What Tenants Are Asking For—and How Landlords Are Stepping Up

The office sector is still finding its balance as hybrid work becomes the norm and companies rethink what they need from their workspace. Tenants want more from their offices, and landlords are rolling up their sleeves to meet those expectations.

Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay, In Some Form Or Another—So Offices Need to Earn the Commute

Employees no longer come into the office “just because.” They want to feel motivated going to work, so they appreciate spaces that feel energizing, collaborative, and worth the trip. Research shows that forced attendance can hurt engagement, so many companies are choosing to design workplaces that people want to use rather than have to use. In some cases, they are more of an amenity than a workplace - sofas, cafe, commercial kitchen, gaming area, fitness area, quiet or prayer rooms, etc.

Creating these kinds of environments takes input from multiple teams—real estate, HR, communications, and IT. Many businesses are also thinking 5 to 10 years ahead, recognizing that AI and new technologies will change how (and where) people work.

Treating Office Space as a Strategic Tool—Not Just a Line Item

More tenants are viewing their office space as a signature asset that defines their brand, shapes culture, collaboration, and productivity. Instead of designing around organizational hierarchy, companies are designing around how work actually gets done.

Location still matters immensely. Easy access to transit and friction-free commutes are top priorities, along with amenities that support day-to-day life. Buildings connected to Toronto’s PATH network, for example, continue to be in high demand because they simplify the workday for employees.

Landlords are responding by enhancing amenities such as Tenant Wi-Fi Lounges, Auditorium/Classroom Training Rooms, Boardroom facility, Fitness Studios, Outdoor Patios, Bikeshare Programs, EV Charging Stations, Transit Shuttles to nearby shopping or subway hubs—even when it requires significant investment—to make their buildings more competitive and more enjoyable.

A Market Poised for a Turnaround

There’s a growing sense that the office market may have hit bottom in terms of vacancy and valuations. Activity is picking up in downtown Toronto and across several Canadian cities, hinting at a gradual shift toward recovery.

In response, many landlords are reinvesting in their properties—refreshing lobbies, upgrading gyms, improving retail spaces, and modernizing shared areas. These enhancements aren’t just cosmetic; they’re becoming key differentiators in attracting and retaining quality tenants.

Creating Office Environments People Actually Love

The bar for office quality is rising. Landlords are taking cues from the hospitality industry—designing lobbies that feel like high-end hotel entrances, adding wellness centers, and creating outdoor green spaces where employees can take a break or collaborate.Many of the features found in a Regus Business Centre or WeWork have been adopted by landlords to entice tenants and differentiate their buildings.

Technology upgrades are also happening across both new builds and existing inventory to keep buildings modern, connected, and friction-free for tenants.

A Stronger Landlord–Tenant Partnership

Today, the best office environments come from landlords and tenants working closely together. Value alignment matters more than ever. It’s no longer just about rent—it’s about shared goals, employee engagement, and creating vibrant spaces that bring people together.

Tenants are willing to pay a premium when the value is clear. And as both sides focus more on experience, amenity quality, and culture-building, the office is evolving into something much more than square footage—it’s becoming an extension of the company itself.