This is precisely why object-specific assessment is more important than a generic modernization package.
Which investments truly contribute to lettability?
A typical example is modernizing an existing property with new infrastructure components such as cooled ceilings, sanitary facilities or a contemporary reception area. Such measures can significantly improve market appearance, but only if they fit the object and the demand at the location.
- New infrastructure when current use clearly requires it
- Cooled ceilings when comfort and usability in the stock are no longer sufficient
- Sanitary facilities when condition weakens the overall impression
- A modern reception area when first impressions are relevant for letting
What owners should watch out for
The best investment is not automatically the biggest one, but the one that measurably strengthens lettability. Those who check in advance which measure really pays off for the object are more likely to improve rent per square meter than with a broad, unfocused expansion.
Frequently asked questions
Does a office object have to be completely modernized before it can be rented?
Why are central locations currently so important?
When is a location search particularly worthwhile for companies?
What is currently the biggest mistake in marketing commercial spaces?
For owners and companies, this means: now is the right time to soberly assess your own space or location strategy. Those who act in the coming months can deploy investments more precisely and noticeably sharpen the market appearance of their property.
For an object-specific assessment and the marketing of commercial spaces in Zurich, Landolt Meier AG’s experience is at your disposal. Especially in the current environment, a clear decision per object pays off.
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Landolt Meier AG, Zürich