News / From the associates

The transformation of workspaces is now a widespread phenomenon, but it is still characterized primarily by incremental changes. According to the results of the "Workplace & Employees Needs Monitor" survey conducted by Gabetti, 63% of companies have reorganized their offices over the past three years, although in 41% of cases these were limited, non-structural initiatives, while only one in ten companies plans further changes in the short term. Occupants have prioritized easily implementable changes, such as replacing computers (62%), upgrading the air conditioning (45%), and creating relaxation areas (46%), over more advanced solutions such as workstation reservation systems (20%), quiet rooms (27%), or areas dedicated to physical activity (29%). Nevertheless, these measures were well-received by employees, with 93% rating their effects favorably, particularly among younger workers, those in Southern Italy, and those in managerial roles.

The survey results, however, reveal a significant gap between the perceived quality of work environments and employees’ expectations. In fact, the available facilities and services received an average rating of just 5.2 out of 10, with better results for basic digital technologies and spaces dedicated to collaboration, while shortcomings persist in the areas of comfort, sustainability, smart technologies, and common areas. The main areas of concern relate to acoustic comfort, privacy, the customization of spaces, and areas designated for individual work, while the priorities expressed by employees focus on concrete improvements such as ergonomics, air quality, cleanliness, and noise reduction. Remote work has become a permanent feature: it is valued primarily for privacy (62%) and quietness (59%), while the office continues to be preferred for ergonomics and technological amenities (40%).

On the real estate front, companies’ growing focus on the quality of workspaces is driving investment in the renovation of office buildings and in ESG certifications. Over the past year, Milan and Rome have brought to market approximately 45% of new office space with certifications already obtained or in the process of being obtained, with a growing adoption of LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and—especially in Milan—WiredScore standards. Despite this, uncertified properties remain the norm, still accounting for about 60–70% of the stock in Milan and 80–90% in Rome. The asset class continues to redefine its role in investors’ strategies: after historically accounting for 35–45% of institutional real estate investments, its share has gradually declined to about 15%, reflecting the structural effects of hybrid work and the growing appeal of other sectors such as logistics. The sectors driving the most demand for certified office space are Tech & IT, Banking & Finance, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Consulting, and Services, while, in terms of their share of new leases, E-commerce, Food & Beverage, and Utilities stand out.