Interior Premises
HEATING/HVAC
Provide sufficient base building loops (heating, cooling and/or condenser water) that supply tenant’s heating and cooling needs. Also, provide adequate meter provisions and BMS integration. If building tie-ins aren’t available, provide roof space and pads for tenant mechanicals.
VENTILATION + EXHAUST
Identify louver band discharge areas or vertical stacks. For kitchen exhaust, require PCU or scrubber system that meets requirements for use above. Should be regularly cleaned/maintained as part of OPEX or require tenant responsibility.
BASE-BUILDING REQUIREMENTS + UTILITIES
Leave flexibility to account for use types and demising options. Be conservative and oversize services where it’s unclear what the use mix may end up being. In all electric buildings ensure retail load is at least 150% of what would normally be spec’d by base building engineers to account for FF&E that previously would have been gas-fired.
METERING
By landlord where possible for water, HVAC and by Tenant for Gas, electric
GREASE WASTE
A central grease trap is likely required for excess grease waste that isn’t caught in point of use traps at equipment. These traps must be regularly cleaned and maintained by landlord or tenant.
ADEQUATE FLOOR-TO-FLOOR HEIGHT
Floor-to-floor height should range between 15’-20’. Maintain a clear span of 12’ above the finish floor level. No pipe, conduit, or other utility in the ceiling should be lower than 12’ above the retail floor slab.
FLOOR SLAB
Floor slab should be coordinated to the grade to minimize accessibility issues from the sidewalk. To accommodate MEP requirements of future ground floor retail tenants in buildings with no basement or underground parking, leave out certain sections of the concrete slab and ruin conduit connecting sections of slab leave-outs.
COLUMN SPACING
Maximize column spacing to allow for more flexibility in the layout of the retail space and try to locate cross-braces in the basement, upper floors, or building common area / back of house space where possible.
ENTRYWAY
Doors should be flush with the facade so as to remain visible from all angles on the street. Doors should not be designed or placed until a tenant is selected.
SHUTOFF VALVES AND ACCESS PANELS
Avoid locating these panels in the ceiling of commercial spaces, so as to eliminate access problems for retailers and/or building maintenance staff.
