How to Elevate Facility Services in Commercial Real Estate

By Brian Stewart

In commercial real estate (CRE), the standard of excellence is constantly evolving, especially in major markets across the nation, where thriving job markets and return-to-office initiatives have elevated both tenant and building management expectations. Today, property managers are looking for providers who don’t just deliver consistency but offer a premium experience that reinforces buildings’ standards and seamlessly integrates into building operations without extensive property management oversight.

For CCS Facility Services, meeting this moment demands more than solid operations, it requires raising the bar every day through uncompromising quality, proactive service, and a culture built on pride, care, and accountability.

After nearly a decade overseeing major security and facilities programs across a diverse portfolio of properties, I’ve seen firsthand what truly sets premier buildings apart, particularly Class A properties. It isn’t just about square footage or amenities; it’s about the concierge-level attention to detail. Every tenant interaction, whether a greeting from a day porter or a consultation with a general manager, should convey professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine care.

In janitorial services, excellence in service cannot simply be delivering an exceptional clean. Clean is expected. Excellence is about expertly performing every task, often multiple times per day, while remaining approachable, friendly, proactive, and actively working to enhance the tenant experience. The team's personal touch is just as important as technical skill, especially in Class A properties.

Technology has also become a critical component of top-tier CRE services. From digital tracking of cleaning schedules to real-time communication platforms, leveraging innovative tools ensures consistency, accountability, and responsiveness. These capabilities allow service teams to anticipate needs, track performance metrics, and deliver solutions before challenges arise. This transforms a service contract into a strategic partnership.

In CRE, where appearances carry immense weight, facility services companies play an outsized role. The way a building looks and feels can directly influence leasing success and tenant retention. If a prospective tenant enters a lobby that feels neglected, that first impression colors their perception of property management, starting leasing discussions on a poor note. A meticulously maintained property is the foundation upon which successful leasing and tenant satisfaction are built, and a trusted partner in facilities services can make all the difference.

Also critical to excellence in CRE services are transparency, proactive communication, and authentic client engagement. Actively engaging with clients through regular site visits, constructive feedback loops, reviews, and building inspections ensures that providers are more than just another line item on a monthly invoice. True service comes from an ethos of partnership and commitment to attentive service.

Investing in team culture, training, and professional development is another differentiator for top-tier providers. When custodial and facilities teams are equipped with proper knowledge and tools, they perform at a higher level and demonstrate ownership—elevating every interaction with tenants and building staff. At the heart of our work is reducing the burden on our clients: ensuring buildings are staffed with well-trained teammates who not only get the job done, but take true pride in servicing beautiful facilities.

Similarly, sustainability and wellness initiatives are no longer optional, they are central to modern building operations and hallmarks of premier properties. Service providers need to not only participate in green and wellness programs but deliver added value to properties by helping them re-earn LEED status or earn a wellness rating.

As tenant expectations evolve and the competitive landscape intensifies, CRE providers must be exceptional, and every vendor they carefully select must rise to the same level of performance. A good service provider delivers on the scope of their contract, but an exceptional provider seeks partnership at every turn, delivering elite service with unwavering diligence, care, and accountability.

At CCS Facility Services, being a conscientious, fully invested partner isn’t just a box we check, it’s who we are. This commitment is woven into our brand and reflected in every decision, detail, and space we maintain. For building managers and tenants alike, it means properties that don’t just meet the standard, but redefine it, setting a higher bar for what excellence in commercial cleaning should look like. It’s not just about cleanliness; it’s about confidence, professionalism, and creating environments where people feel valued, productive, and proud to walk through the door every day. This is the future of facility services in CRE: elevated, intentional, and uncompromising.

Drawing on nearly a decade overseeing Class A commercial properties, Brian Stewart is the Vice President of Operations, Texas, at CCS Facility Services.