In spite of the fact that it is still too early to sum up the results of the first half of the year, it is already worth noting that the pace of new construction of office real estate in Moscow remains high. From January to May was introduced 374 thousand square meters. In five months, the total volume of the office space market due to new construction increased by 2.2%. For objects of class A, the increase was 4.4%, for class B - 1.6%. At the end of May, the total market volume of high-quality office space in Moscow reached 17.9 million square meters. m (3.8 million square meters (21%) for class A offices and 14.1 million square meters (79%) for class B), ILM analysts calculated.

In the list of companies' costs, rent is usually in second place. High rental rates, binding of leases to the euro and the dollar, long-term contracts, inflexible conditions - these are the negative components of leases in the new economic conditions are past. As often happens in Russia, the crisis puts a lot into place and returns acceptable conditions. The managing partner of ILM, Andrei Lukashov, believes that before “reducing staff and cutting vital expenses, it is necessary to revise the costs of maintaining the office and its lease terms. To cut the area, change the office for a cheaper, but better quality, or sublet the extra space, so you can reduce office expenses by 30-40%. For example, the online retailer LaModa moved to a better office, saving 50% of the rent. I advise you to sensibly evaluate your office today - how adequate and convenient it is, does the best staff attract you? In an office space, the number of workplaces, not the number of square meters is an important criterion. The market expects a large input of office real estate, rates will decline. Owners of office buildings and shopping centers will work more flexibly and help their tenants, will provide the right to refuse to rent, the right to increase (or decrease) the area. The main thing now is to look outside the box at standard processes and costs. ”

According to the RICS Global Real Estate Survey for the first quarter of 2012, the commercial real estate market in Russia took the lead. In the first quarter of 2012, Russia demonstrated one of the highest rates in the European commercial real estate market. The Russian market gained greater confidence from investors and customers, which affected the growth in consumer demand for real estate. The index of demand for real estate in Russia in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 40%, the supply indicator decreased from -36% to -52% compared with the last quarter of 2011. A similar increase in activity was recorded in Poland and Germany. Andrey Lukashev, MRICS, CCIM, ILM Managing Partner, Member of the RICS Commercial Property Council, comments on the situation in Russia: and continued growth in rental rates in all segments of commercial real estate. Due to the change in the urban planning policy of Moscow, which restricts construction in the city center, and the low current level of quality supply, substantial growth in rental rates in office real estate in the city center continues. The change in the boundaries of Moscow has not yet affected the commercial real estate market, since the declared plans for the development of territories relate to the years 2015-2016. ” An independent international organization representing the interests of specialists in the field of real estate, land use and construction RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) was founded in 1868 in the UK. RICS sets standards, regulates professional activities, protects the interests of clients and customers, provides up-to-date information and objective recommendations. www.cre.ru, www.rway.ru