6 London Offices Designed to Boost Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing

6 London Offices Designed to Boost Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing – Knight Frank (UK)

In order to attract the best talent, help employees work better, and cultivate resilience, businesses are striving to create happy and enriching environments. One way to do this is to find an amenity-rich office that supports your teams. If you’re on the lookout for London offices designed to boost employee mental health and wellbeing, we’ve got you covered.

Workplace wellbeing is on the rise. And not just the physical kind. Forward-thinking companies are recognising the value of mental, emotional, financial, and even spiritual wellbeing among employees.

As remote (and even hybrid) working blur the boundaries between work and life, and as we emerge from the loneliness of a global pandemic, employees are reassessing their life’s focus. So much so that we’re experiencing ‘The Great Reshuffle’, whereby both employers and employees have changed “how they work and what they value” amid the pandemic.

Now, people are focusing on their work-life balance, their overall wellbeing, their social connections, and their hobbies. And crucially, individuals are no longer solely responsible for working on these; their employers need to help.

If they don’t, the cost is grave, and not just from a philanthropic perspective – depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion per annum in lost productivity.

Leaders are beginning to recognise this. In fact, wellbeing and mental health was cited as a top priority for 68% of senior HR leaders in The Future Workplace 2021 HR Sentiment survey.

Your office can support your employee wellbeing strategy

Years ago, we speculated that the office experience would soon resemble a ‘corporate spa’. Intended as a provocation, it’s a growing reality today. Spaces that facilitate more than just desk work are key, which is why the demand for wellness-supporting workspaces is growing.

In our latest edition of (Y)OUR SPACE, we asked almost 400 global businesses: “What strategic agenda items does real estate support?” 37% of respondents said employee wellbeing, and 37% said increased collaboration.

On top of that, 46% of businesses believe the office amenities expected by their employees will increase over the next three years. And notably, the top four amenities identified by at least 45% of respondents were all wellbeing related. These include healthy food and beverage offerings, the provision of gym and changing facilities, and the delivery of amenities that support mental wellbeing.

Amanda Lim, Head of our Flexible Office Solutions team explains: “The office experience needs to move beyond just desk space - working from home cemented that. Workplaces need to facilitate social interactions and provide wellbeing amenities that help employees thrive.

"We’ve already witnessed flexible office providers meet this growing demand – from meditation tents and sleep pods through to yoga classes and biophilia – and that trend will only continue.”

Here are a handful of flexible offices in London that support employee wellbeing and mental health.

6 offices in London designed to boost employee mental health and wellbeing

TOG, Thomas House, 84 Eccleston SquareTOG, Thomas House, 84 Eccleston Square

TOG, Thomas House, 84 Eccleston Square

London, SW1V 1PX

Located on one of London's most prestigious addresses, 84 Eccleston Square is an imposing seven storey building with a grand, regency styled façade. The office has an enormous gym with plenty of classes – some of which members get free access to.

There’s also a large roof terrace, often hosting yoga, and featuring chill-out chairs to unwind in. On top of that, there’s a quiet garden on the ground floor which is perfect for relaxing in and escaping the occasional noisy buzz of the office.

Biophilic office design case study: UncommonUncommon, 34-37 Liverpool Street

Uncommon, 34-37 Liverpool Street

London, EC2M 7PP

Packed with the leafy-green joys of biophilic design, organic earthy colours and natural light, this serviced office space balances luxury, wellness and technology, right next to Liverpool Street Station.

The space features relaxation pods and hanging swings, a large roof terrace with classes, Peloton bikes for workouts, air purification devices in meeting rooms as a Covid safety measure, as well as scented air throughout the workspace.

Biophilic office design case study: Second HomeSecond Home, Spitalfields

Second Home, Spitalfields, 68 Hanbury Street

London, E1 5JL

Second Home’s Spitalfields space features over a thousand plants, with in-house gardeners visiting twice a week to make sure they’re always looking fresh.

The hot-desking space on the bottom floor doubles as a yoga room, while its top floor terrace overlooks the City and features inside-outside ponds – complete with reeds – so you can feel at one with nature in every corner of the office. Plus, to help slow down London’s pace, Second Home’s bookshop, Libreria, is across the road.

city pavilion rooftopCity Pavilion, 27 Bush Lane

City Pavilion, 27 Bush Lane

London, EC4R 0AA

City Pavilion prides itself on impeccable design, clad with Scandi-meets-bohemian comforts. Baskets of blankets and geometric rugs introduce what can only be described by the danish word Hygge – pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ – which translates to cosiness, charm and contentment.

Plus, there’s a gorgeous roof terrace with amazing views, plenty of seating and even rain-proof pods. The building also features a Gymbox, and for those who prefer to get their exercise endorphins on the way in, the office includes bike storage and even a bike repair shop.

The Crown Estate, One Heddon Street W1B 4BDThe Crown Estate, One Heddon Street

The Crown Estate, One Heddon Street

London, W1B 4BD

One Heddon Street features a living wall and an indoor garden, as well as planted trees on each floor. The workspace also enjoys plenty of sunlight, which supports circadian rhythms and healthy sleep patterns.

Plus, its roof terrace gives members a chance to enjoy the sunniest days in full force. Impressively, the fresh air supply rate to the office is 50% above the minimum recommended level. Employees can also enjoy sit-stand desks (which help mitigate the risks of a sedentary workday) and acoustic management systems to reduce noise.

Fora SohoFora, 33 Broadwick Street

Fora, 33 Broadwick Street

London, W1F 0DQ

At Fora Soho, wellness comes first. Members can access subsidised wellness classes, including yoga, HIIT and personal training. So, whether you’re interested in pumping iron, aligning your chakras, or simply taking a time out, Fora’s Soho space has you covered.

You’ll also have access to wellness studios across its network of offices, in addition to a programme of wellbeing events. The space also features a library room – perfect for screen breaks and slow-downs, and a plant-filled roof terrace to soak up London’s views. Fora also offers a level of hospitality designed to keep your team happy.

Enquire about 33 Broadwick Street

 


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