Broker Spotlight: Richard Gross of AllOfficeCenters
In this edition of our Broker Spotlight series, we are pleased to shine the spotlight on Richard Gross, Director of Acquisitions – Flexible Office Solutions at AllOfficeCenters. With a long and distinguished career in commercial real estate, Richard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the evolving landscape of flexible workspaces. In this interview, Richard shares his professional journey, thoughtful perspectives on post-pandemic market changes, and the evolving demands of modern companies in the workspace landscape. Join us as we delve into Richard's insights and expertise in navigating the dynamic Flex-Office market.
Hi Richard! Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in the commercial real estate industry?
Real estate has been a part of my life since birth, thanks to my father's successful career in the industry. Thus, there was never a doubt that I would follow the path and grow deeply in fascination with commercial real estate. At the age of 24 (17 years ago), I started this great journey and I haven't regretted a single day since. The diverse clients, numerous partners, and challenging projects make real estate, in my opinion, one of the most illustrious business fields.
After spending many successful years in the conventional real estate sector, I was excited when my friends and Managing Partners from AllOfficeCenters gave me the opportunity to embark on a new chapter in my real estate career in 2020. I deeply enjoy my role as Director Acquisitions – Flexible Office Solutions and working alongside some of the best in the market and together taking the new working landscape with great partners and clients. We are enthusiastic about working with a diverse range of companies, including large corporations and well-known firms, in the Flex-Spaces-Sector.
In your opinion, how has the market changed since the pandemic, and where do you see it heading?
Since the beginning of the New Work Era, companies have already started to review their working environments and strive for greater flexibility by 2020. With the growing digitalization, home office options were also becoming increasingly available. The pandemic has accelerated this evolution of the workplace.
However, this was only the beginning of the change we are experiencing today. Hybrid-Working-Concepts are now here to stay – the role of office space has taken on a new significance in this context. In recent years, when consulting a wide range of corporate clients, we have repeatedly observed that they are increasingly reassessing their entire approach to office space. Due to the numerous advantages, they are favoring flexible office solutions over traditional leasing models.
What do you enjoy most about your role and the flexible workspace sector?
As mentioned, every day brings new challenges and opportunities, especially with the changes of the recent years. Our discussions with customers have been particularly intensive in recent years – the requirements and demands for modern workspaces are changing significantly compared to the past. We see the flexible workspace market as the future of how companies will operate, and being part of this movement is very exciting!
Furthermore, the focus on flexible work environments will not only support employee satisfaction, but also play a crucial role in the ongoing war for talent, helping to further build and strengthen these companies.
This is what makes AllOfficeCenters' role as an FlexOffice consultant and broker in this game-changing industry so enjoyable: Finding the best solutions for our clients by working with various FlexSpace Providers like Tribes, who understand the needs of modern companies.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and market dynamics, and leverage this knowledge to serve your clients?
At AllOfficeCenters, we consistently engage with our clients and Flex-Office-Partners, exchanging updates on current demands, market trends, client requirements, and expectations for new workspaces. Our independent position as an intermediary enables us to combine a broad spectrum of expertise in the Flex-Market. As part of our collaboration, we share this knowledge with clients, providers and landlords, and thus actively shape the flex-office-market.
Ultimately, information and knowledge are crucial in any business-line. Particularly in the Flex-Market, where companies' demands for work-environments are constantly evolving, standing still is not an option; continuous progress and flexible adaptability are essential.
Tell us about a memorable deal or experience from your career!
Having spent over 17 years in real estate, I've had the opportunity to work on many memorable deals. My current role at AllOfficeCenters continues to bring exciting experiences and opportunities. I work with various well-known corporate clients, supporting their international growth by placing them in flexible offices in prestigious locations around the world.
One deal that particularly stands out is my first and largest deal to date at Tribes—a 60-workstation lease at Tribes' Garden Tower location in Frankfurt for a major financial institution. The client approached me with specific demands for a newly acquired team, requiring a thorough market analysis of each potential location. The space also needed to be close to their Frankfurt head office. By working closely with Tribes, who understood and was able to meet the client's requirements, I managed to close the deal shortly after the Garden Tower location had opened its doors, also thanks to the highly competent and professional collaboration with the Tribes team.
