MADISON, N.J. — Physical office space can have a positive influence on its tenant base, which ultimately helps companies attract and retain employees, according to a new survey conducted by Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates, a Madison-based company made up of independently owned and operated commercial real estate service practices.
The survey uncovered which popular office amenities resonated with respondents to see how office spaces could further improve the functionality of their square footage.
“Offices are becoming a center for social activity, and it is important for office commercial real estate to accommodate this,” says Fred Schmidt, president and COO of Coldwell Banker Commercial Affiliates.
Working on behalf of Coldwell Banker, Harris Poll surveyed 2,001 adults from Aug. 15-17 as part of the online study. The participating cohort included younger Millennial workers (age 18-29), older Millennials (30-34), Gen Xers (ages 35-49) and Baby Boomers (50-69), to identify worker attitudes toward their current physical workplace and better understand how office space can be optimized to meet worker needs and comfort.
The highest concentration of respondents identified themselves as Baby Boomers (a little over 44 percent), followed by Gen Xers, younger Millennials and older Millennials.
Overall, the survey found that the most coveted office amenities are, in order, ample parking (64 percent), food courts (60 percent) and outdoor lounging space (41 percent), signaling a desire for convenience and a sense of community.
According to the survey results, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of employed U.S. adults believe their office could better utilize its physical space, and over one-third (34 percent) say improvements can be as simple as a better floorplan.
“Workers, and notably the newest members of the workforce, are demanding smart uses of office square footage, and commercial real estate professionals are taking note,” says Schmidt.
Open floorplans are found to still be in demand, but the survey concluded that workers want private space to temporarily withdraw from their shared workspaces, take a personal call or focus on important assignments.
Nearly eight in 10 (79 percent) report they would feel comfortable with an open floorplan if private spaces were available. Among younger Millennials, 89 percent would be comfortable working in an open floorplan if private spaces were available.
“Open floorplans can facilitate collaboration and creativity within the office, but it is also important to carve out private spaces in order to provide a break from the buzz around the office,” says Schmidt.
Click here for full survey results.
— Staff Reports