Clarity Group downsizes to fit COVID-19 era workplace

The Clarity Group, an information technology firm serving the health care industry, is downsizing its office space in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company will move from a 9,000 square foot, multistory office building at 8725 W. Higgins Road in Chicago to a nearby 1,200 square foot, single-story building in the Concourse Chicago office park at 8601 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

With the move, Clarity Group gets a private entrance, dedicated HVAC, private restrooms and its own kitchen, according to Berger Asset Management, the property's owner. Employees will also have access to exterior courtyards, which offer green space and outdoor lounge areas.

Clarity Group is among a number of companies that are re-examining their workplace since the pandemic forced employees to work from home in March. Many found they could effectively continue to do business with employees working remotely and are considering options for employees that include working from home, working in offices that address COVID-19 concerns, or a combination of both.

Companies - primarily in downtown Chicago - are also reassessing workplaces in high-rise office buildings, where COVID-19 safety concerns arise over shared spaces such as elevators, lobbies and cafeterias - as well as concerns over commuting via mass transit, commercial real estate officials say. Jim Adler, executive vice president of office services at Oakbrook Terrace-based NAI Hiffman, told the Daily Herald Business Ledger last month the suburban real estate market might see a boost in leasing as downtown companies open satellite offices in the suburbs.

Adler said these companies will be initially attracted to furnished spaces that are "ready to go," as well as to single-story office buildings.

Clarity Group plans to continue having employees work from home with the option of coming to the office, building management officials said, while the new office addresses concerns over shared space.

"This type of mindset will be adopted by companies looking for an office space and setting that offers them complete control over their space going forward," said Steve Chrastka of NAI Hiffman, who leases the property with Jason Wurtz. "Having no restrictions on access and not sharing hallways, bathrooms or HVAC is even more important now."