Granite Properties Inc., which has three buildings in L.A., is investing $10 million to make its properties Covid-19 safe.
The company has properties at 500 and 550 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale and at 2600 Olive Ave. in Burbank. The Glendale site completed a $3 million renovation earlier this year.
The Covid-19 safety changes include retrofitting properties with touchless fixtures, installing UV lighting and adding needlepoint bipolar ionization technology for air purification.
Jason Purvis, senior managing director of Granite Properties, said touchless fixtures reduce the amount of contact points in entrance areas and restrooms.
One major concern for tenants and landlords alike has been elevators. To improve their safety, Granite Properties has added self-
cleaning covers and needlepoint bipolar ionization technology.
The buildings allow a limited number of people at one time on an elevator, and each car has spaces blocked out to help with social distancing.
Purvis said employees for roughly 20% to 30% of tenants are coming into the office to work while the majority of people continue to work from home.
Coworking company Industrious, which has a partnership with Granite Properties, is also working to ensure its spaces are safe at Granite buildings and at other properties in its portfolio.
“Industrious, specifically at 500 North Brand, went through a rigorous process to implement best-in-class cleaning standards not too dissimilar from our own,” Purvis said.
Although keeping Granite’s properties safe is the priority at the moment, Purvis is also looking to the future.
“Southern California is a growth market for us as a firm. While our current real focus is making sure our properties are as safe as possible for our customers’ return, we absolutely think there will be some great opportunities for growth during this downturn,” Puris said.
He added that many tenants are asking for more flexible workspace offerings, and he expects even higher demand for that type of space in the future — something Granite Properties is working on offering.
