Why Infrastructure Matters When Choosing an Office
When company leaders think about new premises, the first things that come to mind are rental costs and space. But in reality, the true value of an office is determined not only by square meters and interior renovation. The most forward-thinking businesses know: success directly depends on what infrastructure surrounds the office.
Is it easy for employees to get to work by public transport? Is there convenient parking for clients? Where can the team have lunch during a busy workday? Can documents be quickly sent at a post office or can you visit a bank? All this determines not only the level of a comfortable office, but also employee productivity.
In Kyiv, this topic is especially relevant. The city is large, dynamic, and often congested with traffic. Therefore, choosing an office for a company becomes a kind of strategy. The right location will help retain staff, attract new talent, and create a positive image for partners.
In this article, we will thoroughly examine all key aspects of infrastructure that make an office truly convenient and functional. You'll learn what's important when choosing an office, how to evaluate potential locations, what to pay attention to when inspecting a neighborhood, and how infrastructure features affect rental costs.
Transport Accessibility: The Foundation of Choice
Transport infrastructure is the first thing that's important when choosing an office. Even the most beautiful and functional premises will lose their appeal if they're difficult to reach. Let's consider the main transport aspects worth considering.
Public Transport as a Key Factor
For most people, the most important thing is how quickly they can get to work. If an office is located within walking distance of metro or public transport stops, this immediately increases its value.
Kyiv has four metro lines, and companies understand well that an office near stations like "Lukyanivska," "Palats Sportu," or "Olimpiyska" is significantly more attractive to staff. A person spends less time commuting — consequently, arrives at work less exhausted and more motivated.
Besides metro, ground transport stops are also important. Buses, trams, trolleybuses. They expand possibilities for those who live in areas without subway access. Therefore, if a company rents an office for business in Kyiv, transport accessibility is the first thing to look at.
Parking and Car Access
No less important is infrastructure for those who drive their own transport. The parking situation in the capital is complex. There aren't enough spaces in the center, and on the outskirts there are often no equipped parking lots. Therefore, a comfortable office always provides parking spaces for employees and clients.
Class A business centers usually have their own underground or surface parking, where spaces are rented separately. In class B or C, you often have to use public parking nearby. For companies that receive many clients, lack of parking can become a reason for losing deals. Nobody wants to spend 20 minutes looking for a space.
Impact on Employer Brand
It's important to understand that transport convenience directly affects the employer's image. Young specialists increasingly choose not only salary, but also comfort of working conditions. If an office is located in a place with poor transport accessibility, the company will find it difficult to compete for talent.
Dining Establishments: Energy for Productivity
Quality nutrition directly affects team performance and mood. What's important when choosing an office in terms of dining is the variety, accessibility, and quality of establishments nearby.
When we think about a comfortable office, we immediately imagine spacious space, comfortable furniture, and modern equipment. But there's another integral part of the workday — lunch. People work 8-9 hours, and the inability to eat quickly and tasty can seriously affect their mood and even efficiency.
An office located near various cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops immediately gets a plus. This is convenient both for quick business lunches and for meetings with clients in an informal atmosphere.
Options for Different Needs
- Budget establishments — important for employees who aren't ready to spend large sums on lunch.
- Mid-level restaurants — ideal for business meetings or celebrating small team events.
- Coffee shops — space for short breaks, informal negotiations, or working in an alternative environment.
Examples from Kyiv
In the city center, most business centers have their own canteens or rented areas for food courts. For example, the "Gulliver" complex has several restaurants and coffee shops, making it especially attractive for international companies. On the outskirts, the situation is more complex. Here, an office without dining establishments nearby can become a problem for employees.
Food Delivery Services
The modern office format often involves ordering food with delivery, especially for large teams or during intensive projects. Check which delivery services operate in your area, how quickly they deliver orders, and how diverse their assortment is.
Pay attention to:
- Number of restaurants delivering to your area
- Average delivery time during business hours
- Possibility of ordering large corporate lunches
- Availability of healthy food and dietary options
Grocery Stores and Supermarkets
Proximity to grocery stores is important not only for employees' personal needs but also for office management. The ability to quickly buy coffee, cookies for meetings, water, or other office necessities significantly simplifies logistics. Ideally, there should be both a large supermarket for serious purchases and small shops for daily needs nearby.
Banks, Post Offices, Services: Business Speed
Financial infrastructure may seem less important in the age of online banking, but in practice, many business processes still require personal presence at financial institutions.
Bank Branches
Proximity to major bank branches is critically important for doing business. Even if you conduct main operations online, situations periodically arise that require a bank visit. For example, obtaining certificates, working with currency legislation, opening deposits, or resolving disputed issues. Choosing an office for a company should consider the nearby presence of:
- Branches of banks you cooperate with
- ATMs of various banking systems
- Exchange points with good rates
- Banks specializing in business services
It's especially important to have a branch of your main bank nearby. This saves time on trips across the city and allows quick resolution of urgent financial matters.
Postal and Courier Services
Despite digitalization, many companies still actively use postal services for sending documents, product samples, or receiving official correspondence. Near the office there should be:
- "Ukrposhta" branches for official correspondence
- Private courier service offices (Nova Poshta, Meest)
- Internet order pickup points
- Copy centers and printing services
This is especially relevant for companies working with regions, sending goods to clients, or having active document flow with government institutions.
Notarial and Legal Services
For most enterprises, there's a periodic need for notarial services, such as certifying powers of attorney, document copies, contract signing. Having notary offices near the office significantly simplifies these processes. Proximity to law firms is also useful, especially those specializing in corporate law, labor relations, or your company's field of activity.
Recreation Areas, Sports and Green Zones
The modern approach to personnel management emphasizes the importance of work-life balance. A comfortable office is not only a convenient workplace but also opportunities for quality rest and physical activity for employees.
Work-Life Balance
Today companies increasingly care about employee well-being. And here, not only interior plays an important role, but also what's near the building.
- Parks and squares — allow going out for fresh air, taking walks, and restoring energy.
- Sports clubs — workers can attend training before or after work, which increases their loyalty to the company.
- Embankments and walking areas — become places for informal meetings and even corporate events.
Psychological Effect
Employees who have the opportunity to spend lunch break in a park or go for a run after the workday experience less stress. This directly affects productivity and team atmosphere.
How Infrastructure Affects Rental Rates
Developed infrastructure around the office directly affects rental costs. Understanding this connection will help make a balanced decision and properly evaluate price-quality ratio.
Factors That Increase Cost
Companies often wonder why an office on Kyiv's left bank can cost twice less than a similar-sized one in the center? The answer is simple — infrastructure. The center has metro, cafes, banks, parking, green zones. Remote areas lack this. The greatest impact on rental rates comes from:
- Proximity to metro stations (especially central lines)
- Presence of underground or guarded parking
- Location in areas with developed restaurant infrastructure
- Proximity to banking and business centers
- Presence of prestigious shopping centers nearby
In Kyiv, the difference in rental rates between offices with developed infrastructure and without can reach 30-50%. But this difference is often justified by increased employee productivity and reduced indirect costs.
Investment in the Future
Yes, renting in a business center with developed infrastructure costs more. But expenses are compensated by less time loss, reduced staff turnover, and increased team efficiency. The company gets not just premises, but a tool for development.
Conclusion: Tips on What to Pay Attention To
When you choose an office for business in Kyiv, think broader than walls and furniture. Important questions to ask yourself:
- Is there metro or a transport stop nearby?
- Where will employees and clients park?
- What dining establishments are available?
- Are there banks and postal services nearby?
- Can you relax in a park or go to a gym?
- Is the rental price justified regarding infrastructure?
This is exactly how a truly comfortable office is determined. It's a place where it's pleasant to work, easy to reach, and where business feels stable.
FAQ
1. What's important when choosing an office for a company? First of all — transport accessibility, parking, dining establishments, banks and services, green zones.
2. How does infrastructure around the office affect business? It determines employee comfort, process speed, efficiency, and even company image.
3. Should you always choose Kyiv's center? Not necessarily. If an office on the periphery has convenient connections and quality infrastructure, it might be more advantageous.
4. How does infrastructure affect rental rates? The better the infrastructure, the more expensive the office costs. But these expenses pay off in the long term.
5. Which services are critically important near an office? Banks, post office, pharmacies, cafes, parking, gym. This creates a foundation for employees' daily comfort.
6. How far from a metro station can an office be located? Optimal distance is up to 5 minutes on foot. Greater distance significantly reduces convenience for employees and can negatively affect punctuality.