The report, commissioned by Crown Workspace, an expert in everything from office removal to workspace refresh, and full refurbishment, reveals a growing disconnect between the design of today’s offices and the evolving needs of their occupants.

Office attendance: preference vs reality

A staggering 91% of employees say they would return to the office more often if the space better supported their needs, highlighting a clear opportunity for businesses to reimagine their work environments. Yet there’s a noticeable disconnect between attendance and employee preferences: while 59% currently work in the office full-time, only 41% say they actually prefer to. Nearly half (47%) favor a hybrid model, reflecting the growing demand for greater flexibility.

Despite this shift, the office still holds value. A full 45% of employees report feeling more productive in the office compared to just 25% at home.

How environment and design are impacting productivity

Open-plan office spaces may have once been seen as a solution for collaboration, but the reality is they often fall short, especially when it comes to supporting creativity and productivity. Three quarters (75%) of employees say that the furniture, layout and flexibility of their office space have a significant impact on their well-being and performance, yet fewer than one in four (24%) feel their current setup actually supports those outcomes. The message is clear: employees want spaces that work with, not against, how they focus and create.

Quiet zones and personalized workspace are high on the wish-list — 67% say access to quiet areas is essential, while 77% value having a dedicated workspace. A further 70% believe having a designated desk with a personalized setup (rather than hot-desking) is critical to a positive office experience. For businesses looking to boost productivity, creativity and a meaningful return to the office, designing workspaces that prioritize focus, ownership, and comfort is essential.

While the survey shows collaborative, open spaces can be positive for offices, it also suggests companies and organizations have neglected the role of quiet spaces for some time.

The role of technology

Employees may be less productive at home simply because they don’t have access to the same equipment they use in the office. Notably, more than a third of employees (36%) only have access to a second monitor at work, highlighting the workplace’s advantage in providing specialized tech resources. Similarly, 40% of employees say they only have access to a printer in the office, compared to just 5% who have access to one exclusively at home — further reinforcing the gap in essential tools between remote and in-office setups.

Other tools, such as industry-specific equipment, are also largely office-based — 58% of employees report having access to these only in the office, compared to just 4% who have access to them exclusively at home.

The future — flexible, focused, and fit for purpose

Looking ahead, 76% of facilities managers say they expect to create more interactive and engaging office environments within the next three years. Many are also evolving how they use space — storing desk equipment, furniture, and safety supplies off-site to make room for new layouts that better suit hybrid and collaborative workstyles.

Interestingly, 48% of facilities managers expect to downsize their office during the same period. This trend may be driven by evolving workplace dynamics in the wake of the pandemic. As Phil Oram, UKI regional director at Crown Workspace, explains:

Since the pandemic, the physical space that an office occupies has come under greater scrutiny. With fewer people in the office, it’s more important than ever to design Workspace around the needs of the workforce. At the same time, organizations must plan for a more sustainable future, aligning with global sustainability goals. As offices downsize, equipment doesn’t need to be discarded — there are real opportunities to upcycle and recycle, giving these items a second life.

The verdict? Reimagine or retire the open office

Commenting on the findings from the report, Oram continued:

Our research shows that the modern workforce wants more from their office environments. Employees are looking for spaces that support both wellbeing and performance. Despite decades of popularity, the fully open office consistently falls short—failing to provide the quiet and personalized spaces people need to thrive. The future of the successful office will need to be flexible, functional, and above all, designed with people in mind. It’s time for employers to rethink their approach and take decisive steps to create Workspace that truly support their people—because when employees thrive, businesses do too.

The report, Is It Time to Kill the Open Office, for Good? (PDF), is available from Crown Workspace.

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June 4, 2025 — Facility management (FM) professionals are encountering greater workloads, more responsibilities, and numerous budgetary challenges, yet job satisfaction within the industry remains steadfastly high. That’s according to the Voice of the Facilities Manager report from PropTech firm MRI Software. 

Key findings of the in-depth report include:

• Workloads and responsibilities have increased over the last three years, but operating budgets have not kept pace. 
• Nevertheless, 76% of respondents stated that they are happy with the flexibility and job security of their roles. Furthermore, 82% expect to be working in the industry in three years’ time.
• Emerging trends such as hybrid work and flexible workplaces have not led to major disruptions, in contrast to what industry insiders might have expected.
• FMs recognize the promise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT), but adoption of these technologies has been limited.

FMs are facing a lot of stress, but they are rising above it. On one hand, increased workloads are a positive sign because they suggest that decision-makers recognize FM as a business imperative. However, technology investment is essential to support the growing responsibilities of facilities managers.

As FM-related data becomes more valuable for strategic decision-making, technology initiatives will gain momentum.

Carla Hinson, VP North America Solutions and Innovation at MRI Software

More than 100 facility managers across North America participated in the survey, which MRI conducted between December 2024 and January of 2025. Respondents represented a variety of demographics and roles within facility management. 

Download the Voice of the Facilities Manager report from MRI Software.

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Each session is 60 minutes. Sessions are approved for 1 CEU for Designers and 1 LU for Architects. Certificates are available post session after completing a 10-question quiz.

Commercial facility management, real estate and design topics are addressed in these NeoCon on-site sessions in the tracks for Workplace/Sustainability/Industry Directions:

Good Leads the Way: United Airlines Headquarters Decarbonization Journey: The renovation and restack of 13 floors at the United Airlines headquarters in Chicago created a hybrid workplace infused with a dynamic energy that reinforces employee pride. This space brings together staff through shared experiences connected to United’s brand story: an airline where Good Leads the Way.

Wellness Real Estate: Supercharging Transformation & Growth: Wellness is emerging as a critical catalyst for growth. This on-site CEU will explore how design that intentionally supports the holistic health of users elevates individual and community well-being and unlocks significant market opportunities. Drawing from Gensler’s research, the session will define and survey a $580 billion U.S. Wellness Real Estate Market and its expansion across the workplace, multifamily residential, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Transforming Buildings into Material Resources: Demolition projects have a significant impact on climate change due to the energy and resources required, as well as the emissions created during the process. Material recovery through deconstruction is an unparalleled opportunity for reducing embodied carbon, while also diverting construction waste, reducing exposure to toxic pollutants, protecting natural resources, and creating green jobs.

How Can Science Make Us All More Creative. Really. In an era where information floods our senses and technology reshapes thinking patterns, the ability to focus has become a precious resource. Our physical surroundings play a key role in enhancing or hindering individual and group creative capabilities. This session explores how scientific research into environmental psychology is leveraged to create spaces that support focus and creativity. From ambient sounds to colors, natural materials, light, and spatial configuration, our environments shape creative potential. Understanding these principles isn’t just about designing better workplaces—it’s about creating environments that help navigate information while maintaining the clarity for innovative thinking.

Virtual sessions in the facilities management track:

FF&E Changes in Sports Spaces: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Clubs: Using case study examples from Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Field Level VIP Clubs, this panel will take a deep dive into navigating the changing landscape of furniture in public assembly spaces. The dynamic group of experts will discuss client expectations and best practices for specifying the right product for the application – extending beyond aesthetics and considering factors such as durability, mobility, accessibility and functionality. As conversions teams are constantly reconfiguring spaces, the session will address approaches to finishes and features to facilitate versatile, multi-use public environments, and to deliver high quality visitor experiences. This panel will discuss how to champion sustainability and community connections. Panelists will underscore proactive communication across the project’s lifecycle, best practices for engaging complex stakeholder networks and a pipeline for continued client communication after installation and solving for arising issues.

Moving Towards Circularity: A Playbook for Sustainable Furniture Planning & Specifications: Think sustainable furniture planning has to be overwhelming, costly or impractical? Think again! This session empowers facility owners, designers, and specifiers with tools and strategies to simplify sustainability and make a measurable impact–and (gasp!) maybe even enjoy the process.

Discover how informed selections, certified materials, and sustainable practices lead to smarter choices that boost durability, extend furniture life, and keep items out of landfills–while saving money and improving budget efficiency. We’ll guide you through RFPs, procurement, and change management, transforming these steps into powerful tools for creating healthier spaces and minimizing environmental harm.

Whether you’re tackling large-scale projects or refining your specification process, this session offers practical strategies to achieve financial savings. Leave with fresh ideas, useful tools, and the confidence to make impactful decisions that save resources and create lasting value.

The Industry Directions, Sustainability and Wellness tracks feature these sessions:

Behavior by Design: Can Design Make Us Better People?: Beyond aesthetics, well designed environments impacts everyone and enables us to enjoy: Improved wellbeing, business and medical outcomes; reduced isolation loneliness and crime; safe neighborhoods and strong communities. Conversely, bad design can interfere with all of these. Data collected in & on spaces reveals correlations between spatial design and human behavior. Can designers tune design for desired human behavior? Should we? Who decides? This session will present projects and research that illustrate the outcome of spatial design on its occupants and the potential for design-orchestrated behavior. The session will invite audience members into discussion on the implications for the possible future of design.

Building Products Selection & Procurement: The release of LEED V5 this year represents the boldest major update for materials and products in over a decade. The material selection landscape is changing each day, and those designing as well as specifying finishes, furniture, flooring, etc. are placing a critical lens on the process taken to affect change in the built environment. This session will cover what’s new for V5 and how to maximize points in the new rating system. You will hear from USGBC staff and members of the LEED Technical Advisory Group who helped launch the new rating system. USGBC will discuss the Building Product Selection & Procurement credit, which is rooted in the impact areas of LEED Version 5. Members of the Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group will address the ways in which the criteria areas, which have been intentionally aligned with the Mindful Materials Common Materials Framework, will impact the industry from the perspective of those designing, specifying and manufacturing.

Creating Long-Term Value from the Experience Design Process: When architecture, interior design, technology, signage, and service design are coordinated separately, the result is a fragmented experience for users. And as organizations expand, this siloed approach to design results in a broader sense of inconsistency, affecting trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. The solution to this fragmentation and inconsistency is experience design: an integrated, human-centered, place-oriented approach that brings all design disciplines together. While many organizations are going through the process of experience design, they are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: how to maintain that value over time. The key? Experience design guidelines that turn experiential thinking into a set of actionable and adaptable outcomes. This session explores how both organizations and designers can create, implement, and continuously update experience design guidelines to maximize long-term ROI.

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For decades, IFMA has recognized and championed the business case for energy efficiency — highlighting its role in enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness, reducing environmental waste and strengthening national security.

Consumers and businesses alike rely on Energy Star ratings when making informed decisions about appliances and equipment. Eliminating this publicly funded resource without consulting the industries and individuals who depend on it is shortsighted and irresponsible. Dean Stanberry, immediate past chair of IFMA

Facility managers face the realities of energy management every day. Commercial buildings are among the largest consumers of electricity in the United States, making them key targets for energy-saving opportunities. Facility managers not only reduce operational costs through energy-efficient strategies but also educate building occupants on best practices and emerging technologies.

Energy Star is not just for U.S. households — it’s a global benchmark with far-reaching influence across commercial facilities of every type. From HVAC systems to lighting, life safety equipment and manufacturing tools, Energy Star provides independent, trusted confirmation of quality and efficiency. Facility managers, building owners and employers depend on this program to maintain healthy, sustainable workplaces that support core business functions. Michael V. Geary, CAE, President & CEO of IFMA

IFMA says it remains committed to collaborating with policymakers and industry stakeholders worldwide to promote efficiency, innovation and sustainability in the built environment.

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Energy savings of up to 15%

Advantages of PCM ceiling panels stem from the fact that they support thermal comfort with no mechanics, energy expenditure, or fossils fuels to burn! A valuable, sustainable solution for a world prioritizing decarbonization, ceiling panels with PCM technology can reduce energy costs and consumption by as much as 15%.* By enabling energy savings, these ceilings offer advantages including:

• Reduced reliance on fossil-fuel powered HVAC systems
• Less wear on HVAC systems — critical to facilities with aging systems and strict budgets
• Improved thermal comfort — especially well-suited for changing climates or environments with daily hot-cold fluctuations
• Ability to enhance indoor environmental quality with features like acoustical sound blocking and absorption
• Easy installation and little-to-no maintenance

Energy-saving ceiling products also fit into the thermal comfort portion of the WELL Building Standard and can contribute to energy and atmosphere credits for LEED.

Up to 50% in tax credits

While the above advantages can work to help a facility realize ongoing savings related to lower energy consumption and less reliance on mechanical heating and cooling — a project owner can get a “head start” on cost benefits because PCM ceiling panels qualify for certain tax credits. Projects utilizing energy-saving ceiling panels may qualify for Investment Tax Credit (ITC) 48E, which was introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and offers tax incentives for investments in clean energy technologies. Because of their thermal energy storage properties, most projects using PCM ceiling panels may qualify:

• Up to 40% federal tax credit
• Additional 10% tax credit if the project is deployed in an “Energy Community.” (i.e., a Brownfields site or fossil-fuel-dependent community)

When investing in energy-saving ceilings for a project, consider a solution that helps you maximize tax savings opportunities. For example, when installing an Armstrong Templok Energy Saving Ceiling, the ceiling panels, and associated grid, trim, and labor all qualify for tax credits under ITC 48E. Moreover, these panels are made in the U.S.A. of domestic and global content, meeting a requirement for additional tax savings.**

Qualifying energy saving ceiling projects include those of taxpayers and non-taxpaying entities and span multiple sectors, including:

• Public — such as government entities
• Private — corporations, healthcare facilities and others
• Education — K-12 and higher education
• 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations

The list of ideal projects is extensive and includes K-12 schools, public and private universities, dorms, museums, hospitals, nonprofit offices/facilities, military bases, courthouses, faith-based buildings, convention centers, and arenas — to name a few. In addition to getting information from the ceiling manufacturer, it’s important to consult your tax advisor to confirm qualification of your project.

More affordable, more sustainable

Thanks to tax credits, the use of energy-saving ceilings could make your next construction or renovation project more affordable. And, with PCM technology helping reduce energy costs, the impact on your bottom line won’t stop there. You can learn more about energy saving ceilings and related tax credits by visiting Armstrong Ceilings.

Notes:

• *Cooling energy savings according to research estimates measured in lab tests. Results may vary.
• ** This article lists various federal tax credits and deductions that your project may qualify for when purchasing Armstrong TEMPLOK Energy Saving Ceilings. Please consult your own tax attorney or advisor.
• LEED is a registered trademark of the U.S. Green Building Council; WELL Building Standard is a trademark of the Well Building Institute.

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The Universal Fiber Systems team and Board of Directors are excited to welcome Jonathan Craig as our new CEO. Jonathan’s extensive expertise in fiber technologies and global business strategy, shaped by key leadership roles within our supply chain ecosystem, makes him an excellent choice to lead UFS into its next chapter.

Marc Ammen, outgoing CEO and Executive Board Chair

Craig succeeds Marc Ammen, who is retiring after over fifteen years as CEO and twenty-five years with Universal Fiber Systems. Under Ammen’s leadership, UFS achieved significant growth, establishing global manufacturing sites and completing key acquisitions, including Sapona Yarns and Fiber Innovation Technologies. Ammen will continue to serve as Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.

Craig joins Universal Fiber Systems from Ascend Performance Materials, where he most recently served as Vice President of Polymers and Fibers. During his tenure, he was instrumental in delivering significant profit growth by driving operational efficiency, customer-focused innovation, and industry-leading sustainability initiatives. He led the transformation of a specialty chemicals division and previously held senior roles in supply chain and finance at Ascend. Earlier in his career, Craig also held leadership positions at Bigler LP and Biogen Idec.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for UFS, as the company expands its global footprint and now serves twenty-seven end markets through targeted investments and strategic acquisitions.

I’m honored to join Universal Fiber Systems and lead such a talented and dedicated team. UFS has a strong history of innovation and serving diverse customer needs. I’m excited to build on that legacy and work closely with our teams and customers to create meaningful solutions for the future. This opportunity is not just a professional milestone but also a meaningful transition for my family. I’m grateful for the support of my wife Elizabeth and our four children as we begin this next chapter together.

Jonathan Craig

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The Anniversary of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that spurred workplace safety in 1911 is a time to refocus on steps that help protect workers everywhere.

May 12, 2025 — The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has published the fourth installment of a corporate safety insight report that contains firsthand views and experiences of business leaders from all industries. Environmental health and safety (EHS) professionals can use these key observations to make strategic decisions that drive improvements at their companies and around the globe.

Valuable feedback and context from seasoned executives is gathered each year through ASSP’s Corporate Listening Tour, an activity that helps inform and direct ASSP as a trusted advisor as well as corporate initiatives that protect worker safety, health and well-being. The project is led by CEO Jennifer McNelly, CAE, who meets with a broad range of safety executives to discover trends impacting their companies and the safety profession.

Investing in safety is a direct investment in people, business sustainability and long-term success. The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that nearly 5,300 fatal work injuries occurred in 2023, meaning that a worker died every 99 minutes. That’s not acceptable. On-the-job fatalities are preventable.

CEO Jennifer McNelly, CAE

ASSP’s 2025 report from its Corporate Listening Tour describes EHS as a business imperative and identifies three interconnected themes that shape workplace safety today:

1. Workforce Challenges: The Shifting Labor Market. This theme explores workforce instability and retention; the development of company leaders; and mental health and psychological safety.
2. Aligning Safety With Business Strategy. This theme examines leadership commitment and decision-making; risk management and connecting safety to the bottom line; and going beyond legal compliance.
3. Safety Leadership and Culture. This theme involves moving from compliance to influence; using safety as a competitive advantage; and strengthening employee engagement.

The report proposes a set of questions to help spark discussions among safety teams and with their colleagues and corporate leaders. It’s through proactive conversations about trends and potential risks that we can better integrate program improvements to reduce worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

ASSP President Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP

Learn more about the Corporate Listening Tour and download the reports from ASSP.

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RentCafé’s annual report tracks the pipeline of apartments converted from former office spaces, which has now reached an astounding 70,700 units in the pipeline — more than triple the 23,100 units converted in 2022.

Check out the hotspots of conversion and the key trends:

• The conversion pipeline has grown by 28% year-over-year in 2025, comprising 51,630 units carried over from the pipeline at the start of 2024 and 19,021 new conversions.  
• New York has the biggest office-to-apartment conversions pipeline (8,310 units), followed by last year’s #1, Washington, D.C. (6,533 units); Los Angeles in third place (4,388 units); Chicago (3,606 units); and Dallas (2,752 units).  
•  In 16 of the top 20 metros, more than half of all adaptive reuse projects involve office-to-apartment conversions. Four metros stand out with shares exceeding 70%: Phoenix (71%); Minneapolis (78%); Dallas (79%); and Omaha, NE (85% — marking the largest share nationwide). 
•  There’s an increasing focus on repurposing modern buildings: Newer office buildings constructed between the 1990s and 2010s now represent 1.27% of the completed conversions. However, their share is expected to grow significantly, with their share set to rise to 7%. 
•  Office conversions now represent 42% of all the 169,000 apartments emerging from future adaptive reuse projects — up from 38% in 2024. Nationwide, 14.8% of all office buildings are deemed suitable for conversion, according to CommercialEdge’s Conversion Feasibility Index.  
• Office-to-apartment conversions have more than tripled, growing from 23,100 units in 2022 to 70,700 units in the pipeline in 2025. 
• Modern buildings constructed between the 1990s and 2010s are becoming more common in conversion projects. While they accounted for just 1.27% of completed conversions, their share is projected to rise to 7%. 
• According to CommercialEdge’s Conversion Feasibility Index, 14.8% of all office buildings in the U.S. are suitable for conversion. 

Additionally, here are some of the most notable conversion projects across the country, each set to bring hundreds of much-needed apartments to their respective cities:  

1. In New York City, a standout project is the transformation of Pfizer’s former global headquarters at 219 E 42nd St., which is expected to create 536 rental units. 
2. A key conversion in Washington, D.C., is the Universal Buildings project at 1825-1875 Connecticut Ave. NW. The property — totaling more than 1 million square feet — will be transformed into The Geneva, a residential complex containing 525 new apartments with at least 69 affordable units. 
3. In Los Angeles, the 3rd biggest office conversion hub in the country, a significant project is the ARCO Tower redevelopment, which will transform the 33-story office building at 1055 Seventh St. into brand-new apartments. 
4. One major project in Chicago is 30 N LaSalle St., where 432,000 square feet of space will be revamped into 432 new apartments, including 130 affordable units. 
5. In Dallas, the Bryan Tower stands out as a key project to watch: Built in 1973 and purchased by Woods Capital in 2022, the 1.1-million-square-foot glass tower will be transformed into 425 new apartments. 

Read the annual report tracking office-to apartment conversions at RentCafé.

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By Eileen McMorrow — NeoCon, the world’s premier fair for commercial design, is pleased to announce a powerhouse jury for the 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 35th year, the industry-leading competition features an on-site panel of top architects, designers, facility managers and business media who will conduct an in-depth review of the latest solutions shaping contract environments. Broad in its reach, the program brings together multidisciplinary professionals across workplace, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality sectors to evaluate 40 plus categories — from furnishings and architectural products to surface materials and more. 

With insider knowledge and real-world experience in specification, design strategy and product performance, the 2025 roster includes decision-makers from Aflac, CBRE and Walgreens, and designers from Corgan, Gensler, Marmon Mok and Shepley Bulfinch, to name a few. The distinguished group will judge each entry in-person at THE MART in Chicago on June 6 and 7, before the show opens. Winners will be unveiled during a high-energy ceremony on Monday, June 9, at 7:30 a.m., kicking off the 56th edition of NeoCon.

“Each year, we select a jury with a keen understanding of how products influence the built environment,” remarks Eileen McMorrow, Director of the Best of NeoCon Program. “Their expertise — from both the interior design perspective and the facility manager and end-user experience — is invaluable in recognizing solutions that push the industry forward.”

Uniting returning and first-time jurors with a diverse range of perspectives and project experience, the delegation ensures a well-rounded assessment of every submission. Participants include Suzanne Lefebvre of CannonDesign (Buffalo, NY), Annie Portner of Gensler (Philadelphia), Brad Robichaux of HKS (Dallas), and Robin Turansky of TVS (Atlanta), alongside seasoned facility managers Lelitha Williams of Aflac (Columbus, GA), Kathryn Feddor of CBRE (Chicago), and Jennifer Leighty of Walgreens (Kenosha, WI). The full list of jurors can be found on the Best of NeoCon website.

Regarding the critical role the Best of NeoCon jury plays in recognizing standout innovations, Lelitha Williams, Supervisor, Office Design & Planning at Aflac, says, “We carefully assess each product’s potential impact on real-world applications, validating that award recipients represent the best solutions for today’s built environments and reinforce the integrity and prestige that have made these awards so respected.”

Jurors will engage in an immersive evaluation of every Best of NeoCon entry — allowing for careful deliberation, meaningful dialogue with manufacturers, and product testing. This face-to-face exchange, paired with the jury’s thorough onsite assessment, upholds the Best of NeoCon program’s reputation as the most trusted industry benchmark for design excellence.

“One of the highlights for me is meeting with the product designers and learning about their process, seeing firsthand how their vision comes to life,” notes returning juror Suzanne Lefebvre, Interior Design Leader at CannonDesign. “I value the opportunity to dive deeper into emerging trends and technologies, particularly in how they affect student and staff experiences in the academic and workplace settings.”

Awards are given for Gold, Silver, Innovation and Sustainability, and the singular Best of Competition honor. The Business Impact Awards will also return, recognizing products that drive organizational performance through smarter workflows, cost savings, space optimization and other strategic outcomes. Business Impact finalists will advance to a second round of on-site review by a panel of business journalists from Fast Company, Forbes, Newsweek, Vogue Business and Morning Brew, among other notable publications.

This year, NeoCon attendees will also be able to weigh in on innovations through the inaugural People’s Choice Awards. This peer-to-peer recognition allows industry professionals to vote for their favorite Best of NeoCon-winning products via QR codes displayed in award recipients’ booths and showrooms throughout THE MART, during the show. The winners will be revealed on Wednesday, June 11.

Submission rules, deadlines and entry fees

NeoCon exhibitors are encouraged to submit entries through the Best of NeoCon online portal. Eligible products must have entered the U.S. market since June 2024 and be on display at NeoCon 2025. Products previously entered in Best of NeoCon 2024 are ineligible. Entrants must be NeoCon 2025 exhibitors. The final submission deadline is May 20th at $1,100 per entry and the Business Impact Award opt-in fee is $250 per entry.

More details on the program and entry process can be found at Best of NeoCon.

NeoCon 2025 is open to trade, C-suite executives, and other industry-related professionals, and registration is free for all attendees. Register here. 

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Five years following the start of the global pandemic, we continue to see the evolution and growing momentum toward the office sector. As companies more frequently adapt their hybrid policies to favor greater in-office attendance, at JLL, we help our clients identify and create high-quality, sustainable spaces that support the well-being and productivity of their workforce. While global fit-out costs vary greatly, depending on regulations, design preferences and functional requirements, our team and the Global Office Fit-Out Cost Guide helps organizations plan their office spaces and projects in the face of market uncertainty.

Cynthia Kantor, CEO, Project & Development Services, Work Dynamics

Office fit-out costs on the rise, led by North America

Across all regions surveyed, office fit-out costs have increased in the last 12 months to varying degrees. With 59% of organizations globally planning to increase investment in space design, multinational corporations must understand regional disparities in office build-out costs to inform strategic planning. As with previous years, JLL found fit-out costs are highest in U.S., Canada, U.K., Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and UAE, Singapore and Japan.

Regionally, a significant premium for office fit-outs is commanded by North America, where the average fit-out costs is $3,070/sqm, compared to the global average of $1,830/sqm. In Latin America the average fit-out cost is $1,790, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa, which present a wide range of office build-out costs, with an average of $1,970. Asia Pacific offers the lowest regional average cost at $1,460.

Global variations between major cities also persist. U.S. cities dominate the top 20 cities by office fit-out cost globally, alongside other major cities such as Vancouver, Tokyo, London and Dubai. Alternatively, global cities with high growth across India, South Africa, Vietnam and China offer among the lowest build-out costs globally, though they are actively experiencing high construction growth and an evolving cost landscape.

Macro-economic impacts and “flight to quality” drive market cost expectations

Of the markets assessed, fit-out cost increases over the last 12 months were driven by inflation, material costs and currency volatility. Three-quarters of markets reported increases in raw material prices, and half have experienced labor shortages in the last 12 months that have increased construction costs.

Organizations need to factor in these potential cost factors throughout global construction when developing their build-out budgets. To help with this process, JLL identified a nine-point pricing matrix, adapting standardized layouts to various quality levels (baseline, medium, high) and office configurations (Progressive hybrid, Moderate hybrid and Traditional focus), reflecting a variety of cost factors and potential associated outcomes that can inform the design and delivery of office fit-outs. Builder works or construction, for example, accounts for the largest component of fit-out costs globally (37%) and in all regions except Latin America. These costs can be most susceptible to raw material prices and supply chain risks. Mechanical and electrical (M&E) expenses account for the second-largest cost, varying from 20 to 45% of costs.

Sustainability drives continued demand

Amid growing interest in healthier, energy-efficient workspaces, paired with the friction created by a lack of immediate supply, demand for sustainable fit-outs is on the rise, with 60% of markets surveyed reporting an increase in client inquiries for a more sustainable build-out in the last 12 months.

This echoes recent JLL Future of Work research, which found two-thirds of organizations globally plan to increase investment in sustainability performance in the next five years. A large part of sustainable fit-out costs are dedicated to mechanical and electrical services (M&E services), which, across all countries, were found to account for an average of 29% of total build-out expenses, with some regions reporting 40-50% of costs. However, these upfront costs are often where the greatest long-term cost efficiencies can be found, as research has also shown that investing in upgrades to M&E services can save between 10%-40% on operational energy costs, depending on level of investment and upgrade.

Investing in energy-efficient components throughout build-outs and engaging with sustainability experts early in the project planning process can also help ensure sustainability requirements and costs are considered as part of the in the decision-making process, reducing the risk of for late additions or changes to meet sustainability needs.

Optimism around the office, despite caution surrounding potential challenges

Despite the positive outlook, challenges remain for office fit-out development. Local and regional considerations for labor shortages, talent acquisition, material availability and liquidity are all potential hurdles that global companies must navigate to ensure successful project completion. Additionally, amid economic and political uncertainty, instability persists throughout projects globally, largely driven by the potential implications of trade and tariffs. Early planning for lease ends and decisive investment in existing buildings will benefit landlords and occupiers and help to plan for and manage associated costs, as hesitancy around investment has led to tighter timeframes for leasing and capital projects.

The global office sector faces a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities in 2025. As corporate clients grow and expand their footprints, we anticipate the office construction will remain active even amid market uncertainty, and encourage early, strategic planning to ensure the success of fit-out initiatives.

Ruth Hynes, Director of Research & Strategy, Work Dynamics EMEA

Global Office Fit-Out Cost Guide 2025 is available at JLL.

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