{"id":52294,"date":"2024-04-09T14:07:30","date_gmt":"2024-04-09T07:07:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maisonoffice.vn\/en\/?p=52294"},"modified":"2026-09-23T16:01:58","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T09:01:58","slug":"what-is-class-a-office-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maisonoffice.vn\/en\/news\/what-is-class-a-office-space\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Grade A Office Space? Building Classification Types"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grade A offices are high-quality office spaces typically distinguished by their location, building quality, floor plate design, technical systems, property management, and amenities. Compared with Grade B and Grade C offices, Grade A buildings generally meet higher standards for building specifications and services. However, businesses should assess each building based on their operational requirements, space needs, and actual budget before making a leasing decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Find<\/a><\/td>\n\"Find<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Grade\u00a0A Office Space?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

A Grade A office is a high-quality office category in the commercial real estate market, typically assessed based on multiple factors, including location, building quality, floor plate efficiency, technical systems, property management, and amenities.<\/p>\n

\"Grade
Grade A office buildings are premium office properties<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Grade A offices are often preferred by businesses with higher requirements for the working environment, operational standards, employee and client experience, and corporate image. However, company size alone does not determine whether a Grade A office is the right choice.<\/p>\n

In Vietnam, the classification of offices into Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C is primarily used to compare building quality within the office market, rather than as a mandatory certification applied uniformly to every development. Therefore, the \u201cGrade A\u201d designation should be treated as an initial screening reference before businesses assess the specific criteria and specifications of each building.<\/p>\n

2. How do Grade A, B, and C offices differ?<\/h2>\n

The main differences between Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C offices lie in overall building quality, operational standards, location, and rental costs. A higher office grade generally comes with better building specifications and services, although it may not be the most suitable option for every business.<\/p>\n

2.1 Characteristics of Grade A offices<\/h3>\n

Grade A offices are typically located in prime CBD locations or well-connected commercial and office districts. These buildings generally offer high standards across floor plate design, technical systems, common areas, amenities, and property management.<\/p>\n

\"Grade
Grade A offices are typically located in prime CBD areas<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2.2 Characteristics of Grade B offices<\/h3>\n

Grade B offices generally offer good building quality and operational standards, with convenient locations that are not necessarily within the core CBD. This segment is suitable for businesses seeking a balance between workplace quality, office space, and rental budget.<\/p>\n

2.3 Characteristics of Grade C offices<\/h3>\n

Grade C offices primarily meet basic requirements for workspace and day-to-day operations. Rental rates are generally lower than those of Grade A and Grade B offices in the same area, making this segment suitable for businesses focused on cost control or those with less demanding requirements for building systems and amenities.<\/p>\n

2.4 Quick comparison of Grade A, B, and C offices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criteria\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nGrade A offices\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nGrade B offices\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nGrade C offices\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Location<\/td>\nPrime locations with high accessibility<\/td>\nGood locations with convenient connectivity<\/td>\nMay be farther from key business districts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Building quality<\/td>\nHigh-standard finishes<\/td>\nGood<\/td>\nBasic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Floor plate<\/td>\nEfficient and suitable for office planning<\/td>\nMeets most business requirements<\/td>\nVaries in size and layout<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Technical systems<\/td>\nIntegrated systems with high specifications<\/td>\nWell suited to standard operational needs<\/td>\nPrimarily supports basic functions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elevators<\/td>\nDesigned to suit the building\u2019s scale<\/td>\nAdequate for regular use<\/td>\nTypically smaller-scale elevator systems<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Property management<\/td>\nProfessional management standards<\/td>\nGood to very good<\/td>\nBasic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Amenities<\/td>\nVaries by project, generally with a broader range<\/td>\nCovers essential business needs<\/td>\nMore limited<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rental rates<\/td>\nTypically in the higher price range<\/td>\nMid-range<\/td>\nTypically lower<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Suitable for<\/td>\nBusinesses requiring higher building standards<\/td>\nBusinesses balancing cost and quality<\/td>\nBudget-conscious businesses<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

The comparison above provides a quick overview of the differences between the three office grades. When assessing a specific building, businesses should consider multiple criteria together rather than determining its grade based on a single feature.<\/p>\n

3. Criteria for grading Grade A-B-C buildings according to international standards<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nCRITERIA<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\nGrade A<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\nGrade B<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\nGrade B-<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1<\/strong><\/td>\nSYSTEMS ENGINEERING<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.1<\/td>\nBMS \u2013 Building management system<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.2<\/td>\nVentilation air conditioning system
\n2-way hot and cold ventilation air conditioning system, controlling humidity in each area<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.3<\/td>\nCapacity of the air conditioning and ventilation system
\nCooling for server room 24\/24. Temperature in office area 22\u201323\u00a0\u00b0C, \u00b11\u00a0\u00b0C. Fresh air 60\u00a0m\u00b3\/hour\/10\u00a0m\u00b2 office.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nShould have<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.4<\/td>\nModern fire protection system<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.5<\/td>\nElevator
\nHigh-speed and high-quality elevators from famous international brands<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.6<\/td>\nLadder waiting time is about 30 seconds<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.7<\/td>\nPower source
\nTwo independent power sources, automatic power transfer, or equipped with a backup generator system (minimum capacity 70\u00a0VA for 1\u00a0m\u00b2), UPS for emergency technical systems.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.8<\/td>\nSecurity monitoring system
\nSecurity monitoring and access management system (CCTV) at all entry points, parking spaces, card usage, and security staff on duty 24\/7.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/strong><\/td>\nBUILDING STRUCTURE<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.1<\/td>\nClear ceiling height is from 2.7\u00a0m \u2013 2.8\u00a0m or more<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.2<\/td>\nGround
\nGrade A standard: Open space, no hard partitions, efficient use, column grid larger than 6\u00a0x\u00a06\u00a0m.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.3<\/td>\nOffice depth
\nThe distance (floor depth) from one window to the other is \u2264\u00a018\u201320\u00a0m; or \u2264\u00a09\u201310\u00a0m from the core to the outside window; or \u2264\u00a012\u00a0m from the outside window to the center if the floor has an interior void.<\/td>\n		Option<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.4<\/td>\nThe area coefficient is not useful
\nThe building’s non-useful area coefficient does not exceed 12%, calculated = 1 \u2212 (usable area \/ rental area) \u00d7 100%.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.5<\/td>\nThe floor’s load-bearing capacity is 400\u00a0kg\/m\u00b2 or more<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.6<\/td>\nLevel of completion of public areas and exteriors
\nGrade A: High quality materials \/ Grade B, B-: High quality materials<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.7<\/td>\nRaised floors<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.8<\/td>\nNatural lighting and windows
\nHigh quality window system, providing enough natural light, reasonably arranged<\/td>\n		Option<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/strong><\/td>\nLOCATION<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.1<\/td>\nGood location, not surrounded by buildings that negatively affect the building’s image (e.g. industrial facilities, funeral homes, prisons)<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.2<\/td>\nAccess to transport, convenient for car and public transport, e.g. 10\u201315 minutes walk from nearest metro station or bus route<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/strong><\/td>\nPARKING<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.1<\/td>\nGrade A: Parking in the basement or high-rise garage, covered path into the building. Parking on the 1st floor for guests.
\nGrade B, B-: Safe parking<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.2<\/td>\nParking space ratio: \u2265\u00a01 car space per 100\u00a0m\u00b2 of rental area (1\/100)<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/strong><\/td>\nOWN<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.1<\/td>\nA single owner of the entire building (floors\/blocks are not owned by multiple owners)<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.2<\/td>\nTransparent ownership structure<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/strong><\/td>\nBUILDING MANAGEMENT AND SERVICES<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.1<\/td>\nGrade A: Managed by a professional company managing \u22655 buildings (each \u22655,000\u00a0m\u00b2), or with international-grade experience.
\nGrade B, B-: Building management is well organized.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.2<\/td>\nTelecommunications service provider
\nMinimum of two telecommunications service providers in the building<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.3<\/td>\nHall
\nThe spacious reception area matches the building’s scale, making it easy for guests to access<\/td>\n		Option<\/td>\nOption<\/td>\nDo not apply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.4<\/td>\nUtilities
\nA well-managed caf\u00e9 to meet staff size and at least two additional amenities (ATM, laundry, store, etc.). Surrounding amenities considered.<\/td>\n		Obligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\nObligatory<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

4. Should businesses lease Grade A, B, or C office space?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Businesses should select an office grade based on their budget, preferred location, space requirements, operational needs, and the role the office plays in their corporate image. A higher office grade is not necessarily the better choice, as each business has its own set of priorities.<\/p>\n