Last week, I learnt something surprising from a tenant.
When searching for an office, most businesses focus on the obvious factors:
- Rental cost
- Size
- Layout
- Meeting rooms
- Location
All important considerations.
But one tenant told me something that made me think differently.
“Amy, the office is beautiful, but every morning my team spends 5 to 10 minutes waiting for the lift.”
I was surprised.
The building was a well-known office tower in Singapore’s CBD.
On paper, it seemed perfect.
Good location.
Professional image.
Reasonable layout.
Yet there was one issue that wasn’t obvious during the initial viewing.
The lift situation.
The Problem You Don't Notice Until Move-In
During peak periods:
- Before work
- Lunch hour
- End of the day
The lifts were frequently full.
Employees would wait.
A lift arrives.
It’s packed.
They wait again.
And sometimes again.
What should have been a short journey became a daily frustration.
Some employees reportedly preferred taking the stairs down for lunch because it was faster than waiting for the lift.
That was when I realised something important.
An office isn’t just about the office unit.
It’s about the entire daily experience.
What Tenants Often Overlook
When viewing offices, many tenants spend most of their time inside the unit.
They focus on:
- The reception area
- Meeting rooms
- Window views
- Floor layout
But the reality is that employees spend part of every day interacting with the building itself.
Things like:
- Lift waiting times
- Common corridor conditions
- Toilet cleanliness
- Air-conditioning performance
- Building maintenance standards
can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction.
These aren’t headline features.
But they affect people every single day.
The Pantry Issue Nobody Talks About
Another issue that surprised me involved office pantries.
Many tenants assume every office building offers convenient pantry facilities.
That isn’t always the case.
Some buildings have:
- Internal wet pantries inside the office unit
- Shared common pantries
- Dry pantries only
And occasionally, some office setups have very limited pantry facilities.
So what happens when employees need to wash their cups, bowls, or plates?
In some cases, they end up using the toilet basin.
Not because they want to.
Because there is simply no other practical option.
At first glance, it sounds like a minor inconvenience.
But imagine repeating that process every day.
Small inconveniences eventually become major frustrations.
The Difference Between Viewing and Working
One of the biggest mistakes office tenants make is evaluating an office based on a one-hour viewing.
An office may feel impressive during a tour.
But what matters is how the space functions:
- Every morning
- Every lunch break
- Every evening
Questions worth asking include:
- How busy are the lifts during peak periods?
- Is there sufficient lift capacity for the building population?
- Are pantry facilities practical?
- How clean and well-maintained are the common areas?
- What is the condition of the toilets?
- How responsive is the building management team?
These factors are often more important than tenants realise.
Why Employee Experience Matters More Today
The workplace has changed significantly.
Many companies now operate hybrid work arrangements.
Employees spend fewer days in the office compared to before.
Ironically, this means the quality of the office experience matters even more.
When employees do come into the office, businesses want the experience to be:
• Convenient
• Comfortable
• Productive
• Enjoyable
Companies are increasingly recognising that workplace quality affects:
• Staff satisfaction
• Employee retention
• Recruitment efforts
• Workplace culture
A better office experience can create a more positive work environment.
Looking Beyond Rent
Rental cost will always be important.
However, focusing exclusively on rent can sometimes lead to poor long-term decisions.
A slightly cheaper office may come with:
- Lift congestion
- Poor common facilities
- Limited amenities
- Operational inconveniences
Over time, these issues can affect employee morale and workplace satisfaction.
The best office is not necessarily the office with the lowest rental.
It is often the office that delivers the best overall experience for the people who use it every day.
Key Takeaway
When choosing an office, don’t just inspect the unit.
Inspect the building.
Look at:
- The lifts
- The toilets
- The common areas
- The pantry facilities
- The overall employee experience
Because your team won’t just be working inside the office.
They’ll be living with the building every day.
And sometimes, the things tenants regret most are the things they never thought to check before signing the lease.
Common FAQs
1. Why should I check lift waiting times during an office viewing?
Lift congestion can significantly affect employee experience, especially during peak periods such as mornings, lunch hours, and evenings.
2. How can I assess lift performance before leasing?
3. Why are pantry facilities important?
Employees use pantry facilities daily. Poor pantry arrangements can create inconvenience and negatively impact workplace satisfaction.
4. Should I inspect the common toilets during a viewing?
5. What building factors should tenants evaluate besides the office unit?
Consider:
- Lift capacity
- Toilet condition
- Common area maintenance
- Air-conditioning performance
- Building management quality
- Food and amenities nearby
6. Does building quality affect employee retention?
Increasingly, yes. Employees value comfortable, well-maintained workplaces that support productivity and wellbeing.
7. Why do some tenants regret choosing an office after moving in?
Many issues such as lift congestion, pantry limitations, and building maintenance standards only become apparent after daily use.
8. How early should I start evaluating office options?
Ideally, start your search 3–12 months before lease expiry, depending on office size and requirements. This allows sufficient time to evaluate not just the office unit, but the overall building experience as well.
