7 Ways Art Improves Tenant Experience in Offices

Quick guide: 7 ways art programs elevate tenant experience

• Stress reduction and wellness: Curated artwork lowers cortisol and promotes emotional regulation
• Productivity and engagement: Research-backed art environments boost workplace efficiency
• Brand identity and culture: Art communicates organizational values visually
• Wayfinding and spatial navigation: Strategic placement improves ease of movement
• Tenant retention and satisfaction: Elevated environments drive lease renewals
• Property value and differentiation: Art installations command premium positioning
• Community connection and belonging: Local artist programs foster authentic engagement

How we evaluated the impact of art on tenant experience

There is a well-documented relationship between workplace environments and tenant experience. Through peer-reviewed research, industry reports from organizations like JLL and the University of Exeter, and case studies from commercial real estate developments across the country, we identified the most significant ways that art programming can affect tenants:

Our evaluation focused on:

• Measurable outcomes documented in peer-reviewed research
• Direct tenant feedback and satisfaction metrics
• Property performance indicators like retention and rent premiums
• Art's effects on employee wellbeing and mental health
• Ease of implementation for commercial real estate managers
  

1. Curated artwork reduces stress and supports tenant wellness

TurningArt approaches commercial real estate art as functional infrastructure, and emerging research supports this positioning.

A study from The Courtauld found that participants viewing original physical art experienced a 22% drop in cortisol compared to only 8% for those viewing digital media. This stress reduction translates directly to tenants in office environments experiencing chronic pressure that affects both health and performance.

Evidence-based design can play a critical role in improving these outcomes. According to the Center for Health Design, basing decisions around a well-researched built environment achieves ideal outcomes for occupants.

For commercial real estate managers, this means art selection is more than personal preference. TurningArt's Art Advisory team develops collections tailored to each client's unique environment, ensuring tenants have their wellness goals met by empirical art programming.

2. Research confirms art-enriched environments boost productivity

A study from the University of Exeter established that workers in environments decorated with art and plants were up to 32% more productive than those in functional, undecorated spaces.

The same research found employees in art-enriched settings experienced 45% greater wellbeing and 60% more engagement. These outcomes directly impact the metrics of tenant satisfaction and retention that commercial real estate managers track so closely.

What explains these effects? Research in neuroscience points to the interaction between visual environments and cognitive function. Our brains do not separate information from physical surroundings, which means the design of a workspace directly influences how occupants think and perform.

At TurningArt, we partner with commercial real estate teams to select artwork furthering benefits in productivity while at the same time, reflecting each property's unique identity and tenant demographics.

3. Art programs communicate brand identity and organizational culture

In competitive commercial real estate markets, tenants increasingly seek environments that align with their brand. Before a single word is even spoken, art programming offers a visual method of communicating culture and an organization's values.

This positioning extends beyond aesthetics. Research from Toronto Metropolitan University found that spaces incorporating intentional placemaking elements like public art, generated a 77% increase in the likelihood that visitors would recommend the location to colleagues. This translates to organic tenant referrals and reduced vacancy in multi-tenant office buildings.

TurningArt's catalog of over 100,000 pieces, combined with access to more than 4,000 local artists nationwide, enables commercial real estate managers to curate collections that reflect brand storytelling and tenant expectations.

4. Strategic art placement improves wayfinding and spatial navigation

When placed intentionally, artwork's function is more than how it looks: it helps guide movement through buildings and reduces the mental load of navigation.

Environmental graphic design, sometimes called experiential graphic design, integrates the visual elements present in architecture and interiors. Art contributes to this system by creating landmarks, defining areas, and establishing visual hierarchies that help tenants and visitors move confidently through commercial spaces.

Research documents the impact on several dimensions:

• Cognitive load: How much mental effort is required to navigate
• Spatial awareness: Occupant perception of their location within a building
• Decision-making: How quickly and confidently users choose pathways
• Emotional engagement: How the environment feels during navigation

TurningArt's turnkey service manages every aspect of art programming, including these strategic placement recommendations that optimize wayfinding benefits and in turn, enhances the overall tenant experience.

5. Elevated environments drive tenant retention and lease renewals

According to JLL's 2025 Experience Matters survey, 69% of people are more likely to pay for high-quality experiences, an increase from 65% in 2024. For commercial real estate, this signals a change in tenant expectations surrounding their environments.

The data makes clear that real estate leaders want to prioritize human experience, but financial and logistical challenges often stand in the way. Art programming offers a cost-effective approach to elevating tenant experience without the capital requirements of major renovations.

Art leasing and rotation programs are one method of maintaining environments that feel dynamic and current. At TurningArt, 90% of rotating clients renew their program year after year, and one in five clients expand their collections annually. These retention metrics are reflective of the ongoing value tenants place on curated environments.

For property managers tracking lease renewal rates, investing in art programming represents a measurable strategy for improving tenant satisfaction and reducing turnover costs.

6. Art installations increase property value and market differentiation

The financial case for commercial real estate art extends to direct property valuation. Research from the University of Cincinnati found that weekend foot traffic in neighborhoods with murals was 30% higher than in areas without them.

Miami's Design District documented a similar increase in visitor traffic following the introduction of murals and sculptures. Art programming creates measurable differentiation, especially for mixed-use developments and office buildings trying to establish themselves as destinations.

The same University of Cincinnati study found violent crime decreased 28% in areas where murals were surrounded by mixed-use properties. Public art signals community investment and creates environments that promote prosocial values.

From a financial perspective, art represents a distinct investment opportunity. Unlike furniture and flooring that lose value and require upkeep and replacement, thoughtfully selected original artwork can maintain and even appreciate over time. TurningArt offers flexible programming options including purchase, commission, and lease arrangements that align with an organization's specific business strategy.

7. Local artist programs foster community connection and belonging

The most successful commercial real estate companies are employing social infrastructure to create environments where tenants feel a connection to their community. Art collections featuring local artists are one way to achieve this outcome, embedding regional identity onto the walls of the workspace.

Creative placemaking research documents the impact. Toronto Metropolitan University found participants experienced a 63% increase in positive emotions in spaces incorporating intentional placemaking elements. Areas with local artistic elements were consistently described as more welcoming, vibrant, and culturally relevant.

TurningArt works with over 4,000 artists nationwide, enabling clients to feature work from local creators regardless of property location. This approach ensures the individual cultural context of each tenant community is reflected in their collection, all while supporting working artists with every purchase or rental.

The voting software TurningArt offers allows building owners and tenants to participate directly in artwork selection. This mechanism of engagement allows for art programming to go from a passive amenity into an active community-building exercise.

What makes art programming effective for commercial real estate?

The most impactful art programs share several characteristics that distinguish them from decorative approaches. Understanding these elements helps commercial real estate managers evaluate programming options.

First, effective programs integrate evidence-based design principles. This means good artwork selection should consider the specific psychological and functional needs of the tenant population rather than relying solely on aesthetic preference.

Second, successful programs are dynamic. The International WELL Building Institute recognizes art as an effective strategy for supporting human health through the built environment. Rotating collections maintain the positive effects of this visual enrichment over time and prevent tenants from growing accustomed to their collection.

Third, the most effective programs connect art to place. Local artist programs and community-driven selection processes create authentic connections between tenants and their environments.

How do you measure the return on art investment in commercial real estate?

Commercial real estate managers track art programming outcomes through established metrics, with tenant satisfaction surveys providing direct feedback on how occupants perceive their environments.

Retention rates are another data-driven indicator to investigate the impact of art programming. Properties with curated collections can cross-examine their lease renewal rates against regional averages to identify how much spatial quality is contributing.

Foot traffic and engagement metrics apply particularly to lobbies, common areas, and mixed-use developments. Digital visitor tracking and social media mentions provide data on how art installations affect property visibility and appeal.

Property valuations and rental premiums represent the ultimate financial measure. Industry reports consistently document that properties featuring curated collections command higher rents and attract higher-quality tenants.

How TurningArt Can Help

TurningArt's Art Advisory team collaborates with commercial real estate managers and workplace design leaders to develop collections that deliver measurable tenant experience outcomes. Our dedicated Art Advisors manage every phase of programming, from initial consultation through installation and ongoing rotation.

With access to over 100,000 artworks and relationships with more than 4,000 local artists nationwide, TurningArt ensures your collection reflects the evidence-based design principles and specific cultural identity impacting your tenant community.

Connect with an Art Advisor below to learn more!

FAQs about commercial real estate art and tenant experience

How does art improve employee productivity in office buildings?

Research from the University of Exeter found workers in art-enriched environments demonstrated 32% higher productivity compared to those in undecorated spaces. TurningArt helps commercial real estate managers select artwork that activates these cognitive benefits while aligning with tenant brand identity.

What is evidence-based design in commercial real estate art?

Evidence-based design applies research findings to decisions about the built environment. For art programming, this means selecting pieces based on documented psychological effects rather than purely aesthetic considerations. TurningArt's Art Advisors incorporate these principles into every curation.

Can art programming reduce stress for office tenants?

Studies document significant stress reduction from art viewing. Research from The Courtauld found participants viewing physical art experienced a 22% drop in cortisol. TurningArt curates collections designed to support tenant wellness and emotional regulation.

How do rotating art collections benefit commercial properties?

Rotation keeps a space fresh and maintains the positive effects of well-designed workplaces. TurningArt's annual rotation programs keep environments dynamic for diverse tenant populations, with 90% of rotating clients renewing year after year.

What role does local art play in tenant experience?

Local artist programs create authentic connections between tenants and their environments. TurningArt works with over 4,000 artists nationwide, enabling properties to feature regionally relevant work that reflects community identity from coast to coast.

How does art affect property value in commercial real estate?

Properties with curated collections often command rental premiums and attract higher-quality tenants. Research documents increased foot traffic and reduced crime in areas with public art installations. TurningArt offers flexible purchase, commission, and lease options aligned with varying capital strategies.