In an age where remote work capabilities have never been better, we recently made what some might consider a counterintuitive investment: we purchased and completely transformed a building into a state-of-the-art office space for our team.
Some might question this decision. After all, technology now enables our industry to operate more remotely than ever before.
Sales agents are inherently mobile, and property managers can access their systems from anywhere. So why invest so heavily in physical space?
The answer is simple but profound: culture drives performance, and culture thrives in spaces where people genuinely want to be.
Beyond four walls and a desk
When we began planning our new headquarters 18 months ago, we were admittedly bursting at the seams in our previous location.
But simply finding a larger space was never the primary goal.
We wanted to create an environment that embodied our values and enhanced the connections between our team members.
The result is an open-plan office where, aside from meeting rooms, the only closed door is the storeroom.
Everyone—including myself and our management team—works in the open environment.
This wasn’t just an aesthetic choice; it was a deliberate statement about transparency and accessibility.
Our kitchen and communal areas were designed to encourage spontaneous interaction.
The acoustic meeting pods we installed have proven so popular we’re often running out of them despite having four throughout the building.
What’s most satisfying isn’t any particular feature, though—it’s the feeling you get when you walk in.
There’s an energy and connectedness that simply wasn’t possible in our previous space.
Since moving in July, we’ve witnessed measurable growth both in our business results and in the personal development of our team members.
The changing role of the workplace
The modern workplace serves a fundamentally different function than it did even a decade ago.
For many of our team, particularly younger staff, the office has become much more than just where work happens—it’s become their primary social network and community.
Many of our staff have formed their closest friendships with colleagues they’ve met in our office.
These relationships extend beyond work hours and create a support network that enhances both their professional and personal lives.
This shift in the role of the workplace is something I believe many business owners haven’t fully recognised.
We’re no longer just providing a location for work to be completed; we’re creating the environment where many people will spend the majority of their waking hours and form some of their most significant relationships.
Counterbalancing industry pressures
Let’s be honest—real estate can be a challenging industry. We deal with clients facing significant financial decisions, often under stress.
We navigate rising rents, housing affordability issues, and people experiencing genuine hardship.
The industry structure itself places considerable performance pressure on individuals.
With so many external factors creating pressure and sometimes negativity, I believe it’s essential to create an internal environment that counterbalances these forces.
Our office was designed with this specific purpose in mind—to be an overwhelmingly positive space where our team can recharge, connect, and find the support they need to navigate the challenges our industry presents.
This positive environment doesn’t just make work more enjoyable; it directly impacts our ability to deliver for clients.
A supported, engaged team is simply better equipped to handle difficult situations with empathy and professionalism.
Attraction and retention in a competitive market
The talent pool in regional centres like Townsville isn’t infinite. We compete for talented professionals not just with other real estate agencies but with employers across various industries.
Since unveiling our new space, we’ve successfully recruited key personnel who might previously have been beyond our reach.
When talented people walk into an environment that clearly demonstrates investment in staff wellbeing and professional growth, it sends a powerful message about organisational values.
For younger professionals in particular, the physical work environment is a significant factor in employment decisions.
A space that appears neglected or outdated communicates volumes about how an organisation values its people and whether it’s forward-thinking enough to be worth committing to.
Creating pull, not push
Perhaps the most important philosophy behind our office redesign was our determination to create an environment people want to be in, rather than one they’re required to be in.
We could have implemented rigid policies mandating office attendance, but that approach rarely fosters the genuine engagement we desire.
Instead, we invested in creating a space so appealing and functional that our team chooses to be there even when they could work elsewhere.
This “pull” rather than “push” approach has proven remarkably effective. Our sales agents—who have always had significant autonomy regarding where they work—are spending more time in the office, collaborating more frequently, and reporting higher satisfaction levels.
Measuring success beyond aesthetics
Looking forward, our most important measure of success won’t be compliments on our design choices (though those are always welcome).
Instead, we’re focusing on staff engagement metrics.
Are our team members connected to and enthusiastic about our vision?
Do they feel supported in achieving both professional and personal goals?
Are they forming meaningful relationships that enhance their work experience?
These are the questions that will determine whether our investment has truly paid off.
Early indicators are promising.
We’ve seen increased collaboration across departments, more spontaneous problem-solving, and a tangible lift in team spirit.
These soft measures ultimately translate to hard business results—better client outcomes, increased productivity, and stronger retention.
Is a similar investment right for your agency?
Not every agency needs or can afford a complete office transformation.
However, every agency leader should be thinking critically about what their physical environment communicates about their values and priorities.
Sometimes small changes can make a significant difference.
Creating comfortable collaboration spaces, improving natural light, or simply ensuring there are areas where teams can gather informally can yield substantial benefits without major investment.
The key is approaching your office not just as a functional necessity but as a strategic asset that either enhances or hinders your culture.
In an industry where people are your primary competitive advantage, the environment where those people spend their days matters tremendously.
As we navigate the ongoing debates about remote versus in-office work, I believe the most successful agencies won’t be those that mandate either extreme.
Instead, they’ll be those that create office environments so compelling that team members choose to be there because it enhances both their work and their wellbeing.
That’s the standard we aimed for with our new space—and it’s a standard I believe will increasingly separate thriving agencies from those that merely survive in the years ahead.
