Global measurement. One universal standard.
Peter Stevenson was chosen by the World Bank to help identify and eliminate the differences in valuation caused by the measurement of real estate across regions, countries, and governments. He served on the 18-member Standards Setting Committee that built the IPMS framework from the ground up.
When you work with SSI, you get a team that understands both BOMA and IPMS. That dual fluency matters for any portfolio that crosses international lines.
Work with IPMS Experts
The Standard
What is IPMS?
IPMS (International Property Measurement Standards) provides a single, universal framework for measuring property across countries, markets, and building types. Published by the IPMS Coalition, a group of over 70 professional organizations worldwide, it eliminates the inconsistencies that surface when different countries use different measurement rules.
Before IPMS, an office building measured in London produced different numbers than the same building measured in Tokyo or New York. Different standards, different definitions, different results. That made cross-border portfolio comparison unreliable.
IPMS solves that problem. It creates a shared language for property measurement that works regardless of local conventions. The initial standard for office buildings was published in November 2014, with standards for residential, industrial, and retail properties following.
Why IPMS Matters
Our Role
Building the standard from day one
In 2013, the World Bank convened over 56 organizations to form the IPMS Coalition and address the inconsistencies in property valuation caused by differing measurement practices worldwide. Peter Stevenson was selected for the 18-member Standards Setting Committee, and he and Skyler Stevenson attended the inaugural meeting in Brussels, Belgium, where the foundation for global measurement consistency was laid.
Measurement Components
Three components. Complete coverage.
IPMS structures measurement into three distinct components, each serving a different analytical purpose. Together, they give a complete picture of how space is allocated within a building.
IPMS 1
Sum of Areas
The total floor area of a building, measured to the outer perimeter. IPMS 1 captures the full footprint, including all internal and external walls. It provides the baseline for understanding total building size across markets.
IPMS 2
Component Areas
Breaks total floor area into defined component categories. Each square foot is classified by function: office, circulation, amenity, building services, and more. This granular breakdown reveals how space is actually used within the building.
IPMS 3
Exclusive Occupancy Area
The area available for exclusive use by an occupier. IPMS 3 isolates the space a tenant actually occupies, stripped of shared areas and structural elements. It provides the clearest view of usable space for leasing and occupancy planning.
Office
The first IPMS standard published. Covers all classes of office property worldwide.
Residential
Standardized measurement for apartments, condominiums, and multi-unit residential buildings.
Industrial
Warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities measured under one global framework.
Retail
Shopping centers, street-level retail, and mixed-use retail environments with consistent methodology.
Standard Comparison
IPMS vs. BOMA: When each applies
Both standards measure buildings with precision, but they serve different markets and contexts. Knowing which to apply, and when to provide both, protects your asset value across borders.
Use IPMS When
- Your portfolio spans multiple countries
- International investors require globally consistent data
- You need cross-border property comparison
- Regulatory bodies mandate IPMS-compliant reporting
- Multinational occupiers need uniform space metrics
Use BOMA When
- Your properties are in the North American market
- Lease language specifies BOMA methodology
- Institutional investors require BOMA-compliant data
- You need rentable area and load factor calculations
- Market comparables are quoted in BOMA terms
Many global portfolios need both. SSI provides BOMA and IPMS measurements for properties that require domestic and international reporting. One team, two standards, complete global coverage.
Need global measurement that crosses borders?
Schedule a consultation. We bring IPMS committee-level expertise to every international measurement engagement.