The office space that a real estate company occupies should create a positive energy and culture that helps everyone be more productive. But just as important, your environment should make your agents want to come to the office each day. Our organization just finished building a new office, of which the real estate company will be occupying approximately 55,000 square feet and housing 500-plus agents and staff. I believe having one mega office versus multi-office locations makes it much easier to create that unbelievable environment we all want.
Young or old, male or female, client or co-worker, a classy and intriguing curb appeal is at the top of the list for a trend-setting, state-of-the-art facility. The dynamic, fun vibe starts the second you walk through the front door. Our building entrance and reception areas have glass walls, funky colors, accent lighting, coffee stations and bar tables. We want to give our visitors and clients a first impression that will blow them away.
Functional and fashionable is our design philosophy. Why not have a custom-made conference table that also serves as a ping pong table that you can later sign a contract on? We’ve found it important to have space in which agents can collaborate or just get together to catch up—cool spaces that make everyone feel upbeat and excited about what they are discussing. We have built out our kitchens to connect with this collaboration space. And because we’ve spent so much time preaching prospecting, we also put in glass prospecting booths that are soundproof; therefore, no excuse not to make your calls.
Our intent was also to design spaces for every type of agent, from hotel-type stations and lockers for part-time agents to multi-office suites for huge teams. We also wanted cubicles to have some flair, so we designed them in different heights and colors with glass on top. Every person in our organization needs to know they are important and feel wanted.
To engage agents outside of day-to-day work, we designed outdoor community spaces where colleagues can network and reboot. The more places we can have for agents to interact, the more likely they will be to share ideas and work together on transactions. That is why we signed an agreement with the restaurant adjacent to our office, Pitch, to add a rooftop bar and outdoor patio seating. We can also have our mastermind and think tank meetings there; it’s close to our building, but we are still out of the office, so no one will get distracted.
Creating a health-conscious office was also important to us, so we included a hotel-inspired gym and physical activity rooms. We even have a walking club within the office—agents are taking walks around the office together. (Eight laps around is one mile!) Additionally, desks and workstations are designed to be sit-down or stand-up to further encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Having the right amenities to make our agents’ lives easier was also a priority in designing the new building. We have underground parking for agents where they will also be able to have their car washed during the summer while they’re working. Outlets in our conference room, prospecting booths and collaboration areas are all equipped with USB connections.
Agents love personalizing their offices to make them inviting and unique to who they are, and we encourage them to do so. Therefore, agents are customizing their offices with whatever they can think of—foosball and ping pong tables, barn doors, mannequins, chandeliers, TVs and mini bars. This promotes self-expression, helps bring out their individuality, and shows their pride of ownership.
We’ve found that when you have an office that invites agents to collaborate, have fun and be productive—a place where they can proudly bring their clients—they will want to be at work more often and work harder. They are excited to share their unique, creative environment.
Vince Leisey is the president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, www.bhhsamb.com. Email Vince with your comments at vince.leisey@bhhsamb.com.
