Opportunities for growth, flexibility in the use of space and the quality of the working environment are among the most important expectations of office occupiers today. For organisations employing hundreds or even thousands of people, office space is no longer merely a place where daily tasks are performed. It has become a tool that supports business objectives, employee engagement and the long-term development plans of the organisation. Vastint’s experience shows that tenants increasingly value locations that combine opportunities for future expansion with an attractive working environment and a broad range of amenities for employees.

In recent years, flexibility has become one of the defining themes of the office market. It no longer relates solely to workplace design, but also to the ability to adapt occupied space to the evolving needs of an organisation. Particularly in sectors such as business services, technology and finance, company growth is often accompanied by increasing headcount and changes in team structures. As a result, locations that enable long-term planning and provide opportunities to adjust office space in line with business development are becoming increasingly important. In response to these needs, office campuses are gaining prominence as they allow occupiers to grow within a single location.

A good example of this approach is the Business Garden concept developed by Vastint in Warsaw, Wrocław and Poznań. The concept has also been implemented beyond Poland, including in Riga, Vilnius and Bucharest, with future plans extending to Western European cities such as Brussels, Marseille and Milan. Located in well-connected areas with convenient access to public transport and key urban infrastructure, the Polish Business Garden developments offer more than 215,000 sqm of office space. This scale enables organisations to adjust their footprint as their operations evolve and new requirements emerge.

The ability to expand without relocating is reflected in the leasing structure of these developments. A significant share of leasing activity consists of renewals by companies that have occupied the buildings for many years. In many cases, lease extensions are accompanied by space optimisation, expansion or reconfiguration to meet the current needs of organisations representing a wide range of industries. The lease renewals, expansions by existing occupiers and continued interest from new tenants observed across the Business Garden portfolio reflect broader trends visible throughout the office market.

The social dimension of the modern office campus

The appeal of the campus model is not determined by scale alone. The quality of the working environment, understood far more broadly than the office space itself, is becoming increasingly important. Modern organisations pay close attention not only to the building, but also to its surroundings, access to services and the solutions that support employees in their daily lives.

Within the Business Garden developments, office functions are complemented by shared spaces, extensive landscaped gardens, cycling infrastructure and a wide range of services. The ecosystem may also include a hotel with conference facilities, expanding opportunities for meetings and corporate events. Centrally located gardens play an important role, serving not only recreational purposes but also acting as social spaces. Combined with the human scale of the buildings, abundant natural daylight and thoughtfully designed common areas, they create an environment that encourages daily interactions, knowledge sharing and community building.

The social dimension of these campuses is further strengthened through Vastint’s Hospitality programme. This includes sporting events, educational initiatives, wellbeing activities and projects designed to engage tenant communities. Regular events include volleyball and basketball tournaments, family days, art exhibitions, charity markets and preventive healthcare campaigns that allow employees to access mobile medical services directly on campus.

Such initiatives help Business Garden developments function not only as workplaces, but also as environments that support relationship building, knowledge exchange and community engagement. From an employer’s perspective, they contribute to stronger employee engagement and organisational culture. In an increasingly competitive talent market, the quality of the workplace environment has become an important factor influencing both employer attractiveness and long-term employee retention.

Quality supported by environmental solutions

As sustainability becomes increasingly important, the assessment of office buildings extends beyond location and technical specifications. Greater attention is being paid to environmental performance, workplace quality and solutions that support occupiers in achieving their ESG objectives. For many organisations, environmental certifications alone are no longer sufficient. What matters equally is how specific solutions contribute to building efficiency, occupant wellbeing and responsible resource management.

Certifications such as LEED, BREEAM and WELL provide independent confirmation of high environmental and operational standards. Increasingly important are also solutions that support sustainable mobility, reduce energy and water consumption, and enhance the workplace experience.

These principles are reflected in the development of the Business Garden campuses. All buildings within the Wrocław and Poznań developments hold LEED Platinum certification, while the Warsaw campus comprises buildings certified at both LEED Platinum and Gold levels. Implemented solutions include energy-efficient heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems, water-saving technologies, extensive cycling facilities, electric vehicle charging stations and rainwater retention systems.

Supporting biodiversity and environmentally friendly forms of mobility is also an important element of this approach. Beehives operate within the campuses, educational initiatives focus on pollinator protection and tenants can participate in programmes encouraging cycling to work. These efforts are complemented by health and wellbeing initiatives, including preventive healthcare campaigns organised directly on campus.

It is becoming increasingly clear that sustainability-related solutions are now an integral part of the overall user experience. This is why ESG is increasingly viewed not only through the lens of environmental efficiency, but also in terms of workplace quality and the long-term value of real estate assets. This perspective closely aligns with Vastint’s approach. The company develops, owns and manages its projects with a long-term horizon, taking into account not only the current needs of occupiers but also the broader impact of buildings on users, local communities and the urban environment.