The Rise of People-Centric Design in 2025
1 min read
The commercial real estate (CRE) industry is experiencing a significant shift, with a growing emphasis on community, purpose, and connection. In 2025, people-centric design is playing an important role in shaping spaces and encouraging developers to prioritize integrated experiences from the beginning design and planning phases.
Many people place value on social factors, including a sense of belonging and access to amenities. As a result, supporting the social needs and wellbeing of the community has become a key driver of design decisions for new developments. In office, retail, or public spaces, fostering social interaction and community engagement through thoughtful design is essential to attract people to physical spaces.
With a rising demand for end-to-end journeys, there is an increasing focus on connecting and improving experiences across multiple touch points. Thoughtfully designed social spaces that blend work, leisure, and lifestyle spaces will be crucial in creating environments that facilitate social activities and a sense of community. Mixed-use developments focus on the importance of shared experiences while offering spaces that nurture collaboration and belonging.
There is also a growing demand for spaces that promote engagement while remaining functional, whether it’s workplace, retail stores or leisure facilities. Developers are investing more in high-quality amenities, such as gyms, outdoor spaces, and convenient retail and food options. This approach successfully integrates people-centric design with functionality, elevating the overall experience. According to the JLL Consumer Experience Survey, over 80% of Gen Zs respondents agree that cities must offer new experiences to remain relevant.
People-centric design is essential in the development and revitalization of mixed-use, retail, and commercial spaces. As developers look to future-proof their investments, prioritizing innovative designs that foster social connection and community from the start is key to success.
References
JLL. (2025, March). 2025 outlook on Global Design trends. 2025 Outlook on Global Design Trends. https://www.jll.ca/en/trends-and-insights/research/2025-outlook-on-global-design-trends
JLL. (2025, March 10). How the modern workplace is transcending the office. Commercial real estate. https://www.jll.ca/en/trends-and-insights/workplace/how-the-modern-workplace-is-transcending-the-office
JLL. (2024, December). The future of office design. Commercial real estate. https://www.jll.ca/en/trends-and-insights/research/designing-workplaces-to-drive-success
Olson, C. (2025, January 13). How culture-driven placemaking is shaping real estate strategies for 2025. RENX. https://renx.ca/how-culture-driven-placemaking-is-shaping-real-estate-strategies-for-2025
About Royal LePage Commercial Westhaven Toronto
Our commercial real estate industry and segment expertise coupled with Royal LePage’s national platform and integrated systems provides best-in-class real estate strategies and a competitive advantage that can’t be beat.
We help businesses identify opportunities and maximize their return on investment with actionable goals, centralized support services and a strong commitment to customer success. Our national partnerships help us establish, guide and execute successful business investments.
We offer commercial real estate agents a professional environment, focused 100% on commercial real estate. Agents can expect unlimited market boundaries to build their business without the interference of a heavy corporate structure. In addition, agents will be able to access Royal LePage’s national referral network of over 18,000 agents to develop more business in their target markets with incoming leads generated daily. The brokerage provides agents a suite of services including marketing, promotional, networking and professional development needs.
Innovation and service excellence have developed and propelled the Royal LePage brand since 1913. When you join Royal LePage Commercial Toronto brokerage, you have the backing of one of the most powerful commercial real estate services company in Canada—Bridgemarq Real Estate Services Inc. (formally Brookfield Real Estate Services Inc.). Bridgemarq is a leading provider of services to real estate brokers and agents. They are an affiliate of Brookfield Business Partners, a business services and industrials company focused on owning and operating high-quality businesses and is listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges.