As hybrid work becomes the norm and the tug-of-war to bring employees back to the office continues, landlords and corporate real estate developers are locked in what can only be called an amenity arms race. From rooftop pickleball courts to wellness lounges and gourmet coffee stations, the question isn’t if you should amenitize your office space but how far you’re willing to go.

According to a 2024 CBRE Workplace Survey, 57% of relocating tenants cited better amenities and employee services as a primary reason for their move. It’s a powerful reminder: in today’s leasing market, experience isn’t an afterthought—it’s a deciding factor.

Whether you’re a landlord, tenant, workplace strategist, or commercial real estate investor, understanding the shift toward experience-driven office design is no longer optional. This article explores the top office amenities of 2025 and why they’ve become essential to winning leases and bringing employees back.

WHY AMENITIES MATTER MORE THAN EVER

In a post-pandemic world, employees have grown comfortable working from their kitchens, patios, and living rooms. Today’s office must compete not just with other buildings but with the comfort and convenience of home. The workplace has to offer something extra—something worth commuting for. And that something is experience.

The right amenities create a workplace that’s not just functional but social, comfortable, and inspiring. When designed with intention, they signal a company’s values, boost employee satisfaction, and ultimately make the building more desirable to lease.

WHAT REALLY BRINGS EMPLOYEES BACK

While great coffee and stylish lounge spaces help set the tone, they aren’t the only reasons employees choose to return to the office. What actually draws people back is the human experience that’s hard to replicate at home. It’s the ability to connect with colleagues face-to-face, to engage in spontaneous conversations that spark new ideas, and to learn and grow through mentorship and casual visibility to leadership.

People also crave a sense of belonging and team camaraderie. Intangible moments of bonding that happen in shared spaces, not over video calls. Access to natural light and the outdoors adds to the appeal, supporting both mental well-being and productivity. And, above all, employees value environments that feel comfortable and flexible, where wellness is embedded into the design, not treated as an afterthought.

In many ways, the modern office must serve as a home away from home but with added opportunities for connection, creativity, and community.

MODERN OFFICE AMENITIES IN 2025

As hybrid work settles into the new normal, one thing is clear: offices can no longer rely on desks and conference rooms alone to draw people in. The most competitive workplaces are now defined by the amenities they offer, features that reflect a deeper understanding of how people want to work, connect, and recharge.

So, what does that look like in practice? Across the industry, certain amenities have emerged as clear leaders—transforming office buildings into experience-rich environments that foster culture, comfort, and convenience. These aren’t just perks—they’re business tools designed to attract top talent and support evolving workstyles.

That shift has redefined what tenants look for in a workplace, and the most competitive office environments are answering the call with thoughtful, people-first amenities. Here’s what’s leading the charge in 2025.

Lobbies as Living Rooms
Lobbies are being reimagined as vibrant, multipurpose social zones, not just places to pass through. Think cozy seating, plug-in spots for solo work, and a hotel-style ambiance with soft lighting and art. Add a great coffee bar, and you’ve got a natural hub for casual interactions and spontaneous collaboration.

Coffee + Lounge = Culture
Pairing quality coffee with an inviting lounge space does more than caffeinate employees. It builds community. Informal, home-like environments help recreate the relaxed vibe of remote work while offering something Zoom never can: real in-person connection.

Food Access Is Non-Negotiable
From in-house catering to gourmet vending to walkable dining options, food matters. Convenience and choice keep employees energized and reduce the burden of leaving the office for a meal.

Shared Conference Spaces
Large meeting rooms that sit empty most of the year? Tenants don’t want the burden. Instead, landlords are offering shared, reservable conference rooms, allowing tenants access when needed without having to allocate that square footage within their own lease.

WOW FACTOR AMENITIES FOR A NEXT LEVEL TENANT EXPERIENCE

These foundational amenities are becoming table stakes. But as competition heats up, some buildings are going even further—offering unexpected, head-turning features designed to set themselves apart in a crowded market. While not every employee will use them every day, these “wow factor” amenities signal that a workplace is forward-thinking, people-focused, and committed to creating an exceptional experience.

Pickleball Courts & Golf Simulators
Even if they’re rarely used, sports amenities have high ROI in terms of bragging rights and buzz. They communicate a forward-thinking, fun culture—and give employees something to be proud of.

Convenience Amenities
What do dry cleaning drop-offs, car washes, package lockers, and on-site health clinics have in common? They make life easier. The less friction in the workday, the happier the employee.

Outdoor Work Areas
Rooftops, patios, and garden spaces with Wi-Fi, outlets, and climate comforts (e.g., fans, heaters, shade structures) offer a refreshing change of scenery. These zones support wellness and productivity in equal measures.

THE INVISIBLE INGREDIENTS: COMFORT, ART & STORYTELLING

Still, even the flashiest amenities fall flat if the space itself doesn’t feel good to be in. That’s where the less obvious (but equally powerful) design elements come into play. The most memorable office spaces aren’t just visually striking—they feel inherently good to be in. That feeling comes from a careful blend of comfort, atmosphere, and meaning. High-quality furnishings that invite people to settle in, thoughtfully chosen lighting that enhances mood and focus, and art that tells a story about the community or the company’s values all contribute to a meaningful sense of place.

As Jack Dunn of Chartwell Property Group in Raleigh notes, the real differentiator isn’t just checking the box on amenities—it’s crafting intentional experiences around them. “The most common mistake I see in office amenities is that the focus tends to be on the amenity itself, not the experience of using the amenity,” he says. “If you are serving coffee, you need to feel the coziness of a high-end coffee shop. If you put in a golf simulator, it needs to feel like something you would use at an exceptional private club. How well you do something is more important than checking boxes of amenity offerings.”

Design elements do more than decorate a space. They create emotional connections. They help employees feel proud of where they work and are rooted in the culture of their organization. When done well, these subtle details can even transform an ordinary office into a setting for social events, storytelling, and shared experiences that bring people together.

AMENITIZE WITH INTENTION

Ultimately, it’s not about having the most amenities, it’s about having the right ones. Successful strategies are rooted in intentionality, not novelty. Not every employee will swing a club on a simulator or sip espresso under a mural. But that’s not the point. The point is to create a workplace that feels human, holistic, and worth being part of.

In today’s competitive commercial real estate landscape, amenities aren’t extra—they’re essential. They’re your brand story in physical form. And when done right, they don’t just attract tenants, they retain talent.

So, to amenitize or not? The answer is a resounding yes—but do it with purpose.