Q&A: Amenities That Usher in the New Era of Office Work

NEW YORK CITY—This past Labor Day marked a pivotal point in the return-to-office shift as many firms rolled out policies to bring workers back to the office. For the first time in a long time commuter trains from New Jersey to New York City were standing room only and the key to a smooth transition between remote work and centralized office spaces, according to a KBS source, may depend on creating an exciting and energizing place for workers to utilize.

Tim Helgeson, a SVP of acquisitions and asset management at KBS, exclusively chatted with GlobeSt.com on the subject of how owners can make the RTO transition more enticing for tenants by offering workspaces that meet the shifting expectations of today’s workforce.

GlobeSt.com: Which amenities truly incentivize employees/spark a passion to return to the office? How have in-demand features evolved over the last few years, now that most professionals have experienced some degree of both in-office and remote work?

Tim Helgeson: The right office amenities can play a big role in encouraging employees to return to the workplace in the new normal. Interior space configurations that can be used for collaboration and co-mingling provide a balance between fully remote and in-person arrangements. Employees can comfortably switch between working in a group setting to taking client calls in distraction-free office areas.

Office space that opens up to the outdoors is especially appealing; exterior amenities such as patios and courtyards are growing in popularity. For example, last year we completed a multimillion-dollar renovation at Accenture Tower in Chicago, Illinois which features a contemporary tenant lounge with a terrace that brings the outdoors inside with a garden like setting, and two fire pits. These features offer a change of scenery from indoor workspaces while allowing team members to remain on-site for focused work, phone calls, and meetings. Additionally, outdoor spaces offer health and wellness benefits including social distancing, exposure to natural light, a connection with nature, and relaxation areas for work breaks.

GlobeSt.com: Are there any office features that are either over hyped or no longer the draw they were pre-pandemic?

Helgeson: After working from home – where their career and personal lives were often uncomfortably intertwined – employees want to carve out several areas of the office where they can either work alone, collaborate with their teammates, or socialize during the workday. Camaraderie is what many remote workers missed the most during the pandemic. Providing the opportunity to foster these relationships will help bring teams back to the workplace successfully.

One feature that is even more popular now than it was before the pandemic is strong and fast internet connectivity and access to the latest technology, and it’s one reason why our firm seeks WiredScore status for so many of our office properties.

GlobeSt.com: How are office owners and tenants making effective changes to their spaces at varying budgets? What are some examples?

Helgeson: We have found spec suites to be a great example of how office owners can implement budget-friendly amenities in the workplace. Owners can implement the most commonly requested building features that can boost leasing activity and retention levels in specific markets. By offering these amenities in turnkey office spaces, tenants cut down on their own development costs. In most spec suites KBS doesn’t only renovate the space the company invests in innovative furniture systems that can be reconfigured as tenants move through their post-pandemic, return-to-office process.

GlobeSt.com: Do effective features and amenities vary by geographical market, office type, and tenant industries?

Helgeson: We have observed that certain industry tenants seek more tailored amenities than others. For example, a tech-based firm with a hybrid work schedule is more likely to be attracted to open, collaborative office spaces that allow employees to easily meet with one another whether they are on-site or remote. This type of space is also ideal for any company that actively works to recruit Millennials and Gen Z workers, as these two generations have different work approaches than previous generations—such as prioritizing health and wellness in the workplace and desiring flexible work schedules. Regarding tenant industries, law firms and financial businesses will look for office buildings that have sectioned off spaces to facilitate privacy and confidentiality with their clients.

Equally important is that office owners and operators consider market-specific amenities, such as bike storage in cities where active commuters are prevalent or EV car-charging stations in markets where workers are more likely to operate electric vehicles.