How to increase property value with nature-based solutions

Here's a startling statistic: the built environment is responsible for more than 40% of global carbon emissions. The commercial real estate industry has a huge opportunity to reduce that footprint, and most of us want to do our part. With the right property value improvement strategies, you can contribute to a greener future and drive real returns.

Before implementing any new initiative at your building, environmentally beneficial or not, the return on investment has to make sense. This is where nature-based solutions come in. Nature-based solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, or restore natural ecosystems, to the benefit of biodiversity and human well-being. They have the potential to increase the value of your property while supporting the environment. Let's look at the top ways they drive more value for your building.

Stand out from the competition

In a competitive market, a unique story sets you apart. Have you swapped a manicured lawn for pollinator-friendly wildflowers? Do you serve meals with vegetables from your rooftop garden? Do you offer tenants environmental education workshops? Initiatives like these get you noticed by the right stakeholders. In fact, 9 out of 10 Alvéole clients report that their nature-based bee program gives them a unique opportunity to market their company.

Standing out is also about leadership. A beehive is an unmatched educational tool for promoting greener cities, and organizations like BOMA Canada have championed urban beekeeping as part of a broader sustainability commitment. As tenant and customer expectations evolve, forward-thinking companies look for tangible ways to show they are responsible corporate citizens. By shining a light on environmental issues, you help lead your industry toward a new sustainability standard, and that willingness to stand for something earns real brand awareness, engagement, and loyalty.

"You'll be surprised at how manageable it is and how significant the rewards are for your staff, tenants, and stakeholders."

Boost tenant engagement and retention

Especially for properties navigating the return to the office, nature-based solutions are an effective way to engage tenants and get them excited about their building. The interactive hive visits and educational workshops in an Alvéole bee program give tenants a chance to learn something new while connecting with colleagues they might not otherwise meet.

The beehive is the epitome of team spirit. As tenants and teams gather to watch beekeepers handle the on-site hives, that same sense of community and trust develops among the onlookers. Bonds tighten, anyone who wants to can get fully involved, and a shared sense of commitment is woven into the social fabric of your building.

These initiatives also reconnect people with nature, which boosts perceived value and retention. Urban beekeeping helps tenants tune in to nature's seasons, weather shifts, and blossoming rhythms, and it opens the door to bigger conversations about our impact on the natural world. For office spaces, that connection matters: many studies show connection to nature positively impacts wellbeing, and one UK study found employees in offices with natural greenery saw a 15% rise in productivity over three months compared with those with no natural elements.

Attract new tenants

Prospective tenants place more and more importance on a building's commitment to sustainability, and that trend will only grow. A CBRE survey found that 45% of occupiers and investors would pay a premium for a certified green building.

Nature-based solutions give prospective tenants a premium experience: events, the chance to learn something new, and green spaces are all attractive benefits. And the promise of honey from your building's own bees helps sweeten the deal. Hive products go well beyond the jar, too. From customized honey to lip balms, candles, and soap bars, they create countless opportunities to make a lasting impression. Over time these products become vehicles for remembering, sharing, and promoting the experience, widening your reach and making an emotional connection.

Did you know?

Every site produces its own unique honey flavor and signature palate. Depending on the surrounding ecosystem, you'll notice local characteristics and floral variations drawn from nearby nectars and plants. So at the end of the season, you're not just offering honey with your building's brand, you're sharing your building's unique taste. Discover 6 more fascinating facts about honey.

Get a green building certification

Green building certifications are so valuable that we've written a whole blog on the topic. In short, certified buildings tend to have higher resale values, increased rental rates, and better resource efficiency, which can reduce operational costs. A CBRE analysis of 20,000 U.S. office buildings found that average rent for LEED-certified buildings is 31% higher than for non-LEED-certified ones.

Certifications also reward you for making more of the space you already have. Some of the biggest contributors to the urban heat island effect are unoptimized spaces like rooftops, parking garages, and vacant lots. Cities like Chicago are poised to see 30 more days a year above 37°C (100°F). Installing a hive or another green feature turns that lost space into an ecological asset, and many governments and organizations now reward these projects with sustainable development points and accreditations. In the context of a larger greening project, a beehive adds context and connection to a much bigger mission.

Getting certified also boosts your public reputation by signaling that corporate social responsibility is top of mind. Alvéole's nature-based solutions can help your building earn points toward many of the top green building certifications, including BOMA BEST, BREEAM, and LEED.

It's about more than honey

Nature-based solutions help you foster community, visibility, and tenant retention while contributing to sustainability efforts that can increase property value. Want to learn more about our turnkey services and get the buzz going? Get started.