How Wellness Amenities Can Ease Employees' Return To The Office — And Add Long-Term Value For Office Properties

After years of remote and hybrid work, many American companies are calling employees back to the office.

According to the fourth-quarter Flex Index report, 32% of U.S. firms now require employees to be in the office full time, while the number mandating at least three days per week has climbed from 19% to 28%.

But the offices employees are returning to don’t look the same. After years of downsizing and consolidating space, many companies are rethinking how to use their square footage strategically — to not just support work but also attract and retain talent.

Among the most in-demand workplace upgrades? Wellness and fitness amenities.

Business Case For Multitenant Wellness Amenities

Workplace wellness isn’t just about treadmills and yoga mats — it’s a powerful asset that helps office properties remain competitive. According to CBRE, approximately 60% of global occupiers plan to increase investments in workplace experience initiatives, including wellness. Deloitte also said employers offering holistic wellness programs see higher productivity and lower turnover.

This translates to a significant opportunity for architects and property owners designing or retrofitting multitenant spaces: Integrating wellness infrastructure can elevate tenant appeal, drive higher lease rates and improve tenant retention.

“Developers and owners are seeing that wellness features aren’t just perks — they’re long-term value drivers,” said Seith Minetti, national director of design and development at Optum Workplace Well-being.

Designing For Engagement, Not Just Aesthetics

Optum’s design consulting service works with corporate clients and real estate developers to create high-impact, rightsized wellness spaces. This approach begins with understanding how employees use the space and how employers define success, whether it is engagement, retention or wellness outcomes.

“Our goal is to create an environment where employees actually want to come in five days a week, even if that’s not company policy,” Minetti said. “That requires more than just nice finishes. It’s about designing spaces that encourage movement, recovery and connection.”

Optum’s team includes FitWel ambassadors who work closely with architects and project stakeholders to inform decisions on everything from layout and equipment to budget planning and smart technology integration.

From Concept To Activation

Wellness design is only the first step. Optum also manages activation, staffing and programming, ensuring that wellness spaces are used, not just admired.

“Remote and hybrid models are reshaping the way fitness is defined,” Vice President of Business Development Alex Greenberg said. “It’s no longer about one room full of equipment. It’s about creating a wellness ecosystem across the property. That includes outdoor spaces, recovery rooms, mindfulness programming and more.”

That flexibility has allowed Optum to support unique projects across the country. In San Francisco, a Class-A property with limited square footage wanted to offer a top-tier wellness amenity. Optum delivered a modular wellness center with multipurpose equipment and a dedicated recovery area, along with technology to track usage and optimize equipment placement.

In another example, a national financial services firm tapped Optum to transition staffing at 11 fitness centers across seven states. With streamlined operations and new engagement platforms, they reduced operating costs by 11%, and usage increased 25%.

Kim Castillo, a business development consultant at Optum, said that its wellness management team goes “beyond the four walls” of fitness centers, helping activate entire office environments through team challenges, ergonomic stretch breaks, meditation sessions and wellness coaching.

“We’re not just designing a space that looks good. We’re creating wellness amenities that corporate employers are looking for,” Greenberg said. “We are experts in driving engagement through our design choices.”

He said Optum's dedicated project managers with extensive experience in fitness center design can provide regional and industry-specific data for comparison to ensure clients can allocate capital efficiently. 

What Architects Should Know

Architects working on multitenant properties can maximize value by planning wellness amenities early in the design process, Greenberg said. Considerations include:

• Flexible layouts that accommodate hybrid use and multipurpose programming.
• Smart tech integration to monitor usage, reduce energy and plan maintenance.
• Biophilic and inclusive design to support diverse user needs.
• Scalable staffing models for different tenant sizes and engagement goals.

Integrating wellness amenities into multitenant office buildings isn't just a trend but a strategic investment that can yield significant long-term benefits. By prioritizing wellness infrastructure, Minetti said architects and property owners can create environments that enhance employee well-being, which in turn drives tenant satisfaction.

As the demand for healthier and more engaging workspaces continues to grow, those who embrace this shift will ensure their properties remain competitive and desirable in the evolving landscape of office real estate, he said.

This article was produced in collaboration between Optum and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studiob@bisnow.com.