CHICAGO—The term “placemaking” has become the latest buzzword in commercial real estate. It normally applies to mixed-use developments or modern offices that tenants hope will help attract and retain talent. However, many believe other facilities also need to be something other than utilitarian. Hospitals, for example, were once seen as cold, antiseptic buildings. But recent developments in the field have made it imperative that healthcare property managers increase their appeal. In fact, a new report from Chicago-based JLL shows making hospitals into a more pleasant and orderly place may save lives.

“It's different than it was twenty years ago,” George Mills, JLL's director of healthcare technical operations, tells GlobeSt.com. Publicly-available surveys such as the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers mean patients and their families can now quickly locate and compare both treatment and amenities at different facilities. “Hospitals really need to step up their game to compete.”

JLL aims to create warm, welcoming environments in any healthcare facility it manages, he adds, and as far away from an “institutional” look as possible. The lobbies are transformed into upscale areas more like a hotel than an old-fashioned hospital, and cafeterias likewise have top-notch menus.