WiredScore: Setting the Standard for Digital Connectivity in Commercial Real Estate

In today’s hyper-connected world, reliable internet access is no longer a luxury but a fundamental necessity for any thriving business. This crucial insight formed the foundation for WiredScore, a pioneering company dedicated to bringing transparency and quality standards to the digital infrastructure of commercial buildings worldwide. The journey began with its CEO, Arie Barendrecht, who observed firsthand in New York City the profound impact that a stable and speedy network connection had on business operations and tenant satisfaction. His observations were soon reinforced by comprehensive company surveys, which unequivocally demonstrated that commercial tenants are willing to pay a premium for office spaces boasting superior connectivity.

Recognizing this unmet need in the market, Arie Barendrecht, alongside co-founder Jared Kushner (who reportedly sold his shares in October 2017), set out to transform the commercial real estate landscape. Their vision was to establish a universal system of evaluation and certification that would clearly communicate the level of internet stability and speed within commercial properties to prospective tenants and buyers. Thus, WiredScore was created, giving rise to the acclaimed Wired Certification, a benchmark for digital infrastructure quality.

The Unseen Challenge: Inconsistent Building Connectivity

One of the primary challenges WiredScore sought to address stems from the very nature of building infrastructure. Most modern network connections, including critical wires and cables, are meticulously hidden behind the walls of commercial buildings. This concealment, while aesthetically pleasing, creates a significant practical problem: it becomes incredibly difficult for property owners and tenants alike to discern which lines are active, efficient, or even functional. The complexity is further compounded by the inherent variability of internet connectivity and speeds, which can differ dramatically from one building to the next, even within the same geographic area.

A major contributing factor to this inconsistency is the historical lack of uniform standards in the construction industry regarding internet connection installations. Unlike other essential utilities, there hasn’t been a consistent mandate for builders to follow when equipping new properties with digital infrastructure. This absence of a unified guideline has led to a disparate landscape where a newly constructed building might, surprisingly, offer inferior stability and speed compared to an older neighboring property, simply due to how its internal wiring and external connections were planned and implemented. This creates an unpredictable environment for businesses dependent on robust digital access.

WiredScore’s Comprehensive Solution: A Unified Certification System

To combat these inconsistencies and foster a more transparent market, WiredScore developed a comprehensive manual of suggestions and solutions designed for both new constructions and existing buildings. This manual serves as the cornerstone of their unified system of certification for network connectivity. Property owners, developers, and managers can engage WiredScore to have their buildings meticulously evaluated against a set of specific, rigorously defined criteria outlined in this manual. The assessment delves deep into various aspects of a building’s digital infrastructure, including fiber optic readiness, internet service provider (ISP) diversity, cellular coverage, and the resilience of the internal wiring.

Upon completion of the evaluation, buildings receive a WiredScore Certification, which not only validates their current connectivity status but also provides actionable recommendations for improvement, should they not meet the desired standards. WiredScore offers four distinct levels of certification, each representing a progressively higher standard of digital excellence: WiredCertified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These tiers allow landlords to clearly communicate the quality of their digital offerings and provide tenants with a straightforward means of comparing properties.

The investment for such an evaluation typically ranges between $5,000 and $30,000 per building, a cost that many property owners view as a strategic investment in their asset’s future. Once achieved, the Wired Certification is valid for two years, ensuring that certified buildings maintain high standards and undergo periodic reassessments to remain current with evolving technological demands. This commitment to ongoing evaluation underscores WiredScore’s dedication to creating enduring value and reliability in commercial real estate.

Drawing Parallels: Shaping Industry Standards Like LEED and BREEAM

WiredScore’s ambition extends beyond mere evaluation; it aims to establish a universally recognized benchmark for digital connectivity, much like the influential systems that exist for energy-efficient and eco-friendly projects. The company openly draws parallels with well-established certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

LEED, developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is a globally recognized rating system for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings. Similarly, BREEAM, originating from a former U.K. government program privatized in 1997 and known as The Building Research Establishment Ltd., has set the standard for sustainable building practices across the globe. Both LEED and BREEAM have profoundly transformed their respective sectors by promoting transparency, driving innovation, and rewarding responsible development. WiredScore seeks to emulate this success, believing that just as sustainability became a critical differentiator for commercial properties, so too will superior digital infrastructure. An interesting commonality among all three programs is their reliance on an advisory committee, which ensures the standards remain relevant, rigorous, and reflective of industry best practices.

Global Reach and Impact on Property Value

Since its inception, WiredScore has rapidly expanded its footprint, making its invaluable certification available in key global markets including the U.K., the U.S., and Canada. According to company literature, WiredScore has successfully certified over 1,000 properties worldwide. This impressive portfolio includes iconic and diverse structures such as The Trump Building at 40 Wall St. in New York, the prestigious George V Building in Paris, The Caledonian Exchange in Edinburgh, and CIBC Square in Toronto. This global presence and the caliber of certified properties highlight the growing recognition among landlords and developers that digital connectivity is a paramount amenity that significantly influences tenant attraction and retention.

The impact of WiredScore Certification extends beyond merely identifying good internet. It provides a credible, third-party endorsement that helps landlords differentiate their assets in competitive markets, justify higher rental values, and future-proof their investments against the backdrop of rapid technological evolution. For tenants, it offers peace of mind, assuring them that their chosen office space will support their critical business operations without interruption, fostering productivity and innovation.

Beyond Certification: Future-Proofing for the Digital Age

In an era where smart building technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), and flexible work models are becoming the norm, a building’s digital backbone is more critical than ever. WiredScore not only assesses current capabilities but also encourages buildings to adopt infrastructure that is adaptable and scalable for future technological advancements. This forward-thinking approach helps property owners make informed decisions about their investments, ensuring their buildings remain attractive and functional for years to come. The certification process often reveals areas where resilience can be improved, such as implementing redundant internet connections or enhancing wireless coverage throughout the building, minimizing downtime and maximizing operational continuity.

While WiredScore offers a specialized, building-level assessment of digital infrastructure, property owners and development planners do have other avenues for ensuring the quality of specific components. For instance, Intertek Canada provides testing and certification for a wide array of specific electrical and wireless products and systems globally, ensuring they meet safety and performance standards. Similarly, Industry Canada Certification focuses on compliance for radio apparatus and telecommunications equipment within Canada. These services often complement WiredScore’s broader assessment by focusing on the individual components that contribute to a building’s overall digital readiness.

Conclusion: The Imperative of Connected Commercial Spaces

WiredScore has undeniably played a pivotal role in redefining what constitutes a modern, high-quality commercial property. By bringing much-needed transparency and standardization to the realm of digital connectivity, it empowers both property owners and tenants to make informed decisions. In a world increasingly driven by digital processes, the internet connection of a building is as vital as its plumbing or electricity. WiredScore’s commitment to setting and upholding robust standards ensures that commercial spaces are not just structures of brick and mortar, but dynamic, digitally-enabled environments ready to support the innovations and demands of the contemporary business world. As businesses continue to rely heavily on seamless digital operations, the value of a WiredScore Certified building will only continue to grow, making it an indispensable asset in the competitive commercial real estate market.