Why the “Transactional Landlord” Model Is Obsolete in Modern Commercial Real Estate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 you that working in sweatpants is a human right. But a few savvy commercial real estate (CRE) leaders are pulling a plot twist: instead of treating the commute like a necessary evil, they’re turning it into a selling point.
Because here’s the truth — if you want people to actually come in, you’ve got to make the journey worth it. And that doesn’t mean a dusty breakroom coffee pot. It means perks that make you think, “Yeah… I could leave my house for this.”
Some quick stats
Before we get to the fun stuff, let’s look at the commute vibes check:
- 62% of employees say they’re happy with their commute. The other 38%… not so much.
- Just over half (52%) think commuting improves their quality of life — meaning 48% either disagree or are too busy glaring at the bus schedule to answer.
- In the Americas, 84% drive to work (and yes, traffic is still terrible).
- In the UK, 57% rely on public transport — also known as the land where Wi-Fi dreams go to die.
So, how do you get everyone, from road warriors to train dwellers, to stop silently resenting the journey?
Boston: Charging Forward
53 State is going all-in on the “leave your transport stress at the door” approach:
- Parking + EV charging: No more circling the block like a hawk at the mall. Pull in, plug in, and feel smug about your carbon footprint.
- Bike storage: Roll in and lock up like a Tour de France pro. Your two-wheeled baby gets VIP treatment in a secure lower-level spot.
Glasgow: Scoot Scoot Revolution
At Cadworks, the strategy is less “park your ride” and more “pick your ride”:
- Booking systems powered by HqO for EV chargers and scooters (because apparently even scooters need a reservation now).
- Active travel boost: Between seamless booking tech and smart promo content, more people are cycling or scootering to work, and getting their cardio in before the first coffee.
Bratislava: Smart Moves at Nivy Tower
Nivy Tower is bringing high-tech convenience to the daily trek:
- Contactless entrances + smart parking: Book your spot via the app, skip the stress, and breeze inside with mobile access.
- Bike-friendly features: Secure garage parking and a dedicated bike lift for an effortless two-wheeled arrival.
Why It Works
By making the commute part of the workday experience instead of a necessary evil, these CRE leaders are:
- Attracting talent that actually wants to come in
- Encouraging sustainable transport without sounding like a lecture
- Turning “ugh” into “oh, nice” before employees even hit the elevator
If you can’t shorten the commute, sweeten it. The smartest offices are making the arrival the first win of the day, whether that’s plugging in your Tesla, stashing your bike like gold, or booking your scooter like it’s brunch at the hottest spot in town.
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