When Less Office Space Creates More Value
37% less space. Same number of desks. A workplace that finally fits how the team works.
Kavčí Hory Office Park had been Merck’s Prague home for more than 15 years. With a lease expiry approaching and a new global hybrid working policy to implement, the existing cellular office layout no longer served the team. iO Partners ran a full Stay vs. Go analysis, concluded that relocation made more financial sense than reconstruction, and delivered a modern open-plan office at Enterprise Office Center - end to end.
A Lease Expiry, a New Way of Working and an Office That No Longer Fit Either
Merck had occupied Kavčí Hory Office Park since 2009. As the lease approached expiry, the company was also rolling out a new global hybrid working policy. The two things together created a clear problem: a cellular office layout full of underused space was neither efficient nor appropriate for a team that now splits its time between home and office.
The decision facing Merck was whether to reconstruct the existing space and open it up, or relocate to a more modern building with an open layout already in place. The cost estimates for both options came in at roughly the same level. What was needed was a clear, evidence-based recommendation - not an assumption.
The Data Said Move. So We Made It Happen.
- Conducted a comprehensive Stay vs. Go analysis weighing the full cost and operational implications of reconstruction against relocation
- Secured and evaluated office alternatives across the Prague 4 market, identifying Enterprise Office Center as the strongest fit for Merck's requirements
- Led negotiations with landlords, securing competitive lease terms for the new location
- Provided space planning and fit-out cost estimation to validate the financial case before committing to the move
- Managed the full fit-out design and construction process through to completion
Smaller Footprint. Smarter Workspace. Better for the Team.
- Office area reduced from 1,594 sqm to 1,005 sqm - a 37% reduction with no loss of working stations
- Transformation from cellular office to modern open-plan layout - eliminating unused "dead" space entirely
- Internal communication and team collaboration improved through the new workspace design
- A new, representative office aligned with Merck's global hybrid working policy
- Full end-to-end delivery: tenant representation, fit-out design and project management all handled by iO Partners
"When workplace requirements change, a well-executed Stay vs. Go analysis can reveal that relocation is more cost-effective than refurbishing existing premises. For Merck, it was the right call."
Fabien Rada • Senior Consultant
If you are approaching a lease expiry and unsure whether to stay or move, contact Fabien Rada at iO Partners to explore how a Stay vs. Go analysis can give you the evidence base to make the right decision.
Senior Consultant • Office Agency
