Back-to-office trend prompts companies to create more attractive workspaces

With many companies trying to bring employees back to the office, competition to create workspaces that make talent want to come to the office has intensified, according to a recent JLL report.

There is a flight to quality, with companies spending more to invest in workspaces by upgrading materials and finishes. An emphasis is also being placed on sustainability, with 60% of markets reporting increases in the number of fit-out projects with high sustainable criteria over the past 12 months.

Companies are preparing for the future by adopting design strategies that accommodate evolving workplace needs, JLL says. Modular and adaptable solutions, along with technologies that monitor space utilization, are helping companies and building owners anticipate and respond to changing trends.

Fit-out costs vary widely across the U.S. from a low of $240.47 per square foot in the South Central region to a high of $290.43 on the Pacific Coast and in Alaska and Hawaii.