By Matthew DeRose – CEO, Nomad Group

You’ve heard the phrase “you are what you eat.” In our world, the same principle applies to office space: you are where you work.

The office isn’t dead. It just needs a reason to exist.

Over the past few years, we’ve worked with hundreds of companies – VC-backed startups, scaling tech firms, creative agencies – each asking the same question: “Do we still need an office?”

And the honest answer? It depends. But when you get it right, the office becomes more than just square footage. It becomes a strategy.

Let’s Start with a Real Example

Last year, we worked with a fast-growing AI company that had just raised their Series A. Their team was scattered, mostly remote, and they were unsure if they needed a physical space at all.

We showed them a duplex office in Flatiron. High ceilings. Natural light. Room to grow.
They moved in—and here’s what happened:

• In-person collaboration surged
• Their engineers started staying late—by choice
• They started hosting VC meetings in-house
• Their culture? It clicked

A few months later, the CEO said something I’ll never forget: “We didn’t realize how much we needed this until we had it.”

Space Shapes Behavior

People don’t come to the office for a desk anymore. They come for:

• Culture
• Connection
• Energy
• A reason to show up

That’s why design and location matter more than ever.

A dead-floorplate in a lifeless building won’t cut it—even at a discount. But a thoughtfully built space, in the right neighborhood, with the right layout and light? That’s a game-changer.

It’s no longer about cost-per-square-foot. It’s cost-per-impact.

What the Best Companies Are Doing Right Now

In 2025, we’re seeing a clear pattern from top teams:

• They’re downsizing smart, not blindly slashing.
• They’re prioritizing collaboration zones over individual desks.
• They’re signing flexible leases with growth (or contraction) in mind.
• And they’re demanding more from their space: better amenities, better buildouts, better service.

We’ve helped teams move into everything from pre-built penthouses to fully custom duplexes with internal staircases. Because when you get the space right, everything else clicks into place.

If you’re still treating your office like a box to check or a line item on your P&L—you’re missing the opportunity.

The right office won’t just house your team. It will reconnect them. It will help you hire faster, close better, and build trust with your clients. And maybe most importantly, it will remind people why your company is worth showing up for.

At Nomad, we don’t just broker deals – we build long-term partnerships.
Because we know your space isn’t just where you work.

It’s how you grow.