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Now · Blog

Notes on buildings, tenants, and the market.

The HqO blog, newest first. For product changes, read the changelog in Now.

  1. Blog

    Rethinking CRE: From Square Feet to the Quantum Workplace

    For decades, we’ve worshiped at the altar of the 9-to-5. But let’s be honest: it was never about productivity. Henry Ford needed synchronized shifts, not creative brilliance. Today, knowledge work operates on a ...

  2. Blog

    Commute ROI: Designing Office Experiences That Justify the Journey

    Why the “Transactional Landlord” Model Is Obsolete in Modern Commercial Real Estate For decades, the commute’s been the office villain — the part of your day that steals your sleep, tests your patience, and convinces ...

  3. Blog

    How Asset Managers Can Boost Tenant Retention with REX: Real-Time Insights & Unified User Profiles

    A Closer Look at HqO REX for Asset Managers For asset managers in commercial real estate, long-term success isn’t just about filling space — it’s about cultivating relationships that last. That’s why the Asset ...

  4. Blog

    The Intelligent Building: AI’s Role in Redefining Commercial Real Estate Value Propositions

    Why the “Transactional Landlord” Model Is Obsolete in Modern Commercial Real Estate You know the type. The landlord who thinks their job is done the moment the lease ink dries. “Here’s your keycard, don’t scratch the ...

  5. Blog

    Lighten Up, Literally

    Your tenants care more about sunlight than snacks. And the data backs it up. Picture this: You’ve nailed your lobby redesign, added a solid tenant app, maybe even installed a kombucha tap. But if your tenants are still ...

  6. Blog

    The 3 Emails Every Property Team Should Be Sending (and Why They Matter More Than Ever)

    In today’s fast-paced world, email is more than just a communication tool; it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to create lasting connections, foster engagement, and extend the hospitality of your building beyond the ...

  7. Blog

    Rethinking Amenity Strategy: From Empty Rooms to Engaged Communities

    CRE’s Shift to Experience-First Real Estate Walk into any commercial building today and you’ll feel it — the shift. Where value was once defined by square footage and modern lobbies, it’s now measured by experience, ...

  8. Blog

    Access Is Everything: Turning Everyday Moments Into Strategic Insight

    The Evolution of Building Access There was a time when access was about keys, fobs, and security desks. Today, it’s more than entry, it’s about knowing who comes in, when, and why. In modern commercial real estate ...

  9. Blog

    Are You Measuring What Matters? Tenant Experience Is Now a Strategic Imperative

    CRE’s New Mandate: Experience Over Square Footage Not long ago, commercial real estate (CRE) was defined by square footage and lease terms. Today, it’s measured by sentiment, service, and outcomes. As tenant ...

  10. Blog

    Transforming Commercial Real Estate: How HqO is Solving Industry Challenges

    The CRE Challenge: Legacy Systems in a New Era Too many buildings today are built for a world that no longer exists. For decades, commercial real estate (CRE) has powered urban progress, yet much of it remains stuck in ...

  11. Blog

    The Green Advantage

    In Boston’s dynamic corporate real estate market, landlords are beginning to embrace biophilic design in an effort to attract and retain tenants. Biophilic design, which incorporates natural elements like plants, green ...

  12. Blog

    Creating a culture of wellness: How the modern office can foster employee wellbeing

    Employee wellbeing has become a defining factor in corporate real estate, shaping the way companies choose and engage with office spaces. In Boston’s competitive market, where top-tier tenants seek work environments ...

  13. Blog

    Redefining office spaces: Amenities that matter most

    In today’s competitive corporate real estate market, landlords are rethinking the office experience by incorporating innovative amenities that go beyond the basics. As the world of work evolves, office buildings are ...

  14. Blog

    The great office downsize

    The great office downsize is underway. 67% of corporate real estate (CRE) leaders planned to reduce their real estate footprints in the 18 months following January 2024. In the US, it is estimated that office vacancy ...

  15. Blog

    The workplace trends currently occupying your tenants

    Workplaces are continuing to evolve rapidly. As hybrid working sets in and real estate footprints shrink, employers are reassessing workplace strategies. The best Landlords want to support their tenants in this. In ...

  16. Blog

    Top 10 US cities to job hunt

    One of the most notable outcomes of the pandemic was the total transformation of the job market – and in 2024 its evolution is expected to continue. In fact, 95% of workers are looking for or plan to look for a new job ...

  17. Blog

    How to Optimize Natural Light for Healthier and Happier Boston Workspaces

    With Boston’s long winters and towering buildings, natural light can be a precious commodity. Here, in the land of Dunkin’ Donuts and early sunsets, natural light can be a precious commodity. Still, according to HqO ...

  18. Blog

    The Hotel-ification of the Office

    CRE leaders are increasingly adopting a “hotel-ification” approach to office properties. This means incorporating elements commonly found in hotels, like stylish lobbies, co-working spaces, curated amenities, and ...

  19. Blog

    Paris Energy-Boosting Offices

    Parisian companies and property owners are responding to a workplace revolution – now shifting their focus to combating employee fatigue. As such, companies and property owners are recognising the significant impact ...

  20. Blog

    Work-Life Reimagined: London’s Top 3 Wellbeing-Centric Offices for the Modern Workforce

    What if your office space actively contributed to your wellbeing? In London, a new wave of office design is prioritising employee health and happiness, transforming the traditional workplace into an extension of a ...