06/10/2026
How do you attract and retain tenants in an increasingly experience-driven workplace market?
The expectations of office tenants have changed. Premium workplaces are no longer defined by location alone. They are measured by the quality of the everyday experience, from intuitive arrivals and end-of-trip facilities to hospitality offerings, wellness amenities and places to connect.
At 500 Bourke, IFM Investors and CBRE transformed a landmark Melbourne C*D tower into a contemporary workplace and lifestyle destination, with architecture by Fender Katsalidis. Diadem was engaged to design, develop and deliver a comprehensive wayfinding and signage system that supports the building’s repositioning and elevates the tenant experience across every touchpoint.
Grounded in user journeys, the strategy connects people seamlessly from workplace to retail destinations, wellness facilities and end-of-trip amenities, creating an experience that is both intuitive and inviting. The signage design draws directly from the architecture, taking inspiration from the building’s distinctive waffle ceiling pattern, robust material palette and refined interior finishes to create a cohesive and enduring identity.
Building on the success of the tower repositioning, Diadem later extended the design language to Plaza Eats, a new food and beverage precinct accessed via Little William Street. Inspired by the same engraved grid motif that informed the base building signage, the activation creates a vibrant destination that attracts workers, visitors and the surrounding community while strengthening the building’s lifestyle offer.
The result is a workplace destination that goes beyond office space, demonstrating how thoughtful placemaking, amenity and design can help attract and retain tenants in an increasingly competitive market.
To learn more, https://diadem.co/projects/500-bourke/