Which property types are considered commercial real estate?

Commercial real estate includes, among others, office space, general commercial space, retail units, medical practice rooms, laboratories, logistics and industrial properties. Depending on the context, the term “commercial space” is sometimes used as a synonym for other types.

How much space should I calculate per workstation?

For office space, roughly 10–20 m² per employee is common. 10 m² is very compact; plan for reserves such as meeting rooms, storage or a kitchen – especially if growth is expected.

What is more important: location or space?

Both are crucial. Check accessibility, public transport connections and parking, as well as suitability and fit-out standard. For retail, high-footfall locations are more important; for production, infrastructure and emission tolerances matter more.

Which points can I typically negotiate in the lease?

Often negotiable are rent models (e.g., flat rate, turnover-based rent, stepped rent), service charge arrangements, fit-out contributions, as well as the lease term (fixed/open-ended, options).

Where can I find suitable office and commercial spaces?

Use specialised marketplaces such as maison.work that focus exclusively on commercial rental properties.

How to find suitable office or commercial space

How to Find the Right Office or Commercial Space | maison.work

By maison.work Editorial Team · Last updated: October 15, 2025

Searching for commercial real estate is complex. Learn about property types, requirements and negotiation points – so you can find the perfect office or ideal commercial space.

The path to the ideal office or perfect commercial space can often be complex and confusing. The market offers a huge variety of spaces with different characteristics and fit-outs. Making things more difficult, many established real estate portals primarily focus on residential properties and have so far only inadequately covered the sector for commercial assets. This article provides an overview of the key property types and shows how to find the rental unit that suits you.

What different property types exist
What are the requirements for a space
What you should look out for
Points you can typically negotiate
Where to find offices, commercial and industrial spaces for rent
FAQ

Different property types

The umbrella term “commercial real estate” covers all properties not used for residential purposes but for business use. These include, for example, office space, commercial space, retail units, laboratories, medical practice rooms, as well as logistics and industrial properties. The boundaries are not always clear-cut; the term “commercial space” is sometimes used as a synonym for other types – such as offices.

What are the requirements for a space?

Requirements for a commercial space vary widely and should be clearly defined in advance. The intended use is crucial: the criteria for a retail unit differ fundamentally from those for a gastronomy space.

For an office, requirements often seem self-explanatory at first glance. If you plan to hire staff or regularly receive clients, a professionally managed office is often the better choice. It promotes a credible corporate image, supports work–life balance, and serves as a creative melting pot for ideas. Direct lines of communication can help develop services, products, or internal processes more efficiently and with higher quality.

If, on the other hand, you operate a manufacturing business, such as a joinery, completely different requirements apply. Keep in mind that such operations generate noise and waste – the surroundings must be able to tolerate this, and the infrastructure (access, disposal, power supply, floor loads) must be suitable.

💡 Practical tip

Define must-have and nice-to-have criteria before you start searching (e.g., use type, m², layout, utilities/waste disposal, fit-out standard, budget, term). This helps you compare listings more systematically and avoid bad decisions.

What you should look out for

Location is one of the most important factors. Carefully check parking, accessibility, and public transport connections.

Equally important is the amount of space you need. As a rule of thumb for office space, plan for about 10 to 20 m² per workstation or employee, with 10 m² already being very compact. Also consider future growth: are you planning to expand the team in a way that will require more space?

Also ask yourself: Do we need a separate meeting room? Is storage required? Do we need our own kitchen? In many listings – for example on maison.work – the number of lockable rooms is indicated. This helps with the initial decision; often there is also the option to add rooms or use shared meeting rooms, especially in coworking spaces and office communities.

Growing startup: Flexible space with an option to expand, shared meeting rooms, short notice periods.
Retail pop-up: High-footfall location, good visibility, turnover-based rent as an entry model.
Production/craft: High floor load capacity, delivery access, noise and waste concept, sufficient power/connections.

Points you can typically negotiate

A lease is always an individual agreement and can vary greatly depending on the situation. However, there are aspects that usually offer more room for manoeuvre:

Rent & pricing models: From flat rents to detailed agreements including maintenance/service charges. Clarify who bears which costs. In retail, turnover-based rent is common to reduce the initial burden. Stepped rents are also possible – reduced at the start, increasing later.
Lease term: From (rare) flexible models with monthly termination to fixed-term leases with defined durations and extension options.
Fit-out & incentives: Tenant fit-out, landlord contributions, rent-free periods, or staged handovers can be negotiated.

Where to find offices, commercial and industrial spaces for rent

In Switzerland there are many ways to find suitable rental properties. A recommended option is the marketplace maison.work, specialised in office, commercial and industrial spaces. There you will find exclusively commercial rental properties – no apartments, no houses. The young company aims to provide a focused solution for a market that has long been neglected.

FAQ: Finding office & commercial space

Which property types exist?

Offices, general commercial space, retail, laboratories, medical practice rooms, as well as logistics/industrial properties. “Commercial space” is sometimes used synonymously for other types.

How much space per employee?

As a rule of thumb, 10–20 m² per workstation. Plan a buffer for meeting rooms, storage or a kitchen – especially if you are growing.

What should I look for in the location?

Public transport links, accessibility, parking, and environmental compatibility (e.g., with regard to emissions). For retail, high footfall is key.

What rent models are there?

Flat rent, classic rent plus service charges, turnover-based rent (retail), stepped rent. In addition, fit-out contributions or rent-free periods can be negotiated.

Where should I search?

On specialised platforms such as maison.work that list only commercial rental properties.