SGA report identifies workplace amenities essential to attracting workers back to the office

SGA — a national, multidisciplinary firm whose work spans architecture, interior design and master planning for major developers and corporate clients like Titletown Development, Citizens Bank, Related Beal, and Boston Properties — has released its highly anticipated 2023 Workplace Amenities Report. To help developers and employers identify the most desirable amenities for today’s workforce, the firm’s world-class interior design team surveyed hundreds of employees spanning generations, locations, and industries to gauge their preferences for workplace amenities across four main categories: health and wellness, productivity and meeting space, daily convenience, and transportation.

The state of the workplace and workers’ needs are constantly shifting. SGA notes that while its clients know that amenities are a critical piece of boosting employee engagement, there is confusion about how robust their amenity program should be and where they should be focusing their efforts.

Gable Clarke, president of Interior Design and partner at SGA

With hybrid work spurring a nationwide “flight to quality” trend in commercial real estate, creating higher quality spaces and amenities that transform the workplace into a destination have become essential components of attracting employees and tenants back to the office. Overall, the results of the survey demonstrate a reflection of larger societal shifts: a greater focus on personal well-being and safety, interest in sustainable modes of transportation, convenient places to grab food and packages, and spaces that facilitate social interactions. It also reinforces the importance of notable amenities such as staffed security desks and reservable meeting rooms while identifying emerging trends such as information technology (IT) bars, bike parking and gender-neutral restrooms. 

The 2023 Workplace Amenities Report is available to read or download from SGA.