By Petre Barac

Copyright thediplomat

Choosing an office location today is no longer just about square metres and costs, but also about the atmosphere a building creates and how employees feel at work. According to a Colliers analysis, buildings that feature community spaces – cafés, relaxation areas, green spaces and informal meeting spots – and benefit from direct metro access are leased more quickly and attract tenants more easily, registering an average vacancy rate of just 7%, compared with 26% for traditional buildings that do not provide such amenities.

“For companies competing in an increasingly tight labour market, the office has become a strategic tool. Employees are looking for spaces that provide comfort, energy and opportunities for social interaction, not just places to work. Cafés, green areas and informal working zones help them feel part of a community, and buildings that offer such experiences are no longer simple addresses, but environments that foster collaboration and a sense of belonging. Investing in modern office buildings brings visible long-term benefits, from reduced vacancy to increased asset value”, explains Daniela Popescu, Director | Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory at Colliers.

While in the past offices were seen merely as functional spaces, today they are perceived as environments that support organisational culture, creativity and team collaboration. Colliers consultants note that this factor is also playing an increasing role in the decisions of international companies opening service centres in Bucharest.

The success of Bucharest projects that have focused on community spaces has shown that these amenities make a real difference in terms of attractiveness and tenant retention, turning buildings from simple workplaces into true destinations for employees.

The Colliers analysis confirms the major differences between project types. Buildings that combine community spaces with direct metro access achieve the best results, with a vacancy rate of just 7%. For those offering community areas but without metro connectivity, the rate rises to 21%. In contrast, schemes without such facilities record a vacancy rate of 14% if located near the metro, and up to 26% when lacking both advantages.