Melbourne’s CBD businesses lure staff to office with child care, wellness rooms

Businesses boasting sky gardens, child care, golf simulators and meditation rooms are bending over backwards to get more employees back to the office— and it’s working.

Businesses are revamping workplaces with sky gardens, sleeping quarters, childcare, squash courts and golf simulators in a bid to lure employees back to the office.

New research reveals CBD workers are increasingly choosing to work from the office, with Melbourne’s Paris end of Collins St seeing a surge in staff returning to the city.

A study by LL Commercial Real Estate reveals 17 per cent of Melbourne CBD office buildings recorded positive rental growth over the last year.

One third of that growth occurred in Melbourne’s “Eastern Core precinct”, from Russell to Spring St, Little Collins to Flinders St and the area around state parliament.

Landlords are going to great lengths to try and break the work from home habit, with some offering physio, cafes, health studios, art spaces and even masseuses to lure employees back into the office.

Property Council of Victoria executive director Cath Evans said there was “real momentum”, with “employers flocking en-masse to the high-quality office accommodation, premium facilities”.

“The data proves this area is one of the most desirable business addresses in the country,” she said.

Businesses are bending over backwards to get staff in the office. Picture: David Caird

“This is a place where companies can attract top people and give them a workplace experience that matches other global cities.

“We all know the concept of ‘earning the commute’, and that’s exactly what these office buildings are doing, from onsite childcare and health hubs, to sleeping pods and squash courts.”

There was also a trend towards companies downsizing from older offices to modern buildings with amazing amenities and relocating to the city to make their offices more appealing.

“For many employers, moving to an office building with these amenities adds a strong incentive for their staff to work in-office rather than from home, which we know fosters a greater sense of teamwork and collaboration,” she said.

“And also is an effective tool in attracting top-tier talent during recruitment processes.

“An office is so much more than just a workplace now – it is somewhere where team culture can thrive, and businesses can grow.”

The top end of the market is seeing particularly strong results, with office vacancy in the Eastern Core’s premium buildings sitting at 5.4 per cent.

Building consultant Rider Levett Bucknall will soon move from its offices of 30 years in St Kilda Rd’s Royal Domain Centre to Collins Place at 55 Collins St.

Managing director Tony Moleta said: “Yes, we are seeing signs of an uptick – especially as people seek out more human connection.

Meditation rooms are just one way employers are bending over backwards to get staff into the office. Picture: David Caird

Work can be fun and games when you work from the office. Picture: David Caird

“I believe working in the office plays a fundamental role in fostering that connection, alongside social learning and collaboration.

“That said, the flexibility of working from home has clear benefits too.”

Mr Moleta said the home and office mix should be based on where staff were most productive rather than mandated days at either.

“It’s about making sure the environment genuinely supports how people want to work and how they work best,” he said.

Working from the office fosters a social connection. Picture: David Caird

“The overall trend still leans heavily towards flexible working but what I am seeing is more

people craving variety in how and where they work.

“It’s less about being at home or in the office full-time and more about finding spaces

that support different kinds of work – whether that’s focus, collaboration, or just a change of scene.”

His company would reduce its office floorplate in moving to 55 Collins but expand “the experience”, with co-working spaces, better access to transport, food and amenities.

“It’s about making the office something people want to come into because it helps them feel connected and do their best work – not because they’re being told to,” he said.

Originally published as Melbourne’s CBD businesses lure staff to office with child care, wellness rooms