What is Class A Office Space? Building Classification Types

Building classification types, especially in the context of commercial office spaces, are commonly categorized into three main types: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. These classifications help in understanding the quality, location, amenities, and overall desirability of office buildings.

1. Class A Office Space?

Class A Office Space is the highest quality rental office type, often located in prime and central locations, convenient for transportation, with modern design, services, and facilities that meet professional standards and quality.

Common characteristics of Grade A offices include:

• Location: Situated in central locations or prime areas within the city, easily accessible and widely known.
• Architecture and design: Featuring modern architecture, impressive design, and the use of premium materials.
• Amenities and services: Providing numerous high-quality amenities and services such as 24/7 security, smart building management systems, modern meeting rooms, professional reception areas, and regular maintenance.
• Workspace: Spacious, well-lit workspace with good lighting and ventilation systems, providing a high-quality working environment.
• Infrastructure and technology: Equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced technology such as high-speed internet, centralized air conditioning systems.
• Parking and transportation: Offering ample and convenient parking for both cars and motorcycles, as well as easy access to public transportation.

Grade A offices often attract large companies, international corporations, and businesses seeking a professional and prestigious working environment. Rental prices for Grade A offices are usually higher than other types of offices due to the quality and services provided.

2. Class B Office Space?

Class B Office Space are a category of commercial real estate that, while not meeting the highest standards of Grade A offices, still offer good quality accommodations for businesses. These buildings are typically older than Grade A buildings but usually have been well-maintained or possibly renovated to provide a comfortable and functional office environment.

• Location: They may be located in less prestigious areas compared to Grade A offices, but still in reasonably good locations that offer accessibility to major transport links and services.
• Quality of Construction and Facilities: Grade B buildings are generally of good quality but might not have the state-of-the-art technology or infrastructure found in Grade A buildings. The architectural design might be less modern, and the finishes and fittings might be of standard quality.
• Amenities: These buildings offer a decent range of amenities, which could include basic on-site services like cafeterias or fitness centers. However, the amenities might not be as high-end or extensive as those found in Grade A properties.
• Professional Management: While managed professionally, the level of service might not match the bespoke services offered in Grade A buildings. Maintenance and management are competent, ensuring a functional and efficient workspace.
• Cost: Grade B offices typically come with lower rental rates compared to Grade A spaces, making them an attractive option for mid-sized companies, professional services firms, and startups that are looking for a balance between quality and cost.
• Flexibility: These spaces often provide flexibility to tenants in terms of layout and design adjustments to suit their business needs, though the extent of what can be modified might be less than in Grade A offices.

3. Class C Office Space?

Class C Office Space represent the lowest category in the classification system for commercial office buildings. These spaces are typically characterized by older buildings that may require updates or renovations to meet the current standards of workplace environments. Despite being at the bottom of the classification hierarchy, Grade C offices play a vital role in the market by providing affordable options for small businesses, startups, or any organization with limited budgets for office space.

• Location: They are often located in less desirable areas compared to Grade A and Grade B offices. This might mean being situated further from central business districts or in parts of the city with less access to premium amenities and services.
• Building Quality and Facilities: Grade C buildings are usually older and may not have been significantly updated or renovated. The infrastructure, including HVAC systems, elevators, and telecommunications, might be outdated. The overall appearance may also be less modern or appealing.
• Amenities: The amenities offered in Grade C buildings are basic and limited. Tenants might not find the on-site conveniences available in higher-grade buildings, such as fitness centers, dining facilities, or modern conference rooms.
• Maintenance and Management: While these buildings are professionally managed, the level of maintenance and the responsiveness of management may not be as high as in Grade A or B buildings. Efforts are made to keep the building operational, but tenants may experience longer wait times for repairs or updates.
• Cost: One of the most attractive aspects of Grade C office spaces is their affordability. The rental rates for these spaces are significantly lower than those for Grade A or B spaces, making them accessible to businesses with tighter budget constraints.
• Flexibility: Depending on the landlord and the specific building, tenants might find more flexibility in negotiating lease terms or in customizing their space to suit their needs, given the interest in filling these less competitive office spaces.

4. 20 criteria for comparing Grade A, B, C buildings

Based on serving thousands of office rental customers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Maison Office has developed a set of 20 criteria for tenants to consider, evaluate, and select suitable office buildings:

1. Location
2. Transportation
3. Basement and parking spaces
4. Quality of construction and exterior finish of the building
5. Quality of construction and interior finish of the building
6. Ceiling height
7. Windows and natural lighting
8. Column system
9. Elevators
10. Fire protection system
11. Surveillance camera system
12. Mobile network coverage within the building, number of carriers
13. Backup generator capacity
14. Tenant mix and building occupancy
15. Security, sanitation, reception services
16. Management company
17. Amenities within the building and surrounding areas such as cafes, lunch options, conference rooms, ATMs
18. Office building or mixed-use building
19. Ownership
20. Year of completion and operation (Age of the building)

5. Criteria for grading Grade A-B-C buildings according to international standards

Each country has its own system of grading Grade A, B, C for different office rental markets, and it is not entirely mandatory. These standards depend on the conditions of the local market, without general imposition, varying according to each country.

For example, in Hong Kong, parking standards are indispensable, but in the UK market, this is not an important factor. Australia’s market places high importance on environmental factors, but many countries do not emphasize this issue. Meanwhile, Japan is particularly concerned with superior safety indices in the Asian region.

Below, we would like to present to you the set of criteria for grading buildings researched and published by the “Moscow Research Forum”, including CBRE – Noble Gibbons – Colliers International – Cushman & Wakefield – Jones Lang LaSalle. Office buildings that do not meet Grade B standards will be considered Grade C buildings.

6. List of outstanding Grade A offices

6.1 Grade A offices in Ho Chi Minh City

Image	Building
	01. Deutsches Haus Address: 33 Le Duan, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 25 floors and 04 basement floors
	02. Saigon Center 2 Address: 67 Le Loi, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 18 office floors and 03 basement floors
	03. Vietcombank Tower Address: 05 Me Linh Square, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 36 floors and 04 basement floors
	04. Me Linh Point Tower Address: 02 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 22 floors and 01 basement
	05. Bitexco Financial Tower Address: 02 Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 68 floors and 03 basement floors
	06. The Hallmark Address: No. 1 Thu Thiem Urban Area, City. Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh CityHeight: 30 floors and 03 basement floors
	07. Friendship Tower Address: 31 Le Duan, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 21 floors and 04 basement floors
	08. mPlaza Saigon Address: 39 Le Duan, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 21 floors and 03 basement floors
	09. Diamond Plaza Address: 34 Le Duan, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 21 floors and 02 basement floors

10. Lim Tower 3 Address: 29A Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Da Kao, District 1Height: 25 floors and 03 basement floors

5.2 List of Grade A offices in Hanoi

Image	Building
	01. Capital Place Address: 29 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh, HanoiHeight: 37 floors and 04 basement floors
	02. BRG Tower Address: 198 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 21 office floors and 04 basement floors
	03. Lotte Center Address: 54 Lieu Giai, Ba Dinh, HanoiHeight: 65 floors and 05 basement floors
	04. International Center Address: 17 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 08 floors and 02 basements
	05. Cornerstone Building Address: 16 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 14 floors and 03 basement floors
	06. Thaiholdings Tower Address: 210 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 22 floors and 04 basement floors
	07. Leadvisors Place Address: 41A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 09 aboveground floors and 03 basement floors
	08. Pacific Place Address: 83B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 19 floors above ground and 05 basement floors
	09. HCO Building Address: 44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 18 office floors

10. Keangnam Landmark 72 Address: Pham Hung, Nam Tu Liem, HanoiHeight: 72 floors and 02 basement floors

7. List of typical Grade B offices

7.1 Grade B offices in Ho Chi Minh City

Image	Building
	01. CJ Tower Address: 06 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 21 floors and 02 basement floors
	02. Zen Plaza Address: 54-56 Nguyen Trai, Ben Thanh, District 1Height: 14 floors and 02 basement floors
	03. Cienco 4 Tower Address: 180 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ward 06, District 3Height: 15 floors and 02 basement floors
	04. Alpha Tower Address: 151 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Ward 06, District 3Height: 11 floors and 01 basement
	05. Saigon Trade Center Address: 27 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 33 floors and 03 basement floors
	06. Doji Tower Address: 81-85 Ham Nghi, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1Height: 19 floors and 02 basement floors
	07. Transimex Building Address: 172 Hai Ba Trung, Da Kao, District 1Height: 15 floors and 02 basement floors
	08. Havana Tower Address: 132 Ham Nghi, Ben Nghe, District 1Height: 21 floors and 01 basement
	09. Saigon Finance Center Address: 09 Dinh Tien Hoang, Da Kao, District 1Height: 12 floors and 01 basement

10. Lim Tower 2 Address: 158 Vo Van Tan, Ward 06, District 3Height: 19 floors and 03 basement floors

7.2 Grade B offices in Hanoi

Image	Building
	01. Epic Tower Address: 19 Duy Tan, Cau Giay, HanoiHeight: 30 floors and 04 basement floors
	02. Leadvisors Tower Address: 643 Pham Van Dong, Bac Tu Liem, HanoiHeight: 25 office floors and 03 basement floors
	03. Thai Nam Building Address: 22D Duong Dinh Nghe, Cau Giay, HanoiHeight: 21 floors and 03 basement floors
	04. Capital Tower Address: 109 Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, HanoiHeight: 23 floors and 03 basement floors
	05. Vinaconex Tower Address: 34 Lang Ha, Dong Da, HanoiHeight: 27 floors and 03 basement floors
	06. Handiresco Tower Address: 521 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, HanoiHeight: Tower A: 16 floors, Tower B: 14 floors, 1 basement
	07. CMC Tower Address: 11 Duy Tan, Cau Giay, HanoiHeight: 20 floors and 02 basement floors
	08. IDMC Duy Tan Address: 21 Duy Tan, Cau Giay, HanoiHeight: 30 floors and 03 basement floors
	09. 789 Office Building Address: 147 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, HanoiHeight: 26 floors and 03 basement floors

10. The Artemis Address: 03 Le Trong Tan, Thanh Xuan, HanoiHeight: 27 floors and 03 basement floors

Grade A office is not simply a working space, but also a symbol of professionalism, class and commitment to quality in business. The combination of prime location, modern design, high-end amenities, along with advanced infrastructure and technology, creates an ideal working environment, promoting creativity and enhancing productivity. working capacity.

Although the rent may be higher than other types of offices, Grade A offices are always chosen by large businesses and international corporations thanks to the great value it brings. This not only reflects the position and image of the business, but also contributes to creating a professional business environment and sustainable development.

Bui Duc Huy

Editor and content team manager at Maison Office.

With over 5 years of experience in consulting and extensive content editing in the real estate services and interior design field. Sharing valuable information with customers, partners, and attracting millions of views.