A bold vision for architecture and technology is one thing, but for sophisticated investors, it all comes down to one question: Does the math work?

For a project as ambitious as our proposed retrofit of the Forrestal Building, the numbers have to be as compelling as the design. In this final deep dive, we’re moving from vision to valuation. We’ll pull back the curtain on the high-level financial model that underpins this entire project, exploring the costs, the potential returns, and the strategic decisions required to turn this federal relic into a highly profitable asset.

a truly great workplace thinks beyond the desk. The most forward-thinking companies understand that to attract and retain top talent in a hybrid world, they must support the whole person. This is where a strategic amenity package moves from a "nice-to-have" to a powerful competitive advantage. It's the final step in transforming the office from a place of work into a hub for community, well-being, and a better life.

For decades, building owners focused primarily on the physical asset—the "hard services" of maintenance and operations. But a fundamental shift is underway, driven by the war for talent and the rise of hybrid work, which has created a new challenge for employers: making the office a compelling destination worth the commute.

For a building owner, a successful retrofit is measured by its Return on Investment (ROI). The vision for the Forrestal Building is not just about creating a beautiful space; it's about engineering a highly profitable, low-overhead asset. This means that every decision, from choosing a window to installing a sensor, must be justified by its financial impact.

The central goal of this strategy is to maximize Net Operating Income (NOI), which is simply (Revenue - Operating Expenses). A building's market value is fundamentally tied to its NOI. Our entire retrofit plan is designed to attack both sides of this equation simultaneously to deliver a powerful ROI.

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, where hybrid work models are the norm and Artificial Intelligence is reshaping every task, true productivity extends far beyond individual effort. It's a dynamic interplay of physical environment, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive organizational culture.

To genuinely unlock human potential and drive sustained success, businesses must adopt a holistic perspective, recognizing that optimal performance is cultivated through thoughtfully designed workspaces, seamless technological integration, and a steadfast commitment to employee well-being and continuous learning.

The rapid acceleration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate, placing an unprecedented focus on workforce productivity. This technological revolution isn't just about software; it's profoundly influencing how companies strategize their physical spaces, driving a re-evaluation of facility decisions through the critical lenses of productivity above all else. For commercial real estate building owners, architects, facility managers, commercial interior designers, IT services providers, and electrical design firms, understanding this paradigm shift is paramount.

The global electrical landscape is experiencing a significant transformation, highlighted by the rising importance of direct current (DC) power in building systems.

This report offers a detailed analysis for electrical engineers, contractors, and systems designers. It examines the strategic value of specialized DC testing facilities, the changing dynamics of outsourcing in low-voltage and DC work, the urgent need to adopt DC power, and the essential role of integrated testing throughout the project lifecycle.

Key findings indicate that facilities like the DC Systems’ Experience Center are invaluable for de-risking innovation and fostering collaboration in this nascent field. While outsourcing remains prevalent for capacity management, a discernible shift toward insourcing core DC competencies is emerging, driven by the need for quality control and intellectual property protection amid industry skill gaps. DC power is increasingly essential for energy efficiency, renewable integration, and smart building functionality, despite existing challenges in standardization and workforce knowledge.

The report emphasizes that robust, iterative testing and commissioning protocols are paramount for ensuring safe, compliant, and high-performing DC installations. Ultimately, proactive investment in DC expertise, strategic engagement with evolving standards, and rigorous process implementation are vital for electrical professionals to thrive in this rapidly changing environment.

The convergence of onsite power generation, fault-managed power (FMP), and battery-integrated agile furniture represents a significant paradigm shift in the architectural and engineering design of direct current (DC)-powered buildings, addressing extant technical limitations in energy distribution and the dynamic configuration of work environments.

Analysis of recent commercial real estate market reports indicates that the total commercial office space in the United States is estimated to be approximately 4.8 billion square feet as of the first quarter of 2025.[1] This figure reflects the culmination of years of development, but the market is undergoing significant shifts. Key trends impacting the sector include elevated vacancy rates, fluctuating net absorption, a deceleration in new construction, and increasing office space conversions to alternative uses. While leasing activity has shown signs of recovery in some segments, the overall outlook suggests a period of stabilization and transformation for the U.S. commercial office space market.

Modern commercial buildings face significant, yet often underestimated, financial burdens stemming from inflexible and inefficient traditional Alternating Current (AC) power infrastructure. This report quantifies these costs, revealing substantial drains related to underutilized real estate, excessive energy consumption, disruptive and expensive reconfigurations, and tangible safety hazards. The analysis demonstrates that outdated power systems impose direct operational costs and hinder the agility required in today's dynamic business environment.

For decades, the commercial office environment has been constrained by traditional, wired infrastructure limitations. This static approach, defined by desks tethered to wall outlets, has created persistent challenges for everyone involved in developing and managing these spaces, from commercial real estate owners and architects to facility managers, interior designers, IT professionals, and electrical design firms.

At August Berres, we recognized these frustrations as fundamental barriers to productivity, adaptability, and well-being in the workplace. Addressing these chronic issues is precisely what drives our mission.