Successfully Redefining Office Space with Spencer Levine – RFP 53
The phrase “office space” no longer means what it did five years ago. In a post-pandemic world shaped by hybrid work, lifestyle flexibility, and rising urban costs, the physical workplace is undergoing a transformation, and some developers are far ahead of the curve.
In Episode 53 of The Real Finds Podcast, host Gordon Lamphere sits down with Spencer Levine, President of RAL Companies, to explore what it really takes to reimagine work environments for the next generation. Levine’s experience spans over three million square feet of mixed-use development across the U.S. and the Caribbean, and his leadership in projects like Zero Irving in New York City offers a powerful case study in how to align real estate with evolving social and economic needs.
Office Space as Experience, Not Just Square Footage
Gone are the days when office space was just a set of desks behind closed doors. Today, employers and landlords alike are grappling with a fundamental shift: how to make the workplace a place people want to be.
“Office spaces are no longer just a box. They have to provide value—experiential value—for the people inside,” Levine explains.
At the heart of this shift is a renewed focus on amenities, community integration, and flexibility. Developers are investing in rooftop lounges, wellness rooms, food halls, and on-site programming—not just for prestige, but to foster interaction, productivity, and a sense of purpose.
This shift is more than aesthetic. It’s about understanding how the built environment shapes human experience and rethinking the design process to emphasize well-being, connection, and adaptability.
The Zero Irving Blueprint: Where Work Meets Community
One of the most compelling parts of the episode is Levine’s deep dive into Zero Irving—a next-generation mixed-use tower developed by RAL Companies in partnership with the City of New York.
Zero Irving isn’t just an office tower. It’s a vertically integrated hub for job training, tech innovation, small business incubation, and community services—all layered within a single building.
“It’s a place where someone can take a coding bootcamp, pitch a startup idea, secure funding, and grow their company—all without leaving the building,” Levine says.
This level of intentionality is rare. But it reflects a growing realization: urban office buildings must do more than house workers—they must serve the community. By combining public and private uses, Zero Irving creates a feedback loop where the building adds value far beyond rent rolls.
Flexibility is the New Foundation
Another theme Levine returns to is flexibility. That includes not just flexible lease terms but also flexible floor plans, building systems, and design elements that can evolve with tenant needs.
“Future-proofing a space means you’re designing for adaptability, not permanence,” he explains.
This flexibility is critical in a world where tenants may downsize, hybridize, or reconfigure teams every 12 to 18 months. From operable walls and multi-use amenity zones to modular furniture and hot-desk setups, successful office space now must accommodate the unknown.
Vertical circulation—how people move between spaces—also plays a key role. Elevator programming, stair design, and common areas must all support both interaction and safety, especially as work habits continue to shift.
Public-Private Partnerships: Unlocking Long-Term Value
Much of RAL’s success with Zero Irving stemmed from a tight alignment with the City of New York. Levine stresses the importance of true partnership between developers and municipalities, especially in dense urban areas.
“Cities that collaborate with developers—and developers that listen to cities—create more resilient, more relevant projects,” he notes.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can unlock sites, funding, and programming options that traditional commercial developments can’t access alone. In the case of Zero Irving, the city wanted a job creation engine, and RAL brought the design and operational expertise to deliver it.
For developers and civic leaders alike, Levine’s advice is clear: transparency, patience, and a shared long-term vision are essential for these projects to succeed.
Market Comparisons: New York vs. Miami
As someone active in multiple markets, Levine also offered a side-by-side comparison of New York and Miami, two cities experiencing very different post-COVID trajectories.
In New York, the office market is rebounding, but slowly. Tenants are still cautious, focusing on Class A space with strong amenities and commuter convenience. Leasing decisions take longer. Space efficiency and sustainability credentials matter more than ever.
In Miami, by contrast, there’s a palpable sense of momentum. In-migration from tech, finance, and media has driven a surge in leasing activity. But Levine cautions that much of Miami’s growth is still early-stage, and whether it’s sustainable depends on infrastructure investment and workforce development.
Advice for Emerging Professionals
Near the end of the podcast, Lamphere asks Levine to share advice for young people entering the real estate industry.
“Be curious. Find people you admire. Learn how things get built—and don’t be afraid to ask dumb questions,” Levine says.
He emphasizes that success in real estate isn’t just about financial modeling or flashy renderings. It’s about understanding people: how they use space, how they move through cities, and what makes them feel inspired or safe or connected. Those soft skills, when paired with technical competency, make for powerful careers.
What This Means for the Office Sector at Large
This conversation with Spencer Levine underscores a deeper truth: office space is undergoing a generational reset. Tenants are demanding more. Employees expect more. And cities, in turn, are asking real estate to do more than just provide taxable square footage.
Here are five takeaways that apply across the commercial real estate landscape:
Design for experience: Amenities, access to nature, and intuitive floor plans are no longer perks—they’re expectations.
Blend use cases: Projects that combine work, education, retail, and social infrastructure build deeper resilience.
Embrace flexibility: Your tenants’ needs will change. Design for that from the start.
Partner with public institutions: Aligning private development with civic goals leads to broader success.
Don’t ignore purpose: Buildings must connect with something greater than their rent roll—community, identity, impact.
Final Thoughts
Office space isn’t dead—it’s being reborn. And developers like Spencer Levine are showing what’s possible when design, community, and mission converge. From New York to Miami, from traditional leases to job-training incubators, the office of the future isn’t just a place to work—it’s a place to build something bigger.
Want More?
Listen to the full conversation with George Carrillo on The Real Finds Podcast. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
