Equity Office Launches Cyber Cafe as New Tenant Amenity

CHICAGO, IL-Part of the strategy for office property owners to lure or retain tenants is to offer increased amenities. The tenants’ employees are likely to appreciate an idea by Equity Office Properties Trust launched at 1 N. Franklin St. in the West Loop area.

Equity Office has opened a Cyber Café there, a “people space” that combines specialty coffee service and furnishings that are found in nearby upscale coffee shops with high-speed personal computers and laptop connections. The idea is to give tenants a change of scenery during the work day without having to leave the building located in the Downtown financial district, even though there are numerous restaurants and shops nearby. The company has tried the concept outdoors at properties in Atlanta and Boston.

“The new Cyber Café provides customers with a change of scenery and the unique ability to browse the Internet using high speed connections,” says Bob Herber, leasing director for 1 N. Franklin. The building already featured conference facilities, concierge service, a fitness center, delicatessen and sundry shop.