In Ottawa, the return to office isn’t a reversal—it’s a rebalancing.
As professionals recalibrate how they want to work, many are realizing that home isn’t built for everything. It’s great for heads-down time—but not for energy, visibility, or momentum.
We asked Desaray, Community Manager at iQ Offices in Ottawa, what she’s seeing on the ground. Her insights reveal four clear reasons people are choosing to return—and what makes that choice feel like the right one.
1. People want structure, not just space
For many professionals, the office represents more than just a place to work—it’s a way to separate their personal and professional lives and get more done.
“The main reason people are interested in returning to the office is because it offers a more structured and professional setting than home,” Desaray explains. “It boosts productivity, minimizes distractions, and provides a sense of routine.”
Desaray notes that coworking spaces provide an important value proposition for workers.
“People seem to like coworking spaces because of the benefits and resources they offer,” she explains. “Members need high-speed internet, meeting rooms, printers, and kitchen facilities.”
This isn’t just a win for employees. It’s also a cost-saving exercise for businesses.
Deseray elaborates, “Coworking spaces grant you and your team access to premium office features without the high cost of setting up or managing an office.”
2. Togetherness feels like a long-lost advantage
After years of working from home, people are ready to reconnect—and Desaray sees community as one of the biggest reasons members return.
“A lot of our members rejoined the office environment to have a sense of community,” she says. “Being at home can be isolating and full of distractions.”
From Thursday happy hours to continental breakfasts, iQ’s shared experiences help break up the workday and build authentic relationships. These aren’t perks—they’re part of what makes people feel connected, supported, and seen.
“Members really enjoy the social aspect of coworking,” Desaray adds. “It’s one of the big reasons people are happy to be back in the office.”
3. Great design and amenities signal a better way to work
Today’s professionals aren’t coming in just for a desk—they’re coming in for a full experience.
After years of merging work and home, people are more intentional about where they spend their time. The office has to feel worth it.
Desaray sees this shift every day.
“Members are no longer impressed by square footage—they’re drawn to spaces that feel thoughtful, polished, and human,” she explains. “When people have guests in our space, they’re not just showing off their workspace. Usually, they’re most proud of the lounges and amenities that are offered.”
That pride says something deeper: people want to work in a place that reflects their desired quality of life. From the massage chair to the lounge space where staff celebrations happen, these details shape how people feel about their workday—and whether they want to repeat it.
“The lounge area is a big hit,” she notes. “And our massage chair is almost always booked and taken.”
Amenities and design are more than nice-to-haves—they send a signal: this is a place built with care, where your experience matters.
And that can be the difference between showing up and staying home.
4. Everyday moments are what keep people coming back
Happy hour may be a highlight, but it’s the smaller moments that create a lasting impression.
“Seeing how you made an individual’s day feel special—that’s what stands out most to me,” says Desaray. “Members appreciate the effort the community teams put into events and creating meaningful opportunities for engagement.”
From spontaneous desk chats to member appreciation events, Desaray has witnessed collaborations form between companies just because people happened to share space.
That sense of connection, she says, can’t be replicated through screens.
She shares, “I’ve noticed collaborations between multiple companies just from people being in the space together.”
At iQ Offices in Ottawa, the return to office isn’t about control. It’s about creating an experience people choose—because it gives them more than they had at home.
Structure, connection, quality space, and everyday human moments—those are the reasons professionals are coming back.
And, as Desaray puts it, when members feel seen, supported, and part of a community, the decision to return becomes an easy one.
Want to experience it for yourself? Book a tour and visit a location near you.
If you’d like to dive deeper into these trends, read through our iQ Offices National Survey on the key insights that motivated Canadians to return to work.
