RiverRock Real Estate Group will lead the renovation of a new headquarters located at 2392 Morse Ave. in Irvine, in an acquisition completed by Savills.
“The timing is perfect. This health crisis has helped us reimagine what the right office environment is for this time, for our team. We have reached out to designers and health and wellness experts to plan our new space that takes into account what we want for our workplace culture as well as what we’ve learned about how space has to perform for workers now and into the future,” said John Combs, founder, RiverRock Real Estate Group. “Our new office will be a prototype for how to think differently about workplace design.”
“We are constantly looking to provide better service, and RiverRock’s employees are our most valuable assets. Happy employees provide better service,” said Steve Core, president, RiverRock Real Estate Group. “By providing employees with a healthy work environment, we are fulfilling our mission statement to “provide superior management services by inspiring our employees to be exceptional in all they do, earning the highest level of confidence from every client.”
Savills Corporate Managing Director Brad Schmitt and Executive Vice President Royce Sharf represented the buyer RockRiver 8 LLC , an LLC comprised of Combs and Sheldon Harte, founder of Harte Brownlee & Associates, in the transaction with the seller, Morse Properties, LLC, represented by CBRE Senior Vice President Carol Trapani and Senior Vice President Allison Schneider Kelly.
RiverRock plans to kick off an aggressive renovation, with completion set for March 2021. The firm has enlisted LPA Design Director, Workplace Rick D’Amato to design its new headquarters. For RiverRock, health and wellness is an important part of the firm’s culture. The new headquarters provides an opportunity to not only take into account worker safety in light of COVID but to also integrate the amenities that support the firm’s commitment to health, wellness and the environment.
D’Amato shared, “RiverRock wants the space to be a game changer, and I think in every way it’s going to be.” He noted that some of what they are addressing incudes density of the work environment, utilization of open space, connections to the exterior environment and access to fresh air as well as adaptability of the space should things change in the future. “This space is so personal to John and the team. Everyone has an amazing relationship because of the way they value their staff, the way they value what they do and who they are. That level of personalization is also important to the next phase of workplace. You have to create experiences that involve the culture of an organization in such a unique way that people want to be part of it and have a desire to come to the workplace.”
RiverRock Real Estate Group Chief Strategy Officer Dave Pogue shared that the firm will pursue a Fitwel designation, a building certification that supports a healthier workplace environment to help improve occupant health and productivity. “This certification matters more about people. It addresses things such as air quality and walkability. It also addresses guidelines related to COVID as it is done in combination with the Centers for Disease Control,” he added.
“This transaction is the culmination of a nine-month strategic process that began with a visioning and workplace strategy session that we conducted with John and his team. It is a manifestation of what RiverRock values and how important it is to put their people first. This new office and headquarters will show their employees and clients an example of leading-edge architecture, workplace and wellness,” shared Schmitt. RiverRock Real Estate Group Executive Vice President, Construction Management Mike Valentine is overseeing the build out and notes that this has provided an opportunity to review and source some of the best new ideas and materials that includes more touchless options and enhanced air quality.