Purpose-Driven Spaces Are In
Blog article written and contributed by Infinity Group Client Development Manager Kristen Sacchitella
What will the future office look like?
That question was at the center of the Future of Office Austin Event hosted by Bisnow. I attended the event with Infinity Group’s Director of Client Relation Corey Edwards. The event was filled with positive energy and hard-working professionals. From Real Estate Professionals to people working at companies who need their offices updated – the event was bustling with people eager to share thoughts and insights.
Setting the stage
Organizers held the event at 405 Congress. It’s a beautiful new building with breathtaking views of the city skyline and top-notch amenities. Attendees gathered for networking in the building’s beautiful Sky Lounge, and then moved into the wide-open space on the 20th floor which featured floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a stage, chairs, and an eager crowd. The event included two panels: “State of the Market” and “What Do Tenants Really Want?”. Both panels were filled with experienced professionals who knew the ins and outs of the city.
1. State of the Market
When it comes to office space – the City of Austin is booming and so are the surrounding suburbs.
Companies are hiring employees at a rapid rate, and the “dam will burst”. Companies will need a space to occupy with their new employees.
2. What Do Tenants Really Want?
As end users think about their plan for returning to the office, they need to focus more on environment than the physical building according to the experts at this event. Technology, amenities, providing a space that enhances health and well-being are all a must; however, providing a great workplace with a strong sense of culture cannot be overlooked. The most vital piece of information that end users need to decide before reimagining their office space and bringing back their employees is what is the purpose of the workplace. Discovering the answer to this question will inevitably lead to better planning, happier employees, and better productivity in the workplace. Ultimately, there is a “flight to quality”, and company leaders need to consider the deeper needs of their employees rather than surface level needs.
There is a big push for collaborative office spaces that enable adaptability. Employees don’t want to come back to an old, dingy office. They want to return to work in a place that is exciting, welcoming, and like home.
Power to the people
The decisions about what the office space would look like was once held by CEO’s and CFO’s, but now the Head of HR and Head of Marketing have a seat at the table. They can provide input about the needs of their employees, and ultimately curate ideas that will lead to a space that employees will be excited to walk into each morning (or some mornings, if they choose to retain a flexible work model!) Check out this completed Infinity Group space in Texas that puts collaboration centerstage.
The event was informative and forward-thinking. According to the experts, there’s an exciting future for companies looking to return to the office. Austin is a growing city with so much to offer – the opportunities to Make Work Beautiful are endless!