While the WFH debate rages on – office mandates versus work from where ever – a new swing factor has emerged: how comfy and convivial is your office?
At the global tech giant’s brand-new Melbourne office on Collins Street, a corgi called Ralphie, a bulldog , a spoodle and Jerry the very friendly collie pose forin Amazon’s dog playground on one of the building’s outdoor terraces.
“But people want the opposite: they want to come in for all the space they don’t have at home. The cool kitchens. The ability to just bump into people in the space. The technology as well: the meeting rooms where you can connect virtually with other teams is much better in the office than it is on screen at home.
On the “food” floor there are meeting rooms named Tim Tam, Espresso, Smashed Avo and Chicken Parma. On the music-themed floor are rooms named for Kylie Minogue and the Hilltop Hoods, while other floors have spaces themed around sport, travel and fashion.On the dining “super hub” floor, there is a kitchen, complete with stove top, oven and beer on tap. . On the terrace outside, barbecues are soon to be installed.
“People want more than just a desk. They can get that at home. It is more about the social aspect, the collaboration, the learning and seeing different leaders in the business. Career opportunities that you don’t get that sitting at home.
The need to get staff back into the office and to keep top talent in the building is high on the agenda for prospective tenants considering taking up office space in Charter Hall’s portfolio, which includes