From BOMA to REBNY, and everything in between, there’s a lot to know about space measurement in commercial real estate (CRE).
To help break it down, we’ve defined some of the most important terms. We’ll be updating the list on a continuous basis.
Click through the glossary below to browse our collection of key space measurement terms and to find additional learning resources.
BOMA Standard Method of Measurement
The BOMA Standard is used to compute floor area in and around buildings via an agreed-upon, standard method of measurement.
BOMA offers measurement standards for office, industrial, gross areas, multi-unit residential, retail, and mixed-use properties. The standard is updated over time, and is widely used by building owners, facility managers, leasing professionals, tenants, appraisers, architects, planners, and building measurement professionals.
Boundary Area
The individual segments and extent of an area that defines the peripheral measurement of each floor.
Building Amenity Area (BOMA term)
A non-permanent space which is for the benefit of all occupants in the building and can be converted to a tenant area at a future date. Examples include shared conference rooms, food services facilities, health or fitness centers, or daycare facilities.
These areas are proportionately allocated to all occupants in the building.
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International
BOMA is a primary source of information on building management and operations, development, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, legislation, occupancy statistics, technological developments, and other industry trends.
Building Service Area (BOMA term)
The spaces in the building that provide the necessary services or circulation required for normal building operations. Examples include bicycle storage rooms, building mechanical and electrical rooms, caged mechanical and storage spaces, loading docks, lobby spaces, building operation rooms/offices, etc.
These areas are proportionately allocated to all occupants in the building.
Common Area Maintenance (CAM) Clause
Typically found in a shopping center Retail Property lease, this clause obligates the retail tenant to pay their proportionate share of the landlord's costs of operating and maintaining the common area(s) of the shopping center.
Demising Wall
A wall that separates lessees.
Enclosing Walls
A wall that closes off a space.
Floor Service Area
The spaces on a floor that provides the necessary services or circulation required for the normal operation of that particular floor. Examples include electrical and telephone rooms/closets, janitorial rooms/closets, mechanical and utility rooms/closets, and restrooms.
These areas are proportionately allocated to all occupants on that floor.
Gross Leasable Area (GLA) (BOMA term)
The physical or non-physical demised portions of a Retail Property suitable for occupancy and/or storage by individual occupants which normally house personnel, customers, goods and merchandise, racking, furniture, fixtures, supplies, equipment, etc.
International Property Measurement Standards (IPMS)
The International Property Measurement Standards Coalition (IPMSC) is a group of 90 professional and not-for-profit organizations from around the world, working together to develop and implement international standards for measuring property.
IPMSC sets the IPMS measurement standards.
Major Vertical Penetration
An area that accommodates Vertical Service Areas (i.e. mechanical shafts), Vertical Circulation Areas (i.e. stairs, elevators, and escalators) and their enclosing walls.
This area is deducted from the Boundary Area and is not included in Rentable Area.
Occupant Area
The areas that include Tenant Area and Tenant Ancillary Area.
Tenant Areas are the demised spaces suitable for individual tenant office occupancy. Tenant Ancillary Areas are those spaces located outside the physical boundaries of Tenant Area and include Extended Circulation, Interior Door Setbacks, and Ancillary Retail.
Occupant Storage Area
The spaces that include Occupant Storage Rooms and Occupant Storage Circulation.
Occupant Storage Rooms usually exist on floors such as basements, mechanical levels and parking levels. These spaces are used solely to provide storage for tenants and will not provide office occupancy. Occupant Storage Circulation is the area tenants use to access Occupant Storage Rooms.
Occupant Storage Circulation
The area tenants use to access Occupant Storage Rooms.
Occupant Storage Rooms
Occupant Storage Rooms usually exist on floors such as basements, mechanical levels and parking levels. These spaces will be used solely to provide storage for tenants and will not provide office occupancy.
Overall Measurement (BOMA term)
The measurement of the entire Retail Property, including all retail suites and common areas.
Note: For Retail Properties only
Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY)
REBNY is New York City’s leading real estate trade association that represents agents and brokers; building owners, managers and developers; and an increasingly diverse array of other professionals involved in real estate. REBNY provides real-time resources, services, and information and works with government officials and other stakeholders to promote policies.
Rentable Area
Rentable Areas are the sum of the space tenants occupy and a portion of a property’s shared common space(s).
Rentable Square Footage (RSF)
Rentable Square Footage (RSF) is the area based on calculations provided by REBNY’s guidelines or BOMA’s standards. RSF is usually utilized to determine a tenant’s rent but may differ from the leased area.
Tenant Ancillary Area
Tenant Ancillary Areas are those spaces located outside the physical boundaries of Tenant Area and include Extended Circulation, Interior Door Setbacks, and Ancillary Retail.
Tenant Area
Tenant Areas are the demised spaces suitable for individual tenant office occupancy.
Usable Square Footage (USF)
Usable Square Footage (USF) is the actual square footage measured within a space’s demised walls. The USF of a space will vary depending on the standard of measurement (REBNY or BOMA) that is applied for the area calculations.
Vertical Circulation Area
These areas include stairs, elevators, escalators, ramps, lifts, etc.
Vertical Service Area
These areas include mechanical shafts, vents, pipes, HVAC ducts, service lines, etc.
Additional Space Measurement Resources
Don’t Leave Space Measurement to Chance
Building Engines offers space measurement services to ensure your buildings are measured accurately, down to the last square foot. Maximize the RSF at your property and ensure your property is aligned with current BOMA or REBNY standards. For more information regarding space measurement and to learn how your property could benefit from space measurement services, contact an expert today.
