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I saw other answers regarding internal staircases for a retail tenant in a larger building, which were considered common. My questions is how are stairwells accounted for in a single tenant freestanding retail building.
Hi John,
The BOMA 2020 Retail Standard states that "Major Vertical Penetrations (MVP) are considered a "Service" to a Retail
Property. "Service" is defined as "A Permanent and required portion or component of a Retail Property or
Auxiliary Structure which directly or indirectly supports more than one Occupant." The notes for MVP also states that "MVP do not generally occur within Occupant Area(s)". Furthermore, the standard states that "Occupant Area includes all of the Enclosed Areas and Unenclosed Areas that an Occupant has Exclusive Use of, including Occupant Circulation Areas." Occupant Circulation Areas include both horizontal and vertical circulation. With all this in mind, a stairwell in a single tenant freestanding retail building should be part of the Gross Leasable Area.
Thanks,
David