Every Renovation Will Seem Lame By Comparison

Private lounge. A bar. And this is an office building. KBS has a unique game plan to attract new tenants to 201 Spear.

Construction just started on a renovation, wrapping in early December. That'll be almost a year to the day KBS paid Cornerstone $121M for the 247k SF tower two blocks from the incoming Transbay Transit Center. The big renovation job includes the standard landlord modernization of the lobby. But what makes it stand apart from other S.F. ground floors is a third of the lobby will be converted into a private club for tenants accessible via a key card.

KBS' Brent Carroll tells us the lounge will be packed with TVs and the ability to set up a booze bar. He likens it to a hotel lobby or airport lounge (move over, United Club). KBS is also adding bike lockers and showers for cycle-friendly employees. The common areas, including elevators and corridors, will also be updated. 

Tenants can use the lounge for events or reserve it to do pretty much whatever they want. It'll be equipped with Wi-Fi and encourage a different kind of work environment, he says. KBS says the concept has been a hit in its other buildings across the US, including in Dallas. (Above, 201's future lobby view from the elevators.)

KBS just wrapped up this 4k SF spec suite at 201, using the assumption that a future tenant might like amazing Bay Bridge views and a kitchen. It just got an offer yesterday from a tech tenant, Brent tells us. KBS is planning to build out two more larger suites on one floor that can be broken up for multiple tenants. In addition to tech, interest for the suites is expected from attorneys and companies that support the tech industry.