Landscaping Boosts Values

Landscaping Properties Boosts Value By Enhancing Tenant Experience

ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS devote considerate resources to improving the “building experience” for tenants, but increasingly designers are coming to view the outdoor and rooftop environments of workplaces as important. This is especially true in California, where the outdoor climate is among the best in the world. And happier tenants make for a more valuable property and a healthier California. (See accompanying Landscapers’ Roundtable at right for more details.)

Says Gensler Design Director Douglas Wittnebel, “One of the key ingredients for a successful building project is the design and implementation of a comprehensive landscape scheme. Almost every memorable building experience is tied into a memorable landscape design experience. It’s part of the whole approach for enhancing the way we experience our built environment. Considering the increasing importance of awareness of our limited natural resources, it is even more important to treat and invest in the site and the soil and the landscape in a smart way that brings increasing value over time.”

Curb Appeal Creates Excitement

Cameron Jones, senior vice president of Ashwell Associates Commercial Real Estate in Orange County, adds, “Industrial, commercial, retail properties with great ‘green’ curb appeal create excitement and enthusiasm from buyers and tenants. The better the property looks, both exterior and interior there is a direct positive impact on performance in a sale or lease transaction.”

“On almost every one of my listings,” he says, “we provide my owner/seller clients with an action plan to prep the property for marketing for sale or lease. Many owners continue to ignore items, including landscape, proper irrigation management, which does impact asphalt, windows (overspray), exterior paint, water costs etc. because they believe it won't impact the deal. It does and that extra value created is well worth it. Poorly maintained properties typically fetch lower sales price and rates or at least generate less enthusiasm for the offering.”

Top California Landscapers Roundtable Q&A with Leading Experts

Q: In what ways does landscaping improve the value of a property, monetarily as well as in achieving greater well-being? Kari Kikuta, Associate Director of Landscape Architecture, LPA Inc. San Diego “New landscape on an existing project can bring ‘curb appeal’ to an aging property. An exterior refresh can be cost effective and impactful, as landscape improvements are often on the lower end of the cost spectrum for renovations. Some of our clients have implemented landscape improvements that sparked the sale of the property at a higher value than where they started. In part, that’s because a landscape improvement can change the perception of a facility. As a source of well-being, landscape is both mentally and physically impactful. Studies have shown that interaction with nature has a positive effect on people. When developing our landscape design solutions, we also take into consideration how the user will interact with the site. Programming the exterior spaces to provide different types of spaces, scales and functions encourages users to participate in more outdoor activities, bringing them closer to nature. In competitive industries where recruiting and retaining employees is essential, a healthy outdoor environment can play an important role.” Tyler Stocking, Director Strategy & Impact, Gachina Landscape Management, Menlo Park “The outdoor environment is the first thing people see as they arrive to your property. If our landscaping looks good, people generally assume the interior of the building also looks good. A good landscape

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