Non-prime office buildings look to concessions, rent drops as top-tier space shrinks

While amenity rich, well-located Class A+ and Class A building stock is leased up at a premium, operators of non-prime stock are having to raise concessions, experts say.

HVAC improvements shown to improve student outcomes

Metrics on absenteeism, suspension rates and math scores did better as upgrades or replacements were made, a study finds.

CBRE draws on company veterans to lead Americas property management business

The appointments will help lead the part of the Building Operations & Experience segment the property management giant created in January.

How facilities managers can help reduce RTO liability

Property executives can be key in determining which accommodations are reasonable when employees are hesitant to work on-site, an attorney says.

IRA funding freeze has put ‘many’ clean energy projects on pause

The uncertainty created by the funding freeze has affected projects at “various stages of development,” a clean energy executive said on a recent press call.

Honeywell to acquire heat pump maker Sundyne for $2.2B

The pending acquisition is part of the manufacturing conglomerate’s plans to streamline its portfolio.

Improving IAQ means looking beyond ventilation strategies

With technology like germicidal UV and building management systems, it’s possible to improve indoor air quality without driving up HVAC costs, experts say.

GSA rescinds controversial list of properties to sell – for now

Hundreds of the 443 listed properties will likely still be sold, but the process will be better explained when the list is republished, the General Services Administration says.

Massachusetts cuts $500M from state’s energy efficiency program

Eversource Energy thanked state regulators “for listening to customer concerns about affordability and taking the difficult action.”

Data center supply, construction surged in 2024 amid AI boom

The rush to accommodate artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for power-intensive infrastructures, CBRE says in a report.

Gas appliances suffer setback in Washington state

A federal court ruling in Seattle will make it more expensive for builders who prefer to install or support natural gas appliances, critics say.

Turning parking logistics into a revenue stream

Having an intermediary between a facility and its third-party parking providers can create value for both sides, one company says.

Tax break programs help spur downtown DC office-to-residential conversions

The Housing in Downtown Program has supported three housing conversion projects to date, while a new program will provide tax breaks to projects that convert offices to “anything” in the city’s business corridor.

Ameresco buffs up smart building solutions with ASA Controls acquisition

The company says it’s prepared to meet increased market demand despite a pullback in its federal government business.

Talent problems hinder AI use in facilities management

Over 90% of U.S. commercial building managers using AI report challenges with hiring skilled, tech-savvy individuals, a Honeywell report says.

Researchers take a new look at passive ways to cool buildings

A new type of liner can cool a room by more than 8 degrees, one study shows. Another shows that the old ways of creating cross ventilation still make sense today.

92% of CFOs plan to boost sustainability spending

A majority of companies expect to allocate more than 2% of revenue to sustainability initiatives this year.

Schneider debuts data center, microgrid labs at R&D hub

The data center lab will test high-voltage power systems for AI data centers while the microgrid lab will test energy resources in simulated environments, the company says.

ASHRAE offers chapters funding for energy efficiency, technical services

Building operators are encouraged to reach out to engineering firms and local chapters, which may be able to provide pro bono work in the community.

Lilly expands US manufacturing build-out with $50B target

The company is doubling plans for capital spending on U.S. factories as President Donald Trump pressures the pharma industry to reshore drug production.

IRA tax credit repeal would drive up electricity prices, system costs: reports

Sharply lower deployments of new generating resources could lead to power shortfalls, studies commissioned by a conservative environmental nonprofit and an electricity buyers group found.

Office stabilization prompts organizations to optimize portfolios, improve employee experience

With many occupiers settling on hybrid models, operators must use metrics and technology to guide their space decisions, property specialists say.

Using asset tagging to improve equipment maintenance

The process has long been used for tracking lost or stolen equipment but increasingly facilities managers are using it to speed, simplify and systematize repair and replacement.

How hotels can cut energy costs — without cutting quality

Implementing on-site thermal energy storage could help hotels lower their electricity bills significantly, per the director of commercial operations at Nostromo Energy.

JLL launches consumer goods, services division in push to improve real estate experience

The firm says the move reflects a growing focus on experiences by consumers and efforts by organizations to ensure “they are getting the most out of their real estate.”