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Lee & Associates Dallas-Fort Worth completed a lease transaction for a 1,800-square-foot industrial space at 2100 N. State Highway 360 in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Schaefer Amos of Lee & Associates Dallas-Fort Worth represented the tenant, National Golf Classics, Inc.
Nick Fulton of Mercer Company represented the landlord, Grand Prairie GPRV Partners 50, LLC.
A total of 70% of U.S. workers who are fully remote or in a hybrid arrangement said they are very likely or somewhat likely to seek alternative employment if they are required to return to the office full time at their current salary, according to a new FTI Consulting, Inc. survey.
The survey was conducted by Southpaw Insights for FTI Consulting’s Real Estate Solutions practice. The survey included the responses of 1,000 people who worked in a corporate office setting or home office setting and who were asked about their views of a hypothetical RTO mandate.
The survey found that a third of office workers are or would be excited about returning to the office, primarily due to increased productivity, camaraderie and opportunities for collaboration. Of those that said they would be accepting of an RTO mandate, 60% said they would appreciate the camaraderie and 53% said they are more productive working in the office.
“We have all seen the headlines about the return-to-office mandates by some of the nation’s largest employers, with some companies reporting that they expect all of their workers, with few exceptions, to return to the office full time in 2025,” said Josh Herrenkohl, a senior managing director in the Real Estate Solutions practice at FTI Consulting. “But our research shows that their ability to implement this mandate is not cut-and-dry, and employers risk losing talent if RTO mandates are enforced. How employees feel about RTO involves many factors, including their industry, the size of their company, whether they have children and the nature of their current work arrangement.”
The Current Work Arrangement Matters (or Does It?)
The current work model appears to correlate with employees’ attitude towards working remotely or in the office.
The Profession and Company Size Matter
Among the most important factors that seem to impact employee attitudes toward RTO mandates is the industry in which they work.
Demographics Play a Role
“This data should send a message to employers and owners of office space that, even though salary and benefits remain the top criteria for people in their jobs, they need to adapt their work environment to appeal to younger employees, as well as those who welcome the opportunity to be more productive and enjoy office camaraderie,” said Ingrid Rivera Noone, a Senior Managing Director and Co-Leader of the Real Estate Solutions practice at FTI Consulting.
“That means if there is going to be a war for top talent, you need to incentivize and ‘amenitize’ your office space to compete effectively. This may require companies to pay more for real estate to attract and retain strong employees as RTO mandates are implemented.”
“Employers in older and non-updated office buildings will be at a distinct disadvantage to newer and updated office space occupiers, who will be better able to support RTO directives and provide modern workspaces that enhance productivity and offer amenities that can help attract and retain top talent that sometimes might be reluctant to return to office,” said Larissa Gotguelf, a managing director in the Real Estate Solutions practice at FTI Consulting
Savills welcomes Houston native Alecia Schneider, SIOR, back to Houston as she relocates from Austin to raise her son. A highly regarded and accomplished broker with over a decade at the firm, she specializes in office tenant representation, bringing deep expertise in M&A and growth/exit strategies from her work with the tech and finance industry. Leveraging Savills’ network and Global Occupier Platform, she continues to support clients both locally in Houston and nationwide.
Brandi Dees is a trailblazer with over 23 years of experience in commercial real estate, retail services, land acquisition, fuel services, and EV infrastructure. As Senior Director at Lee & Associates – Houston, she is one of the region’s most influential professionals, known for her leadership in managing complex transactions and driving innovation.
Brandi’s career has been marked by her work with Shell Oil Company, where she oversaw nearly 9,000 petrol stations and led the charge into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Her strategic vision has positioned her as a leader in the EV sector.
Brandi’s leadership is characterized by collaboration, strategic insight, and mentorship, as she continues to drive innovation in the commercial real estate and retail services industries. Recognized for her excellence, Brandi’s career is a testament to her relentless pursuit of success, making her a powerful role model for future leaders, especially women in real estate and energy.
Dallas-based Westmount Realty Capital added Deuce Robertson II as senior legal counsel and managing director – transactions.
With more than a decade of experience in real estate law, corporate structuring, and contract negotiation, Robertson brings a wealth of expertise that will support Westmount’s opportunistic investment strategy and asset management, adding to the firm’s strong track record of nationwide growth over the past 40 years.
Prior to joining Westmount, Robertson served as senior vice president – real estate and contract law at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, LLC, where he led a legal team managing the acquisition, development, leasing, and financing of industrial and office properties across the U.S. and Canada. His extensive background also includes advising on corporate transactions, tax incentive negotiations, and compliance matters for large-scale real estate portfolios.
Before his tenure at Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, LLC, Robertson practiced law at McGuire, Craddock & Strother, PC, representing clients in a broad range of real estate transactions, both domestically and internationally. He worked closely with developers on multifamily and commercial developments, negotiating key documents related to land acquisition, financing, and joint ventures.
A graduate of Emory University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor, Robertson also holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and history from Vanderbilt University. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and has been actively involved in community service organizations, including Habitat for Humanity and the North Texas Food Bank.
StreetLights Residential, a Dallas-based developer of luxury multifamily and mixed-use communities, promoted Rachel Koonsman to Chief People Officer.
In this role, Koonsman leads the company’s culture team, overseeing training, hiring, HR and benefits, team building, internal communication, and office environment.
Over the past eight years, Koonsman has helped shape and amplify the company’s unique culture, which prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to every team member’s success. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Engagement and under her leadership, StreetLights has implemented initiatives that set the company apart as an exceptional workplace.
Koonsman has streamlined the company’s unique approach to hiring, with the first round of interviews focused on ensuring candidates resonate with the organization’s core values and culture, and the second round focused on functional proficiency.
She was instrumental in developing the firm’s onboarding program called “Becoming StreetLights,” a two-day session for new hires which introduces them to the company’s purpose and values. She also supports each employee’s personal growth with the firm’s extensive training programs, including “SLR Way,” ensuring professional development is supported at all levels.