Today’s offices are virtually unrecognizable from what they were even a decade ago.
On behalf of GWL Realty Advisors, Leger Marketing conducted a survey of 573 office tenants in three Vancouver offices it manages and determined their most desired amenities had to do with health and wellness.
“In buildings where we didn’t have fitness, that was a key feature they wanted, and if the buildings didn’t already have a sit-down restaurant or café, those were also amenities people of all ages—but definitely the younger generations—asked for more of and saw as more important,” said Wendy Waters, VP of research services and strategy at GWLRA.
“The younger people working in our buildings wanted landlords to provide activities. Yoga was one, but also health and wellness presentations, and even guest speakers. That was a little surprising how many people in our buildings would like us to offer these additional group experiences.”
Bicycling is a popular mode of urban transportation and 18% of Vancouver office workers primarily cycle or walk to work. Thirty percent of respondents who don’t cycle say they would if provided “end-of-trip” facilities, which are designed as a place to lock up their bikes, shower and change.
“Sophisticated end-of-trip facilities designed to provide sustainable commuting choices are rapidly gaining popularity,” said Waters. “The rise of active commuting is great news because the ever-increasing number of office workers who chose to bike, walk or jog to work will, over time, help lessen traffic congestion in downtown Vancouver.”
The average commute time for respondents in Vancouver is 38.9 minutes—in downtown Toronto, as revealed by GWLRA’s national survey, it is 48.7 minutes. Fifty-seven percent of Vancouver respondents use public transportation to get to work, while 20% drive. However, among respondents aged 18 to 34, only 8% drive to work.
At a panel discussion in downtown Toronto earlier this month called Toronto Workplace of the Future and hosted by Bisnow, the city’s rise as a global commerce hub was front and centre, as was the fierce competition for talent.
“It’s become about the chase for talent—companies want distinct spaces that will enhance their image to entice new employees,” said Tom Burns, COO of Allied Properties REIT. “It’s amazing what some tenants do to their space; we have a tech tenant in Montreal that built a halfpipe skateboard facility into the space with beer taps all over the place.
Other findings:
- 29% want sit-down a restaurant or café; aged 18-34, the number increases to 33%.
- 28% would like access to a convenience store.
- 22% would like outdoor seating.
- 21% desire lounge space to socialize with other employees; aged 18-34, 29% asked for lounge space.
Neil Sharma is the Editor-In-Chief of Canadian Real Estate Wealth and Real Estate Professional. As a journalist, he has covered Canada’s housing market for the Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, National Post, and other publications, specializing in everything from market trends to mortgage and investment advice. He can be reached at neil@crewmedia.ca.
