Selecting real estate isn’t just about cost per square foot. It’s about aligning your physical footprint with your operational needs, brand values, and culture. At Helm, we’ve seen too many companies treat site selection like speed dating: fast, shallow, and based on surface-level attraction. The result? Mismatched space, underutilized assets, and frustrated teams.
Here are five real-world tips for selecting space that enhances workplace experience—not just square footage.
1. Start With Function, Not Form
Don’t be seduced by exposed brick or rooftop lounges. Ask how the space will function. What work modes does it support? Quiet focus? Group collaboration? Hybrid video meetings? If the layout doesn’t serve how your teams operate, the aesthetic bells and whistles won’t matter.
2. Involve the People Who Use the Space
Your employees are your workplace occupants. Bring them into the process early. Ask what’s working, what’s not, and what’s missing. Look for patterns in their feedback. Often, what they want isn’t luxury—it’s usability.
3. Evaluate Commute and Access Realistically
An amazing space with a terrible commute is a recruitment killer. Use data to map employee locations, transit access, parking, and walkability. If you’re hybrid or fully in-person, proximity matters. Make it easy for great people to say yes to working with you.
4. Test for Flexibility
Does the space give you room to grow? Can it shrink without penalty? What happens if your headcount changes? A great workplace today can become a burden tomorrow if your lease structure is too rigid. We look for embedded flexibility—both in layout and terms.
5. Demand Alignment With Strategy
The right space tells a story. It reinforces who you are as a company. If you say you’re innovative but your space looks like a DMV, there’s a disconnect. If you value collaboration but have no open gathering areas, the message won’t match the behavior.
We help our clients audit these alignment points before signing anything.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Outsource This Blindly
Most brokers work for landlords. That’s a conflict of interest. At Helm, we exclusively represent workplace occupants. We walk with you through the entire selection and negotiation process to ensure the result is more than just a lease, it’s an asset.
Final Thought
Choosing space isn’t just a real estate decision. It’s a leadership decision. One that impacts morale, performance, culture, and brand.
If you’re ready to take your workplace experience seriously, don’t just find a space. Find the right space. One that earns its place in your strategy every single day.
And if you want a partner who thinks that way too, let’s talk.
