CBIZ Gibraltar Insights And Resources

Workplace design is undergoing a fundamental shift, as more companies commit to lasting two- to four-year hybrid work strategies with a focus on everything from building amenities to workspaces custom designed as dynamic drivers of performance, culture, and recruitment. However, design alone isn’t enough. To get it right, companies must align space strategy, lease terms, and utilization goals in a way that’s flexible, efficient, and deeply connected to business outcomes.

At CBIZ Gibraltar, we help tenants do just that — by pairing strategic real estate advisory with a deep understanding of financial, operational, and workforce objectives. Here’s a closer look at four workplace trends reshaping how companies think about office space — and how our team of real estate experts help tenants turn them into opportunities.

Office Design That Pays Off: Linking Space to Performance

Well-designed offices can improve productivity, reduce turnover, enhance collaboration, and support brand identity. But too often, businesses invest in office upgrades without considering the long-term impact on their balance sheet or bottom line.

Smart workplace planning should drive business performance, not just aesthetics. From choosing materials that lower maintenance costs, to layouts that shorten time-to-collaboration, the workplace can — and should — act as a strategic asset.

At CBIZ Gibraltar, we help companies connect the dots between design intent and financial return by evaluating buildout costs, lease structures, amortization impacts, and long-term flexibility. We also collaborate with CBIZ teams across financial advisory, HR consulting, and performance analytics to ensure your workspace reflects and supports your broader business goals.

The True Cost of Workspace: Aligning Design, Lease Terms & Utilization

In the hybrid era, having too much — or too little — space can drive significant costs. Many organizations are discovering that a beautiful new office is only half full, and that amenity-rich buildouts may be underutilized Monday and Friday.

Underutilized space is expensive space. Poor alignment between your design strategy and lease terms can lock you into oversized footprints, inflexible layouts, and long-term liabilities.

At CBIZ Gibraltar, we bring a data-driven lens to help clients assess how their people use space — badge data, sensor analytics, scheduling trends — and how that compares to the real estate they are investing in. We help structure leases and support negotiations to allow for agility: expansion options, early termination rights, and sublease clauses. Our approach helps tenants reduce waste and reclaim value.

Amenity Wars & the Evolving Tenant Experience

Post-pandemic, landlords have leaned hard into amenities: lounges, rooftop decks, wellness suites, concierge services, and even pickleball courts. But tenants need to ask — what actually matters to our employees?

Your real estate should reflect your company’s culture and values — not just what’s trending in Class A buildings. In a tight labor market, the employee experience matters, but it must be intentional and relevant.

At CBIZ Gibraltar, we guide tenants through amenity selection and negotiation during site searches and lease structuring. Whether it’s access to fitness centers, outdoor space, bike storage, or upgraded MERV filters, we help ensure you’re getting value — not just perks.

From Vision to Execution: Aligning Workplace Design With Business Strategy

One of the most common mistakes tenants make is treating workplace design as an isolated project — rather than part of a broader business strategy. Missteps include misjudging headcount, ignoring acoustic needs, or over-designing for pre-pandemic workflows.

Design decisions are business decisions. They impact how your teams work, how customers perceive your brand, and how well your lease supports future growth or contraction.

At CBIZ Gibraltar, we start every project by helping tenants answer foundational questions, like:

• How do your people work today — and how will that change tomorrow?
• What are your operational and financial goals over the lease term?
• How can design, location, and lease structure support those goals?

From there, we align every element of the workplace — square footage, layout, incentives, timing — with your business model. And we do it in lockstep with a strategic and comprehensive approach, ensuring your space doesn’t just look good, but works hard for your organization.

In 2025, workplace design is no longer just about real estate — it’s about strategy. The most successful companies aren’t just building beautiful offices; they’re building workspaces that drive performance, control cost, and reflect purpose.

CBIZ Gibraltar is the leading provider of integrated real estate services with a 100% commitment to advocating the interests and needs of tenants.