Real Estate Company Caters To Client With New Office Design

RE/MAX Crossroads Properties owner, Dennis Steed, like all real estate professionals and business owners, always looked for ways to develop his business, increase sales, develop a clientele and increase the overall effectiveness of his sales approach. Just as Steed saw the economy changing, he also saw a change in his clients' tastes, needs and expectations, which he believed presented an opportunity for a new approach.

With the growing popularity of open air shopping centers and recent developments in the suburban Cleveland area surrounding his business. Steed could see that comfort, convenience and a certain high-quality, customer experience were the sales techniques local retail businesses were implementing and making work.

With a changing market, Steed, ABR, CRB, GRI, knew he hold to change his approach and cater to that new set of ideals in order to maintain a competitive edge. However, he realized his current offices in Westlake, Ohio, would not accommodate the convenient, yet trendy, at-home environment for which he was aiming. Although Steed knew any drastic change had a potential risk, he stuck with the most important objective, providing his clientele and agents with a convenient space that did not feel like a real estate office.

Looking for an easily accessible, higher profile location that could meet his needs, Steed came upon an open retail space in a new development. Located in the affluent community of Rocky River, Ohio, not far from his current offices, Beachcliff Market Square was an upscale, trendy shopping center. Upon viewing the space, Steed already could see that the shopping center was the perfect space to meet the new expectations of his clientele, who were seeking a relaxed, comfortable space in which to do business.

But finding the retail storefront was only half the battle. Steed knew when he needed to make his business work, but wasn't sure how to bring his idea to fruition and create an office space that fit into the surrounding retail environment, all
on a set budget.

ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS

With this in mind. he reached out to Vocon, a leading architecture and interior design firm based in Cleveland. Working with designer Michelle Thompson, Steed explained his need for a high-profile location in the new retail space that was easy for both clients and agents to access. After learning about his vision, Thompson knew
exactly the look and feel that he desired.

Thompsonm, was then faced with a challenge of her own. The space was a storefront within a shopping square instead of a standalone location and hold limited access to natural light. The space was also extremely long and narrow, creating restrictions for space planning and design implementation. Although Steed' s plan was well-thought-out, it did not take into consideration how the layout and design of the space would merge to meet his clients' needs.

Therefore, Thompson and her Vocon team were tasked with creating a bright, well-lit office space with a modern high end feel and an open gathering area, such as coffee shop or cafe, under the current conditions and within a limited budget. Thompson remedied these challenges by keeping the tall and narrow store-front an open space and allowing natural light from the window to transmit throughout the interior, which opened up the space.

Instead of a small kitchen toward the back of the offices, Thompson used Steed's coffee-shop vision to create a combined kitchen and coffee bar in one. This not only opened up the space, but created the relaxed public area Steed was looking for. Thompson and Vocon chose the option of built-in custom millwork to eliminate the need for furniture. This created continuity throughout the office space, from the architectural finishes to the furniture finishes that would have otherwise been mismatched with existing furniture.

With the lobby and kitchen up front, Steed and Thompson opted to have the tech center and work stations toward the back of the space, to provide agents with privacy and easy access to designated parking areas. Keeping RE/MAX's corporate colors of red, white and blue, Thompson kept the space bright in color while choosing finishes that were clean and contemporary in style, in tune with
Steed's overall objective.

Although Steed knew of the potential risk with this unique approach, he continues to see the success of his approach combined with Vocon's design. Clients and employees are more comfortable and relaxed in the new space, while his business continues to grow steadily even with the challenges of the real estate market.