Extreme Measures

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Forum Categories BOMA 2017 - Office Buildings Question

Single Tenant Office Building

Mike Taylor: Atwood Properties; December 16, 2020

Hello

We are in the process of building a 2-storey single tenant office building measuring 17,000 sf. Our lease states that measurement is taken from outside of exterior wall, however, there is also a reference to Boma Standards which appear to be measured from interior wall. In this case the building is 141' long x 60' deep so it is a significant difference assuming wall thickness of 1'. I calculated 402 sf per floor so 804 sf total.

Can you confirm if this is correct and provide any guidance as to why in a single tenant building, Boma suggests that rent should not be paid on the entire 17,000 sf that was built.

Thanks
Mike

David Fingret: Extreme Measures Inc.; December 17, 2020

Hi Mike,

It is common to use the BOMA Gross Areas Standard for leasing in a single tenant office building. Using the Gross Areas Standard, the measurements are taken to the outside face of exterior walls without any deductions. Using the BOMA 2017 Office Standard, the building is measured (generally) from the vertically dominant inside finished surface, with some other areas excluded from rentable area, such as, Structured Parking, Major Vertical Penetrations (except in the lowest floor), and Occupant Storage. So the difference between the two can be substantial.

The standards do note that all parties must be an agreement as to which standard is used.

Thanks.
David