How Occupiers Really View Airport Business Center

globe street | February 18, 2016

IRVINE, CA—Some long-term tenants have been leasing space in the Koll Co.’s iconic Airport Business Center here for more than 30 years. As the company’s managing principal Gerald Yahr told GlobeSt.com exclusively in January, professional on-site management, experienced engineering and maintenance and flexibility are key to retaining office tenants no matter what the economy is doing. We decided to speak to some of the firm’s tenants exclusively to find out what they think about the center and working with Koll in order to get their take on what it takes to keep industrial, flex and retail tenants happy today. 

Kenny the Printer, a commercial printing and mailing-services company, has been a tenant at Airport Business Center for 30 years. David Smith, president of the company, tells GlobeSt.com about the center, “Not only does it offer a great location and amenities, but also it is owned and managed by a company that is constantly looking to ensure its customers have everything they need to succeed. In our experience, the Koll Co. has always been very responsive to any property issues that have arisen and dealt with them promptly, and where possible, pre-emptively.”

Smith says Kenny’s strategic and convenient location at Airport Business Center has played a large part in its success. “From our start in 1981 to today, Kenny has grown into a full-service commercial printing and mailing services company whose geographical reach encompasses nearly all of Orange County. The Koll Co. has been a wonderful partner in accommodating our growth from one suite to now more than 10 suites and has helped introduce our business to the surrounding tenants that needed our services and naturally became new Kenny’s customers.”

Steve Rooten, general manager and owner of Rooten’s Luggage Center, tells us in addition to providing excellent onsite management that has accommodated its needs as the business has grown, “they always address building repairs and proactively make improvements. We have enjoyed partnering with a long-term owner who cares about quality and relationships.” He adds that as one of the oldest tenants at Airport Business Center, Rooten’s has developed into quite an impressive showroom of travel goods and necessities. “Being located in the central business district of Irvine and in close proximity to John Wayne Airport has allowed us to sustain sales throughout the years.”

Marshall Mancillas, CEO of Carnoustie, adds that the property has always been well maintained and “if any problems have ever occurred, someone is always onsite who can quickly address and solve it.” He adds that location has been the key to the company’s tenancy at Airport Business Center. “With competitive rates, this property has the ideal location for our business, as it offers quick access to the I-405, I-5, and 55 freeways as well as the 73 Toll Road.”

When looking for a property to rent, Mancillas says finding a good management team is something his team values. “It’s important to have a landlord that is responsive, not only to my needs as a tenant, but to keeping to overall property maintained as well.”

Smith says flexibility was an important factor when leasing Kenny’s first space at Airport Business Center. “As a starting business with ambitious growth plans, the company needed a landlord flexible enough to provide the opportunity to easily expand. We have grown from 1,500 square feet to more than 21,000 square feet over the past 30 years, which provided additional manufacturing space and capabilities to serve more clients, and the additional space has fueled our success.”

He adds that in 1986, Kenny the Printer occupied a single suite at Airport Business Center. “The area north and east of the airport was just beginning to develop with office and light-industrial space construction and Kenny saw an opportunity to service the burgeoning growth of businesses in this area as a quick printer. By the mid-1990s, Kenny’s highly efficient printing operation grew, and the Koll Co. was able to expand the lease to include all 10 suites in the building and eventually four more suites in a nearby building. For nearly 30 years now, Kenny The Printer has managed to thrive in the ups and downs of the local economy.”

Rooten adds that he looks for great value and great location in leased spaces. “At Airport Business Center, we have both.”

Mancillas concludes, “Having previously owned a building and making the choice to move back into renting, it’s a true testament to the quality property and attentive management that the Koll Co. has created.”

Media Contact:
Carrie Rossenfeld
GLOBEST.COM