Ep. 48 What Modern Office Tenants Actually Want From Their Buildings

In this episode of Peak Property Performance, Bill Douglas and Drew Hall speak with Audra Cunningham, founder of ACRE Consultants, about what today's office tenants actually want—and what owners often overlook. Drawing on her experience as both a corporate tenant and national tenant representative, Audra explains why companies are prioritizing quality, amenities, connectivity, hospitality, and employee experience over simply finding the lowest-priced space.Post-pandemic office tenant expectationsTenant experience and employee attractionOffice amenities and hospitalityDigital infrastructure and connectivityReturn-to-office strategiesClass A vs. older office propertiesOffice leasing trendsTechnology investmentsTenant retention and property valueDrew: What are tenants asking for today that has changed since the pandemic?Audra: Real estate decisions now involve CEOs, CFOs, CHROs, and other leaders because the office has to support the business and its people. Tenants are evaluating the surrounding neighborhood, amenities, technology, and overall experience—not just the brick and mortar.Drew: Is price still one of the biggest deciding factors?Audra: Tenants are willing to pay more per square foot for better-quality environments, even if that means taking less space. They want offices that help attract employees back without forcing them to return. Location, amenities, ownership, management, and the relationship they'll have with the building all influence the decision.Bill: What does hospitality actually mean in an office environment?Audra: It's about creating an experience that feels more like a hotel or welcoming home than a sterile office building. Coffee bars, comfortable meeting spaces, concierge services, thoughtful design, and other details can completely change how employees and visitors experience a property.Bill: Are some of the best tenant experiences things you can't actually see?Audra: Absolutely. Technology and reliable connectivity may be invisible, but they help employees work efficiently. Safe bike storage, showers, consistent connectivity, and infrastructure that supports how people actually use the property can be just as valuable as a fitness center or coffee shop.Drew: Do tenants assume connectivity will work, or are they asking about it?Audra: They're asking. Tenants want to understand connectivity, HVAC performance, hot and cold zones, and potential dead zones. Once they've narrowed options based on location and aesthetics, infrastructure can become the difference between a yes and a no.Bill: What's really happening in the office market beyond the headlines?Audra: Leasing has become a talent decision. Companies may take less space, consider shorter leases, or even explore ownership, but they're still making office commitments. The difference is that decisions are more thoughtful and focused on what works for employees and the business today.Drew: Best career or life advice?Audra: Be bold and authentically yourself.Bill: One habit that makes you more effective?Audra: Smile, be pleasant, and be kind to everyone.Drew: Early bird or night owl?Audra: Both. I'm naturally an early person, but sometimes the work keeps me up late.Contact the GuestAudra CunninghamFounder, ACRE ConsultantsEmail: audra@acre-inc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/audracunningham/ Website: https://acre-inc.com/ Phone number: (404)353-8233 The Peak Property Performance Podcast is hosted by Bill Douglas and Drew Hall of OpticWise. The show explores how commercial real estate owners and operators improve performance through digital infrastructure, operational intelligence, AI, and better decision-making.Learn more:https://www.peakpropertyperformance.comhttps://www.opticwise.comWatch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@PeakPropertyPerformance