The secret to making your best lease decision yet? Talking to your ERGs.

What characteristics of a neighborhood make it a great place to work?

This invites a description of an experience without limiting it to our own notions of what a great neighborhood might be.

What neighborhood or building services make a meaningful impact on your day?

In commercial real estate, we tend to focus on physical features of buildings and spaces, but it is often the services that have the most impact.

If all options were available, how would you choose to commute into the office – and why?

It’s helpful to understand how commuting fits into the context of people’s lives and the value they place on various modes of transportation.

What space is missing from your current office that would support you and your work better?

This helps expand our minds about what should be considered in an office program and invites options that are not automatic in a typical plan.

What activities are more productive (and more challenging) for you when working our current space? What activities are better supported at home than in the office?

When needs are not met in an office they can often be accommodated at home where employees have more control over their environment. Invite a conversation about how they are meeting their needs at home and maybe some of that can be incorporated into a new office plan.

Where do you go to take a break?

How and where we find respite in our workplace goes well beyond standard wellness room walls. Understanding that we do not have a universal definition of “relaxing” creates a lot of possibilities.

What spaces in the office signal to you that the company values you and your work?

This lends to the notion that spaces can make you feel valued (and also not valued) – it’s important. It is critical to decode the signals we send with every design choice.

“As someone who is neurodivergent, not having a dedicated desk in an office space creates significant anxiety and impacts my ability to do my best work. It makes me worry about where I’ll sit, if the desk is usually occupied by someone else will I need to move, is it lit badly or under an air conditioning unit and whether equipment will function and is set up how I like it. These kinds of discomforts distract me from being able to focus on my work. In contrast, working from home or in a dedicated, shared office space with those I work with most frequently allows me to thrive, giving me an environment much more connected to what I need to succeed.”

Sarah Trew, Risk & Compliance, Monitoring & QA Analyst; Avison Young ERG leader: Spark

"The bright, open space boosts my energy. It’s nice to have an open environment where the sound of people working makes me feel productive. Our office’s furniture is comfortable, particularly in collaboration sitting areas. Our location is great; close to transit, cutting commute times, offering plenty of lunch options and other amenities that make coming into the office a very positive experience.”

Simone Loumankis, Practice Leader - Ontario; Avison Young ERG leader: Roots

“Many factors shape the work experience. As a woman, I value environments that feel safe, inclusive, and support both collaboration and focus. Access to quality personal and wellness spaces that offer privacy is essential. Design should energize – through natural light, varied work zones, and thoughtful layout. Location also matters: safety, accessibility, and proximity to fitness, childcare or everyday services like shops enhance well-being. As work habits shift, with people using offices at different hours, clear safety guidance for working alone also becomes vital. A well-designed workspace supports personal needs, fosters productivity, and ensures everyone feels secure and empowered throughout their day.”

Vikki Bingham, Director, U.K. Sales Enablement and Client Development; Avison Young ERG leader: Empower

“Designing workspaces is about people, space and placemaking. At Avison Young, recognizing the diverse needs of our workforce means embracing individuality, intersectionality, and unique perspectives. A thriving workplace offers choice – quiet zones for focus, vibrant shared spaces for collaboration and casual areas for quick breaks or reconnection. It’s about supporting real life: a private call with your doctor, a moment for prayer, or a pause to recharge. When we create environments that reflect and respect our people, we empower them to be their best, most authentic selves. Because our greatest strength isn’t just in our spaces – it’s our people.”

Arlene Dedier, Principal & Managing Director, Canadian Practice Leader, Project Management Services; Avison Young ERG leader: Roots