As corporate workplace expectations continue to evolve, Houston developers are rethinking what makes an office building competitive.

Chef-driven restaurants, hospitality-inspired amenities and active public spaces are becoming valuable components of modern office developments. The goal is no longer simply to attract tenants, but to create destinations that appeal to employees, visitors and the broader community.

That shift reflects changing expectations among tenants, who increasingly value workplace experiences that extend beyond the office suite itself.

Redefining the Workplace Experience

For Skanska, the developer behind Downtown Houston's Norton Rose Fulbright Tower (NRF Tower Houston), creating that experience starts with designing spaces that feel vibrant, flexible and connected to their surroundings. 

From greenery integrated throughout the building to abundant natural light and hospitality-inspired gathering spaces, the tower was designed to offer more than a traditional workplace environment.

"I think tenants, along with retail patrons as well, are really attracted to vibrancy," said Matt Damborsky, Executive Vice President of Commercial Development at Skanska. "Creating that vibrancy in these buildings is something we try to do on all of our projects."

Damborsky said today's office users are looking for a variety of experiences throughout the workday, whether that means spending time in a fitness center, using a shared conference facility or stepping into a different environment within the building to work and collaborate.

That philosophy also extends to dining.

Engaging the Audience 

At NRF Tower, Skanska partnered with renowned Houston chef Hugo Ortega to bring Zaranda to the building's ground floor. The restaurant opened its doors in October 2025 and has helped transform the property into one that serves both office tenants and Houstonians visiting downtown.

"It's created a situation where the building is not just an office building anymore," Damborsky said. "It's also a destination for a world-class restaurant."

This approach is part of a broader effort to strengthen connections between office buildings and the neighborhoods around them. During the planning process for NRF Tower, Skanska worked with community stakeholders to better understand the types of spaces and experiences that would best serve Downtown Houston.

Damborsky believes that emphasis on street-level activation will continue to play an important role in downtown's evolution.

“A continued focus on pedestrians, how a building feels when you walk by it, how it engages with the street, how it engages with people walking by -- all of that will help make downtown more successful,” he added.

This strategy aims to reshape the perception of Downtown Houston and other districts like Uptown and Greenway Plaza into areas that attract non-corporate visitors outside of work hours, bringing those looking to visit restaurants, walk through parks and enjoy local entertainment. 

Damborsky has seen the vision taking shape over the last two decades, and Houston's culinary scene has helped fuel that transformation.

"I think the culinary scene in Houston is one of the world's best," he said. "We have a lot of talented chefs and entrepreneurs in the city."

A similar mindset has shaped Hines' approach at Texas Tower, which the real estate company opened in late 2021. The Sylvie was designed to complement a hospitality-driven office environment while attracting guests from beyond the building's tenant roster.

"Top-tier office assets have had to significantly elevate the asset experience," said John Mooz, Senior Managing Director at Hines. "From strong food and beverage to fitness, conference and outdoor space, the office of today is a multi-layered experience."

Atlas Restaurant Group, the Baltimore-based parent company that operates several restaurants in River Oaks and Montrose, assumed management over The Sylvie earlier this year. 

Beyond the Offices

According to Mooz, offering quality dining options brings value not only to office buildings but also the districts surrounding them.

"It is clear in many central business locations around the country, Houston included, that quality food-and-beverage offerings add a significant positive dimension to the surrounding area," he said. "The Houston Central Business District already possesses one of the top theater districts in the country and three professional sports venues. Great restaurant offerings go hand-in-hand with those types of experiences."

Atlas is working to bring yet another concept to the ground floor of Texas Tower, a fine-dining Japanese restaurant dubbed Kannon will be able to seat up to 200 guests across an expansive dining room and patio. 

As developers look to attract tenants in an increasingly competitive market, both Damborsky and Mooz see hospitality-focused environments becoming a larger part of the office equation, serving as tools for attracting tenants, activating neighborhoods and helping transform office towers into places where people want to work, gather and spend time.

"In short, any new office offering, particularly a speculative project, will need to have both a dining strategy coupled with something beyond the standard office experience," Mooz said.

Images provided by Skanska, The Sylvie's website

Written by Mike Horton