KEY THEMES & REASONS
Wellness is mainstream
Providing access to the outdoors and having abundant natural light increases satisfaction and productivity which is ultimately what occupiers care about. The future of wellness is going to lean heavily on technology throughout office buildings: sensors, temperature control, air quality, etc.
Going beyond physical health
Employees’ ability to perform at their best is not just determined by physical health but is greatly impacted by mental health. It is estimated that 80 million workdays are lost each year in the United Kingdom due to mental illnesses.
Humans want connection
Spaces that bring people together and encourage interaction are vastly superior to those that keep people isolated. Amenities that enable connection around work and relationships allow for the necessary productivity and renewal workers need each day. Property management teams are increasingly including “community management” as part of their job description in order to facilitate social events and build camaraderie across companies.
Convenience: making employees’ lives easier
Office has taken a page from the hospitality sector as an increasing number of offices and employers offer concierge-type services to workers. For companies, the service amenities most in demand revolve around providing hospitality services to their employees and to guests or clients. For individuals working in an office environment, the desired amenities suite has to do with the integration of their work and their life. The workplace can be a source of relief by offering service amenities that ease workers’ daily routines.
Access matters
Getting to and from work is a vital consideration in both city and suburban locations regardless of market size. Locations that have multiple options offer ease and versatility. (No matter how
much we might wish otherwise, parking remains a primary concern for accessing office buildings.)
Being important is important
People and companies like to feel valued. The democratization of office space has led to smaller and fewer offices. So status is recognized more broadly through high-quality views, dedicated spaces and elevators, and access to tailored services and technology. Spaces that communicate status to organizations through such amenities provide value beyond the physical space.
Flexibility remains king
Flexible office / coworking was on a meteoric rise prior to the current recession because it offered occupiers with the flexibility to ramp up and down their portfolios quickly. Companies need to be nimbler than ever, and space-as-a-service allows for a greater range of space types. Service amenities without tenants having to “overbuy” office space for rent.
