Fitwel in the News

Has the Pandemic Transformed the Office Forever?

We are thrilled to report that Fitwel is highlighted in the February 1st issue of The New Yorker. “Has the Pandemic Transformed the Office Forever?” is a must-read article from James Seabrook exploring the evolution of office design—and the potential long-term impacts of COVID-19.

“Some enhanced hygiene and cleaning procedures may outlive the pandemic, but they are likely to be absorbed into the voluntary rating system for “healthy buildings” administered by Fitwel, the real-estate industry’s certification board….Many COVID-related best practices have already been incorporated into Fitwel’s downloadable Viral Response Module.”

BentallGreenOak Portfolio Scores Fitwel’s Viral Response Approval

BentallGreenOak has received Fitwel’s Viral Response Approval for 17 office buildings across the US. BGO says it is the largest commercial real estate portfolio in the country to have achieved this Viral Response Approved distinction to date. The buildings achieving the certification are in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Charlotte, Portland, Jersey City and Wellesley. BGO says these cities are among the first in the US to have commercial real estate buildings with third-party certification of their operations, policies and practices confirming their preparedness to mitigate the spread of infectious disease.

Announcing the Fitwel Senior Housing Scorecard

Fitwel announced the launch of a pilot program to establish a Senior Housing scorecard for assisted living, independent living, and memory care communities, helping owners to optimize these essential properties to promote the health and wellness of residents and employees. Participation has been secured from multiple senior housing industry leaders including

Emshih Developments, Willow Valley Communities, and Harrison Street, a leading investment management firm exclusively focused on alternative real assets and its associated operators of senior housing communities, including American Housing Senior Living/REDICO, Dial Senior Living, Engel Burman, Retirement Center Management (RCM), and The Springs Living.

Drawing from hundreds of academic studies as well as insights from pilot users, the Senior Housing scorecard is anticipated for public release in early 2021. Sign up here for early access to scorecard notifications and updates.