CBRE’s Vancouver Office Awarded WELL Certification

The WELL building standard is the benchmark when it comes to the provision of healthy working spaces designed with the needs of the workforce in mind. The certification is only given to those premises which display a conscious effort to safeguard the wellbeing of the staff within, with their gold-level certification being notoriously difficult to attain without the appropriate knowledge, planning, and budget. Their high standards in this case should be considered a positive, as it keeps the certification as a meaningful one while granting staff members peace of mind as they know their needs are being catered for.

Recently the Canadian city of Vancouver became home to its very first WELL-certified office premises, as CBRE Group’s 30,00sq ft city centre office has been awarded gold-level certification.

In order to attain WELL’s highest level of certification, CBRE’s Vancouver office incorporates more than 100 wellness features. These include ensuring widespread access to natural light, ergonomic sit-stand desks, noise-attenuating technology, and a high level of indoor air quality.

Ashley O’Neill, vice president of corporate strategy at CBRE Canada, commented on the award in a recent discussion with Commercial Property Executive. He told the publication, “For us, our pursuit of WELL Certification is not only differentiating us as an employer that is prepared to invest in the health and wellness of its people, but also as a leading commercial real estate advisor. By undertaking the process ourselves, we’re in a much more informed position to advise our clients about its benefits, its costs and the complexities involved.”

Three additional CBRE offices in Canada are also registered for WELL certification, and the company plans to extend this even further by challenging itself to seek the certification for at least 100 of its managed or associated properties around the world in the coming years.

“Our pursuit of WELL Certification has generated huge levels of interest among our clients. Most leading companies now inherently understand that the office is no longer just a bottom line cost, but a powerful tool in the attraction and retention of the best talent,” O’Neill stated.

“When you also combine the fact that, as a general rule, more people are becoming increasingly committed to living more active and healthier lifestyles, WELL Certification is at the intersection of two very powerful trends. This is truly at the leading edge of office design, so both tenants and landlords have approached us to understand what WELL Certification can do to help them to attract talent or entice tenants to their buildings.”

Sam Bonson

Sam is an aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He is currently working as a content writer, journalist & editor in an attempt to expand his horizons.