Found an office in a prime location? Great. But if colleagues then have to circle the building three times just to find a parking space, that smile disappears fast. Parking remains a crucial part of the search for office space. Especially now that hybrid working, crowded city centers, and stricter parking ratios heavily impact accessibility. So: what should you look out for when it comes to parking around your office space?
How many parking spaces do you need?
Map out your team before you search for a new office. How do your colleagues commute right now? Does that change at the new location?
An office next to a train station requires fewer parking spaces than a spot at a business park outside the center. Commute distance matters too. Greater distances mean a higher chance your colleagues take the car. Look beyond today. Factor in future growth.
What is a parking ratio?
You often deal with a parking ratio when renting office space. What is it exactly? The number of parking spaces available per square meter of office space.
This ratio drops in city centers. Simply because space is scarce. Business parks outside the center offer more parking spots.
For example: some offices offer 1 parking space per 50 m2. Sounds great, until your team grows faster than your parking options.
Don't forget your visitors
Clients, applicants, and suppliers rarely arrive by bike. Check where your visitors park. Many office buildings offer visitor spots or shared parking facilities. This varies per location. Check this beforehand. It saves hassle and prevents lost visitors.
What does office parking cost?
Parking prices vary significantly. Costs skyrocket in big cities. In city centers, you sometimes pay hundreds of euros per month for 1 parking space. This amount drops outside the center or at business parks. Include parking costs in your total office budget. Look beyond just the office rent.
Fewer parking spots? Think smarter!
Does your ideal office have fewer parking spaces than expected? Don't make it a dealbreaker. More companies choose a smart mix of:
- Hybrid working
- Public transport incentives
- Bike schemes
- Shared parking subscriptions
- Carpooling
Offices close to stations gain massive popularity because of this. Let's be honest: a 5-minute walk from the train station beats a 20-minute search for a parking space near your office.
Accessibility matters more than ever
Modern office space is no longer just about four walls and a desk. Accessibility plays an increasingly vital role in employee happiness, productivity, and attracting talent. An office with great public transport links, plenty of parking spaces, and nice lunch spots nearby? That scores major points. With both clients and colleagues.
Looking for office space with parking spaces?
At Sollf, we don't just look at the office itself, but everything around it. That means we also consider parking. How many spaces do you actually need? How many spots are available at your desired office? And what are the options with the landlord?
After all, an office can look amazing, but if everyone has to circle the block for an hour every morning just to find a parking spot, it doesn't exactly get the workday off to the best start.
